Service Directory

PAGE 50 Ocean City hosts annual job fair at convention center

(April 1, 2022) The Town of Ocean City is hosting a job fair this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on 40th Street.

The job fair will provide attendees with access to employers seeking candidates in every discipline, from public safety to camp counselors, to bus drivers and lifeguards, and everything in between. Admission is free.

The following departments with the town will be present and taking applications; recreation and parks, beach patrol, police department, fire department, purchasing, public works, maintenance, solid waste, and transportation.

This year’s job fair is being hosted in partnership with the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. Therefore, employers from area restaurants, hotels, amusements, retail, non-profits, real estate management, and others will also be present.

“The job fair is a great opportunity for job seekers in Ocean City and surrounding areas to seek out a new job or even a new career,” said Human Resources Director, Katie Callan. “The job fair provides access to supervisors and employers, from a wide variety of departments and industries, who are seeking committed, hardworking and enthusiastic employees to fill available positions.”

Attendees should bring a resume and dress to impress. Computers will be available on-site to apply online during the job fair. Those who are seeking employment and unable to attend the job fair, should visit www.oceancitymd.gov to view current job openings. For questions about the job fair, call human resources at 410-289-8822. By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (April 1, 2022) Crossover week is in the books for the Maryland General Assembly, with the House of Delegates and the Senate swapping legislation to decide which potential new laws will reach Gov. Larry Hogan’s desk.

At first glance, Del. Wayne Hartman (R-38C) said there are “a lot of bad bills” coming over from the Senate.

The “Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022” is only a couple of steps away from passing both houses.

Hartman criticized the initiative that strives for a net-zero statewide greenhouse gas emissions goal by 2040, saying it is overambitious and ignores small-business impacts.

“2040 which really isn’t that far off to have a net-zero, even when you’re talking about greenhouse gas emissions,” he said. “The Republican Caucus offered more than 20 amendments on the bill and all were shot down. “This will affect every Maryland family. It’ll drive up utility costs, the costs of doing business. It’s a very bad bill that has momentum, unfortunately.”

Hartman also listed a bill aimed at banning ghost guns by requiring all firearms made after Oct. 22, 1968, to have a serial number on them, which has already passed both houses; a bill that would “use taxpayer dollars” to fund counsel for Marylanders in eviction; and a bill that exempts children under 13 years old from the proceedings of juvenile court as well as the ability to be charged with a crime.

Speaking on the last bill, Hartman said the bill “really ties the hands of law enforcement when dealing with juveniles. It’s moving Maryland in the wrong direction.”

Regarding anti-crime legislation over in the Senate, Sen. Mary Beth

Wayne Hartman

See CAROZZA Page 55

REAL ESTATE REPORT

Tips for paying off mortgage sooner

By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (April 1, 2022) You know the old tune by Tennessee Ernie Ford: “You load 16 tons, what do you get; Another day older and deeper in debt; Saint Peter don’t you call me ‘cause I can’t go; I owe my soul to the company store.” Having a mortgage is a fact of life for many, with the final payment being too far in the future to even fathom. But, there are ways to make that day come sooner.

Tip #1: Just pay more: Sounds like an easy concept—and it is. It doesn’t always have to be a lot either.

For example, just rounding up a payment from $644 to $650 can help. The extra $6 a month on a $200,000, 30-year loan can save you four payments at the end of your loan. Just be sure your mortgage company is applying the extra payment toward principal.

Tip #2: Refinance with a shorter term: Shortening your mortgage term from a 30-year to a 20- or 15-year mortgage is a great way to pay off your mortgage faster.

By switching to a shorter term, you can get a lower interest rate, which helps to offset the increased monthly payment.

For example, on a $200,000 loan, if your rate for a 30-year fixed loan is 4.875 percent, but for a 15-year fixed, the rate is 4.125 percent, the 30-year mortgage equals $1,058 a month for principal and interest, and the 15year mortgage was $1,491, or a difference in price of $433 more per month to pay to cut your loan repayment term in half.

But, if refinancing is not an option for you right now, you can decide how much more you can afford per month and calculate what effect this will have on your repayment term.

For example, if you have a $200,000 30-year mortgage at 4.875 percent, adding an additional $200 a month toward principal will shave nine years, three months off your total number of payments.

Most mortgage companies offer automatic drafts where you can designate a specific amount in addition to your regular payment to be applied toward principal.

Tip #3: Switch to bi-weekly payments: This is a great option when your pay schedule is also bi-weekly.

By making this simple change in when you pay your mortgage, you end up making a 13th mortgage payment during each calendar year. This change alone can chop off almost six years from a 30-year mortgage. – Lauren Bunting is an Associate

Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City.

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MALLORY PANUSKA/OCEAN CITY TODAY The historic Majestic Hotel and Apartments on the Boardwalk between Sixth and Seventh streets is under new ownership following the sale of the property this week.

PAGE 51 Majestic Hotel sold, buyer not disclosed

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (April 1, 2022) Another historic Ocean City property is changing hands.

Earlier this week, Will Savage, a member of the Savage family, who are the long-time owners of the Majestic Hotel and Apartments between Sixth and Seventh streets on the Boardwalk, said in an email that the family had sold the property to “pursue other interests.”

He would not disclose who bought the property, nor the sale price, but he said it was sold to “a local entrepreneur.” The sale included four lots between Baltimore Avenue and the Boardwalk on Seventh Street, which has operated as the Majestic Hotel and Apartments for many years.

Savage said the property was built in 1925 and that his family has owned it and operated it since 1945.

He added that he does not know what the new owner intends to do with the property.

Pines set to offer lifeguarding cert. class, April 8-10

(April 1, 2022) Ocean Pines will hold an American Red Cross lifeguard certification class April 8-10 at the Sports Core Pool.

The class gives participants the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breath and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services personal take over.

American Red Cross certification is required for lifeguard positions at many pool and aquatic facilities, including in Ocean Pines.

“American Red Cross certification is the gold standard for lifeguard training. We require it for all Ocean Pines lifeguards because we know it’s vital to providing a safe swimming environment for our guests,” said Kathleen Cook, director of Ocean Pines Aquatics and an American Red Cross-certified instructor who will lead the course.

Classes will be held April 8 from 59 p.m., and April 9-10 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participants must be age 15 or older by the last class on April 10.

The course fee, which includes a two-year American Red Cross certificate for lifeguarding/first aid/ CPR/AED, is $200 for Ocean Pines swim members, $250 for Ocean Pines residents and $275 for nonresidents.

However, anyone who successfully completes the class and is hired as an Ocean Pines lifeguard for the summer is eligible to have the course fee See WAIVING Page 54