2/19/2021 Ocean City Today

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FEBRUARY 19, 2021

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Remarks sting in exchange over Jellyfish Council sets event’s date, Gehrig, Paddack get fiery

GREG WEHNER/OCEAN CITY TODAY

MAKING ROOM

Demolition was underway this week in the Inlet Village, at the southern end of the Boardwalk, to make way for a new open-air food court. Story on page 8.

Phillips leaves OPA Resignation follows series of closed meetings about complaint against director

By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Ocean Pines Director of Amenities and Operational Logistics Colby Phillips resigned on Thursday in the wake of recent closed-door meetings tied to an ethics and conduct complaint against a member of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors.

“My resignation is in conjunction

with recent events,” Phillips said.

The directors convened close meetings on Jan. 26, Jan. 29 and Feb. 4, presumably to discuss a complaint filed by an employee who alleged that a current board member violated the association’s resolution regarding Director and Officer Ethics and Conduct.

On Feb.4, Director Dr. Colette Horn read from a prepared statement during the virtual meeting, which lasted scarcely minutes, stating that an OPA employee had filed a complaint, but that an investigaSee PHILLIPS Page 2

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Tempers flared between Ocean City Council members on Tuesday when a discussion to reschedule the Jellyfish Festival – a family-oriented two-day music/extreme sports extravaganza – for Sept.

11-12 turned into accusations of backdoor deals over modifying the date for Labor Day weekend at the last minute.

Brad Hoffman of Live Wire Media & Events last held the Jellyfish Festival in June 2019, and it was supposed to take place again in 2020. But like many other events, it was cancelled because of the pandemic.

Hoffman anticipates restrictions related to covid-19 are expected to remain in place in June, so he proposed hosting the festival from Sept. 11-12.

The Jellyfish Festival consists of several family-friendly events like See JELLYFISH Page 2

Eagle survives crash through windshield

PHOTO COURTESY TRI-STATE BIRD RESCUE AND RESEARCH

This bald eagle recuperates at Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research in Newark, Delaware, after flying through the windshield of a truck last Friday.

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) A bald eagle is resting comfortably in serious, but stable condition, after flying through the windshield of a truck on Route 113 near Langmaid Road in Newark last Friday afternoon.

Tractor-trailer driver Wayne Hamilton, 63, of Delaware, said the bird was apparently swooping down after prey when it crashed through his windshield and landed in his lap.

Maryland State Police, who handed the case over to the Department of Natural Resources, said Hamilton refused medical See EAGLE Page 3

PAGE 2

Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Jellyfish date change talks lead to stinging exchange Continued from Page 1 concerts, yoga, a cornhole tournament, fat tire bike zone, fitness zone, and ultimate frisbee zone, and is expected to take place near Dorchester Street.

Before the meeting on Tuesday, Mayor Rick Meehan said, he spoke with Hoffman about the festival, and pointed out that the Wine Fest was the same Sept. 10-11 weekend. Meehan suggested possibly looking at Labor Day weekend because no other events were scheduled.

“I think it would be advantageous to have it on that weekend because I know Brad’s trying to grow that event,” Meehan said.

The mayor suggested Hoffman speak with Frank Miller, the superintendent of special events, to see if the dates would work.

During the council meeting, the event organizer was set on hosting Jellyfish Festival on Labor Day weekend.

“I’m excited to push forward for the Labor Day date,” Hoffman said. “I feel like it could be an anchor for that weekend.

“I want to do what’s best for the town, as always, and I feel like this event is a solid event ... and could really be a good move for the event,” he added.

But the move would be temporary – Hoffman plans to move the festival back to June once the pandemic is over.

Councilman John Gehrig said he saw no problem with having the festival on the same weekend as Wine Fest, and after looking at his calendar a bit, he suggested Hoffman move the event to Sept. 25-26 – the same weekend as the anticipated fall car pop-up rally.

“If you want a lot of people who may like to get a little jelly on, how about the ... 25th and 26th of September,” Gehrig said. “Talk about giving people something to do. We shut everything else down, we just let them run. Talk about giving them a concert.”

Hoffman replied that he would rather stick with hosting his event on Labor Day weekend.

All seven board members voted and approved the date change from Sept. 11-12 to Labor Day weekend.

But shortly after the vote, Gehrig

expressed concern about the event and the way the board handled the discussion.

Regarding the discussion between Meehan and Hoffman, Gehrig said it was clear there were discussions before the City Council meeting because it seemed like “everyone had their decision made,” to permit the Jellyfish Festival organizer to host his event on Labor Day weekend.

“The more I’m sitting here since our conversation about ‘Jellyfest,’ it bothers me,” Gehrig said. “Are we ever going to be really serious about impacting pop-up, when we won’t even discuss it? The man who probably speaks their language more than anyone else ... he can put on a concert.

We talked about giving them something to do. We have an opportunity to discuss it and we chose not to.”

Meehan wanted to clear the record, saying he only spoke to Hoffman for about 10 minutes. During the conversation, he said, Hoffman asked about the proposal and whether Meehan had any questions. Meehan said he noticed nothing was scheduled for Labor Day weekend and suggested Hoffman speak with Miller and Special Events to see if they had anything planned.

Councilman Mark Paddack said he was unaware of the date change, as did other members of the board. But Paddack called Gehrig out during the discussion for his suggestion to host the concert during pop-up.

“The last thing I would do is take a business promoter with a new concept that he’s trying to get going, and say, ‘Hey, it would be better to have you come up during pop-up and have them destroy your venue,’” Paddack said, explaining that 95 percent of the people who attend pop-up are good, while the other 5 percent make it worse for the rest of the attendees.

“You’re not listening to what’s going on. You wanted him to possibly do it at pop-up.

“I’m not going to throw him or any other special event under the bus because we want to take over a week to take over the pop-up event,” he added.

After an intense exchange between the two councilmen, the conversation concluded with the vote on the date already in the books.

The Jellyfish Festival is slated to take place Labor Day weekend this year on the beach downtown, featuring music and extreme sports.

Phillips resigns from OPA, citing ‘recent events’ Continued from Page 1 tion led the OPA’s counsel to conclude no violation had occurred.

According to reports from Ocean Pines Forum moderator Joe Reynolds, it was Phillips who filed the complaint against OPA President Larry Perrone alleging he created a hostile workplace.

In April 2019, Phillips was appointed to the newly created director of operations role after previously serving as the Ocean Pines aquatics director, which was preceded by more than a quarter century working for the Ocean City Beach Patrol as a surf rescue technician.

While declining to discuss specifics this week, Phillips said more information would come to light in the near future.

“No comment at this time but I’m excited to share future opportunities that have come my direction since things have happened over the last two months,” she said. “I wasn’t looking for anything, but other opportunities presented themselves … but my resigna-

Colby Phillips

tion is because of recent events.”

The resolution cited by the complaint, B-08, restricts board members from providing specific direction to association management, employees or vendors without prior authorization. Additionally, B-08 prohibits board members from retaliating against an employee alleging impropriety.

On Tuesday, Ocean City Today reached out to Perrone who declined to comment, while General Manager John Viola was unable to be reached.

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Today

PAGE 3

Eagle recovering after flying into windshield Continued from Page 1 care, while DNR Police spokesperson Lauren Moses said the eagle was taken to Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research in Newark, Delaware.

As of Monday, Lisa Smith, executive director of Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, said the eagle is in stable condition and eating on its own.

However, it still has internal injuries and is easily stressed when handled or when staff members enter the enclosure. The prognosis is guarded at this point, she said.

The bald eagle is receiving medications to reduce pain and inflammation at this time. Based on its fully white head and tail, this bald eagle has reached adulthood, Smith said, which means it is over 5 years old.

Currently, the clinic is not certain of the bird’s gender.

“I am not sure we have seen a case like this before, where the bird went through the windshield and survived to be brought to us for care,” Smith said. “We have had cases in the past of birds stuck in car or truck grills and survived and were released.”

It hasn’t been that many years since bald eagles were an endangered species and rarely, if ever, were seen in Worcester County. Their neardemise was attributed in large part to the use of the pesticide DDT, which also nearly killed off the much smaller osprey.

Scientists said the DDT was ingested by the birds through the fish they ate, and that its presence left the shells of

OPA reaches case settlement (Feb. 19, 2021) Ocean Pines Association President Larry Perrone, on behalf of the Board of Directors, announced Tuesday that the association and former board member Slobodan Trendic have reached a settlement on the Slobodan Trendic v Ocean Pines Association case that Trendic filed after the board rejected his petition calling for a referendum on spending.

“The terms of the settlement re-

quire OPA to conduct a referendum on Mr. Trendic’s 2019 petition in compliance with the court’s order and the procedures set forth in Section 4.08 of the OPA By-Laws and to reimburse Mr. Trendic his court costs of $196.65,” Perrone said.

“OPA is moving forward with the referendum process. Notice of the public hearing will be forthcoming soon.”

their eggs so thin and brittle they would break during the incubation period.

The ban on DDT, along with other legislation, allowed eagles and ospreys to return and flourish. Although the

precise number of nesting eagle pairs in Worcester County isn’t known, the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership lists 14 active nests in the county, most of them on the ocean side.

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Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Organizers present modified Springfest because of covid

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) With the constant ebb and flow of restrictions surrounding covid-19, organizers of Ocean City’s Springfest plan to push forward with a modified version of the event in May, which will mark the 30th anniversary of the popular festival.

Ocean City Special Events Superintendent Frank Miller presented his plans for Springfest to City Council members on Tuesday, prefacing Frank Miller his PowerPoint presentation with a suggestion that things will more than likely change by the start of the event, which takes place from May 6-9.

“This event ... is in a constant state of flux,” he said.

Miller added that he has been in constant communication with the Worcester County Health Department regarding the changing of rules.

Springfest was scheduled to take place in 2020 but was canceled because of covid. In 2019, the festival brought in 120,106 people, compared

to the 137,570 people who attended the 2018. In past years, the festival attracted national recording artists like Styx as well as bands like the Sublime tribute band Badfish, and Ballyhoo!, a reggae band from Aberdeen, Maryland.

This year, Miller said, no national ticketed acts will be performing, and instead, all performances will be free and only 250 people will be permitted to watch in front of the stage. The festival will also only have one stage on the sand for artists to perform, whereas in past years, performances were also held at an entertainment tent.

A food tent will be available for individuals to walk up and purchase something to eat, though they will not be allowed to walk around with the food at the festival. Instead, people will be required to get the food and sit down to consume it. There are discussions regarding standing counterheight tables because they do not follow guidelines to sit down and eat.

But what the tables do allow for is a faster turnover rate at tables because people will be less likely to stand around after they eat, Miller said.

The State of Maryland is requiring that people social distance and wear

Ocean City plans to host the 30th annual Springfest celebration in May, though officials expect crowds to be lighter than normal because of a modified version of the festival due to the pandemic.

face masks throughout the event’s footprint. Organizers also plan to leave the north end of the food tent open so it will not be an enclosed structure.

The festival is expected to have a beer garden with four vendors and a midway of 45 vendors, Miller said, though state mandates on out-ofstate travel may deter vendors from attending.

Miller added that there will be staff on hand to conduct daily health checks on people and provide security.

With the addition of staffing for covid protocols, a decrease in the budgeted tent rental, removal of custom stage lighting because shows will not go past 8 p.m., the loss of national headline acts, fewer live perform-

ances, and an increased cost for event signage telling people to social distance, Miller said he expects there to be an approximate decrease in expenses, from $377,000 to $204,000, or $173,000.

Additionally, he expects to see a decrease in vendors, a loss of threeday concert-ticket sale revenue, a drop in alcohol and merchandise sales, and less money from sponsors, amounting to another $222,155 decrease in revenue from the budgeted $448,825.

Still, organizers are pushing to have the festival because it is its 30th anniversary.

City Council members unanimously voted to approve the layout and budget of the festival.

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By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Ocean City Council members voted on Tuesday to discontinue a $26 discount punch card good for eight rides on the Boardwalk tram, though the vote was not unanimous.

Councilmen Matt James, Tony DeLuca, Frank Knight, Lloyd Martin, and Mark Paddack voted in favor of eliminating the punch card, while Rick Meehan Councilmen Peter Buas and John Gehrig voted against the measure.

Mayor Rick Meehan said the Transportation Commission recommended the card be eliminated, primarily for safety reasons.

He explained the punch cards are sold by the conductor of the tram as passengers board, and if they decided to purchase the card, they exchange money with the conductor.

“Due to covid, this could eliminate interaction,” Meehan said of the money exchange between the passenger and conductor.

Meehan said the town would continue to sell the $4 ticket, $8 unlimited ride pass, and a senior card that is available to senior bus pass holders. The only change is to eliminate the discount card.

The mayor’s push to eliminate the discount card came shortly after it was announced that the Boardwalk tram would return to service this year, after being on hiatus because of the pandemic.

During a meeting with the Transportation Commission on Feb. 8, Meehan said it would be fine if the punch cards could be purchased in advance, but that is not possible at this time. At the same meeting, Public Works Director Hal Adkins said his department supported the elimination of the discount card to avoid interaction between the rider and conductor.

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

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Ocean City Today

Thunderbirds to headline 2021 OC Air Show

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Officials announced last week that the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the 2021 Ocean City Air Show from June 19-20.

Joining the Thunderbirds will be the F-22 Raptor Demo Team, the SOCOM-Para-Commandos, Geico Skytypers, and Mike Wiskus.

The air show takes place each year in Ocean City and allows visitors to see high speed and death-defying acts

performed by pilots and aerialists.

What could be considered a circus of military and private aircraft pilots who show off their skills, the air show in Ocean City only got its start in 2008 and has grown exponentially in size.

In fact, the show attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year, who gather to watch the aircraft from the boardwalk, beach, and hotels.

This year, special event tickets are being sold on ocairshow.com.

Prices range from $22.50 for a seat

in Drop Zone Beach – where restrooms, hand sanitizing stations, food, and beverages are made available – to $399, which allows ticket holders to experience the show from a penthouse 10 floors up.

In addition to the return of the Thunderbirds, bus service to and from the event will also return as Ocean City Council members voted on Tuesday to bring back the service that will transport ticket holders, vendors, performers, and VIPs to and from the show center.

Due to directives from the State of Maryland Health Department last year, bus service, which had previously been provided from the West Ocean City Park & Ride lot and convention center, was cancelled by

council for the August 2020 Air Show.

This year, organizers of the event have requested the bus service return.

But it will come with a slight modification. The buses are expected to haul people to the show from the south convention center lot on 40th Street on Saturday and from Jolly Roger Amusement Park on 30th Street on Sunday.

Since the city buses cannot be used for charter purposes, they will be open to the general public and air show participants.

Without any discussion, the board members voted to approve the request to use the buses, 7-0.

For more information, visit ocairshow.com.

Boating safety course offered (Feb. 19, 2021) The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering a virtual Maryland Basic Boating Safety Course, March 2-4 from 6-9 p.m.

The Maryland Safe Boating Certificate is required for all boat operators born after July 1, 1972 and is awarded after successful completion of the course.

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Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Council approves $676K audiovisual upgrade

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Ocean City officials voted to spend $675,925 to upgrade a portion of the sound system at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street on Tuesday, after several clients of the facility complained that the equipment was outdated and incompatible with their equipment.

City Engineer Terry McGean said the equipment would be replaced in areas that have not been renovated as part of a three-phase expansion project that started in 2011. Specifically, the exhibit hall and all of the meeting rooms have speakers that no longer function, and issues with sound bleeding over between meeting rooms.

“That equipment no longer meets the needs of the wireless digital presentation media now used by our clients,” McGean said, adding that the lack of a fully functional audiovisual system is increasingly becoming

an issue.

He asked the Maryland Stadium Authority to include the replacement of the existing audiovisual system, and the process has been completed with a total cost of $675,925.

McGean suggested the City Council use money from a convention center capital reserve fund with a balance of $1,254,293. He said for the past 25 years, both Ocean City and the Stadium Authority have contributed $50,000 into the account.

Once the current expansion is complete, both entities will increase that amount to $100,000 per year.

“It’s terrible in there, so this has to be done if we’re going to do any business in the future,” Councilman John Gehrig said.

Once the work is finished, McGean said, the entire sound system throughout the building will be interconnected.

Councilman Lloyd Martin was absent when the board voted 6-0 in favor of the purchase.

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Ocean City Engineer Terry McGean said the audiovisual system in parts of the convention center on 40th Street dates back to 1996 and needs to be replaced for $675,925.

OCDC, Downtown Association combine revitalization efforts

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Although it has been more than a month since it happened, the Ocean City Development Corporation, more commonly known as OCDC, and the Downtown Association merged on the first of the year, bringing together two organizations dedicated to revitalizing the downtown portion of Ocean City.

Both organizations – OCDC as a 501(c)(3) and the Downtown Associa- Glenn Irwin tion as a 501(c)(4) – have worked together on several downtown projects over the past 20 years, though in different capacities.

OCDC Executive Director Glenn Irwin said the Downtown M. Manganello Association was involved in hosting events like the crab soup cookoff and being on the “social side” of redevelopment, while his organization was more involved in the brick and mortar, working with developers and hosting public art and special events.

“I think both of our organizations Crossword answers from page 36

complement each other, and I think it’s a good thing in the long run, for not only OCDC, but for the Downtown Association,” he said. “I think we’ll be that much more in tune to continue our revitalization efforts in downtown Ocean City.”

Former Downtown Association Director Mary Ann Manganello said both organizations have been around for a long time – the association for nearly 40 years and OCDC for about 20.

The association placed more emphasis on hosting events during the off-season to draw the local folks out and give them something to do during the week when nothing was going on.

Some of the events the association hosted included a pancake breakfast and spaghetti dinner, with the money that was raised during the events going into its projects.

One of the more recent projects the Downtown Association raised money for was to put Christmas lights downtown.

She explained that many of the light displays ended up in North Ocean City, leaving downtown in the dark.

Over the past five-to-six years, Manganello estimates that the Downtown Association raised about $80,000, which went to many of the light displays seen downtown along the streets, five big light displays around the inlet parking lot, and a hand-waving, illuminated snowman that greets visitors when they drive into Ocean City.

Both organizations also hosted their own golf tournaments, but last year combined them because they did not think the turnout would be big during the pandemic.

“It turned out great,” Manganello said.

She added that on March 21, the newly combined organization will See MERGER Page 8

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

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Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Inlet Village renovations to prioritize views and tourism

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) An open-air food court focused on culinary tourism and stunning inlet views could soon become reality, after the Ocean City Board of Zoning Appeals last week unanimously approved an application filed by Windsor Resorts Inc. – the parent company of Trimper’s Rides – seeking modifications to the property.

The applicant sought permission to convert zoning for 23 parking spaces at its Inlet Village property from retail to restaurant use.

In addition to changing the allowed use under the zoning code, Windsor Resorts plans to remove four buildings, including a dog store, and revamp the space by reconfiguring it.

Some of the retail space will be used as restaurant space, the Frog Bar – which will be rebranded as Bandit’s Bar and Grill – will get an approximately 400-square-foot addition, and the 23 spaces will be reconfigured into a food court where people can walk up to a window, order food, and take it back to a table to eat.

“With covid in mind and very limited outdoor dining options in Ocean City, the reconcepted inlet market

will be Ocean City’s first open air food hall,” Antoinette Bruno, the president of Windsor Resorts, told BZA members. “The new inlet market will draw culinary tourism, not just downtown, but to Ocean City. It will put Ocean City on the map of the national city movement.”

The renovated space will have 10 restaurants, according to Bruno, including Harrison’s Harbor Watch and Bandit’s Bar and Grill. It will showcase a blend of grab-and-go spots, highlighting what she described as the best local seafood, craft brews, and “stunning views” to complement the market.

Rather than use tents, the food hall will have open-air with tables and chairs, she told the board. The footprint of the soon-to-be former dog store will be attached to Bandit’s, allowing alcohol to be served in that space.

Bruno said the company spent nearly $200,000 last year to put “lipstick on a pig,” and try to make the Inlet Village look nicer, but it did not make a difference in the clientele that regularly visits the attraction.

Bruno said even before covid-19, the park saw a decline in patronage, and she attributes the drop in visitors

GREG WEHNER/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The owners of Trimper’s Rides were granted approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals to renovate space in the Inlet Village for an open-air food court.

to something bigger.

“We think that there is an impression that there is crime on the Boardwalk,” she said. “We need to change the visitor’s perceptions and draw families back down to travel the full length of the Boardwalk. We believe the inlet market project is going to do just that, and it’s going to revitalize downtown.”

BZA Chairman Alfred Harrison said it may be time for a change at the southern end of the Boardwalk, and he did not see any problems with the application or proposal.

And while residents and visitors may insist on never paying for park-

ing, Harrison said, when it gets busy downtown in the summer, “it’s what we have to face.”

Before the board voted to approve the application, 5-0, Christopher Rudolf, the secretary of the BZA, praised the proposed changes, saying, “Being a Boardwalk employee myself in the summertime, I think this is a huge improvement to the Inlet Village and I don’t see any reason to vote against this.”

In addition to gaining approval from the BZA, a site plan review for the project that was conducted by the Planning Board on Wednesday was passed unanimously.

GREG WEHNER/OCEAN CITY TODAY

Windsor Resort Inc., the owners of Trimper’s Rides and the Inlet Village, began making way this week for an open-air food court that will focus on local culinary specialties and craft brews at the southern end of the Boardwalk.

Merger pulls together resources Continued from Page 6 bring back the pancake breakfast, where for $10, patrons can eat unlimited pancakes and sausage. This will be the first time since 2019 that the organization has hosted the event. It was planned for March 2020 but called off because of the pandemic.

The organizations plan to continue hosting several events and programs that they originally started.

For example, the OCDC Facade Improvement Program and other reno-

vation programs will continue to be available ,and the Sunset Park Party Nights music series, After Dark socials, O.C.Toberfest Craft Beer Festival, and Art Davis Memorial Golf Tournament will continue to be held.

“We hope it’s a good move all around,” Manganello said. “Having the two organizations together makes it a full-fledged organization. It’s not just about the business end or the fun end.”

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

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Ocean City Today

Mandate requires watermen to wear masks

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Local watermen and charter boat operators don’t quite understand the logic behind President Joe Biden’s Jan. 21 executive order requiring passengers and crew to wear masks when their vessels are in federally regulated waters, but they have little choice but to follow the rules.

If they don’t, they could run into trouble with the Coast Guard, which is charged with enforcing the new regulation authorized by an executive

order issued by President Joe Biden.

Chief Brad Temple from Coast Guard Station Ocean City said that he and his crew are working with local law enforcement to implement the executive order and to ensure owners and operators comply with CDC guidelines.

To that end, the CDC guidance recommends that boat operators only allow people wearing masks to board their vessels, and to instruct prospective passengers that failure to wear a mask on board constitutes a violation of federal law.

Rep. Andy Harris (R-1st), whose district includes all of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, doesn’t agree.

“While appropriate on some modes of transportation where social distancing with strangers cannot be maintained, this mandate is overly broad and leading to unforeseen frustration.

“Our watermen are completely outdoors, often numbering no more than three per vessel, and have been working together without interruption since the beginning of this pandemic – they are at extremely

low-risk by the nature of their work,” Harris said Tuesday.

“Rather than being the Biden mask police for a low-transmission industry, the Coast Guard should be spending their valuable time doing their core duties, especially drug enforcement.”

The primary mission of Coast Guard Station Ocean City is searchand-rescue and law enforcement, but drug interdiction is not high on its list of assignments.

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PAGE 10

Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Hogan announces efforts to increase vaccination equity

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Gov. Larry Hogan made several announcements related to the covid-19 pandemic during a press conference last Thursday, including a testing program for schools, limited visitation for Maryland hospitals and nursing homes and a new initiative to have counties appoint equity officers to address vaccine hesitancy.

“In coordination with the Maryland Hospital Association, the Maryland Department of Health will be issuing orders to allow for limited visitation to resume at Maryland hospitals, subject to the policy set at each facility,” Hogan said. “In addition, state health officials will also issue guidance, which will provide for limited indoor visitation at Maryland nursing homes beginning March 1.”

In addition, the governor said that 22 of the 24 school systems statewide have begun in-person instruction or plan to do so by March 1.

Hogan also announced that Brig.

Gen Janeen Birckhead, head of the Maryland Vaccine Equity Task Force, is asking each county to appoint an equity officer to serve as a liaison in order to closely coordinate on equity

initiatives. Birckhead and the task force, along with county equity officers, will be working with local organizations and clinical partners to stand up mobile clinics to reach critical populations.

The task force includes the Office of Lt. Gov. Boyd K. Rutherford, Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Director Dr. Noel Brathwaite and Deputy Director Dr. Mark Martin and Assistant Medicaid Director Tricia Roddy.

The task force will leverage resources with close connections to critical communities, such as the state’s Vaccine Advisory Group, the Gover-

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nor’s Office of Community Initiatives, the state’s network of Medicaid providers and additional public sector and community partners.

In addition, the task force will serve as a clearinghouse for proposals and requests from nonprofit, faithbased and community organizations seeking to serve vulnerable populations.

The governor added that the demand for vaccines will exceed the supply for the foreseeable future.

“The basic problem is pretty simple – we need more damn vaccines,” he said. “If I needed to drain the entire Rainy Day fund to buy enough vaccines for every eligible Marylander, I would do so today. Unfortunately, we have no control whatsoever over this supply problem. Only the federal government can buy the vaccines, and only the federal government can send us the vaccines.”

In the meantime, the state has built the infrastructure to administer 50,000 to 100,000 shots per day as higher allocations of vaccines become available.

“Six weeks ago, Maryland providers were averaging about 3,000 shots per day,” Hogan said. “At the time, the state allocations were being deployed primarily to hospitals for their frontline healthcare workers and to 24 local health departments for them to vaccinate their own first responders and critical healthcare workers.”

Since then, vaccines have been deployed to more providers in every county to increase the number of vaccines administered by more than 770 percent.

Now, more than 200 providers are listed on covidvax.maryland.gov. Citizens can find providers by zip code.

Vaccinations are by appointment only, and some providers may allow pre-registration.

Every week, the state waits for more vaccines to arrive.

“The CDC officials have now agreed to begin providing states with two-week allocation projections instead of one,” the governor said. “Up until now, state health officials had to wait until Thursday, Friday and

sometimes even Saturday night of each week to know what we could allocate to anyone for the following week. I’ve now directed the Maryland Department of Health to provide county officials with four-week allocation projections, so that they can plan ahead and can open up more appointments for their clinics.”

He added that allocations will increase to each county as a whole across all providers. Allocations are made equitably based on population.

Additionally, mass vaccination sites are being finalized in western Maryland, southern Maryland and on the Eastern Shore.

“We will be ready to open them next month as more vaccines become available to us from the federal government,” Hogan said.

Also, a statewide call center will be launched to help citizens register for the mass vaccination sites.

Hogan added that the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine candidate may be approved by the end of this month.

Recently, the Maryland Department of Health confirmed that a P.1 strain of the coronavirus, commonly known as the Brazil variant, was contracted by an adult older than 65 from the National Capital Region, who recently passed away following international travel.

“State public health officials are closely monitoring the P.1 variant, and we mourn the loss of this Marylander to COVID-19” Hogan stated in a press release Wednesday evening.

“As we continue to test for these variants, we strongly encourage Marylanders to continue taking precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including mask wearing, regular hand washing, and physical distancing.”

At this time, the variant is believed to be more transmissible than the initial strain of the virus that causes covid-19, however, it is not certain yet whether the P.1 variant causes more severe disease than other mutations.

On Tuesday, Hogan submitted a $1.59 billion supplemental budget to the legislature as an amendment to See VACCINE Page 12

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

PAGE 11

Ocean City Today

(Far left) Sonny Gwin, owner of Skilligalee Seafood, a commercial fishing operation out of West Ocean City, said he has taken precautions to protect his crew from the spread of the coronavirus, but the mask mandate is “burdensome.” (Left) Capt. Jeremy Blunt of Wrecker Sport Fishing in Ocean City, believes President Joe Biden’s executive order will negatively impact business of charter services because people don’t want to wear masks while fishing in the summer heat.

PHOTO COURTESY COREY GWIN

PHOTO COURTESY WRECKER SPORT FISHING

Vessel operators discuss burden of masks Continued from Page 9 Seafood, a commercial fishing operation out of West Ocean City, similarly said the mask mandate is “burdensome” because it will be challenging to keep the masks clean and to communicate quickly with crew members over the noise of the vessel.

Although he believes the coronavirus pandemic is a serious situation, Gwin said “what we’re doing to alleviate the problem seems kind of questionable.”

He is also hopeful that coronavirus

will be less of a concern with the covid-19 vaccine distribution.

He added that there have been no cases of coronavirus among his threeperson crew, including himself. He added that he has taken precautions such as questioning crew members about potential exposures before allowing them on the boat.

Neither has Wrecker Sport Fishing in Ocean City experienced any positive covid-19 cases associated with its business.

“We roughly had 470 people on

this boat last summer between a hundred trips and not a single one said they had it or came back and said they got sick from being with us,” Capt. Jeremy Blunt said.

He added that he only knows of one charter boat that was contacted about a positive covid-19 case.

Wrecker Sport Fishing sanitized the boat after each fishing trip last season.

Blunt said the mask mandate will negatively affect business of charter services. During the 2020 season,

Blunt said most of his charters felt that if they were forced to wear a mask they weren’t going to pay to go fishing.

Last year was a successful year because people could fish together while there were other restrictions on social gatherings.

“Every charter boat still stayed very busy despite covid, but this mandate, if they enforce it, that could just be a total opposite summer for us because people don’t want to do it. They want to enjoy themselves outdoors,” Blunt said.

PAGE 12

Ocean City Today

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Vaccine demand surpasses supply Continued from Page 10 the governor’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2022. The supplemental budget provides $9 million to support local health departments.

In Worcester County, 9,381 people have received the first dose, or 17.9 percent of the population. Meanwhile, 3,742 people have received the second dose, or just 7.2 percent of the county population.

As of Thursday, the Worcester County Health Department has received 3,500 first doses and administered 3,148 of them.

The Worcester County Health Departments hosts vaccine clinics at the Worcester County Recreation Center in Snow Hill on Tuesdays, West Ocean City Park and Ride on Thursdays, the Elks Lodge in Pocomoke on Fridays and the Worcester County Health Department facility in Snow Hill on Saturdays when doses are available.

The health department has updated how it registers individuals for the vaccine clinics. There is now a single central waiting listing that includes all clinics operated by Worcester Health. To register for this waiting list, call 667-253-2140.

Individuals are advised to leave a phone number, so they can be notified when an appointment time becomes available based on eligibility.

The number that will show up when the Worcester County Health Department Covid-19 Vaccine Call Center calls you back, will come up as 410-632-1100 or 410-632-1016.”

The call center will request the following information: first name, last name, email address, phone number, age, first dose or second dose, Phase 1C eligibility, any underlying health conditions, and county and state of residence.

The Ocean City Fire Department has joined the Worcester County Health Department to assist in administering the vaccine. Battalion Chief Rick Koch has been designated as the liaison between the fire department and the health department to distribute the vaccinations based on availability.

With a goal to offer at least one clinic per week, Ocean City paramedics are hosting clinics in the community room at Northside Park on 125th Street and the Worcester Street Police Substation.

So far, Atlantic General Hospital has received 5,570 doses of the vaccine, said Sarah Yonker, director of marketing for the hospital.

Community members in Phases 1A, 1B and 1C have received about 4,261 of those doses as of Feb. 13. The hospital has 319 staff members who have completed Pfizer and 307 who have completed Moderna.

Currently, the hospital is offering covid-19 vaccine clinics Tuesday through Friday for targeted risk

groups every week in the main lobby by appointment only.

“Our focus this week is 65 and up for all clinics with another first dose associate clinic,” Yonker said. “More than 80 percent of our staff who provide direct patient care have been fully vaccinated.”

Last week, 1,158 doses of the vaccine were administered through the clinics. Yonker added that people are pulled from the waitlist at almost all clinics.

Online registration is required through the state of Maryland’s covid19 vaccine scheduling website, marylandvax.org.

Photo identification is required at the appointment. Patients and community members are advised to arrive no more than 15 minutes prior to their appointment.

For more information about how to register for a vaccine clinic, visit agh.care/vaccine or call the coronavirus vaccine information line at 410-641-9272.

‘The basic problem is pretty simple – we need more damn vaccines.’

Gov. Larry Hogan Through the federal long-term care program, CVS and Walgreens are conducting vaccination clinics at Maryland nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Participating CVS pharmacies, including those in Ocean City, began administering vaccines to eligible populations last Friday.

Patients must register in advance at CVS.com or through the CVS Pharmacy app. People without online access can contact CVS customer service at 800-746-7287. Walk-in vaccinations without an appointment will not be provided.

Giant, Walmart, Safeway and Rite Aid pharmacies have also joined the state’s vaccine distribution network in critical areas.

For vaccine information and resources, visit covidlink.maryland.gov.

As of Thursday, Worcester’s covid19 positivity rate was 5.07 percent, a decrease from 6.05 percent last week.

That’s still higher than the state’s rate of 4.13 percent.

Worcester has confirmed 48 new cases since last week. This brings the county’s total cases since March to 3,217.

The Maryland Department of Health reported Berlin and Ocean Pines had 1,304 and Ocean City had 808.

Worcester has recorded 91 deaths from covid-19.

As of Wednesday afternoon, seven patients with coronavirus were in Atlantic General Hospital – five in the

medical/surgical unit and two in the intensive care unit, Yonker said.

Hospital personnel have cared for seven patients who have come off a ventilator. Atlantic General has discharged 312 coronavirus patients who are recovering.

In the meantime, public health officials are encouraging anyone who feels sick, or who may have had contact with someone who is to get tested. All Worcester County residents, employees and their children 8 years and older who are experiencing covid-19 symptoms are eligible for testing.

People who suspect they may have the virus should call their primary care providers or the health department. The Worcester County Health Department has a hotline Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to determine if a person should be tested. Call 410-632-1100, select option eight and then press one.

The Worcester County Health Department’s nursing department told Ocean City Today that requests for testing have significantly decreased.

As a result, the last drive-through covid testing at the Pocomoke Health Department site, 400 Walnut St. # A, Pocomoke City, Maryland 21851, by appointment only for adults 18 years and older is scheduled for Monday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

However, testing is still available at most urgent care centers and some pharmacies. People who have covidlike symptoms can also discuss options for testing with their primary care providers, according to the local health department.

Saturday hours for covid-19 testing have been expanded at Atlantic ImmediCare urgent care clinic on 10th Street. Individuals can now get a test between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. No appointment is necessary.

Weekday hours for walk-in testing continue to be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Because of high demand for testing, anyone planning to arrive after 2 p.m. during the week is asked to call ahead. The testing clinic can be reached at 410-289-0065.

Rapid tests are available for patients experiencing two or more symptoms of the coronavirus. Exposure to someone with covid-19 is not a factor for rapid testing. If a patient does not meet the criteria to have a rapid test, they can still have the standard test. Turnaround time varies from 48 hours to five days.

For more information, visit www.agh.care/COVID19.

To track Maryland cases, visit coronavirus.maryland.gov/.

Marylanders are also encouraged to sign up for additional updates by texting ‘MdReady’ to 898-211.

To report a restaurant or bar for not following safety guidelines, call the county environmental health department at 410-352-3234.

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Today

PAGE 13

Gov. Hogan signs RELIEF Act into law this wk.

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Gov. Larry Hogan’s covid-19 emergency RELIEF Act passed in the Maryland General Assembly on Feb. 12 and was sent to the governor to sign on Monday.

The RELIEF Act is an emergency stimulus and tax relief package intended to provide over $1 billion for Marylanders and small businesses.

Hogan held a bill-signing ceremony for the RELIEF Act of 2021 on Monday.

“As a part of this bipartisan legislation, people who have lost their jobs will not have to pay any state and local income taxes on Wayne Hartman their unemployment benefits, letting them keep more money in their pockets,” Hogan said during the ceremony. “Tax relief for small businesses will let them keep up to $9,000 in their pockMary Beth ets over the next 90 Carozza days, so that they can keep their doors open and keep people on the payroll.”

Small businesses will also be protected against substantial or sudden increases in their unemployment taxes, the governor said.

Furthermore, the RELIEF Act offers additional grants to small businesses and nonprofit organizations, direct relief check to Marylanders in need and tax relief to state families.

“Today, I want to sincerely thank the leaders on both sides of the aisle for coming together to pass this measure with near unanimous support. It’s almost unheard of for any major piece of legislation to pass in such a short period of time and with such universal bipartisan support,” Hogan said.

In just three weeks, Senate Bill 496 made it through both chambers with improvements and back to Hogan for his signature.

The law went into immediate effect after being signed on Monday.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot said his office will issue more than $200 million in payments in the upcoming weeks to help Maryland taxpayers, unemployment insurance claimants, small businesses and nonprofits significantly affected by the covid-19 pandemic.

Taxpayers can go to www.MarylandTaxes.gov/ReliefAct to see if they qualify and check the status of their payments. They can also call 1-833345-0787 or email ReliefAct@marylandtaxes.gov for assistance.

Those who qualify for a RELIEF Act stimulus payment will be automatically processed either via direct deposit or paper checks unless their address on file is not verifiable with the U.S. Postal

Service, Franchot said.

There are nearly 6,000 recipients whose address information needs to be verified by the agency. Those individuals have been contacted and asked to call 1-833-345-0787 or email ReliefAct@marylandtaxes.gov to provide current information so the payments can be issued to them.

Under the RELIEF Act, 422,531 recipients are eligible for one-time stimulus payments of $300 or $500.

Taxpayers who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit in Tax Year 2019 and reside in or have permanent residence in Maryland as of Feb. 12 are eligible for payments.

Beginning on Tuesday, 266,985 electronic payments to individuals with a total of $113.6 million as well as 148,972 paper checks worth $61.7 million are being processed.

In total, 98 percent of RELIEF Act stimulus payments to individuals in need will be processed by this Friday.

Furthermore, 32,000 Marylanders waiting for unemployment insurance adjudication will be sent $1,000 grants once the state Department of Labor sends the Comptroller’s Office a list of recipients.

The RELIEF Act also includes waiving state income taxes on unemployment insurance income received during 2020 and 2021 for single filers who report under $75,000 in income and joint filers who report under $100,000. Taxpayers who have already filed their 2020 state tax returns can file an amended return for a full refund of Maryland state income taxes on those unemployment insurance benefits, according to the Comptroller’s Office.

“It was encouraging to see the Maryland General Assembly understand the urgency in passing this emergency covid-19 relief and stimulus package to assist struggling Maryland families and small businesses,” Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) said. “It will go into effect immediately and provide needed covid-19 relief now.”

In addition, the state Senate reconsidered House Bill 1300, Blueprint for Maryland’s Future bill, which lays out a broad education reform plan that would have increased state and county annual education spending by roughly $3.2 billion per year over 10 years.

“It’s the single largest spending undertaking the state has ever considered,” said Del. Wayne Hartman (R-38 C). “My concern is not just the cost. It’s the timing that we’re doing it. We’re See ACT Page 14

PAGE 14

Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Act offers stimulus and tax relief Continued from Page 13 doing it at a time when we should be trying to put money in the hands of Marylanders because of the pandemic that we’re still trying to get through.”

Hogan vetoed the bill in 2020 given its fiscal impact.

“We have a blueprint costing nearly $40 billion over 10 years, a Kirwan plan that we simply cannot afford, especially in the midst of an international health pandemic, and which does not provide local flexibility and control which is especially needed during the covid-19 crisis,” Carozza said on the Senate Floor.

“I strongly believe our constituents expect us to balance the ideal with the possible when it comes to funding Maryland’s education priorities, which means factoring in the reality of the significant state and local fiscal impacts, and balancing education and non-education priorities, especially during a global health pandemic,” Carozza continued.

Carozza also spoke out during the debate on an override of House Bill 732, which establishes a tax on digital advertising. She voted against the increase and voted to sustain the governor’s veto.

“Here we are, we have been working together on the covid-19 emergency relief package and I’m proud of our bipartisan work together …but then we turn around and we’re going to increase taxes during the covid-19 recovery,” Carozza said during her floor remarks.

During the debate, Carozza also read from an email she received from a constituent in Bishopville, who was concerned about the possibility of tax increases.

“I have been a Maryland resident for all 66 years of my life but if taxes are increased, I will be forced to flee Maryland and move two miles away (Delaware) where it is far more affordable. Please vote against increasing taxes and vote for a decrease in taxes for senior citizens in my beloved state of Maryland,” the constituent wrote.

Both vetoes were overridden on mostly party lines.

“House Bill 4, that was another governor’s override that was kind of disappointing,” Hartman said. “It interferes with the transfer of long guns, which here on the Eastern Shore have commonly been traded without any interference of government.”

He added that there is limited documentation that long guns are used for crime.

“It’s just another infringement on the Second Amendment right,” Hartman said. “An illegal transfer under this bill, which could mean lending someone a gun without going through the proper procedures, would have a greater penalty than actually stealing a gun, which makes zero sense.”

House Bill 4 was passed in the House of Delegates during the 2020 session, but the governor vetoed it. The veto was overridden on Feb. 12 and will become law on March 14.

Hartman’s balloon release ban is expected to come up for third reading and final vote in the House and then go to the Senate.

In addition, Hartman recently spoke with the Worcester County Commissioners about his Sunday hunting bill.

“I’m trying to get them to reconsider it with a vote this week on an amended version that would take out any wildlife management areas or public property, and the bill would strictly be a Sunday hunting bill on private property for various mammals and birds in-season,” Hartman said. “It would exclude federal migratory birds, anything such as geese and ducks, that are covered by federal regulations.”

As for his concealed carry bill, which would require the Secretary of State Police to issue a certain permit to carry, wear or transport a handgun to a person who meets certain requirements and is employed in a specific profession, Hartman said the hearing on Feb. 10 went well.

House Bill 538 is cross filed in the Senate.

“There’s definitely documentation out there to support the need for the bill. Hopefully, that the committee chair will take it [seriously] and get it before committee for a vote and have it

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get voted out of committee,” he said.

Furthermore, a hearing for Wade’s Law is scheduled for Feb. 24.

The legislation, filed by Carozza, increases penalties for criminally negligent driving that causes a life-threatening injury. Hartman added that Carozza has been trying for years to get the bill passed.

Additionally, Hartman said he supports House Bill 1, which would financially benefit the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and other historically Black colleges and universities across the state.

“The additional funding will help grow that university,” he said.

The bill was cross filed in the Senate and co-sponsored by Carozza. Senate Bill 1 passed on Feb. 5.

Hartman also supports House Bill 247, which give priority to older voters and those with disabilities and the person bringing them at polling places, and House Bill 373 regarding school employment and actions to be taken during a 60-day timeframe.

“It also allows board to share employment history with other boards of education,” he said.

On Tuesday, Carozza had a hearing for Senate Bill 646, which would permit the permanent allowance of alcohol and drug counseling trainees (ADTs) to provide services via telehealth after the current public health emergency declarations are lifted. Last spring, the Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists recommended that alcohol and drug trainees, or ADTs, be allowed to provide services via telehealth. Alcohol and drug trainees represent 40 percent of the overall workforce at the certified level.

“Access to alcohol and drug counseling through telehealth is increasingly important especially given the devastating data from the Maryland Health Department and Opioid Operational Command Center. There were 2,025 overdose deaths in Maryland in the first three quarters of 2020. That is a 12 percent increase from the same period in 2019,” Carozza testified. “These numbers make it clear that Maryland cannot let up in our efforts to provide

the needed counseling services and treatment to those with alcohol and drug addictions. Senate Bill 646 would ensure that alcohol and drug trainees can continue to provide telehealth services after the COVID-19 pandemic.”

This legislation has the support of over 25 organizations and treatment providers including the Maryland Department of Health Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, the Maryland Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, the Mental Health Association of Maryland, Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. and the Eastern Shore Behavioral Health Coalition in Easton as well as Peninsula Mental Health and Addiction Services and Hudson Behavioral Health in Salisbury.

“We know that alcohol and drug counseling services are critical, especially during the pandemic where we have seen a downward trend in mental health. Alcohol and drug trainees are key to the makeup of the addictions counseling workforce and essential as we continue to face workforce shortages in the field of substance use disorder treatment,” Carozza said. “With the expanded use of telehealth throughout our health care system including the allowance of ADTs to provide telehealth services for the last 10 months, it only makes sense to allow ADTs to continue to provide telehealth services so more clients can benefit from these lifesaving counseling services.”

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Gov. Larry Hogan signs Senate Bill 496, the RELIEF Act, into law on Monday afternoon after it passed in the Maryland General Assembly last week.

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Ocean City Today

AGH adapted to provide care for covid-19 patients

By Neely James Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) The now departed year of 2020 posed colossal challenges for Atlantic General Hospital and Health Systems (AGH), and hospital leaders on Tuesday explained to the Worcester County Commissioners how the hospital weathered the storm.

Despite a “worst case scenario” year, Greg Shockley, chairman of the AGH Board of Trustees, said 2020 was a year of embracing highs and adapting to lows.

During the first wave of the pandemic, he said, community support was a lifeline for staff.

Nettie Widgeon, RN has served on the Michael Franklin hospital’s front lines for 17 years. She said, “this past year has been a struggle...we had to adjust.”

Widgeon told the commissioners that when hospitals around the country were running out of personal protective equipment for staff, AGH was fully supplied with masks, gowns, and gloves. And when emotional exhaustion set in, she said gifts like flowers, cards and supportive messages from the community lifted spirits.

Buoyed by community support, the hospital’s response to the pandemic was quick and focused the commissioners were told. In March, the hospital added an intensive care unit to serve as a covid-19 ward, a space that ultimately supported the treatment and discharge of more than 225 covid patients.

Just weeks later, the hospital set up an overflow area for non-covid-19 patients and negative pressure rooms with airflow modified to non-recirculating. For patients with cold and flulike symptoms, a secondary ER was created to provide respiratory care.

An Atlantic Immedicare location in Ocean City was then converted to a covid-19 screening center in preparation for the anticipated pandemic surge. As the hospital continued improvements to contend with the pandemic, new treatments were becoming available. By the end of April, AGH was working with Blood Bank of Delmarva to provide convalescent plasma as a covid-19 treatment.

AGH President and CEO, Michael Franklin, helped explain how the hospital confronted the pandemic while remaining financially responsible, providing free community benefits, and expanding the hospital’s primary care and specialty staff. Focused on a mission to be a leader in See AGH Page 16

Serving Maryland and Delaware

PAGE 15

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Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

AGH plans expanded care for senior population in OP

Atlantic General President and CEO Michael Franklin said the hospital is committed to providing expanded care to the large senior population in Ocean Pines. The goal is to add surgical services and help consolidate existing community services into a single location convenient to Ocean Pines.

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Continued from Page 15 caring for people and advancing health for the residents and visitors to the Worcester County, AGH provided over $15 million in free and reduced-cost services to the community last year, Franklin said.

A central challenge in achieving the hospital’s mission, Franklin said, is improving health equity in the community.

“We fight on a weekly basis to get our allotment of vaccine supplies,” Franklin said.

While an impressive 17 percent of the Worcester County population has received at least one dose of a covid-19 vaccine, communities of color represent less than two percent of those numbers.

He said building public trust and providing equitable care is central to

the hospital’s mission. To that end, Worcester County Commissioner Diana Purnell is working with AGH to improve care, reduce vaccine hesitancy, and to get vaccines to the most vulnerable and at risk members within communities of color.

Franklin said the hospital is also committed to providing expanded care to the large senior population in Ocean Pines. The Ocean Pines project, a priority in past years, was delayed in 2020 due to covid-19. The goal of the expansion into Berlin is to add surgical services and help consolidate existing community services into a single location convenient to Ocean Pines. While the scope of the project has changed, Franklin says the hospital is moving forward with planning and permitting.

Pines gets county approval for up to eight digital signs

By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Ocean Pines yearslong campaign to replace manually updated community signs with electronic message boards came to fruition this week after the Worcester Commissioners approved an amendment to county zoning laws.

Worcester Director of Development Review and Permitting Ed Tudor said the conversations with Chip Bertino Ocean Pines Association representatives about the signs began about a year ago.

“They’re seeking a text amendment to allow internal community identification Ed Tudor signs,” he said.

In September 2019, the OPA Communications Committee began looking into replacing the community’s 13 marquee signs with digital versions.

After conferring with county officials it soon came to light that the sign swap would require a zoning code amendment specific to Ocean Pines.

Tudor told the commissioners on Tuesday the signs would be limited to non-commercial information relevant to the community.

“As originally proposed, the amendment would have allowed four such internal signs,” he said.

That count was bumped to six fol-

lowing a favorable recommendation for the amendment issued by the Worcester Planning Commission on Dec. 3.

Commissioner Chip Bertino asked Tudor if the number recommended by the Planning Commission was firm.

“There was some discussion about more than six signs at that meeting, is that correct?” he said.

Tudor said the discussion at the Dec. 3 meeting was wide ranging.

“There were a lot of numbers thrown around,” he said. “Some smaller, some greater.”

Bertino asked if the half-dozen figure could be amended.

Tudor said the signs would be internal to Ocean Pines and not visible to the general public.

Based on the dozen-plus existing signs, and the potential for emergency messaging applications, Bertino suggested a larger number would be warranted.

“The ability to have these signs changed remotely electronically would be a heck of a lot easier … from what we’re currently doing,” he said.

“If we were to increase that number to eight instead of six would it really be a problem?”

Tudor saw no issue with the suggestion.

“It doesn’t cause me any angst by any means,” he said.

Bertino moved to amend the amendment to permit eight internal community signs, which was seconded by Commissioner Jim Bunting and passed unanimously.

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FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Today

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FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Today

Floating island for endangered birds to be built by bays

By Neely James Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) In the coastal bays behind Assateague Island, an alliance of private, state, and federal collaborators is all about the birds. They would be the partners of Audubon Maryland-DC in an ambitious effort to restore a breeding habitat for declining populations of Ocean City icons, common terns and black skimmers.

The Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP), Audubon MarylandDC, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources recently got the go-ahead this week for a project at the South Point boat ramp where they will build the new breeding habitat, a floating island, for the endangered birds.

Maryland’s coastal bays are recognized as an “Important Bird Area” by Audubon. Human disturbance, predators, rapid erosion, and sea level rise have been threatening the species’ populations for decades. Since 1985, the black skimmer population has declined by more than 95 percent. Common terns have been reduced by

PHOTO COURTESY JEFF HOLMES

Partners of Audubon Maryland-DC are working to restore a breeding habitat for declining populations of common terns and black skimmers at the South Point boat ramp.

more than 90 percent.

Dave Wilson of Community Conservation Consulting is helping spearhead the complex restoration project, which he hopes to see complete by the last week of March.

Wilson explained that immediate action is necessary because, “While projects to restore breeding areas like island restoration are helpful ... the birds’ habitats cannot withstand the long-term effects of weather and ero-

sion.

Even if you aren’t environmentally minded, these birds are really icons of Ocean City, Wilson said.

The project, Wilson said, is a big step in rebuilding tern and skimmer populations that the conservation groups hope to restore. The plan is to build a 1,024-square-foot breeding platform and tow it two miles south of South Point Spoils in Sinepuxent Bay, where it will be anchored.

Volunteers from the community, including the bays program and Assateague Coastal Trust, will help build the raft, paint chick shelters, shovel clam shells to attach to the bottom of the floating platform, and then monitor breeding success throughout the summer.

For more information on the skimmer and tern conservation project, contact Maryland Coastal Bays, www.mdcoastalbays.org.

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Ocean City Today

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Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIEFS

By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) The Worcester County Commissioners approved purchasing a new 911-dispatch server, a zoning map amendment and a conditional use permit for the South Point boat ramp during its meeting on Tuesday.

Server purchase Director of IT Brian Jones presented a request to purchase two new 911-dispatch servers to replace nearly outdated models currently in use.

“These two servers have reached their end of useable life,” he said.

Jones said hardware upgrades are required for a pair of 911-CAD (computer-aided dispatch) servers, which are also employed by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Worcester County Jail.

Jones presented three price quotes

for server options, including: Dell at $177,695; Hewlett Packard at $187,976; and Stratus at $304,691.

“We currently have the Stratus but I would recommend the HP,” he said.

Commissioner Chip Bertino asked if Dell would be a stronger choice based on the roughly $10,000 price difference.

Jones said the county has at some point used all three server manufacturers and found HP to be highly reliable.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the HP server purchase.

Zoning map amendment The commissioners approved a rezoning request for an acre of property on the north side of Route 50 just east of Route 707.

Attorney Hugh Cropper, representing property owners COF Investment

Group, said the parcel in question totals just over an acre on a five-plus acre tract.

“COF owns almost 5.5 acres,” he said.

At present 1.2 acres of the property is zoned under two categories — one acre in R-2 suburban residential and 0.2 acres in the resource protection district, while the remaining majority is classified as C-2 commercial.

Cropper said the requested rezoning would amend the entire five-plus acres as C-2 commercial.

Cropper attributed the small area designated as a resource protection district to its proximity to a Herring Creek tributary and an earlier mapping miscue.

At present the resource protection zone bisects the property in two pieces, Cropper said.

The Worcester Planning Commission gave the request a favorable rec-

ommendation in early December.

The parcel is along Route 50 and located almost entirely in a commercial land use category within the comprehensive plan.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Planning Commissions findings of fact and approve the rezoning request.

South Point boat ramp The commissioners voted 6-1, with Jim Bunting opposed, to approve a one-year conditional-use permit for Dusk to Dawn Fishing Charters to launch and retrieve from the South Point boat ramp.

Capt. Mark Spagnola, who operates the bow fishing charter business, was denied a special use permit for the same purpose in July 2019.

This go-round, Spagnola retained the services of attorney Mark Cropper who argued the merits of permitting what is in practice an allowable use.

Cropper said after researching the matter it became apparent Spagnola’s desired access is not discernible from many other forms of recreational use, except that he is compensated financially.

“As long as nobody gives him a dollar at the end of the day it’s perfectly legal,” he said.

Cropper said his client makes use of the South Point boat ramp for both recreational fishing and commercial ventures.

“Marine contractors currently use the ramp regularly as a staging area,” he said. “They have to stage somewhere.”

Cropper also noted the boat ramp often plays host to crabbers and oystermen.

Commissioner Bud Church, while voicing no objection to the specific request, asked if approval would set a precedent for future use.

Cropper said each request should be vetted separately in regards to community impact.

“You have to judge each one independently,” he said.

Bunting expressed hesitation about granting commercial access to municipal boat ramps.

“We’ve worked hard to keep our boat ramps for public and recreational use,” he said. “If you open that door a little bit other people will join in.”

Bunting suggested a size-limit should be considered as part of the requested use.

“We need to get control of our public boat ramps,” he said.

Bunting said the county should develop a permit program to differentiate between local and out-of-state users.

“Unless you tighten up this wording on the special use permit I’m not going to be able to support you,” he said.

In light of the variables noted, Church made a motion to grant a oneyear conditional use permit to ascertain any negative ramifications.

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

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Ocean City Today

Berlin childcare centers apply for funding

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) While restaurants are perhaps the most well-known victims of pandemic-related restrictions and closures, a lesser known service is having its troubles as well, and is why local childcare centers are hailing the opening of the Child Care Relief Fund announced by Gov. Larry Hogan last Friday.

Through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, Maryland received additional federal funding to support childcare for children and families.

The Maryland State Department of Education is establishing a $60 million grant program to support eligible childcare programs statewide.

“Maryland’s childcare providers have made it possible for front line workers to continue their critical work throughout this public health emergency,” Hogan said in a press release.

“As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we are grateful to childcare providers who have reopened and provided continued support to our children and families.”

The grant program is in addition to previous efforts to assist childcare providers, such as grants to support reopening efforts, sanitization and personal protective equipment as well as the essential personnel childcare program.

Sandra Buckwalter, director and CEO of Eastern Shore Early Learning on Worcester Highway in Berlin, said her center received both rounds of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), $1,000 for cleaning and a Maryland Small Business Covid-19 Emergency Relief Grant for $10,000.

Carrie Coots, owner and director of Coastal Early Learning Center on Seahawk Road in Berlin, said she received one round of the PPP loans as well as some financial assistance from the state specifically for childcare centers.

Jocelyn Snelsire, director of Little Lambs Learning Center on Racetrack Road near Ocean Pines, said the center received a one-time grant of $1,600 from the Maryland State Department of Education to purchase addiTeacher Teacher Sophia Sophia Ager Ager takes takes Katherine Katherine Williams’ Williams’ temperature temperature as as she she enters enters Coastal Coastal Early Early Learning Learning Center Center on on Seahawk Seahawk Road Road in in Berlin Berlin in in the the morning morning along along with with aa covid-19 covid-19 questionnaire questionnaire as as part part of of the the facility’s facility’s safety safety protocols protocols during during the the covid-19 covid-19 pandemic. pandemic.

PHOTO PHOTO COURTESY COURTESY CARRIE CARRIE COOTS COOTS

tional supplies to remain open during the pandemic last spring. Little Lambs operates with the Community Church, which was awarded a PPP loan in 2020.

“In the face of the pandemic, Maryland’s family and center-based childcare providers have remained vital partners in our early education efforts and have been essential to the State’s overall recovery efforts,” State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen B. Salmon said in a press release. “These additional grant funds will help support childcare providers manage increased costs, so they can continue to deliver safe, reliable and effective care to our children.”

Buckwalter plans to apply for the relief fund grants after suffering some serious business blows delivered by the pandemic.

“We’re down to half enrollment and the minimum wage goes up,” she said.

If awarded a grant, Buckwalter said she’d use the funds for staff salaries, cleaning supplies and everyday materials for the children.

As for the center’s safety protocols, the public is prohibited entry to the Eastern Shore Early Learning facility at this time.

Buckwalter said the center uses the HiMama app to conduct contactless check-in daily and record temperatures for the children ages six weeks to pre-kindergarten.

“We do it twice a day. We do it once in the morning and then we do it once in the afternoon,” she said.

The older children’s temperatures are manually recorded, Buckwalter added, because HiMama is only for the younger age group.

“Then, we have masks that I purchased that the children wear ... that they never leave the building except for when I wash them,” she said.

“They have two baggies – one baggy is for their dirty ones and one baggy is for their clean ones. They each have

four.”

All staff members also wear masks.

Additionally, the younger children are allowed to bring in their bedding, which the staff puts into specific bags Buckwalter bought throughout the week. At the end of the week, the bags go home to be washed.

As for babies, bottles can be brought from home in plastic reuseable bags or single-use plastic grocery bags that can be sanitized.

Eastern Shore Early Learning serves children 6 weeks old to 12 years old. Buckwalter added that the schoolaged children keep their backpacks outside her office instead of going into the center with them. The center also uses desk dividers for remote learning that Buckwalter’s father built her.

There have been several cases of covid-19 among the children’s families

and two related children tested positive but were asymptomatic. During the holidays, the Eastern Shore Early Learning building was closed for 14 days and the staff quarantined upon notifying the health department of the positive cases.

During the quarantine over Christmas, Buckwalter said two related staff members tested positive from an outside exposure.

Coastal Early Learning Center, which serves children 6 weeks old to 6 years old, has not had any recent positive cases of covid-19. In July 2020, a staff member and a child contracted the virus.

Coots plans to apply for grant funding to cover the expenses of additional cleaning and sanitization supplies as well as PPE for staff members.

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Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Grants could fund payroll, supply expenses Continued from Page 21 “Just our normal supplies that we’ve always used have doubled, if not tripled, in cost, and then on top of that, we have increased supplies that we now have to use,” she said.

All staff members are required to wear masks throughout the day and children over the age of 5 are encouraged to wear masks as well.

“We do have a temperature check every morning when the children come in the building,” Coots said. “We have limited parents inside the building. We have the covid-19 questionnaire that each parent fills out every morning.”

Children are still allowed to bring their comforting items from home.

“They’re still children. We’re trying to do what we can do to keep the normalcy there for the kids and to keep them safe as well. It’s definitely a fine balance,” she said.

What has not changed during the pandemic is that staff members are urged to wash and sanitize their hands frequently as well as disinfect all equipment throughout the day, she added.

Coots also said she has experienced an influx of calls and emails to obtain information about the Coastal Early Learning Center.

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to the pandemic, especially with the older, kindergarten-aged children,” she said. “We had several kindergarteners stay this year, this [past] September. They stayed with us for their kindergarten year because of the pandemic with working parents not being able to stay home with their child and do the virtual schooling with them, so we actually had more kids stay with us this year.”

In addition, she said a lot of people are moving to the area because they can work remotely now.

Snelsire said Little Lambs Learning Center recovered from a decline in enrollment at the beginning of the covid19 crisis. Now, the center, which serves infants to children 12 years old, is back to full capacity with a waiting list of about a year for most classes.

She added that she plans to apply for the grant program to fund payroll and supplies.

“We have had increased costs due to having school-aged children in the building full time this year (food costs, staffing costs, etc.) that we hope to help offset with this grant if applicable,” Snelsire said.

Additional staff members are required to assist with virtual learning as well as the drop-off and pick-up procedures. Currently, parents drop off children at the door instead of coming into the building.

“We have not had a tuition increase in over a year, so we’re kind of doing more with the same amount that we were bringing in before,” Snelsire said.

As for safety protocols, staff members at Little Lambs Learning Center are required to wear masks and health screenings for staff and children are conducted daily including temperature checks and a covid-19 questionnaire.

“We have increased sanitation. We are avoiding cross-contamination of

classrooms and cohorts of children.

So, staff are still working with the same group of children for the most part,” she added.

Little Lambs Learning Center has experienced several covid-19 cases among staff members and children since last summer but has not had a center-wide outbreak. Snelsire said classrooms have been closed and classes quarantined, but the entire center has never shut down during the pandemic.

“I think this grant is obviously very needed. I think the needs of different centers in different areas are very different. I know that there are a lot of centers that closed last March and have not reopened yet or have not been able to reopen yet,” she added.

“Locally, around here most of us stayed open for the most part, and I think that’s because we know here in at least Worcester County and most of the Eastern Shore, we just don’t have as many childcare centers as maybe across the bridge … there wasn’t really an option not to stay open. We all sort

of had to.”

The grant program began accepting applications on Tuesday. The online application for currently operating childcare facilities is due by March 3. Providers must explain how they plan to use the funds and submit required data, including enrollment data, losses incurred and how funds will be used.

For more information, visit earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org /.

On Tuesday, Hogan submitted a $1.59 billion supplemental budget for Fiscal Year 2022 to the state legislature as an amendment, including $931 million for local school systems to assist with the safe reopening of public schools; $434 million for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Pandemic EBT program; $128 million to support the state’s Child Care Scholarship program, including almost $60 million to help support licensed child care providers recover from the impact of the pandemic.

PHOTO COURTESY SANDRA BUCKWALTER

Calyssa Guns, a 7-year-old student at Ocean City Elementary School, left, and Alexis Anoua, a 6year-old student at Willards Elementary School, engage in distance learning at Eastern Shore Early Learning on Worcester Highway in Berlin with the protection of face coverings and a desk divider.

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

PAGE 23

Ocean City Today

Proposed school budget approved

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) The Worcester County Board of Education unanimously approved the school system’s Fiscal Year 2022 proposed operating budget of $118.13 million during the board meeting on Tuesday.

The FY22 budget process began last September, as principals were asked to submit a list of budget priorities for their schools, and a budget meeting seeking public comment was held on Dec. 1, when parent representatives from each school presented their priorities for the coming year. The financial package was reviewed again during a public work session on Feb. 2.

The new budget contains $2 million more than the current $116 million package, said Vince Tolbert, the school system’s chief financial officer. Of that total, 82 percent or $95 million, comes from county appropriations.

Those same percentages would apply to the new budget, Tolbert said, with 82.14 percent, or $97 million, expected from the county.

State aid for next fiscal year’s operating budget totals $20.3 million including a nearly $168,000 increase.

Other revenue sources will provide $792,463.

The overall FY22 budget revenue increase is $1.95 million.

Most of the rise in the total amount

is because of $1.8 million in salary increases proposed for the next fiscal year.

Another expenditure increase is $225,000 for the second year of a technology upgrade/refresh.

“On Feb. 2 at our work session, it looked like we were going to have to ask for about $315,000 more to maintain those all-day programs at Pocomoke and Showell elementary schools. Over the past couple of weeks, we found out we’re going to be able to bring forward some grant funding from the current year that’s left over and also get some additional grant funding,” Tolbert said.

Current projections for health insurance indicate no increase, but the actual rates will be finalized in May. The one-time capital requests for FY22 include $139,800 to replace the fire alarm system at Pocomoke Middle School and $156,000 to replace the fire alarm system at Snow Hill Middle School.

The FY 22 operating budget also includes a request for a restricted local grant of $50,000 to maintain funding for Pocomoke Middle School AfterSchool Grant Program.

For the past several years, the county has supported this program, Tolbert said.

“It’s been very successful for the kids down in Pocomoke. It’s an athlet-

ics-based program. The kids and the parents love it and want that program to be continued,” he added.

The proposed FY22 total budget summary by category and object of expenditure showed $1.81 million for administration, $8 million for instructional support services, $47.14 million for instructional salaries and wages, $2.73 million for textbooks and instructional supplies and materials, $966,000 for other instructional costs, $11.53 million for special education, $374,000 for student personal services, $1 million for student health services, $7 million for student transportation services, $8.55 million for the operation of the plant, $1.13 million for the maintenance of the plant, $26.43 million in fixed charges and $126,200 in capital planning.

With other requests totaling $1.26 million, including $200,000 for the technology program, $100,000 for capital outlay, $295,800 for school construction and $660,250 for retirement expenses, the proposed FY22 operating budget comes to $118.13 million.

The next step for the budget process is a budget review with the county on March 23, followed by a county budget hearing on May 4. The county is expected to adopt the FY22 budget on June 1 and the board of education will approve the FY22 operating budget on June 15.

School board room renamed in honor of Sara Thompson

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Sara Thompson, the former District 3 representative on the Worcester County Board of Education, was asked to attend the school board meeting on Tuesday to receive something. Little did she know she would be recognized for more than 26 years of service to the county school system by having the Worcester County Board of Education room at the central office in Newark renamed after her.

“It’s wonderful. I just can’t believe it. I still can’t hardly believe it,” Thompson said in an interview on Wednesday. “I’m just in shock that they wanted to do that for me. It’s such an honor.”

The 82-year-old Berlin resident retired from the board in December.

“I enjoyed working with all of the board members from way back 26 years ago. I still keep up with some of them today,” she said. “I had some great superintendents. Dr. [Jon] Andes was a wonderful superintendent. Dr. [Terrance] Greenwood, I worked with him. And Mr. Taylor, I just think he is doing such a fabulous job in these trying times.”

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Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Superintendent Taylor appointed to second term

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Superintendent Lou Taylor was unanimously appointed to another four-year term effective July 1 during the Worcester County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.

“We’ve had our challenges, none more than we’ve had the last year with covid, but the thing that always rings out in my mind that gets us through those tough times are the 6,700 kids that go to Lou Taylor our schools, and so all of you know, I’ve done this for a long time,” Taylor said. “I’ve been at it for 37 years, and I think now is one of the most important times in our country’s history for educating our young people because of the challenges that they face. We’ve all seen what our world has turned into for the last 10, 12, 18 months, and so teaching our kids and giving them a foundation is what’s in the forefront for me as I move this school system forward.”

Taylor added that he strives to do his best every day, implementing the lessons he was taught as a young man “to make sure that our kids are shown love, that they’re shown respect and that we give them an opportunity to be successful.”

He also thanked the board members for their confidence in his leadership and the opportunity to continue serving the county school system.

“We have a lot of work to do. We’ve taken 50 steps back because of covid, and we’ve got a lot of work to do once we come out of this covid environment, but I assure you we have a great team assembled to move us forward,” Taylor added.

PHOTO COURTESY WORCESTER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Former Worcester County Board of Education member Sara Thompson was surprised on Tuesday with the board room at the central office in Newark being renamed in her honor. Pictured, from left, are Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor, Thompson and Worcester County Board of Education President Eric Cropper.

District 4 Board member William Gordy recognized Taylor for his “remarkable” leadership.

“The results of that leadership have proven to be unparalleled. Mr. Taylor is richly deserving of the opportunity to continue as our superintendent and to continue to lead the Worcester County Board of Education in the exemplary manner we have become accustomed to,” Gordy said. “We thank you Mr. Taylor for agreeing to continue to lead us and to move forward providing a top-quality education for every child in Worcester County.”

District 7 Board member Todd Ferrante also commended Taylor for guiding the county schools through the last difficult year.

“He has been a great communicator. Not only is he a great communicator, he is a great listener,” Ferrante said. “He might not always agree with you, but he will sit down and listen.

We’ve seen that time and time again.”

OceanCityToday.com

Thompson recognized Tues. with dedication for service Continued from Page 23 The idea to rename the board room came from the school leadership team and was supported by Superintendent Lou Taylor.

“It is my great honor to come before you today in recognition of the incredible dedication and years of service of our recently retired board of education member Mrs. Sara Davis Thompson,” Taylor said during the presentation on Tuesday. “Mrs. Thompson has served as a member of our board of education for over a quarter of a century, making her the longest tenure ever here in Worcester County and one of the longest tenures in Maryland.”

He added that she has touched thousands of lives throughout her service.

“She is an icon in our school system. She never misses an event or an opportunity to show our students and staff how much she, and the board of

education, cares for and supports them,” Taylor continued. “I’ve never known anyone put in as many hours, including myself, as Mrs. Thompson has put in over the last 26-plus years.”

Andes made a motion to approve the naming of the Sara D. Thompson Board of Education Room and it passed unanimously.

Thompson added that she is still overwhelmed about the dedication.

She is a life-long resident of Worcester County and an alumna of Stephen Decatur High School and served as a substitute teacher at the high school on Seahawk Road in Berlin for 30 years.

She has been receiving phone calls about the dedication from former students she taught as a substitute.

Thompson plans to still be involved in the county school system by attending events such as athletics games and theater productions.

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Today

PAGE 25

Commentary

Ocean City Today Feb. 19, 2021

Page 26

Travel tax break sensible move Take a vacation, get a tax break. Take a vacation, go out to dinner and get a bigger tax break. Take a vacation, eat at restaurants, hit the clubs and get a credit of up to $4,000 to apply against your state income tax liability.

That’s a good deal from the state’s perspective as well as resort area workers and employers who have been suffering severely, even tragically, for the past year.

Sen. Mary Beth Carozza and Del. Wayne Hartman, this district’s representatives in the Maryland General Assembly, also believe it’s a pretty good deal as they proposed in a pair of bills they submitted earlier this month.

Their measures, SB 730 and HB 1176, would require the state Department of Commerce to issue tax credit certificates, when applied for, for travel, lodging and entertainment expenses incurred when the destination is at least 50 miles from the applicant’s residence. This would apply whether a trip is for business or pleasure for the next two tax years, beginning this July.

Although the tax credit approach would benefit other destinations in the state — Baltimore, Annapolis and the recreation areas in the western Maryland — thus giving it a broader appeal in the legislature, they would go a long way toward rescuing Ocean City at a reasonable cost to the state treasury.

Carozza’s and Hartman’s bills would limit the total tax credits issued by the state in a year to $25 million. That may seem to be a sizeable slice to remove from the state treasury until you realize that the state spent roughly that to expand the Ocean City convention center three years ago, after justifying that expenditure because of the increased sales, use and income tax the expansion would deliver to the state.

In that respect, this $25 million in tax credits would do the same thing, and reduce state spending on unemployment here and other Maryland destinations.

Hearings on the bills will take place in the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee on Feb. 24 and the House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 26. We encourage members of both committees to endorse these proposals and send them on their way for speedy approval and enactment this summer.

Ocean City Today P.O. Box 3500, Ocean City, Md. 21843 Phone: 410-723-6397 / Fax: 410-723-6511.

EDITOR ............................................ Stewart Dobson MANAGING EDITOR ................................ Lisa Capitelli STAFF WRITERS ....................Greg Ellison, Ally Lanasa, ..........................................Neely James, Greg Wehner ASSISTANT PUBLISHER .......................... Elaine Brady ACCOUNT MANAGERS.......... Mary Cooper, Vicki Shrier CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER .... Nancy MacCubbin SENIOR DESIGNER ................................ Susan Parks GRAPHIC ARTIST .................................... Kelly Brown PUBLISHER........................................ Christine Brown ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ...................... Gini Tufts Ocean City Today is published weekly by FLAG Publications, Inc. at 8200 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Md. 21842.

Ocean City Today is available by subscription at $150 a year.

Visit us on the Web at www.oceancitytoday.com.

Copyright 2021

PUBLIC EYE

Deadbeat’s confession

Thank you, U.S. Postal Service and Citibank Mastercard. After years — make that several decades — of struggling with my apparently unhealthy obsession about paying my bills on time, I have achieved my lifelong dream of becoming a deadbeat.

It’s true. As of last week, I enjoyed that warm feeling of having my Mastercard locked away from my hot little fingers and being advised of this action by hearing the clerk say, “DECLINED,” at the cash register.

Oh, how I have longed to By hear those words, and I owe it Stewart — along with the past due Dobson amount of $109.42 — to the two of you.

Thanks, U.S. Postal Service, for sending my full, balance-clearing payment to Citibank via your new Garden Slug Express Service, and thanks, Citibank, for instituting a credit-managing computer algorithm that begins with “Tough ****, Kemosabe.”

What follows is the transcript of the conversation I had with “Randal” after my card was rejected at the beer store, where my deadbeat status was confirmed for one and all.

“Hi, my name is Randy and I am a Citibank Client Resolution Specialist. Thank you for logging on today and being a valued customer with us. What can I do for you today?”

“Well, Randy, my credit card, which has been paid off completely without fail every stinking month for the past 25 years, has been locked after being declined — In Front of Other People, Randy — and, as a valued customer, I want to know why.”

“Give me a minute while I check your account

... Oh, I see. Your account is past due. Your past due total is $109.42.”

“It's the Postal Service, Randy. The check for the full balance was mailed 10 days before the due date.”

“Yes, we have been hearing about some USPS delays in some areas.”

“What? You’ve been hearing about delays in some areas? How about an area the size of the whole (deleted) country, Randy? It’s been in the news, you know, people missing prescriptions sent by mail, birthday cards arriving just in time for the funeral, mortgage payments caught somewhere between the Tim-bucking-too sorting center and P.O. Box Zero in Total Disarray, Virginia, and you’ve heard about delays? Randy, wake up, man. There’s a world out there that’s falling apart.”

“I can certainly note that you have mailed a payment, but in the meantime, if you would send me a minimum of $35.00, I can unlock your account. Otherwise, I have no way to remove any holds on the card. It’s an automated process.”

“Then why am I talking to you, Randy, when the computer is in charge?”

“That would be because you are a valued customer.”

“I am, am I?” “Well, you would be a valued customer if you paid the $109.42. Absent that, it’s tough noogies, sir.”

UPDATE: I am no longer a deadbeat. As of Feb. 17 — 29 days after being mailed — the payment arrived.

This was good news and cause for celebration, although I did have to hear the beer store cashier say to the entire world, as I passed him my resurrected card, “I sure hope it works this time.”

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

PAGE 27

Ocean City Today

Letters to the editor Questions OC spending $300K to stop turbines Editor, As Maryland lawmakers convene in Annapolis for a new legislative session, they will soon celebrate the two-year mark since passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act of 2019.

They may not know the extent to which the Town of Ocean City is using its tax dollars to halt offshore wind development and, by extension, stall implementation of the Clean Energy Jobs Act. Documents provided to my organization by Ocean City government under the Public Information Act reveal that more than $300,000 in taxpayer money has been spent on a futile effort to stop offshore wind energy.

Here is a partial summary of how Ocean City government reports spending public money: Ocean City taxpayers have paid more than $120,000 to the Prince George’s County-based law firm Joseph Greenwald & Lacke to lobby Maryland’s Public Service Commission to stop offshore wind projects more than 20 miles off Maryland’s coast. That expense was in vain, since the commission unanimously rejected the town’s request last summer.

They paid $92,000 to Annapolis lobbyist Bruce Bereano in an attempt to

persuade Gov. Hogan to stop offshore wind development. That attempt failed, as Gov. Hogan endorsed offshore wind in October and joined a three-state partnership to help Maryland capture offshore wind jobs.

Baltimore PR firm KO Public Affairs was paid $45,000 by city government for what the town describes as “a letter to Ocean City residents.” Has there been a more expensive letter in Maryland history?

They paid more than $15,000 to a viewshed expert in hopes that he would persuade the Public Service Commission to prohibit a particular kind of wind turbine. That effort failed.

They paid $7,500 to an entertainment production firm to choreograph a regulatory hearing held by the Public Service Commission in January 2020. I attended the hearing. The majority of speakers were actually supporters of offshore wind.

All told, Ocean City has spent more than $300,000 in taxpayer money in an unsuccessful attempt to stop clean energy’s advancement. They have virtually no results to show for this expensive endeavor.

Tax dollars that could have helped close the city’s looming budget deficit are now in the bank accounts of out of town lawyers and lobbyists.

Ocean City government should be trying to reap the enormous economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind – not plowing tax dollars into a vain attempt to oppose clean energy and the jobs it will bring to our community.

State lawmakers should do their part to remind Ocean City that the Clean Energy Jobs Act is here to stay.

Jared Schablein Chair, Lower Shore Progressive Caucus Pittsville

Boardwalk community asks to extend bathroom hours Editor, Twenty-five Boardwalk property and business owners attended the downtown neighborhood watch meetings on Sept.

27, Oct. 20 and Nov. 11.

One of the issues they were concerned about was that the Boardwalk public restrooms need to stay open until midnight during the tourist season.

They complained that the Boardwalk stores cannot adequately accommodate bathroom needs of thousands of Boardwalk visitors who become contentious and belligerent when they cannot use the stores restrooms.

The town added the public restrooms on the Boardwalk for the specific purpose for the tourists and for relieving the burden of the Boardwalk business community.

Keeping the Boardwalk public restrooms open for the tourists would solve the problem.

Downtown Neighborhood Watch Coordinators Newt Weaver and Margaret Pillas Ocean City

Bemoans recent closures of Leo’s and BJ’s restaurants Editor, A couple of our favorite places to meet friends and to enjoy great food have closed their doors.

So many good times to remember over what seems to be a lifetime in Ocean City. Weren’t they always there, in midtown and on the north end?

Both a popular gathering place yearround because the owners and the staff were always so pleasant and welcoming.

BJ’s on the Water had that local bar feeling with a view of the bay and duck feeding daily; add the live bands and what’s not to love.

The owners, Billy and Maddy Carder, were always so generous to all the organizations and groups who ask for support in their charity work. They stayed active all things Ocean City, and of course a big hit with their float in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Leo’s Family Restaurant was one of the best diner-feeling places ever, always welcoming, soft chatter and hot coffee.

He made the best homemade vegetable soup and fried chicken (to order) and — Oh! His rice pudding, the crabs were seasoned just right.

A great meal, “Blue Plate” special, (as it was once called) eat in or carry out.

Continued on Page 28

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Presented free as a courtesy to Licensed REALTORS® who are regular Ocean City Today & Bayside Gazette Advertisers. For all other REALTORS®, there is a weekly charge of $10 per listing.

PAGE 28

Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

WORLD WAR II

Continued from Page 27 You got to dine in a wonderful art gallery of oil paintings, a big collection of artist located in Greece and its surrounding Islands. They looked as lifelike as a photograph.

“Pete” and his wife are part of a Greek family who own other great restaurants in town. They are very active in the Greek church.

All of us in the area say, “Thank you so very much.”

Nelson and June Kelly Selbyville, Delaware

Germans commission KMS Tirpitz

Colby Phillips resigns Ocean Pines position Editor, Ocean Pines Community, I wanted to share that effective March 2, I will be leaving my position as the Ocean Pines Amenities and Operational Logistics Director.

This community is absolutely amazing! I have been so honored to be able to work for you all and I pray and hope that my impact on you was as rewarding as yours has been on me.

To the Ocean Pines team who have been the wind beneath my wings when I needed the extra push, I THANK YOU. You know who you are and you all are amazing, OP is so lucky to have you.

I will still be involved with several of the areas I have been volunteering with outside of my role in OP, to include Maryland Coastal Bays Board, Worcester County Local Help For You, Atlantic General Hospital, [and] Santa.

I’m looking forward to the future opportunities that the good Lord has placed before me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! My life is fuller from the opportunity I was able to have here because of so many of you.

Colby Phillips “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying good bye so hard.”

— Winnie The Pooh

By Sam Ghaleb Contributing Writer (Feb. 19, 2021)This week, 80 years ago, the Tirpitz, the second and last battleship of the Bismarck class, was commissioned. It was launched on April 1, 1939, and christened by Großadmiral (Grand Admiral) Alfred von Tirpitz’ daughter, Ilse von Hassel. Both the Tirpitz and the Bismarck were considered, at that time, the most modern and powerful battleships afloat.

Armed with eight 15-inch guns, which were considered to be the best German naval guns at the time, in four twin turrets, the Tirpitz was truly a state-of-the-art battleship in every respect. She also had secondary armament of 12 5.9-inch guns in six twin turrets, 16 4.1-inch anti-aircraft guns in eight twin turrets, 16 1.5-inch anti-aircraft guns in eight twin turrets, and 12 .8-inch anti-aircraft machine cannons.

Fully loaded, the Tirpitz had a displacement of almost 51,000 tons and could make a maximum speed of 30 knots. No battleship at the time, in any navy, except her sister ship the Bismarck, had such powerful armament, displacement, and speed.

From the time the Tirpitz was being fitted out, until her commissioning, on Feb. 25, 1941, she was attacked by the RAF 16 times without suffering any significant damage, and at great cost to the RAF. When the invasion of the U.S.S.R. commenced, on June 22, 1941, the Tirpitz and other warships were sent to the Åland Islands, in the Baltic Sea (between Finland and Sweden) to prevent the Soviet Baltic Fleet from interfering with the German forces that were rapidly closing on Leningrad.

On Dec. 29, 1941, the Kreigsmarine sent the Tirpitz to Norway to occupy Allied naval resources in the North Atlantic. She arrived at Trondheim, Norway, on Jan. 18, 1942 and anchored in Fættenfjord in order to repel a possible Allied invasion, and to attack the Soviet-bound Arctic convoys. As part of the “Fleet in Being,” her mere presence forced the Allies, particularly the Royal Navy, to maintain a considerable force at Scapa Flow, that could have been employed in other theaters.

Her first operation occurred when she and four destroyers departed Trondheim to intercept Allied convoys PQ-12 and QP-8. The Royal Navy learned of this departure via “Ultra” decryption, and dispatched a fleet centered on the battleships Duke of York, King George V, and the battle cruiser Renown, to intercept the German battleship and her escorts.

On March 9, 1942, a British aircraft spotted the German fleet, and the carrier Victorious launched 12 Albacore aircraft against the Tirpitz and the destroyer Friedrich Ihn, without causing damage to either, but costing the British two planes. The Tirpitz and her escorts returned to Norway later that day.

During the months of March and April, the Tirpitz was attacked by Lancaster and Halifax bombers.

Seven of these bombers were shot down by the Tirpitz and coastal antiaircraft air defenses.

On July 2, 1942, a German seaplane shadowed the 35-ship convoy, PQ-17, carrying Lend-Lease war materiel to the U.S.S.R., in the Barents Sea from a distance, and reported the convoy’s position throughout the day.

The naval units escorting the convoy included a distant force of two battle-

ships, the HMS Duke of York, and the USS Washington, six cruisers, including the USS Tuscaloosa, 13 destroyers, and close escort units composed of six destroyers, two anti-aircraft warships, two submarines, 11 smaller escorts, and six auxiliary escorts, making it the most heavily guarded convoy up till that time.

The Kreigsmarine launched Operation Rösselsprung, which included the Tirpitz, cruiser Admiral Scheer, and 12 destroyers and torpedo boats, to attack PQ-17 and sink as many merchant ships as possible. In the meantime, the Soviets, anticipating a potential sortie by the Tirpitz, sent an ocean-cruising submarine, K-21, under the command of Nicolai Lunin to intercept and attack the German battleship.

On July 5 , 1942, K-21 was in the vicinity of the Island of Ingay when she spotted the Tirpitz, and fired four torpedoes against the battleship.

Captain and crew of K-21 heard two detonations and assumed that two torpedoes found their mark.

The Germans, however, never recognized that such an attack ever occurred, but close investigations after the war showed that the two torpedoes missed the battleship, and the detonations were premature ones.

On July 5, Operation Rösselsprung was canceled, and the Tirpitz and her escorts returned to Trondheim, where she underwent repair and refitting.

As for PQ-17, because of the threat from the Tirpitz, the convoy had scattered, leaving its ships vulnerable to German aircraft and U-boats, which inflicted a terrible toll. They sank 24 merchant ships that were carrying 3,350 military vehicles, 430 tanks, 210 aircraft, and 99,316 tons of other

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Today

PAGE 29

WORLD WAR II supplies. Only 70,000, of the original 200,000 tons, of war supplies reached its destination in Arkhangelsk and Murmansk.

In 1943, after the Kreigsmarine’s failure to sink any of the Allied merchant ships in convoy JW51B, during the Battle of the Barents Sea, Hitler went into a rage and fired Großadmiral Erich Ræder and replaced him with Großadmiral Karl Dönitz, the head of the U-boat Fleet.

Hitler saw his capital ships as useless and ordered them to be disarmed and their main guns used as coastal defense artillery. Großadmiral Dönitz, however, convinced him that by doing so he would give the Royal Navy its greatest victory! So, Großadmiral Dönitz saved the German capital ships from utter destruction, albeit at the hands of Germans.

By keeping the remaining German capital ships — Tirpitz, Scharnhorst, Admiral Scheer, Lutzow, and Admiral Hipper — in Norway, they threatened the Arctic convoys. The Royal Navy could not ignore such a threat, and kept its best battleships, cruisers, destroyers and aircraft carriers occupied for the rest of the war, for the fear that one day the German fleet might sortie and attack these Arctic convoys.

On Sep. 8, 1943, the Tirpitz, the Scharnhorst, and nine destroyers sailed, in Operation Sizilien, to raid the Island of Spitzbergen, where an Allied weather station was located.

The Tirpitz, for the first, and last, time, fired her 15-inch main guns against a surface target. The raid was successful. All the buildings on the island were demolished and prisoners were taken. The German force then returned to Norway.

The Royal Navy sent three midget submarines to attack the Tirpitz. Although all three were destroyed, two were able to place mines below the Tirpitz, which detonated on Sep. 22, 1943, causing damage to the hull and disabling the turbines, propeller shafts, and the rudder, rendering the ship inoperable. One sailor was killed and 40 were wounded.

On Feb. 10, 1944 the U.S.S.R. sent 15 bombers to attack the ship, to little effect. From April 3 to Aug. 29,1944, the Royal Navy launched hundreds of carrier sorties against the Tirpitz, but, again, no major damage was inflicted.

The RAF then joined the fight and dispatched its heavy bombers, which could carry a much heavier and bigger bomb load than any plane in Europe. On Sept. 15, 1944, 21 British Lancaster bombers, based in Yagodnik, U.S.S.R., attacked the Tirpitz, scoring two hits on the forecastle and putting her out of action.

This was followed, on Oct. 29, 1944, when 39 Lancasters attacked the Tirpitz, scoring a near miss.

The death of Tirpitz came on

Nov. 12, 1944, when 31 Lancasters attacked her at her mooring in Tromsø, with 12,000-pound “Tallboy” bombs. These were the biggest bombs ever dropped by an aircraft in World War II. Three hits and several near misses capsized Tirpitz, killing 971 out of about 1,700 on board.

So ended the career of one of the best built and equipped battleships in World War II. Her mere existence in Norway worked as intended, as she occupied the best British warships for three years.

Hundreds of sorties were launched, 38 aircraft, and three midget submarines were lost, a frigate was sunk, and the escort aircraft carrier Nabob was a total loss. Many brave men lost their lives in this massive effort to sink the last German Battleship.

Next week: Siege of Kufra.

The battleship Tirpitz conducting trials in the Baltic Sea in the spring of 1941.

PAGE 30

Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Berlin Auto Zone plan tabled Cost effective home staging tips for aesthetic enhancements

REAL ESTATE REPORT

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” is especially true in selling a home in today’s world, where practically all house shoppers start their search online.

Staging a home properly to both get great online pictures and get great showings, can be worth thousands of dollars to a seller’s bottom line. Most sellers don’t want to spend a lot of money to prepare their home for sale though.

Here are some no-cost and low-cost tips for staging your home prior to a listing.

• Freshen up bedding: When you live in a space day in and day out, you lose perspective on whether or not things are fresh and up-to-date. The relatively low cost of purchasing new bedding to include comforters, pillows and decorative shams can make a big difference.

• Declutter, declutter, declutter: Remove nearly all items from countertops, storage containers should be neatly contained in closets/attic, and remove any over the door hangers throughout the house. When these items are left out, it leaves the impression that there’s not

enough storage space.

• Fresh and clean: Many buyers cannot get past “funky” smells and it clouds their whole perception of a property.

These can include pet, food and dingy smells. Prior to listing, you should do a complete spring cleaning to include windows, dusting throughout house to include baseboards and ceiling fans, and shampooing carpets if needed.

• Move furniture around: With repositioning furniture and possibly removing a piece or two, you can completely change the look of a room. Buyers need to be able to move freely through a space, or the living space will seem too confined.

Fresh throw pillows on sofas are also a low-cost way to provide a fresh look.

• Let the light in: Even if you normally like to keep curtains closed for privacy or energy efficiency, open them up and let the natural light in. Also, choose wisely which lights to turn on when you have showings.

• Purchase a few pieces to help freshen up your decorating. Look for pieces that will make an impression.

Lighting fixtures, wall décor, mirrors and area rugs are good affordable choices that can help make big impressions.

– Lauren Bunting is a licensed Associate Broker with Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty in Ocean City.

NOW PLAYING

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) A site plan for an Auto Zone store that would replace the former McDonald’s building on Route 50 in Berlin was tabled by the Berlin Planning Commission last Wednesday to give the developer more time to improve his project’s appearance.

Applicant Kevin Murphy told the commission Auto Zone was planning to demolish the existing structure on the site and build a new store as well as new sidewalks and paving.

The State Highway Administration informed Auto Zone that the entrance to the store would have to be relocated because it does not meet the current distance requirement.

“We already have engineered

plans submitted to them for approval,” Murphy said.

The town’s Planning Director Dave Engelhart added that the entrance shifted east about 30 feet for deceleration time from the light on Route 50 and Seahawk Road.

Matthew Stoehr, who was elected to serve as vice chairman that evening, asked if the site plan will address flooding at the property. Engelhart replied that EA Engineering reviewed and approved stormwater and water quality management at the site.

Commission members asked developers to soften the design of the store.

“It doesn’t have to look like a Frankenstein to attract your business,” Commission member Pete See PLANNING Page 31

ALLY LANASA/OCEAN CITY TODAY

The Worcester County Board of Education approved on Tuesday the selection of Whiting-Turner Contracting Corporation for all construction management services for the Stephen Decatur Middle School Addition project.

Whiting-Turner Contracting selected for SDMS project

NATALIE DAVIS BAND The Globe: Friday, Feb. 19, 7 p.m.

SEACRETS 49th Street and the bay, Ocean City 410-524-4900 / www.seacrets.com Feb. 19: Nowhere Slow Duo, 5-9 p.m.; High Five Swan Dive Duo, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Feb. 20: Full Circle Duo, 5-9 p.m.; Late Last Night Duo, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Feb. 25: Full Circle Duo, 4:30-8:30 p.m.

THE GLOBE

FULL CIRCLE DUO, Seacrets: Saturday, Feb. 20, 5-9 p.m.

12 Broad St., Berlin 410-641-1400 / www.globeberlin.com Feb. 19: Natalie Davis Band, 7 p.m.

Feb. 20: The Larks, 8 p.m.

Feb. 22: Trivia w/Bigler, 7 p.m.

Feb. 23: Vinyl Night, 4 p.m.; Comedy Night, 6 p.m. (ticketed event) Feb. 25: Ladies Night w/live music, 7 p.m.

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) The WhitingTurner Contracting Corporation has been selected to provide all construction management services for the Stephen Decatur Middle School Addition project.

It is one of seven companies that answered the county board of education’s call for proposals to manage the construction of an addition to the school.

The Stephen Decatur Middle School Construction Manager Selection Committee interviewed three construction management firms on Feb. 5 to select and recommend one firm to Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor to provide pre-construction, construction and post-construction services for the project.

“Each firm was allotted 25 minutes

for a presentation and 20 minutes for questions from the committee,” said Joe Price, the school system’s facilities planner, during the Worcester County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.

The Selection Committee included the school system’s Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert, Chief Safety and Human Relations Officer Dr. Dwayne Abt, Stephen Decatur Middle School Principal Lynne Barton, Coordinator of Safety Stephen Price, Maintenance and Operations Manager Sam Slacum, Assistant Construction Manager Rick Martens, Becker Morgan Group Architect Ellis Hammond and Price.

Board member Todd Ferrante made a motion to approve the Whiting-Turner Contracting Corporation and all board members agreed.

Your Online Community: www.oceancitytoday.com

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

PAGE 31

Ocean City Today

Planning Commission seeks design changes Continued from Page 30 Cosby said. “I just think that us bending over to corporate logos and corporate designs is not good practice for Berlin. We’ve got something special going on and we want to keep it that way.”

The proposed design looks like the majority of Auto Zone locations.

“That is our prototype look. In search of the [town] codes, there are no architectural requirements that we have to enhance anything,” Murphy said.

Cosby countered that the proposed design does not reflect the town’s character.

“This is a nightmare as far as what Berlin’s trying to do with its buildings,” he said.

Responding to Chairman Chris Denny, who was re-elected to that position that night, Murphy said the company has no pitched roof prototypes.

“We would incorporate items like that if it is in local ordinances, local codes,” he said, adding that a pitched roof would greatly affect the building budget.

Murphy said some improvements he could make to the store’s appearance could be adding parapets to the building and a decorative cornice to the roof line.

Although Auto Zone primarily uses a gray color scheme, a beige, earth-toned color scheme was also a

possibility. In addition, Murphy said he could incorporate faux windows to the bare walls of the building.

Cosby suggested Murphy return with renderings in both color schemes that illustrate the commission’s proposed changes.

“We’re not to rubber stamp everything,” he said.

During the Zoom meeting, Murphy showed the commission members a store in Westminster, Maryland that features some of the changes proposed for the Berlin loca-

tion.

Cosby said although the Westminster store did look better, it still was not ideal. He also addressed the lack of trees in the proposed landscaping on the property.

“These plans are done per town code,” Murphy replied. “If there was interior landscaping that we had to incorporate, we would have incorporated that into the plan. I have no problem adding trees into existing landscaping if that’s what needs to help.”

Denny agreed with Cosby and

Stoehr’s suggestion to reconvene in two weeks to review the improved renderings and landscaping plan.

“I don’t think that’s an unreasonable request,” he said. “This is something we’re going to look at for I believe 25 years potentially.”

Commission member Austin Purnell agreed that changes can be made to enhance the appearance of the store but thanked the developers for their interest in the town.

“I’m happy that it’s going to get redeveloped and something new will be there,” he said. “That’ll be refreshing to see. We’ve been staring at that dilapidated building for a long time now, too long.”

The commission voted to table the discussion for a special meeting on Feb. 24 at 5:30 p.m.

“I hate to discourage developers, but we got to hold a line in Berlin if we’re going to keep what we’ve got,” Cosby said.

Applicant Kevin Murphy showed the Berlin Planning Commission a rendering of an Auto Zone store in Westminster, Maryland, that features some of the changes proposed for the Berlin location by the commission members last Wednesday.

RENDERING COURTESY OF AUTO ZONE

Open Weekends

Ocean City Today

PAGE 32

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with spicy slaw

By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) The transitory of time is an incredible experience if one has the courage to stay in the moment.

The mingling of the past and thoughts of the future flavor our readiness to engage in the present.

This train of thought might seem insignificant, but in actuality has a profound effect on the path of progression.

Years ago, I had the pleasure of working in one of the top restaurants in the country. The lessons ascertained in such an establishment go far beyond one’s imagination.

I remember walking in the gardens with the chef and owner of this amazing inn.

I asked him what is the most important characteristic that distinguishes a restaurant from being rated number one, as opposed to number two, etc.

His answer flabbergasted my realm of anticipation. I was expecting the food, service, or the ambiance to be the source for perfection.

He simply replied, “It is the details that differentiates one restaurant from another. And the smaller the detail, the more important it is.”

I have never forgotten these words of wisdom and I try to infuse this philosophy with my cooking, entertaining and children’s cooking classes.

That being said, there is nothing new about a fried chicken sandwich topped with a mound of coleslaw. And if you approach this dish with that expectancy, that is exactly what you will get.

But if one deconstructs the sandwich and understands the intricacies of the individual components, chances are you will craft a mouth-watering dish that is truly trendy.

The type of meat is the first consideration. I enjoy both white and dark meat, but in this case, I feel white meat is the better choice. Brine the breasts in buttermilk for at least four hours.

One might ask why use buttermilk instead of a salt solution? Buttermilk’s sweet, salty and acidic complexity is much more conducive for the bland taste of poultry.

In addition, the enzymes present in buttermilk helps break down the protein in the chicken resulting in a tender, juicy

sandwich.

The types of batter for frying are an endless topic, but the basic rule of thumb for frying chicken is to add baking powder which gives the batter volume, and baking soda which will highlight the crispiness.

In addition, dip the chicken in flour before you dip it in the batter. The flour will act as a glue.

After the chicken breasts are done, place on a cooling rack to cool. Do not place on a plate lined with paper towels.

Soggy paper towels will ruin the coveted, crispy crust.

There is nothing worse than a side of coleslaw that is mushy and has no char-

acter. The secret to crispy coleslaw is to soak the cabbage in salt and allow it to sit for two to four hours.

During this time, the cabbage may appear to getting soggy and wilted. But in actuality, the moisture is being extracted by way of the salt. The end result is crisp cabbage that adds texture to the sandwich.

Vinegar or a cream-base slaw is your next decision.

A spicy, vinegary slaw that incorporates slivers of bright, gorgeous peppers, sweet red onions, crunchy cabbage, mustard seeds, crushed red pepper flakes, black sesame seeds and vibrant parsley See BUTTERMILK Page 33

20 different sauces. Open everyday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Dine in, pickup, carryout and delivery.

■ LONGBOARD CAFÉ 6701 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City 443-664-5639, www.longboardcafe.net $$-$$$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Classic and creative American dishes and cocktails are showcased in a festive, surf-themed setting with weekly specials.

Featuring burgers, tacos, prime rib, seafood and more. Closed on Tuesday. Dine-in and curbside pick-up.

■ MARLIN MOON Located in the Double Tree Hotel, 3301 Atlantic Ave., Ocean City 410-289-1201, www.marlinmoonocmd.com $$ Open Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.to 10 p.m. Restaurant and bar with

fresh seafood, small plates, desserts and cocktails.

■ SEACRETS 49th Street, Ocean City 410524-4900, www.seacrets.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Open Thursday and Friday, 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. with Island atmosphere. Jamaican jerk chicken, appetizers, sandwiches, paninis, pizza and fresh seafood.

Dining Guide ■ PRICE RANGE: $, $$, $$$ ■ RESERVATIONS: Reservations accepted —————————————

DOWNTOWN

South end to 28th Street

■ CAPTAIN’S TABLE 15th Street and Baltimore Avenue, inside The Courtyard by Marriott 410-289-7192, www. captainstableoc.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Breakfast and lunch served Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 8 a.m. to noon and dinner and lite fare served Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Featuring seafood, steaks and poultry.

Daily chef specials.

MIDTOWN

29th to 90th streets

■ 32 PALM Located in The Hilton,32nd Street, Ocean City 410-2892525, www.32palm.com $$ | Kids’ menu | Full bar

Open daily, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bar and lounge. Western Caribbean cuisine with a mix of traditional Eastern Shore favorites.

■ THE DOUGH ROLLER 41st Street and Coastal Highway 410-524-9254; 70th Street and Coastal Highway 410-524-7981, www.TheDoughRoller.com An Ocean City family tradition since 1980. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. From our buttermilk pancakes, fresh handmade dough pizza, and Italian dinners, we have something for everyone!

■ JOHNNY’S PIZZA PUB 56th Street, Ocean City 410723-5600, www.johnnyspizzapub.com $ | Kids’ menu | Full bar Featuring homemade pizzas, 18 gourmet pizzas, a variety of calzones, subs, burgers, sandwiches and jumbo wings with

OCEAN PINES ■ CLUBHOUSE BAR AND GRILLE 100 Clubhouse Drive, Ocean Pines 410-641-7222, oceanpinesgolf.org/dining $$ | Full bar With sweeping views of the 18th hole, the new Clubhouse Bar and Grille serves freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items. Full bar. Open Thursday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Today

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Buttermilk preferred over salt solution when brining adds beautification and still allows the fried buttermilk chicken to be the star.

A vinaigrette made out of white balsamic vinegar is light and will not “dye” the colors of the slaw. This product can be found in the salad dressing section at your neighborhood supermarket.

A sandwich is not a sandwich without the bread. Do not take this step lightly, for it is the vessel that encompasses the ingredients that you have so diligently put together.

Ciabatta or a baguette are great foundations that will not only support the ingredients but add to the overall experience.

A sandwich is much more than two pieces of bread that unite proteins and condiments. If you are in the mood to try something tasty, give a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich with spicy slaw a try.

Enjoy!

Spicy Slaw 2 cups shredded cabbage 1 teaspoon kosher salt (for cabbage) ½ cup thinly sliced red onions 1 ½ cups thinly sliced red, yellow and orange peppers ½ cup thinly sliced poblano peppers ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/3 cup white balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons honey zest of ½ lemon ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh parsley mustard seeds to taste crushed red pepper to taste a sprinkle of black sesame seeds kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 1. Place shredded cabbage in a mesh strainer over a bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of salt over cabbage. Toss to evenly distribute salt throughout the cabbage.

Allow cabbage to sit for 2 hours. Rinse with cold water, dry thoroughly with paper towels.

2. Using a mandoline, slice the vegetables paper thin. If you do not have a mandoline, julienne the vegetables with a very sharp knife.

3. Whisk olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon zest, Dijon mus-

NEW HOMES

Two single-family residential properties are being constructed on 83rd Street oceanside in Ocean City.

ALLY LANASA/ OCEAN CITY TODAY

tard, parsley, mustard seeds, crushed red peppers, black sesame seeds, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

4. Toss vegetables in dressing when ready to assemble the sandwiches.

Buttermilk Marinade 2 cups buttermilk 4 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts 1. In a large Ziploc bag, combine 2 cups buttermilk and chicken. Place Ziploc bag in another Ziploc bag to ensure there is no leakage. Refrigerate overnight.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 3 teaspoons garlic powder 3 teaspoons onion powder 2 teaspoons black pepper 1 teaspoon paprika 2 ½ teaspoons kosher salt canola oil for frying ciabatta roll 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, paprika and salt.

2. Pour enough oil in an iron skillet so the oil covers at least one-half of the chicken breasts. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature of 350 degrees.

3. Using a set of tongues, remove chicken breast from marinade and dip into the flour mixture. Dip the breast back into the marinade and once again into the flour mixture. Make sure the entire surface of the meat is covered.

4. Carefully lower chicken and fry until bottom sides are golden brown, approximately 5 minutes. Carefully turn chicken over, this side should cook faster.

6. Place cooked breasts on cooling rack and add a dusting of kosher salt.

Makes 4 sandwiches Secret Ingredient – Details. “The smaller the detail, the greater the value.”

– Doug Johnson

PAGE 33

PAGE 34

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Today

Worcester welding students receive ATI scholarships

By Ally Lanasa Staff Writer (Feb. 19, 2021) Eleven students in the Worcester Technical High School welding program competed in the 2020 SkillsUSA welding contest on March 5, 2020, at the high school and received a total of $30,000 in scholarships to the Advanced Technology Institute in Virginia Beach.

“We are just really proud of what our students are doing, said welding instructor Rick Stephens. “They see their future developing right in front of them with each welding skill they learn. It is so awesome to see students so excited to be in school learning a trade.”

Hunter Powell, Trevor Hudson and Ezekiel Dennis won first place as a team in the 2020 Welding Fabrication Contest and were each awarded $3,000.

Kevin Rodriguez, Samuel Paulk and Joseph Serpe placed second as a team in the 2020 Welding Fabrication Contest and were each awarded a prize of $2,000.

Rodriguez, a senior at Stephen Decatur High School, said the competition on March 5 was “super fun.”

Devin Pilarski, Daniel Ridenour and Ascher King placed third as a team in the contest and received $1,000 each.

For the 2020 Welding Sculpture Contest, Devin Pilarski was awarded $3,000 for first place, Trent Ortega was awarded $2,000 for second place and Kylie Boston was awarded $1,000 for third place.

Daniel Ridenour placed first in the 2020 Welding Contest for a $3,000 prize, followed by Samuel Paulk in second place for a $2,000 prize.

Kevin Rodriguez grabbed third place for a $1,000 award.

Stephen Decatur High School students Joseph Serpe, Kylie Boston, Trent Ortega and Devin Palarski and

HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you are feeling ambitious this week, so it might be time to try a new hobby or other interest. Write down your goals and see if any align with potential hobbies.

TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, some nice surprises are likely to come your way, especially in your private life. Enjoy every moment as it unfolds and express your appreciation when applicable.

GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you are likely to upstage everyone else this week because people simply cannot get enough of your magnetic personality. If you grow weary of the limelight, take a break.

CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22 Cancer, clear your social schedule in favor of some quiet time at home.

Such a respite can provide a great opportunity to reflect and make a new plan.

LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Leo, you have a goal to meet someone new and there’s a good chance you will discover that person in the days to come. Accept the possibility that hopes and dreams can come true.

PHOTO COURTESY RICK STEPHENS

The winners of Worcester Technical High School’s 2020 Welding Fabrication Contest in Newark on March 5, 2020, each received $3,000 scholarships to the Advanced Technology Institute in Virginia Beach. Pictured, from left, are Trevor Hudson, Zeke Dennis and Hunter Powell last March. They graduated from Snow Hill High School in June.

Snow Hill High School student Ezekiel Dennis have applied to attend the Advanced Technology Institute’s welding program in the fall.

According to the Advanced Technology Institute’s website, the welding program is approximately 18 months, including breaks and holidays.

The program curriculum requires 1,500 clock hours and 60 credit hours. Upon completion of the program, students will receive an Associate of Occupational Science in Trades Leadership with

Specialization in Maritime Welding Technology.

Stephens added that two more Stephen Decatur High School students, Kevin Rodriguez and Ross Quilter, are attending a welding program at Universal Technical Institute in Houston, Texas.

According to the Universal Technical Institute, the welding technology training program is 36 weeks and involves training of four techniques.

Students will take 12 hands-on welding courses.

Volunteer steward training offered (Feb. 19, 2021) Lower Shore Land Trust is seeking volunteers interested in joining its team of volunteer land stewards.

The annual training will be offered on two dates, Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 4-5:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 27 from 10-11:30 a.m.

This program will introduce prospective volunteers to the mission of the organization and opportunities to become involved in critical field work. This training will be a refresher

for current land stewards and an introduction to the program for new volunteers.

Once a property has been protected with a conservation easement, Lower Shore Land Trust works with private landowners to ensure the conservation values of the easement are upheld.

The conservation easements can provide many benefits to the community by protecting wildlife habitat, water quality, agricultural lands, sce-

nic landscapes as well as helping to protect drinking water supplies.

Land stewards visit conserved properties and provide annual monitoring for compliance. They get the chance to visit properties and hear the stories from landowners why they chose to protect their land.

Those interested should contac Taylor Carty at tcarty@lowershorelandtrust.org or call 443-234-5587 by Feb. 22. Essential materials and meeting link will be provided.

www.oceancitytoday.com

VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Virgo, friends often end up filling familial roles. Even though a person may not be related by blood, certain friends can be relied upon through thick and thin.

LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Even though the holidays are over you may still want to continue the celebration, Libra. Find a way to socialize with friends or family in a responsible manner.

SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, you may be finished with the business that made last month hectic.

Now you are ready to start a new chapter. A calm period is ahead.

SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, a potentially lucrative opportunity may present itself in the days to come. Consider all of your options and give equal though to all of them.

CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, even if you don’t say much, there is a lot of chatter going on in your head. Take some time to find a quiet place and meditate for a while.

AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Sometimes you just have to take a risk without vetting all of the possible outcomes, Aquarius. If it feels like it’s a good time to make a change, embrace the opportunity.

PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 This week is the ideal opportunity to show strength and exhibit your organizational skills, Pisces. Don’t be afraid to think big.

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

PAGE 35

Ocean City Today

POLICE/COURTS

Downtown bar fight When an Ocean City Police officer arrived at a downtown bar on Feb. 12, a bystander reported seeing a large, seemingly intoxicated male “going crazy” inside the establishment. The bystander waited outside to wave down the police and to warn them they were “going to have to call for backup.”

The one responding officer spotted the suspect, later identified as Eric Swanson, 51, of Ocean Pines through the bar’s front window. After observing

Swanson holding onto a victim who tried to pull away, the officer entered the bar with a Conducted Energy Weapon drawn.

Swanson reportEric Swanson edly heard the officer’s announcement to stop fighting and turned to face the weapon, but was ordered multiple times to lay on the ground before complying. Swanson was placed in cuffs before three more officers arrived to assist.

Bystanders said Swanson was a bar regular and seemed highly intoxicated on this occasion. Play fighting had reportedly escalated to Swanson grabbing and pushing his victims, who were no longer playing.

Swanson will appear in court on April 23, facing disorderly conduct and second-degree assault charges.

Tequila infused crash Just moments after Valentine’s Day at 12:10 a.m. on Feb. 15, a corporal in an unmarked police vehicle

heard a loud banging sound near a parking lot on 26th Street.

The officer reportedly realized a car had collided with a concrete wall in the process of Isaac Matthews parking.

The driver, later identified as Isaac Matthews, 37, of Washington, D.C., immediately drove away from the scene, indicating with his turn signal that he planned to turn north on the one-way Southbound Continued on Page 36

Virtual Expo Marketplace on tap for March 8 HMRA and OC Today come together to produce event featured on Facebook Live (Feb. 19, 2021) After hosting an annual trade show for 46 years, the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association has rallied to produce an alternative to an in-person gathering.

The association has partnered with the OC Today newspaper to produce Expo Marketplace, an online catalog featuring exhibitors, show specials, new products and relative content.

Rather than cancel altogether, the association realized the importance of

continuing to unite the hospitality industry.

“While I am super disappointed that I will not be able to see all our loyal exhibitors and attendees in person, I’m really looking forward to seeing the finished Expo Marketplace as the support has been outstanding,” said Expo Chair and OCHMRA Executive Director, Susan Jones.

To maintain some sense of normalcy and consistency of dates, a Facebook Live event is slated for the day of the expo and will be held on Monday, March 8.

Coined “Power Panels” this new Facebook Live event will feature industry leaders and influencers discussing

relative topics.

The Lodging Power Panel will kick off at 10 a.m. featuring a State of the Industry address from American Hotel & Lodging Association President Chip Rogers.

He will be joined by the Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association represented by Ben Seidel, owner of Real Hospitality Group, and Delaware Hotel & Lodging Association Past Chair Vince DiFonzo of TKO Hospitality.

At 11 a.m., the event will shift focus to the restaurant industry and will feature Delaware Restaurant Association President Carrie Leishman and Maryland Restaurant Association President Mar-

shall Weston.

The sessions will be recorded and available on the Expo website.

The annual trade show has been a mainstay in Ocean City and has been bringing together hospitality buyers and sellers since 1974.

Jones has been at the helm since 1995 and further stated, “this unique time has allowed us to innovate and still create a way to connect hospitality.”

Mark your calendar for Monday, March 8 at 10 a.m. for the Facebook Live Power Panels. Complete details can be found by visiting www.oceancitytradeexpo.com or calling 410-2896733.

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PAGE 36

Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

POLICE/COURTS Continued from Page 35 lane of Philadelphia Avenue.

Following Matthews’ movements, the officer saw Matthews pull out and drive north into the Southbound lane to enter another parking lot. The patrol vehicle’s emergency lights were activated after Matthews reportedly put his car in reverse. Matthews pulled his car up slightly, turned it off, and got out of the car.

Instead of responding to the police officer walking in his direction, Matthews reportedly walked towards the front door of a nearby convenience store. Police reported that when

the officer ordered Matthews to stop and return to his vehicle, Matthews “demanded” an explanation.

The officer told Matthews that he had been stopped for driving the wrong way in a one-way lane on a divided highway and crashing into a wall. Matthews allegedly refused a second order to return to his car, choosing instead to walk into the store to buy cigarettes.

Inside the store, the officer asked Matthews for his license. After reportedly holding his license up, Matthews pulled his license back down to his side as the officer reached for it. Po-

OBITUARIES BARBARA COSTER VALLE Ocean Pines Barbara Coster Valle, of Ocean Pines, Maryland, 81 years of age, left this world early in the morning of Feb. 15, 2021, after a long illness.

Born in Baltimore on Sept. 1, 1939, to Leonard J. Coster and Thelma Hasselbarth Coster, she raised her family in Towson, Maryland, and relocated to Maryland’s Barbara Valle Eastern Shore after retiring from the Baltimore County Public Schools System, where she worked as a special education teacher for over 20 years.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Gabriel Raymond Valle; her son, Raymond Lewis Valle, his wife, Deborah, and their two children, Samantha and Elijah, from Chandler, Arizona; her son, Gavin Edward Valle, his wife, Lea, and their sons, Benjamin and Nathaniel, from Dripping Springs, Texas; her brother, Leonard Coster and his wife, Ann, from Walnut Creek, California; her sister, Marcy Coster Schulz and her husband, Richard, from Columbia, South Carolina; and her sister, Judy Coster and her husband, Kenneth Klompus, from Baltimore, Maryland.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held in mid-year, 2021, in Ocean City, Maryland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Coastal Hospice to benefit the Macky & Pam Stansell House, P.O. Box 1733, Salisbury, Maryland 21802.

Arrangements are in the care of Eastern Shore Cremation and Funeral

Service, 504 Franklin Avenue, Berlin, Maryland 21811. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.easternshorecremation.com.

lice said that Matthews stated he would not hand over his license, but that he would hold up the license so the officer could read it.

Deeming the action of putting his face close to Matthews would be unsafe, the officer told him that back-up would be called. Matthews continued to refuse the officer’s orders, keeping his hands in his pockets, right side hidden from the officer, according to police reports, which also said the situation escalated as Matthews hindered the officer’s investigation.

Matthews attempted to walk away, according to police, leading the officer to attempt to hold him to place him

under arrest. But with Matthews flailing and pulling away, according to police, the officer was only able to gain control of the situation when a backup officer arrived and threatened use of a taser.

Police arrested Matthews for DUI, and Matthews allegedly confirmed he had been drinking in his hotel room.

An open bottle of tequila was found in the backseat of Matthews’s car. An open container of tequila was also found in the center console.

Matthews reportedly refused the alcohol concentration test and provided a statement that he had not been driving.

CROSSWORD

DELIA LOREEN LEWIS Salisbury Delia Loreen Lewis, 96, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 14, 2021.

She was born on July 17, 1924 in Paris Center, Ohio to Roy and Gladys Shelton.

Her siblings were Martha, Dorothy, William and Phillip.

After graduation, Delia Lewis she worked at a beauty salon, was a bookkeeper, court stenographer and contributed to the war effort as a “Rosie the Riveter.”

Through her sister she met John Hansen Lewis in a motorcycle touring club. They fell in love and married on her birthday in 1948.

The couple attended Logan Chiropractic College in Missouri and welcomed their first born, John Craig William, while enrolled there.

After graduation and moving back to Barberton, Ohio, seven more children were to follow: Ava Marie, Kim Gertrude, Terry Ann, Shari Lee, Clifford Allen, Phillip Scott and Mark Hansen.

While raising eight children, she became involved in PTA and other local groups. After rejoining the workforce, she later retired from Summit County Human Services as medical intake supervisor.

Delia most enjoyed family gatherContinued on Page 37

Answers on page 6

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Today

PAGE 37

OBITUARIES Continued from Page 36 ings, and Christmas was her favorite holiday. She loved the ocean and walking on the beach.

As years went by she earned her private pilot license, took up oil painting, spent hours gardening and after retirement was a fearless world traveler with and without Daddy.

Later they were at home between Lake Conroe in Texas and Ocean City, Maryland.

She was generous, dedicated and supportive. A devoted best friend and wife, loving mother of eight, grandmother of 22 and great-grandmother of 19.

We are: John Craig William Lewis and his wife, Mary Starr (Ryan) Lewis have seven children (and 12 grandchildren): Kathryn Kim Lewis, Craig Ryan Lewis, Benjamin Hansen Lewis, John Vallin Lewis, Roselynn Marie Lewis, Daniel Nathan Hamilton Lewis, and Myriah Brynn Lewis.

Kathryn (Lewis) Johnsen and her husband, Tom Johnsen, have four children: Kaylee, Ryan, Lauren and Julianna.

Craig Ryan Lewis and his wife, Amanda (Sensel) Lewis, have four children: Mckenzie, Whitney, Brynnlee and Tanner.

Benjamin Lewis and his wife, TeriAnn (Cameron) Lewis, have four children: Caleb, Annalyse, Isaac and Kyrie.

Myriah (Lewis) Gibbons married John Gibbons.

Ava Lewis has one child, Zora (Zoey) Loreen Snyder.

Terry (Lewis) Lynette and her husband, Joseph Lynette, have two children: Joseph Patrick, and Amanda Rose.

Shari (Lewis) Dunphy and her husband, Michael Dunphy, have five children (and one grandchild): Paul and wife, Becky, Lauren and her son, Mario, Tom, Lindsay, Christopher and his wife, Sarah.

Clifford Lewis and his wife Laura have two children: John and Emma.

Phillip Lewis and his wife, Bridget, have two children: Brandi (Lewis) married Andy Chrzanowski, and Lacey Ann. Mark Lewis and his wife, Debbie, have three children and six grandchildren: Ron and Sheila Cawthon and their children, Emma and Chase; Heath and Jen Wootton and their children, Paylea and Raylea; Daniel and Brooke Patel and their children, Elise and Liam.

Mom had a very long, happy and fulfilling life, always striving for the next accomplishment. She will be missed by so many.

The void she leaves will never be filled.

At last, after 24 years, she and Daddy will be together again. Rest in peace Mom, we love you and miss you so very much.

Arrangements are in the care of Eastern Shore Cremation and Funeral Service, 504 Franklin Avenue, Berlin,

Maryland 21811. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.easternshorecremation.com.

DANIEL HERMAN RUNDE Ocean City Daniel Herman Runde, age 55, died on Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Teutopolis, Illinois, he was the son of the late William and Ellen (Sharpies) Runde.

He is survived by his loving wife, Pamela Runde, of Ocean City, Daniel Runde Maryland; stepchildren who he loved dearly and treated as his own, Jake and wife, Jessica Ward of Accomac, Virginia, Kara and husband, Michael Nissim, of Miami, Florida; grandchildren, John Wesley Ward, Jamie Nissim and Ari Nissim; three brothers, Paul (Julie) of Effingham, Bill (Silvia) of Teutopolis, and Pete of Teutopolis; and four sisters, Michelle of Teutopolis, Patty of Anchorage, Alaska, Carol of Pahrump, Nevada, and Angie of Kirkwood, Missouri.

He is also survived by several nieces and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews.

Dan served in the United States Navy and later managed a power plant.

He was a member of The Knights of Columbus in Teutopolis, Illinois.

In his spare time, he was an avid golfer. He loved spending time in St. Pete Beach, Florida. It was his happy place, his heaven.

A friend once said, “If you did not like Dan, you did not know Dan.” Through his courageous battle with cancer his wife, Pam, called him “My Superman.” He was an all-around great person to know and cared very deeply for the people in his life.

Cremation followed his death. A celebration of life will be held at The Burbage Funeral Home on April 3 at 1 p.m. in the garden. Masks and social distancing are required.

A donation in his memory may be made to The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org/involved/donate.html.

Letters of condolence may be sent to the family at www.burbagefuneralhom.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.

NORMA JEAN BULL Ocean City Norma Jean Bull (Tyson), 86, of Ocean City, Maryland, made her transition to be with her Lord on Jan. 26, 2021. Born in Felton, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 1, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Chester B. Tyson and Helen A. Tyson (Bailey) of Red Lion, Pennsylvania.

Norma was a graduate of Red Lion Area High School, class of 1952, and Thompson’s School of Business, York,

Pennsylvania.

She was office manager of her husband’s business, Ed Bull Beer Distributor, York, Pennsylvania, for more than 20 years.

Norma Bull Norma then worked in the accounts payable office of the Bon Ton Corporation, York, Pennsylvania, until her retirement to Ocean City.

A welcoming face at Bethany United Methodist Church, Berlin, Maryland, Norma chaired and was involved in many committees. She also had been active in the Widow and Widowers Club as well as the local AARP chapter.

Norma was married for 49 years to the late Richard C. Bull, in Felton, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 30,1956.

She is survived by a daughter, Roxanne Davenport, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; three grandchildren, Jennifer Swank, Ronkonkoma, New York, Thomas Dennis Jr., Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and Matthew Dennis, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; three great-grandchildren, Everett, Renton and Reid; and a brother, C. Eugene Tyson, of Williamsburg, Virginia.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at Bethany United Methodist Church, Berlin, Maryland, on Feb. 27, 2021 at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church.

PAGE 38

Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Calendar Submit calendar items to: editor@oceancitytoday.net.

Submission deadline is 5 p.m. Monday, the week of publication. Local submissions have priority. Area event listings are subject to space availability.

Fri., Feb. 19 ‘LIFE IN WATERCOLOR’ ART SHOW

Salisbury Art Space, 212 W Main St, Suite 101. “Life in Watercolor: The Works of Katherine Wood Da’y is on display, with all works for sale as a fundraiser to Salisbury Art Space and Salisbury A&E District. 410-546-4748, http://salisburyartspace.org

BOOK DISCUSSION: “SWING” BY KWAME ALEXANDER WITH MARY RAND HESS

Meeting via Zoom, 2:00 PM. Facilitated

by Cynthia Hanagud and Gail Samis of Salisbury University. Books are available on Hoopla (hoopladigital.com). Register: worcesterlibrary.org under events.

ters, art teacher at Showell Elementary School, will lead children, ages 6 and older, in a fun art making session using a variety of mixed media. All materials provided. Masks required. Advance registration required: 410-524-9433 or www.ArtLeagueofOceanCity.org/Classes .

FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

Saturdays - White Horse Park, 239 Ocean Parkway, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Shop for everything from fresh local produce to unique handmade artisan goods. Open to the public.

Sun., Feb. 21 OPEN SKATE

PULL IN MOVIE

Pocomoke Library, 301 Market St., 6:30 PM. Watch a movie from the warmth and safety of your own vehicle. Grab bag refreshments available while supplies last. Limited space available. Call 410957-0878 for more details.

Sat., Feb. 20

Worcester County Recreation Center, 6030 Public Landing Road, 12:00 PM 7:00 PM. Cost is $2 per person for all skaters and skate observers. Price includes skate rental, 45 minutes of skate time and reserves your time slot. Time slots available each hour on the hour and are limited to 15 people. Participants must call ahead: 410-632-2144.

Allen Swiger, aswiger@marylandscoast.org, 410-632-2144, Ext. 2520

VIRTUAL WALK WITH A DOC

Beginning at 9:00 AM. Join the group for a virtual Walk with a Doc on the Atlantic General Hospital Facebook page, where there will be a short presentation

by Dr. Brandi Musselman. Participants can then walk wherever they like and share a selfie on social media with the hashtag #walkedwithagh.

FRIED CHICKEN DINNER

New Hope United Methodist Church, 7338 New Hope Road, 11:30 AM. Drive thru pick up only. Menu includes mashed potatoes, greens, string beans, biscuit and dessert. Cost is $13 for adults. 410-543-8244 or 443-235-0251

OPEN SKATE

Worcester County Recreation Center, 6030 Public Landing Road, 12:00 PM 7:00 PM. Cost is $2 per person for all skaters and skate observers. Price includes skate rental, 45 minutes of skate time and reserves your time slot. Time slots available each hour on the hour and are limited to 15 people. Participants must call ahead: 410-632-2144.

Allen Swiger, aswiger@marylandscoast.org, 410-632-2144, Ext. 2520

‘CREATIVE KIDS’ FREE ART CLASS

Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St., 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM. Lindsey Win-

Mon., Feb. 22 INTERACTIVE STORY TIME - ‘SPACE’

Meeting via Zoom, 10:30 AM. Pretend to travel through the atmosphere as participants enjoy stories, songs and rhymes about the solar system, constellations, planets and space. For ages 2-5 years.

Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org under events.

TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY MEETING

Meeting via conference call, 6:00 PM 6:30 PM. Dial 605-472-5789, wait for voice command, then press 944874.

TOPS is a weekly support and educational group promoting weight loss and healthy lifestyle. Berlin group No. 169.

Rose Campion, 410-641-0157

DEADLINE TO RSVP FOR VIRTUAL LAND STEWARD TRAINING

Join the Lower Shore Land Trusts volunteer Land Steward program on Feb. 24 from 4-5:30 p.m. and Feb. 27 from 10-11:30 a.m. This training will be a refresher for current Land Stewards and an introduction to the program for new volunteers. RSVP by. Feb. 22 by contacting Taylor Carty at tcarty@lowershorelandtrust.org or call 443-234-5587.

Tues., Feb. 23 RETIREMENT SUCCESS CLASSES

The virtual webinars will take place in three parts, Feb. 16, 23 and March 2, 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM. The second class is titled, “Savvy Social Security.” This is a detailed retirement planning seminar designed to educate those who are nearing retirement or who have recently retired. Register: https://worcesterlibrary.org.

ZUMBA FOR BEGINNERS

Meeting via Zoom, 2:00 PM. These classes uplift and improve mood. This is a webinar style program, meaning you can practice your moves without being seen. Register: worcesterlibrary.org.

ONGOING EVENTS STOP THE SPREAD KIWANIS FUNDRAISER

Wed., Feb. 24 FIRST STATE DETACHMENT OF THE MARINE CORPS LEAGUE MEETING

American Legion Post #166, 2308 Philadelphia Ave., 12:00 PM. Any Marines and Navy Corpsman who have served in the Corps, living in Worcester and Sussex counties, are welcome. websergeant@firststatemarines.org, 410430-7181

STEPPING ON FALL PREVENTION WORKSHOPS

Held via Zoom on Wednesday beginning Feb. 24, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. The workshop features strength and balance exercises taught along with other strategies to build confidence and prevent falls. To borrow a device and/or register: Nancy Gompers, 410-742-0505, Ext. 131 or ngompers@macinc.org.

READ WOKE ASIAN AMERICAN VOICES MEET UP

Meeting via Zoom, 3:30 PM. Teens, register on Beanstalk at WorcesterLibrary.Beanstalk.org, choose a book from Asian American Voices to read and discuss at the Zoom Meet Up. Reading books and attending the Zoom Meet Up earns participants badges. Each badge gives a chance to wind on the two $500 grand prizes. Register for the Meet Up: www.worcesterlibrary.org under events.

The Kiwanis Club of Ocean Pines is conducting a fundraiser to support vital community projects. The club is selling handcrafted COVID-19 masks for $10 each or 3 for $25. Adult and child sizes available. here are a variety of themes to choose from including sports teams (Ravens, Steelers, Capitals, Orioles), music groups, nautical and animal motifs. Contact Steve Cohen at 301-6673099 or stevecohenjd@gmail.com for purchase information.

AARP FREE TAX PREPARATIONS

AARP will be at Northside Park to accept returns on Feb. 20, 27 and March 6.

Taxpayers will bring their documents in to be scanned so that the councilors can prepare them remotely. The taxpayer will then return the following week to pick up his/her tax return. Make an appointment by calling 443-373-2667 or visit www.mdwebscheduler.com/.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY GOLF & DINNER

The Delmarva Whiskey Club will hold their 7th annual charity golf event on March 20 at the Bayside Resort Golf Club, Selbyville, Del. The event will feature a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. and followed by a sit-down pairing of fine food and high-end Irish whiskey at 6:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Semper K9. Register: https://www.delmarvawhiskey.com/golf.

To become a tournament sponsor, contact Kevin Clover at 215-815-1706 or kevin@delmarvawhiskey.com.

LIBRARY TO HOST CHAD STEELE

Meeting via Zoom, 7:00 PM. The Worcester County Library continues to celebrate Black History Month with an interview with Baltimore Ravens Senior Vice President of Communications Chad Steel. Register: www.worcesterlibrary.org, click on events.

Thurs., Feb. 25 ‘heART & SOUL’ FREE ART CLASS

Ocean City Center for the Arts, 502 94th St., 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Barbara Buford will instruct this class. Geared towards adults dealing with stress, trauma or grief, projects are designed to focus on centering and healing. All materials provided. Masks required. Advance registration required: 410-524-9433 or www.ArtLeagueofOceanCity.org/Classes.

FREE WELLNESS WORKSHOPS

Free workshops dealing with hypertension, chronic pain self-management, chronic disease self-management, diabetes, fall prevention and cancer. If you would like to register for one of these workshops or you would like more information about bringing any of the workshops to your business or group, contact Jill at MAC, 410-742-0505, Ext. 159. Another workshop, titled “Building Better Caregivers” has been added. It’s a free, 6-week workshop for caregivers of those with TBI, PTSD, dementia and other conditions that affect memory.

WINTER READING CHALLENGE

Beginning Dec. 1, log your books, attend virtual programs and explore activities to earn badges and chances to win the grand prizes. Sign up for free at https://worcesterlibrary.beanstack.org.

February 19, 2021

39

Ocean City Today

Call 410-723-6397 Classifieds appear in Ocean City Today & Bayside Gazette each week and online at oceancitytoday.com & baysideoc.com

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

Paramount Construction Services is seeking experienced professionals to join our organization in Ocean City MD. Applicants should have several years of experience with knowledge of kitchen and bathroom remodeling for residential homes and condominiums. Paramount is currently looking for Project Managers, cabinet installers, tile setters, painters / drywall, electricians and plumbers. Please call 443-664-7689 or send resume to ocjobs@paramountserv.com Sunset Island Ocean City, MD Sunset Island is accepting resumes for a

Clubhouse Facility Manager Full Time Seasonal Position. Personnel Management experience is required. The job would require management of a seasonal staff of 15 people, and oversight of contractors and scheduling.

Weekends and Holidays are mandatory.

Excellent people skills a must!

Job Type: Full-time Salary: based on experience Linda.horensavitz@casinc.biz fax 410 520 0398

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

AUTOMOTIVE POSITIONS We have openings for Service Advisors and Technicians. We have locations in the Millsboro, Bethany and Ocean City areas. We offer Great Pay & Benefits.

Please call: 302-344-9846

AUTOMOTIVE MARYLAND STATE INSPECTOR Now hiring for an inspector for our Ocean Pines location.

Exc. pay and benefits.

Please call 302-344-9846

Part-Time School Custodian Worcester Preparatory School, a coeducational college preparatory day school serving over 400 students in grades PK-12, is currently seeking a PT Custodian to clean school buildings daily from 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. CJIS Background Screening required. EOE Contact: Heather Parsons 410-641-3575 or hparsons@ worcesterprep.org Classifieds 410-723-6397

Retiree for Part-time Job Flexible hours.

Janitorial Services Wonderful place to work.

Contact Gene Brewis with Harbour Island 410-251-1423 Busy Ocean City Real Estate Office Hiring a Part Time Bookkeeper.

Knowledge of Quickbooks, Google Sheets, Excel and willing to learn to track numbers in various apps.

Please email your resume to Kristy@RyanHaley.com

Cleaners Needed For Property Manager Ocean Pines & W. OC Areas We have a busy rental department. We are looking for some additional cleaners for weekly vacation rentals for the 2021 Season. q References Required q W-9 q Certificate of Liability Insurance q Must work weekends and some weekdays as needed q ID Required for all of your cleaning staff If you are interested, please contact us by email

Hileman Real Estate, Inc.

NOW HIRING

hilemanre@aol.com, Attn: Chris

by Monday 5 p.m.

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

FT INTERIOR PAINTER Weekends not required.

Opportunity to advance to crew leader. Must have transportation. Great pay for the right person.

302-841-3004

Amazing Opportunity!

Looking for fun, energetic retail associates. Hiring year round or seasonal retail positions in an exciting new candy store. APPLY in person at Sugar Kingdom located at 4521 Coastal Highway Ocean City.

NOW HIRING FT, YR Maintenance & FT Front Desk Clerk (Evening Shift). Apply within Comfort Suites, 12718 Ocean Gateway (Rte. 50) Ocean City, MD (WOC).

Town of Ocean City, Maryland What are you doing this Summer? Be a part of our team! Drive the beach bus!

Paid CDL Training is available. Applicants must be 20 years of age and have an acceptable driving record.

Apply electronically at oceancitymd.gov

NOW HIRING!!

Production Crew for our WOC kitchen facility Up to $17.50/hr.

Apply online at: www.delmarvadd.com

Responsible and Reliable Person Needed Part-Time for Disabled, Pleasant Senior. Knowledge of hoyer lift helpful. Availability is for 9-15 hours a week, 3-4 hour shifts, 3-4 hours morning or early evening and possible fill-in. Fenwick Island.

Contact: 571-243-3398.

NOW HIRING Year-round Positions: • PM Line Cook Inquire within at 32 Palm at Hilton Suites 3200 Baltimore Ave Ocean City, MD ASSISTANT PM MANAGER Immediate Opening Harrison Group is currently seeking an Experienced Manager to join our team.

Great career opportunity with excellent benefits Inquire at 32 Palm at Hilton Suites 3200 Baltimore Ave Ocean City, MD Classifieds 410-723-6397

Ocean Resorts Golf Club is now accepting applications for Part Time Seasonal Clubhouse and Grounds Maintenance positions. Flexible hours. Golfing privileges included.

Applicants must apply in person at

Ocean Resorts Golf Club,10655 Cathell Rd., Berlin, MD. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted

AWESOME PEOPLE!

*Interviews begin February 13th - March, Apply Saturdays & Sundays 11am-2pm Holding Open Interviews For:

• Servers• Bus Staff •Host/Hostess •Kitchen Staff •Security Come by and join our 2021 Family!

54th Street, OCMD (Behind Chauncey’s Surf Shop) 410-723-5565

CLASSIFIEDS CALL 410-723-6397

www.oceancitytoday.com Order YOur Classifieds Online!

• • • •

Convenient Quick No Waiting, No Calls Days, Nights & Weekends

PAGE 40

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

Ocean City Today

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED Hiring ALL Positions!!

Full time & Part time To apply go to: www.mygcjob.com

RENTALS RENTALS HIRING ALL POSITIONS!!

Full time & Part time Stop by our location on 52nd street! or call 443-664-2825

Become a Better You in 2021!

RAMBLER MOTEL 9942 Elm Street, WOC (Behind Starbucks) Sleeps 4, $250 per week Manager onsite 410-213-1764

WEEKLY RENTALS AVAILABLE NOW

To Order Product Call Christine 443-880-8397 or email: snowhillavon@ comcast.net To Become an Avon Representative Sign Up at www.

ChristinesBeautyShop.com

Pool Front Room ...$215/wk Efficiency..............$245/wk Family Room ........$265/wk 2BR Apartment.....$350/wk Burgundy Inn 1210 Philadelphia Ave. 410-289-8581

COMMERCIAL

SERVICES

Seeking Year-Round & Seasonal Rentals!

Call Howard Martin Realty 410-352-5555

1 Office/Retail Space & 1 Warehouse Unit available in West Ocean City.

Call 443-497-4200

BUDGET MOVERS

SEEKING RENTAL SEEKING RENTAL

ESTATE SALE ESTATE SALE

Family Man Seeking Yearround or Seasonal site to hook up 30ft Camper Passport. 2009. Pull behind.

Please call 443-235-1265.

Sat. Feb 20 & Sun. Feb 21, 9am – till.

9105 East Biscayne Dr., Ocean City. Furniture, pictures, kitchenware, China & much more. Cash only.

Wear Mask please.

www.facebook.com/OCBudgetMovers

MOVING SALE MOVING SALE

Run your business card in our

Mature Couple Looking For Year-Round Rental in Ocean City, Berlin, Ocean Pines area. 2BR, 2BA minimum.

Furnished or unfurnished. No pets. Non-smoking. Starting April or May. 443-783-2627

COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL 1000 Sq. Ft. Warehouse For Rent. 12' x 12' Overhead door, LED lights, 200 amp electrical service. Located off RT 54 - 7 miles West of RT 1. $750 per month. 443-8568772

1096 Sq. Ft. Former Beauty Salon For Rent

Yearly & Seasonal Rentals

www.baysideoc.com www.oceancitytoday.com

RENTALS

We Welcome Pets 7700 Coastal Hwy 410-524-7700 www.holidayoc.com

Classifieds 410-723-6397

Starting Feb. 1.

Trader Lee’s Village Corner of 611 and Route 50, West OC. This location has more than 8 million cars per year going by on Rt. 50 & 611.

For more information call Bob Jester, 410-430-4480

CLASSIFIED AD NETWORK Serving the Newspapers of Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia since 1908.

BUSINESS SERVICES HOME IMPROVEMENT SERVICES Increase the digital presence NEED NEW WINDOW MARYLAND STATEWIDE of your business! Contact CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING MDDC Ad Services to receive TREATMENTS? Call Empire a FREE Digital Footprint Con- Today® to schedule a FREE NETWORK sultation for your business in-home estimate on blinds & shades. Call Today!

AUTOMOBILE DONATIONS from a TOP PERFORMING 866-479-2321. advertising agency!

DONATE AUTOS, TRUCKS, Call 443-508-1936, MISC. SERVICES RVs Lutheran Mission Society www.mddcadservices.com.

BECOME A PUBLISHED of MD. Help local families AUTHOR! We edit, print and through the pandemic with FINANCIAL SERVICES distribute your work internafood, clothing, counseling. Over $10K in Debt? Be debt tionally. We do the work…

Tax deductible. MVA license free in 24 to 48 months. No You reap the Rewards! #W1044. upfront fees to enroll. A+ BBB Call for a FREE Author’s 410-636-0123, rated. Call National Debt Submission Kit: 833-343-1370. www.CompassionPlace.org Relief 855-670-0681.

Everything Must Go! Starts Thurs., Feb. 18 through Thurs., Feb. 25.

Serious buyers only please.

Bedroom set, dining set, crib, clothing, kitchenware, household items & MUCH MORE. By appointment only. Call 443-235-1265.

438 Ocean Parkway, Unit 53, Ocean Pines. Cash and carry. Please wear mask!

Classifieds Deadline is 5pm Mondays

443-664-5797 LOCAL & EAST COAST MOVING Full Packing Service Piano Movers - Full Service

SERVICE DIRECTORY CALL 410-723-6397 for pricing!

COMMERCIAL

Ocean City, MD

Restaurant for Lease 203 seat restaurant located on landmark corner & prime hotel row. 5,730 sq ft newly renovated building, plenty of parking, upgraded HVAC, full liquor license, plenty of walk-ins & freezer space.

Ideal for crab house, Mexican, BBQ, sports bar, or Ale House concept.

Contact Mark Mayers @ 410-289-4444 mayers@harrisongp.com

Ocean City Today

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

BLINDS & SHADES

PAGE 41

COSMETICS the company for women

ELECTRICIAN

• cosmetics • skin care • body care • fragrances • gifts • & more!

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Contracting, LLC

“One stop shop for Home Improvement”

• Cabinets & Countertop • Kitchen & Bath Remodeling • General Carpentry & Painting

• Flooring & Tile • Residential & Commercial • Servicing Maryland & Delaware Beaches

SINGER CONTRACTING LLC Doug Singer EST. 1970

Home Improvement Design & Bertch Cabinet Retail

OC/License/Class #20-00041427 • MHIC #119816

Same Rate Day, Evening, Weekends

order online: www.christinesbeautyshop.com

Home Improvement Services Company

Residential Roofing and Siding Specialists BBB Accredited and GAF Certified • Licensed and Insured

Master Electrician 443 691 0544 Call or Text

No Job Too Small! Free Estimates!

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MD Lic #2268 Worcester Co Lic #M1337

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US Veterans Administration Approved Contractor

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• Online Financial Management • Real Time Accounting • Board of Directors Reports • On-Site Personnel Options

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Ocean City Today

PAGE 42

ROOFING Gutter Cleaning BOGO Sale

ROOFING

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

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FEBRUARY 19, 2021

PAGE 43

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

Council, Baradel, Kosmerl & Nolan, P.A. 125 West Street, 4th Floor Annapolis, Maryland 21401 (410) 268-6600

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE’S SALE OF VALUABLE FEE SIMPLE RESIDENTIAL DWELLING

401 15th Street, Apartment 6, Ocean City, MD 21842 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Purchase Money Deed of Trust (“Deed of Trust”) from Mark A. Nagle (“Borrower”) to Citizen Lending Group, Inc., a Maryland Corporation (“Lender”), dated October 27, 2006 and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland (“Land Records”) in Liber 5007, Folio 777, and default having occurred under the terms thereof, and at the request of the party secured thereby, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, Courthouse Door, 1 West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863 on: Monday, March 8, 2021 at 11:00AM All that lot of ground and the improvements thereon SITUATED IN Worcester County, Maryland and more fully described in the aforesaid Purchase Money Deed of Trust.

The property is believed to be improved by a residential dwelling.

The property address is 401 15th Street, Apartment 6, Ocean City, MD 21842.

Said property is in fee simple and is sold in an “as is condition” and subject to all covenants, conditions, liens, restrictions, easements, rightsof-way as may affect same, if any, and with no warranty of any kind.

THIS PROPERTY IS BEING SOLD SUBJECT TO the legal operation and effect of at least one prior senior lien/Deed of Trust, the balance(s) of which will be announced at the time of sale, if known.

Terms of Sale: A deposit of $6,000.00 will be required of the purchaser, other than the Holder of the Note or its assigns, at the time of sale, such deposit to be in cash or certified check, or other form acceptable to the Substitute Trustee, in his sole discretion. Balance of the purchase price is to be paid in cash within ten (10) days of the final ratification of sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County. If payment of the balance does not take place within ten (10) days of ratification, the deposit may be forfeited and property may be resold at the risk and expense of the defaulting purchaser. The defaulting purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds or profits resulting from any resale of the property. Interest to be paid on unpaid purchase money at the rate pursuant to the deed of trust note from date of sale to date

PUBLIC NOTICE The motor vehicles described below have been abandoned. The owners and lien holders are hereby informed of their right to reclaim the vehicles upon payment of all charges and costs resulting from the towing, preservation, and storage of the vehicles.

The failure of the owners or lien holders to reclaim the vehicles within three weeks of notification shall be deemed a waiver by the owners or lien holders of all rights, title and interest and thereby consent to the sale of the vehicles at public auction beginning February 11, 2021 or to have it otherwise disposed of in a manner provided by law.

Line No 1041-20 1326-20 1344-20

Year 2003 2004 2007

Make NISSAN NISSAN MINI

Model 350Z MURANO COOPER

Color BLUE SILVER BLUE

Style 2D SUV 2D

VIN JN1AZ34E03T016402 JN8AZ08W64W324225 WMWMF735X7TL83757

Mileage 139644 N/A N/A

All vehicles will be sold at auction on-line at www.govdeals.com. For details call 410-723-6643.

AUTH: Ross Buzzuro Chief of Police OCD-2/11/3t ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ funds are received in the office of the Substitute Trustee in the event the property is purchased by someone rather than the note holder.

In the event settlement is delayed for any reason , including, but not limited to, exceptions to the sale, bankruptcy filings by interested parties, or court administration of the foreclosure, there shall be no abatement of interest. Taxes, ground rent, water, condominium fees and/or homeowner association dues, all public charges, assessments payable on an annual basis, including sanitary and/or metropolitan district charges and front foot benefit charges, if applicable, to be adjusted for the current year to date of sale and assumed thereafter by the purchaser. Cost of all documentary stamps, transfer taxes and settlement expenses shall be borne by the purchaser. Purchaser shall be responsible for obtaining physical possession of the property. Purchaser assumes the risk of loss or damage to the property from the date of sale forward. If the Substitute Trustee is unable to convey good and marketable title, the purchaser’s sole remedy in law or equity shall be limited to the refund of the deposit.

Upon refund of the deposit, this sale shall be void and of no effect, and the purchaser shall have no further claims against the Substitute Trustee.

NOTE: The information contained herein was obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, but is offered for informational purposes only. Neither the auctioneer, the beneficiary of the Deed of Trust, the Substitute Trustee nor his agents or attorneys make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy of information.

PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS ARE URGED TO PERFORM THEIR OWN DUE DILIGENCE WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY PRIOR TO THE FORECLOSURE AUCTION. For additional information, please contact the Substitute Trustee.

Brian T. Gallagher,

Substitute Trustee Tidewater Auctions, LLC 410-825-2900 www.tidewaterauctions.com AD#74596 OCD-2/18/3t _________________________________

TRUSTEE’S SALE OF CONDOMINIUM UNIT

The Trustee named below will sell at public auction to the highest bidder on Monday, March 1, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., at the front door of Bluewater East Condominium, 13400 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD, all that property designated as Bluewater East Condominium Unit No. AS-205, together with an undivided interest in the common elements as established by Declaration and Bylaws recorded among the land records of Worcester County in Liber FWH No. 440, folio 656, et seq., as amended, and as further described in a deed recorded at Liber 6402, folio 455, et seq., in “AS IS” condition, SUBJECT to all the liens, covenants, agreements, conditions, easements and restrictions as may appear among the land records of Worcester County, Maryland.

A deposit of $15,000.00 in cash or certified check will be required of the Purchaser at the auction. (A deposit will not be required if the successful bidder is the secured party in this foreclosure action.) The balance in cash or cashier’s or certified check shall be paid within 20 days of final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court for Worcester County, said balance to bear interest at the rate of ten percent (10%) per annum from the date of sale to the date of payment. Time is of the essence for the Purchaser. All real estate taxes, wastewater, water charges, and condominium assessments shall be adjusted as of the date of sale and assumed thereafter by the Purchaser. All settlement costs, including recordation taxes, transfer taxes and recording fees, shall be paid by the Purchaser. Possession will be given upon payment in full of the

purchase price. If Purchaser fails to pay the balance of the purchase price when due, the deposit shall be forfeited and the property resold at the risk and cost of the defaulting Purchaser.

For further information, you may contact Ryan D. Bodley, Trustee, 410723-1400.

OCD-2/11/3t _________________________________ JOSEPH E. MOORE CHRISTOPHER T. WOODLEY ASSIGNEES WILLIAMS, MOORE, SHOCKLEY & HARRISON, L.L.P. 3509 Coastal Highway Ocean City, Maryland 21842

ASSIGNEES’ SALE OF VALUABLE IMPROVED COMMERCIAL PROPERTY HAVING AN ADDRESS OF 10307 RACETRACK ROAD, BERLIN, MD 21811

Under and by virtue of the Power of Sale contained in a certain Mortgage, dated November 30, 2005, and recorded among the Land Records of Worcester County, Maryland, in Liber S.V.H. No. 4595, folio 210, et seq., the Assignees have been assigned by instrument duly recorded among the Land Records as aforesaid for purposes of foreclosure, default having occurred under the terms thereof and at the request of the party secured thereby, the undersigned Assignees will sell at public auction, to be held at: THE FRONT DOOR OF THE COURTHOUSE CIRCUIT COURT FOR WORCESTER COUNTY 1 WEST MARKET STREET SNOW HILL, MARYLAND 21863 ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021 AT 1:30 P.M. Those two (2) contiguous parcels of land lying and being situate on the westerly side of Racetrack Road, containing in their entirety 2.67 of land,

PAGE 44 more or less, according to a 1942 survey, and designated as Tax Map 21, Parcel 110, and also designated as 10307 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD 21811, the said parcels being more particularly described in the aforesaid Mortgage.

TERMS OF SALE: A deposit of $20,000.00 will be required of the purchaser at the time of sale. The deposit shall be 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 Assignees; the balance to be secured to the satisfaction of the Assignees 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 ten (10) days after final ratification of sale by the Circuit Court of Worcester County unless said period is extended by the Assignees, their successors or assigns for good cause shown, time being of the essence. Interest at the rate set forth in the Mortgage Note shall be paid on unpaid purchase money from date of sale to date of settlement. There will be no abatement of interest due from the purchaser in the event additional funds are tendered before settlement. 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, 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. 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 following ratification of the sale, the deposit shall be forfeited and the property resold at the risk and cost of the defaulting purchaser. If the Assignees are 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, this sale shall be void and of no effect, and the purchaser shall have no further claim against the Assignees. 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. BIDDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW CDC GUIDANCE AND WEAR A COVER OVER BOTH NOSE AND MOUTH AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING AT THE AUCTION. The Assignees reserve the right to reject any and all bids in their sole

Ocean City Today / Public Notices discretion.

For information, please contact the undersigned at (410) 289-3553.

Joseph E. Moore, Assignee Christopher T. Woodley, Assignee 3509 Coastal Highway Ocean City, Maryland 21842 Marshall Auction Company Doug Marshall, Auctioneer 410.749.8092 OCD-2/11/3t _________________________________ BWW Law Group, LLC 6003 Executive Blvd., Suite 101 Rockville, MD 20852 (301) 961-6555

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEES' SALE

OF REAL PROPERTY AND ANY IMPROVEMENTS THEREON 6118 SOUTH POINT RD.; SEVEN ST. AND BOAT DOCK B BERLIN, MD 21811 Under a power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust dated January 5, 2011, recorded in Liber 5612, Folio 61 among the Land Records of Worcester County, MD, with an original principal balance of $402,955.00, default having occurred under the terms thereof, the Sub. Trustees will sell at public auction at the Circuit Court for Worcester County, at the Court House Door, One W. Market St., Snow Hill, MD 21863, on MARCH 2, 2021 AT 3:30 PM ALL THAT FEE SIMPLE LOT OF GROUND, together with any buildings or improvements thereon located in Worcester County, MD and described as follows: ITEM ONE: All that lot or parcel of land lying and being situate on the easterly side of Stephen Decatur Memorial Road, also known as South Point Road, in the Section called Lower Sinepuxent Neck, in the Tenth Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, and more particualrly described as Lot One (1) on a plat entitled "Bay Shores", made by Edward H. Richardson Associates, Inc., dated September 14, 1971, and recorded among the Worcester County Land Records in Plat Record F.W.H. No. 19, folios 32, et seq.; and being a part of all and the same property acquired by the grantors herein from Edward H. Valentine and Joan A. Valentine, by deed dated November 20, 1998, and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records in Liber R.H.O. No. 2609, folios 286 et seq.

ITEM TWO: An undivided one-fifth of Grantor's three-fourths interest in all that property lying and being situate in the Tenth Election District of Worcester County, Maryland, designated and distinguished as Item II on the plat entitled "Plat of Survey showing Item I and Item II of Hoyt Peck Estate, South Point, Tenth Election District, Worcester County, Maryland", dated September 12, 1986, revised July 3, 1987, made by L.E. Bunting Surveys, Inc. and recorded in the Plat Records of Worcester County, Maryland, in Plat Book 112, page 62; said property

having been acquired by the grantors herein from Edward H. Valentine and Joan A. Valentine in Item One of deed dated November 20, 1998 and recorded among the aforesaid Land Records in Liber R.H.O. No. 2609, folios 286 et seq.

ITEM THREE: And the grantors herein do hereby grant unto said grantees the use of Boat Slip B, which is appurtenant to property described in Item Two hereof, same having beed assigned to grantors herein by Boat Slip Assignment and Agreement re Maintenance between the grantors and the owners of the other one-fourth interest in Item Two. TOGETHER with all buildings and improvements thereon, and the rights, roads, ways, waters, privelages, and appurtenances thereto belonging or in anywise appertaining.

Tax ID #10-021855, #10-021979 & #10-391202.

The property, and any improvements thereon, will be sold in an "as is" condition and subject to conditions, restrictions and agreements of record affecting the same, if any, and with no warranty of any kind.

Terms of Sale: A deposit of $27,000 in the form of certified check, cashier's check or money order will be required of the purchaser at time and place of sale. Balance of the purchase price, together with interest on the unpaid purchase money at the current rate contained in the Deed of Trust Note from the date of sale to the date funds are received by the Sub. Trustees, payable in cash within ten days of final ratification of the sale by the Circuit Court. There will be no abatement of interest due from the purchaser in the event additional funds are tendered before settlement. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR THE PURCHASER. Adjustment of all real property taxes, including agricultural taxes, if applicable, and any and all public and/or private charges or assessments, to the extent such amounts survive foreclosure sale, including water/sewer, ground rent and front foot benefit charges, to be adjusted to date of sale and thereafter assumed by purchaser. Purchaser is responsible for any recapture of homestead tax credit.

All transfer taxes and recordation taxes shall be paid by Purchaser.

The purchaser shall be responsible for the payment of the ground rent escrow, if required. Condominium fees and/or homeowners association dues, if any, shall be assumed by the purchaser from the date of sale. 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.

The sale is subject to post-sale audit of the status of the loan with the loan servicer including, but not limited to, determination of whether the borrower entered into any repayment agreement, reinstated or paid off the loan prior to the sale. In any such event, this sale shall be null and void, and the Purchaser's sole remedy, in law or equity, shall be the return of the deposit without interest. If purchaser fails to settle within ten days of ratification, subject to order of court, purchaser agrees that property will be resold and entire de-

FEBRUARY 19, 2021 posit retained by Sub. Trustees as liquidated damages for all losses occasioned by the purchaser's default and purchaser shall have no further liability. The defaulted purchaser shall not be entitled to any surplus proceeds resulting from said resale even if such surplus results from improvements to the property by said defaulted purchaser. Sub. Trustees will convey either marketable or insurable title. If they cannot deliver one or the other, or if ratification of the sale is denied by the Circuit Court for any reason, the Purchaser's sole remedy, at law or equity, is return of the deposit without interest.

BIDDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO FOLLOW CDC GUIDANCE AND WEAR A COVER OVER BOTH NOSE AND MOUTH AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING AT THE AUCTION. (Matter No. 157308-1) PLEASE CONSULT WWW.ALEXCOOPER.COM FOR STATUS OF UPCOMING SALES Howard N. Bierman, Carrie M. Ward, et. al., Substitute Trustees ALEX COOPER AUCTS, INC. 908 YORK RD., TOWSON, MD 21204 410-828-4838 www.alexcooper.com OCD-2/11/3t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS TOWN OF OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110 of the Code of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Zoning Ordinance for Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted by the Board of Zoning Appeals for Ocean City, Maryland virtually via Zoom Webinar: Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device: Please click this URL to join. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89858559 316 Or iPhone one-tap: +13017158592, 89858559316# US (Washington DC) +13126266799, 89858559316# US (Chicago) Or join by phone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 898 5855 9316 International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kekt JHsKaU February 25, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers, of the Code,

FEBRUARY 19, 2021 an appeal has been filed pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-94(2)(b) requesting a special parking exception to waive 7 parking spaces to construct a 962 square foot tiki garden bar area for outdoor dining. The entire site of the appeal is described as Lots 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 for Building 1 and Lots 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 for Building 2, Block 87 of the Fenwick Plat; further described as located on the west side of Coastal Highway between 132nd and 133rd Street, encompassing street addresses of 13201-13209 Coastal Highway, and known locally as Beach Barrels, 13207 Coastal Highway, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: RAYMOND MCGRATH (BEACH BARRELS LLC) – (BZA 2581 #21-09400003) 6:10 P.M. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(3), Powers, of the Code, an appeal has been filed pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-95(1)(a) requesting a variance to the eastern side yard setback (common element) to allow construction of a 5’ wide deck to the property line adjacent to applicant’s unit (#1). The site of the appeal is described as Lots 1-5, Block 33 of the Oceanbay City Plat; further described as located on the north side of 65th Street immediately west of the beach, and locally known as 6501 Atlantic Avenue, Unit 1, Colonial Village Townhouses, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: JOSEPH E. MOORE, ESQ., ATTY FOR GREGORY & CYNTHIA SPALDING – (BZA 2582 #21-09500004) Further information concerning the public hearings may be examined in the office of the Department of Planning and Community Development in City Hall.

Alfred Harrison, Chairman Maureen Howarth, Attorney OCD-2/11/2t _________________________________

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

NOTICE

OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 110, Zoning, of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission in the Council Chambers of City Hall virtually via Zoom Meeting on: TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 At 7:00 pm Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83683836 760 Or iPhone one-tap : US: +13017158592,,83683836760# or +13126266799,,83683836760# Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

PAGE 45

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

NOTICE

The Mayor and City Council, a public community transit service provider in Ocean City, Maryland, is offering the opportunity for a public hearing to provide citizens a forum to present views on the following proposals: FY 2022 Annual Transportation Plan (ATP).

The ATP contains requests for operating funds from the following programs: Section 5311 of the Federal Transit Act, which provides funds for general public transit service in rural areas; Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) program, which provides funds for federally required para transit services for persons with disabilities.

In addition, capital funds will be requested for the following items: ITEM One (1) Year Preventative Maintenance for Rolling Stock including Repairs, Parts and Labor Three (3) Heavy Duty 60’ Articulating Buses Twenty-Two (22) Heavy Duty 40’ Bus Replacements Four (4) ADA Accessible Transit Supervisor Support Vehicles Transportation Development Plan Study TOTAL

TOTAL $785,000 $2,400,000 $10,727,464 $260,000 $100,000 $14,272,464

A Public Hearing will be held upon request. Requests for a Public Hearing must be in writing and will be received until 4 p.m. on Friday, March 5, 2021. Requests for a Public Hearing and/or other written comments should be sent to the following address and clearly marked “Public Hearing Comments”: Ocean City Transportation 204 65th Street, Building E Ocean City, Maryland 21842 Written comments can also be emailed to: Mark D. Rickards at mdrickards@oceancitymd.gov If requested, a Public Hearing will be held: Monday, March 15, 2021 6:00 p.m.

City Hall Council Chambers 301 North Baltimore Avenue Ocean City, Maryland 21842 If special assistance is required at the Public Hearing contact Ocean City Transportation, Administrative Coordinator, at 410-723-2174 prior to 4 p.m. Friday, March 5, 2021.

OCD-2/11/5t ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ US: +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799 or +1 646 876 9923 or +1 253 215 8782 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 408 638 0968 or +1 669 900 6833 Webinar ID: 836 8383 6760 International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbs3B2 DYY9 Pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 5, Conditional Uses, a request has been filed under the provisions of Section 110-514(22), Uses permitted by Conditional Use in the LC-1, Local Commercial, Zoning District, that the Mayor and City Council may approve a use not specifically named in these regulations, provided, however, that such use shall be in keeping with uses specifically permitted in the LC-1 district, to permit a 15 vehicle storage lot on the northwest corner of the property. Since this property is split-zoned and the western portion is zoned BMUD, Bayside Mixed Use, Zoning District, the request is also in accordance with Section 110-574.

The site of the request is described as Lot 10, southerly half of Lot 11, Block 94; a portion of Lots 2 and 3, Block 93; a portion of Philadelphia Avenue and half of 16’ alley,

Sinepuxent Beach Company Plat; and further described as located on the west side of Philadelphia Avenue, and known locally as 3105 Philadelphia Avenue, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland.

APPLICANT: ELIAS ZACHAROPOULOS, NOREASTER, LLC (FILE #21-12100001) No oral or written testimony will be accepted after the close of the public hearing.

Public hearings that are not completed at one meeting may be continued without additional advertised notice provided the Commission Chairperson announces that the hearing will be continued and gives persons in attendance an opportunity to sign up for written notice of the additional hearing dates.

For further information concerning this public hearing, please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development, Room 242, City Hall, 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842. Phone 410-289-8855.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION PAM GREER BUCKLEY, CHAIRPERSON

WILLIAM E. ESHAM, III, ATTORNEY OCD-2/11/2t _________________________________ STEVEN W. RAKOW ESQ 5700 COASTAL HIGHWAY SUITE 305 OCEAN CITY, MD 21842

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18595 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF BARRY GUSTAV FALKENSTEIN Notice is given that Donna Falkenstein Bradley, 1033 Springhouse Drive, Ambler, PA 19002, was on February 03, 2021 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Barry Gustav Falkenstein who died on January 12, 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

PAGE 46

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

on or before the 3rd day of August, 2021.

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, 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 personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is

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

Donna Falkenstein Bradley Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: February 11, 2021 OCD-2/11/3t _________________________________

CHARTER AMENDMENT RESOLUTION NO. 3 RE: Finances

PUBLIC HEARING CHARTER AMENDMENT RESOLUTION NO. 1 RE: Municipal Election

Call

Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that a proposed Charter amendment was introduced at the meeting of September 15, 2020. A public hearing and presentation of a Charter Resolution is scheduled for March 15, 2021.

Proposed amendment: Section C-504, Registration of voters, acknowledges the City Clerk no longer registers municipal voters.

Municipal voters register in accordance with State law and the Town of Ocean City voter roll is maintained by the Worcester County Board of Elections and provided to the Town for each election.

An exact copy of the proposed changes is posted at City Hall, available online at oceancitymd.gov on the City Clerk webpage and can be obtained by contacting the City Clerk’s office at 410-289-8824.

OCD-2/18/1t _________________________________

Nancy MacCubbin 410-723-6397, Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@ oceancitytoday.net DEADLINE: MONDAY, 5 P.M.

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

PUBLIC HEARING

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

OCEAN CITY TODAY Legal Advertising

to 8:00 p.m. to coincide with the general election poll closing time.

An exact copy of the proposed changes is posted at City Hall, available online at oceancitymd.gov on the City Clerk webpage and can be obtained by contacting the City Clerk’s office at 410-289-8824.

OCD-2/18/1t _________________________________

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

PUBLIC HEARING CHARTER AMENDMENT RESOLUTION NO. 2 RE: Municipal Election Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that a proposed Charter amendment was introduced at the meeting of September 15, 2020. A public hearing and presentation of a Charter Resolution is scheduled for March 15, 2021.

Proposed amendment: Section C-601, Conduct of elections generally, changes the municipal poll closing time from 7:00 p.m.

Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that a proposed Charter amendment was introduced at the meeting of September 15, 2020. A public hearing and presentation of a Charter Resolution is scheduled for March 15, 2021.

Proposed amendment: Section C-721, Purchasing and contracts, amends the Charter to update said section so it is consistent with the Town Purchasing Policy and Procedure Manual adopted by the Mayor and City Council on July 12, 2016.

An exact copy of the proposed changes is posted at City Hall, available online at oceancitymd.gov on the City Clerk webpage and can be obtained by contacting the City Clerk’s office at 410-289-8824.

OCD-2/18/1t _________________________________

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18590 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CHARLES N. KRUEGER Notice is given that Richard W. Krueger, 3802 Easton Court, Abingdon, MD 21009, was on January 29, 2021 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Charles N. Krueger who died on January 18, 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 29th day of July, 2021.

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, except if the decedent died before October 1, 1992, nine months from the date of

FEBRUARY 19, 2021 the decedent’s death; or (2) Two months after the personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Richard W. Krueger Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: February 11, 2021 OCD-2/11/3t _________________________________

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

PUBLIC HEARING CHARTER AMENDMENT RESOLUTION NO. 4

RE: Officers and Employees Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that a proposed Charter amendment was introduced at the meeting of September 15, 2020. A public hearing and presentation of a Charter Resolution is scheduled for March 15, 2021.

Proposed amendment: Section C-1001A, Clerk-Treasurer, amends the Charter to reflect the current title of this position is “City Clerk”.

An exact copy of the proposed changes is posted at City Hall, available online at oceancitymd.gov on the City Clerk webpage and can be obtained by contacting the City Clerk’s office at 410-289-8824.

OCD-2/18/1t _________________________________

TOWN OF OCEAN CITY

PUBLIC HEARING CHARTER AMENDMENT RESOLUTION NO. 5 RE: Sabbath observance Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that a proposed Charter amendment was introduced at the meeting of September 15, 2020. A

FEBRUARY 19, 2021

PAGE 47

Ocean City Today / Public Notices

public hearing and presentation of a Charter Resolution is scheduled for March 15, 2021.

Proposed amendment: Section C-1404, Sabbath observance, deletes this section of the Charter.

An exact copy of the proposed changes is posted at City Hall, available online at oceancitymd.gov on the City Clerk webpage and can be obtained by contacting the City Clerk’s office at 410-289-8824.

OCD-2/18/1t _________________________________ DENNIS A. BAIRD, ESQ LAW OFFICES DENNIS A. BAIRD, ESQ., P.C. 1323 FENWICK LANE, SUITE 100 SLIVER SPRING, MD 20910

NOTICE

OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18584 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF CLYDE SMITH POWELL JR Notice is given that Douglas Powell, 5632 Singletree Drive, Frederick, MD 21703, was on February 08, 2021 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Clyde Smith Powell Jr who died on October 17, 2017, without a will.

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

All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their

objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 8th day of August, 2021.

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, 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 personal representative mails or otherwise delivers to the creditor a copy of this published notice or other written notice, notifying the creditor that the claim will be barred unless the creditor presents the claims within two

months from the mailing or other delivery of the notice. A claim not presented or filed on or before that date, or any extension provided by law, is unenforceable thereafter. Claim forms may be obtained from the Register of Wills.

Douglas Powell Personal Representative True Test Copy Terri Westcott Register of Wills for Worcester County One W. Market Street Room 102 - Court House Snow Hill, MD 21863-1074 Name of newspaper designated by personal representative: Ocean City Digest Date of publication: February 11, 2021 OCD-2/11/3t _________________________________

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Duis .D vallli nva con erra. m, m um qui q s dui viver ntu r ent at a t to tor me us l b bus ele auc cib uci au ditt fau aanttee ndi n fi eg t fiit aamet ll m bla llam turr ege abiitu est sit r rab tiiee. Nu tie Cu C tigue ue que. i ttiq l m con uri gna. Ves Nullam riss tris u eree ma hase lu llu uer osu pos per ma r quis p per Ph selllus P on sem non eg s va ius. ssa ss Intege ntt var un idu um ma a uss eeross. diet tinccid nibu nib interdu er per l vvitae a ligula a nunc l vviverr m imp nisl, um ulu bul em err Vivamus us era lor lis mi, valllis squee squ que viv metus. eriiisq conva celler gue m sce m maxim null Pellentes . Morbi id orpeer in in. mc vitae con l por. Na vel m p ulla mi per aliquet ena e tis Phasellus tristique tem ntt sem Ut U un o idu mo cid mm Sed ven Sed u aa. uad ro. tor to s. a hen- nec c com libe to at orci tin equ fe feli at gnaa gn nec tor lacinia malles uat o gilla nun comm u mo iculla, jus velit, ut d gnissim ultrice di dig ces ma ce n conseq s. Ut risus non uris veh r nisl frin eu llectus com U sed tie t stie ler a at ne nec Ma les etu us. . tet ole sce ex, ex ibu ect mo , pib te sa, us dap ssa ss onssec llus m mo osuere volut con po tell dolor d tum oad leeo liss p alli smod ant m lectus ma Etiam E m erat nec ne at ulis uli dic , dolor convval Q isque con fi uriss eui c. Etiiaam us. Qu lis. Do dui. D llis Duis iac mmodo eu llacus Mauri us. Aliqua cursus us est ffiom valllis tus d c nva con m id tell er a. er nec drerit com lacu quis us iin lectu dicttum tor viverr mccorp us at q l nisl, non l men m mi bus b ele llam auc isl modo e cib d eu, d ulla e t nis re uci t n au dit en is f fau uer tis ant a ndi n com ifen me dim p sue pos bort ndi llam adicon it aamet llam bla urr e Null uee ett ele Ut co mus lob itu st sit squ t turr adi tetu isq est c rab r bit ac. ac seccte tiiee. Nu tellus.

Cu tt. Vivam a arcu. ra gue at con pat p s re ret ue ue ue. ur urn con q . et, d h rice i tiq am gna gn llam llam ec neq s. nec sed ibus n nec et Null nunc pha ege ul uris tris us et. ro vel ult patt. bus uerree ma P dollor sit nb nib egerr ulitt s Do itti fin possue I teg p perr ma r quis p h Ph ipsum m. Int d rit libe erat volutp m ip q s sag it odio, eget qui rbi non sem s. Intege no eg m hendre va ius.

Lorem m . Morb ipit elementu nis ntt var un ttiss non usccip os idu cid ci ero modo el lit. Aliqua ilisii. Aliqua tus at, matti um sus uss er tum dig i sim iss ligulla pis g eelit ng nibu iinterdum cin diet tin vi tie com di pisci pi lec nissim p di ll fac uri torr. nib l vitae a ligula l, l mau m imper ed moles t . Nulla um Sed ate at su cipit etu tat vel auc purus dig por us uta bulu bul s ve it, sus em e nis lput tellus. err cipit p ttitor, vulp vu vul leo nec la metus us a nunc es lleo squee lor tesqu squ ula que viv id con ntee sus rutrum er lacus estt et ic icu riciies an ant hic tric veh hac S hac scelerii sc am len le p per Sed et t dui non semp mattis e m in in. Pel por. In tus. Viv xim s eraat . Morbi tis ull us ll a am me uet per tem imu placerat, massa, nec sem E Eti so gue s ngu e ntt sem orci. un m e con lla.. aaliqi tin v ena o o nec apt um Nam ma mii nulla nt taciti er o dum cidu d ven rdu or. N i cid uatt odi p ent por p qua nteerd n iint mp llluss vita uee tem seq pe f lis. Sed nissim libero vell at feli tra, per P asell Ph t Class o orci stra i do quat t r con dictumst. tor equ od mo di dig adaa. Ut mm orr tristiq malesua uad ubia nos In auc In n conseq ultr ortto non U sed uncc com platea nun s Ut s. p con nec to nec o non do ex, nec od asssee p mo itas quentt per lacinia nisl fringilla dapibu ante ex h bit hab comm oad ma eo sim at tuss com nis n sim l ra tor s. lit at rissus nse turr l ctu d lito euismod am lectus tetu les- le cte qu ad us eu lec iossqu m, in dig llus cio Mauriis i . Eti tum mo m consec nec at tell enaeos id tel Etiam E u e dia it amett sem id ulis dic os him l m posuer per nec i tum epttos dic mccorp ncccep lis. Do dui. D in i sit Duis iac rraa. d eu, d v lli ullam ul ulla cipit tibulu nvval Nulla con onv c commo ifen ves sus s st. is er err m, m s m ce ele i qui q viv t ll a Fus tor to mentu Nullam ut Cra a dictum llecctu l m bus at tea tuss, fau isque et atee ut. late ucccib u pla arcu. fau p tat t us. nditt auc aamet aanttee ele lput se p l fi- is u tell ue blandi ur a ar urn que g t fid ege m neq se ligula r sed it ll lla llam diam vul In hac habitas p sit c tur it it. dis itu nec nec n nu abi tiiee. Nu ed vel C rrab s Don tii- n gue est tiq d ssed Suspen od. .S i s. f ibus ue. Cu mo uissm luctus eui eget fin i que a iiss sagitti l m con uri gna. Ves s qui dictum llam tris a o, t q et, s , s ma dio N Nu ris o odi ndi n et, e e a am re ibu it u it p am c llu uer sit fi ccip or bla possue perr ma r quis p p haseellu ucttor Ph auc m susscip porta fin ximus um dollor sit tu r Ali- no iuss. P o sem or. non eger varriu tito sssa tum ips ip um q iss ma sit amett felis or portttit d rit lli ntt va un h dre oss. Intege orttaa qui idu por cid ci ero Lorem Aliquam hen um ma a o dum poerd i s er p ttit llectus nibu ni int i ter di t tin vita tuss at po ross por Aliqua lit. er l ctu p die g elit ng l, l v e a ligula Nunc id rbi vel est a ero cin l vviverr a s lec is facilisii. m imper lis, lis pisci pi pis um valllis ulu nva m sodale bu b bul em nis pit cip con Mo e. Nulla pit, Etiiam Et te. ate lis mi, vul tat uta vallis put sque lor tesque viverr id conval lacus. M la sapien ccipi sus ula eriiisq vulp vu ler Sus Su - sce volutpat. . eu cel sus t s s at len e er e s tus t e era nte rbi icula ant me hic in in. Pel quam ll mcorp um. Cra din t veh per. Mo ena Sed et Sed varius sem aliq tis ulla a uet bibend m mattis tud tu in, ntt sem isus a tincid ris un i itu Etiiam lici a risu idu ccid uerree b d vene sue orcii.. Et tus sol eperdiet ll, vi ep fringill rab urr con- orci tin equ f s. Sed nissim libero. o orc itu do at feli od mo i vit eett me enti. Donecc ll lluss vita lor nis mm ellu s quat seq Cu bit aorree lao c co com ase di dig em s. has con P Ph tie lo uri n sed e on pot p les ue non m U squ mo d ma ss. Ut isssee sed dis leriisq que vi nd pen p us dig dapibu o p ac lus scelle lu ra ac. Sed leo nec pur ret re ra. llentesqu smod oad ret leeo s per sem Pel p pha eu eui t at et Mo M pha s rat in in in. es c . ege t nc e icie ric unt uet per estt nun plaace pla l rici dunt x aliqu aliq b s nu bus ibu ib t sempe eg r ult ege l tincid m eget urr maxium di ditum itu nisl, ntu bit i cidun felis. Sed t r ad S dv meent m um. Int Morbi bi C rab dim dim libero ectteetu orci tin o m lib mentum em nisl. Cu n onssec lum ean ut ele con ellem ulu ua i . ibu ric s rice sequat . Aenea it amett Vestib d dig itt amet, d gnissimdolor sit ur sit on con ve non n ro vell ult at sim dig tettur aliquam s. Ut sed sim n sssim nis uriiss, vel us. se seccte ibu ip ipsum d pib d rit libe erat vo rutrum r feugiat mau i im ed,, con volutpat. le nis sed hendre leo a dap Lorem Aliquam h pulviper sed dig m rpe um sed ntt p n orp o tti mattis Aliqua lit. b s. Ut Praese ibu mus ips . Fusce ullamc q g elit ng cin tus aat,, facilisii. isci quee at. it euiss-- pis . dap velit uss estt cipit lec vel auctor sceleriisquilisis, velit vel e. Nulla it, uru . pur el ate sus t or tat at i put er era dol do tus m cip vul rum ntum la me ib ibus fac turpis ruttru ula meen ntee sus hiicu elem el ele veh fer- Sed et ant sed dap r fer tuss ttis ger etu ege eg tus tu t me ma Int me am ue. ar,, i ulis nar e nec iac on peelll-- orci. Eti g a aug Proin non ue, frii gill r. m d aug m sit am mo a et frin or us tito ortttit por iin rissu l Vestibulujusto in mollis lvin V a sem pulvinar mentum ex. Nam m ue lentesque

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Lorem ipsum p dolor olor sit amet amet, con nsectetur adipiscing scing elit. Aliquam iquam h hend hendrerit i libero lib ro vel ultrices vulputate. Nulla ultrice facilissi. si Aliquam Ali erat volutpat.

Sed et ante suscipi p t, t suscipi s t lectus l t at, orci. Etiam t mattis am mattis veh hicul hicula metus vel Phasellus vitae congue auctor. g em metus. t Vivamu Vi nec tortor s a nunc or tristiqu q e tem em mpor. mpo Nam N maximus erat at risus lacinia a malessuada. su d Ut suada U vell mi nulla.

Etiam consectetur ur nisl fringilla nunc commodo convallis. Donecc at telllus eu lectus llect commodo faucibus at quis q dui dui. Du uis iiaculis li dictum d tie. Nullam blandit molesaucttor viverra i .

Nullam congue co est sitt amet ante ele elemen no on semper tum, tos himenaeos. p mauris auris tristtique tique.

C Curabi bi tur eget fiinibus n eros. Integer quis Vestibulum libero pat. Vivamus loborti pos e magna. posuer nisl, tincidunt in s nisl nisl, non curs bulum imperd Vesti sed, euismod nibus d, consectetur sit p iett tincid sus est fid t varius. Phasel dunt et. amet et nisl. ni l Curabi C scelerisque lus mus ipsum sed tur maxiq lorem orem nisl, nisl vitae Lorem p rutrum vvit interdu um aliquam i li dolor olor sit amet, m massa purus est. aliquet in. Pellent . Aenean ut piscing ipsum amet consec con te . Fusce tetur adiusce ullamcorper esque viverra scing elit. Aliquam vi orp feugiat iquam hend ligula l f orci tincidu hendrerit viverra elementum i mauris, ve i libero dunt lib nt semper vel vulputate. vell ultrices dolor sceleris p r.. Morbi M bi id conval erisque at.

Nulla facilisi. conv lli facilisi Aliquam t P non conseq n Praesent pulvi Praese lis mi, Ali i nar, metus sed dapibu que at quat uat felis. l eratt volutpa ifelis Sed venena v Sed et v t. s facilisis facili i tis ull ti p t, lllamcorper mod augue, t suscipit lectus lleo a dapibus. Ut li velit euis- orci. ante suscipi llectu t att, g , necc iaculis metus , velit sed dign t mattis Etiam nissim libero. am mattis lib libe ttis vehicula tturpis tu i rutrum erat.

Mauris euismo l metus Vestibulum sit amet met vell auctor. mod d ante Phasellus vitae congue t eex, nec ultrices fringill frin ngilla illa augue. Integer gue metus ullamc magna mentum justo lamcor metus. m t orper per nec.. Etiam Vivamu Vi ferfer j o in mollis porttit nec tortor tristiqu s a nunc llectus lectu massa, scelerq e tempor temp r. Proin empor. Nam isque et eleifend P i non pellentesque ex. Nam porttito N maxi maxim eu,, di eu mus erat at risus lacinia dictu ctu tum id tellus. m pulvinar sem tellus Quisqu malesuada nec neque tellus.

Q i ada. d Ut in risu e convallis posuer U vell mii nulla. risus Etiam consec p uere.

Nullam e m Mauris co commo tetur vehicul vehi hi la, justo do d in lectu nisl isl fringilla nunc quis sagittis lectus drerit commo j g tis.. Donec sed at hen- conval com mmodo do,, dolor do urn urna arcu. ra, per lis. Donecc at tellus or dolor d l molest l ie velit, u incep- posuere mi eu lectus llect com ut faucibus at lacus eu lacus mmodo lacus. Ali quis q Aliquam erat volut dui dui. li d dictum moles- tie. Nullam blandit Duis iiaculis m auctor viverra i .

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