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Resort will open for this summer, but in phases
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SCAFFOLDING In preparation of giving the First Street water tower a major makeover, it was covered in mesh to prevent chipped paint and metal from hitting unsuspecting passersby. Pictured is the scaffolding inside the mesh lining, which goes all the way up to the top of the tower.
County will take first look at its revised budget By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) After reworking the FY21 operating budget to account for the coronavirus pandemic, the Worcester County Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on next year’s financial plan on Tuesday, May 5 at 7 p.m. from the Worcester County Government Center via Zoom. Many restaurants and hotels, which are major revenue sources for county government, are either closed See NEXT Page 4
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Unemployed kept waiting by benefits application website By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) The one-stop no one anticipated when the BEACON OneStop unemployment application web site was launched last week by the state was when unemployed people stopped applying because of problems with the system. When the Maryland Department of Labor Division of Unemployment Insurance launched its new application process, the intention was for Marylanders to apply for all types of claims and weekly certifications online 24/7. But the glut of applicants logging
onto the website hammered away at its weaknesses, leaving many wouldbe applicants unable to access the benefits. Applicants took to social media to point out that some waited up to seven hours to apply, only to get kicked off the website. Others were told they had more than 100,000 people ahead of them. Some who tried to call could not get through. One person commented on the Maryland Department of Labor Division Facebook page, “I got on at 12:15 p.m. today. 125,000 people ahead of See UNEMPLOYMENT Page 2
By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Ocean City will be open this summer, city leaders and staff said. How and when it will reopen, however, is a different matter, after city officials kicked back a proposed recovery plan for its lack of a best-case-scenario timeline, among other things. City Manager Doug Miller presented the plan during Tuesday’s council work session. The proposed plan essentially follows that of Gov. Larry Hogan, which he unveiled last Friday, under the title “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery.” The state’s plan is divided into three stages. Stage one would lift the governor’s stay-at-home order, and would slightly loosen restrictions regarding businesses, community engagement, religious activity and quality of life improvements. This would mean the reopening of small shops and certain small businesses; curbside pickup and drop-off for businesses; elective medical and dental procedures at certain kinds of medical offices; limited attendance outdoor religious gatherings; recreational boating, fishing, golf, tennis, hiking, and hunting; reopening of car washes; limited outdoor gym and fitness classes; outdoor work with appropriate distancing measures; some personal services. Local governments would also have the authority to make decisions on reopening libraries, parks and other services, under stage one, Hogan said. Stage two is when the state will see a larger number of businesses and activities come back to life, and the governor could raise the cap on social gatherings, as well as implement changes to regulations for indoor gyms and fitness classes; childcare centers; normal tranSee OC Page 2
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MAY 1, 2020
Unemployment benefits site overwhelmed by applications
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The inlet parking lot remains empty, as cars are banned from entering to prevent mass gatherings and the spread of covid-19.
OC will open, but how and when remains in question Continued from Page 1 sit schedules; indoor religious gatherings; reopening of restaurants and bars with restrictions; elective and outpatient procedures at hospitals. Stage three is essentially a return to “almost” normalcy, with more social gathering freedom, and most businesses back to, well, back to business. “There is no realistic timeline yet from any of the scientific experts for achieving this level, as this requires either a widely available and FDA-approved vaccine or safe and effective therapeutics that can rescue patients with significant disease or prevent serious illness in those most at risk to reach a full return to normal conditions,” the official roadmap document states. Hogan said the state had already seen significant progress in what he called the four “building blocks.” Those are the expansion of test kits, expansion of the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), expansion of hospital beds for surge capacity and a robust covid-19 tracing operation. With those checked off, Hogan said the state would need to meet additional criteria, which is a plateauing of hospitalization rates, ICU stays and daily death rates. While the governor said, optimistically, he would like to begin phase one in early May, he did not give a detailed or definitive timeline — only adding that stage two could occur 14 days after stage one, if the aforementioned criteria saw that plateau. The resort’s plan falls under the assumption that stage one would likely begin late May or early June, stage two in late June or early July and stage three well down the line, perhaps not until a vaccine for the virus was created. This was disappointing to city leaders, who had expected a plan B of sorts, based on Hogan’s early May comment. “I don’t support your timeline that you began with,” Councilman Tony DeLuca said to Miller. “It doesn’t match up with the governor’s [timeline], and it doesn’t match up with the declaration that the mayor is going to go over later.” Councilmen John Gehrig and Matt James agreed with DeLuca, and argued that the proposed plan failed to take into consideration the state’s covid-19
case rates, which they said has shown signs of leveling out over the last two weeks. Maryland Department of Health statistics show no consistent declines in hospitalizations, ICU stays or daily deaths — although recent trends are promising. “There isn’t a decline yet and we need to get to a point where the numbers are starting to move downward,” Dr. Tom Inglesby, of Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, said Friday. Confirmed cases of covid-19 continue to grow in Worcester County, and the nearby Salisbury metro area was recently deemed a national hotspot for the virus. Gehrig also expressed frustration over the lack of guidance in the governor’s plan on how to protect high risk individuals. “His [Gov. Hogan] plan doesn’t include any preparation for our high risk residents … [and] our staff is going to be on the frontline,” Gehrig said, further stating it was the mayor and council’s duty to take care of these groups. Gehrig had previously suggested providing grocery and medicine delivery services to future quarantined individuals, and called for flyers to be sent to residents with guidance information on Tuesday. Mayor Rick Meehan then read a new declaration, extending the beach and Boardwalk closure and the rental reservation restrictions from April 30 to May 15 and May 22, respectively — with the caveat that these restrictions could lift sooner, if the governor implements stage one of his recovery plan, before those dates. Despite the push by others to get the resort open as quickly as possible, Councilman Dennis Dare advised caution. “My first concern is do we have the medical facilities in line for that, and can we expect all the at-risk senior citizens and folks to stay home,” Dare said. “Even a lot of younger people without underlying conditions have fallen ill and died of covid-19.” Dare then addressed declining recruitment numbers of seasonal police officers and public safety aides, as well as sidelined training and testing for the
Continued from Page 1 me. It says ‘estimated wait time for more than an hour.” It’s now almost 5 p.m. and still have 84,000 people ahead of me.” Another commented “ . . . It had eight minutes to go and then it went down to two and then it just turned red and now it says I have over an hour again.” Susan Jones, executive director of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association, said that many local workers have been frustrated. The division of unemployment insurance issued a statement of apology. “The launch of the site has clearly fallen short,” said Tiffany Robinson, secretary of labor. “We share your frustration, and are committed to ensuring the site is fully functional and operating without capacity delays as quickly as possible.” She added that to implement the federal CARES Act, the department teamed up with Sagitec, an outside benefits administration program vendor. This was supposed to speed up the process more quickly than programming the old system to accept applications for the CARES Act. “Instead, it has caused a series of challenges for applicants,” Robinson said. “The vendor’s platform could not sustain the volume of visitors to the site. This was not acceptable, and we are taking immediate actions to fix these problems.” To mitigate crashes, the application will be taken down nightly from 1-3 a.m. In addition, a virtual waiting line has been introduced so applicants can receive a constantly updated estimated waiting time. Applicants will also sign up to receive an email when the system is ready for them to log on. The department has implemented a gating system – on Sundays and Mondays, only customers who are fil-
ing weekly claim certifications will file and Tuesdays through Saturdays are for customers filing new claims and completing other activities. It also created a username and password handbook to ensure that new and existing claimants can access the one-stop shop application. Users can learn how to navigate the application through a series of tutorial videos on YouTube. Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) said she and her staff have been working more than full-time to assist constituents with applying for unemployment, small business loans and grants. She added that during a call Wednesday night, she would speak with the secretaries of the Maryland Departments of Labor and Commerce about the application struggles. “The numbers are simply unprecedented and people will have to keep following up in order to make it through that process, but that’s specifically an issue that I am planning to bring up directly with the secretary of labor call tonight [Wednesday],” Carozza said. She said that the system needs to be improved so that “people can make it through their application and then expedite those payments since we have people that have been trying to apply for unemployment for several weeks,” Carozza said. Under the federal CARES Act, unemployment benefits now include an additional $600 and 13 more weeks of benefits than Maryland’s typical 26 weeks. The benefit amounts are calculated based on the income received over the past 18 months. The search for work requirement has been temporarily waived. Visit dllr.state.md.us/employment/unemployment.shtml to access the application.
city’s Beach Patrol. He offered a scenario in which a lifeguard rescued someone who had covid19, but was asymptomatic. Unbeknownst to the lifeguard, he or she could then spread the virus to other lifeguards, not to mention other beach visitors, and decimate the Beach Patrol’s workforce. Other areas of concern for Dare were the trams — as the proposed plan did not include social distancing guidelines because they were considered amusements — public transit, local hospital surge capacity and summer camps. James and Gehrig challenged Dare’s comments, arguing the issue was a matter of personal choice and personal responsibility. Gehrig pointed to his own family’s safety and how that was a priority for him. Nonetheless, if summer camps re-
opened, he said, and his children desired to go, he would choose to allow them to go, while other parents could choose to not have their children participate. James placed his trust in visitors to get tested if they feel ill, and argued that most people who catch the virus would recover at home, not in hospitals. “We’re not forcing anybody to come to Ocean City, but if people want to come and are healthy enough to come, they should have the option,” James said. Gehrig also reiterated that his position was not to open the resort immediately with no safeguards in place, but to have a thorough plan ready to go at moment’s notice. “Nobody is trying to break any rules,” he said. “We’re going to follow the governor’s orders and prepare accordingly.”
MAY 1, 2020
CORONAVIRUS CASES IN WORCESTER COUNTY TIMELINE: March 19 – Worcester County confirms its first case of coronavirus, a man in his 30s. March 21 – A woman in her 20s tests positive. March 30 – A third positive case diagnosed out of state is confirmed. April 1 – A woman in her 20s tests positive. April 2 – A man in his 40s tests positive; health department releases three cases from public monitoring. April 4 – A man in his 40s and a woman in her 60s test positive. April 5 – A man in his 60s and a woman in her 30s test positive. April 6 – A man in his 40s tests for a total of 10 positive cases in Worcester; four total cases have been released from public monitoring. April 9 – Six more people test positive. April 13 – Five more people test positive. April 15 – An out-of-county resident tests positive.
April 16 – Three more people test positive for a total of 25 cases; nine individuals have been released from public monitoring. April 20 – Worcester counts a total of 33 cases; 11 individuals have been released from public monitoring. April 21 – One more person tests positive; 13 individuals have been released from public monitoring. April 24 – Five more cases diagnosed; 18 cases have been released from monitoring. April 25 – Two cases are diagnosed. April 26 – Two cases are diagnosed for a total of 48. April 27 – Five people test positive. April 28 – One person tests positive; 23 cases have been released from monitoring; a woman in her 80s has died. April 29 – Worcester has 55 confirmed cases. April 30 – Six people test positive for a total of 61 cases; 26 cases have been released from monitoring; a second person dies.
Wor. records two covid-19 deaths, rises to 61 cases By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Worcester County recorded its first two coronavirus-related deaths, according to the Worcester County Health Department. The first was recorded on Tuesday as a woman in her 80s who was in hospice care at the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center prior to infection. Information on the second case,
recorded on Thursday, has not been released yet. Worcester County has risen to 61, an increase of 22 from last week. The Maryland Department of Health website listed the Ocean City 21842 zip code as having eight cases earlier this week, but removed that as one address had been incorrectly recorded. A zip code must have at least See BERLIN Page 4
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Next year’s county budget goes to hearing Continued from Page 1 or operating at a limited capacity. The beach and Boardwalk are closed until May 15 and short-term rentals are restricted to essential workers until May 22. The original budget projected county revenue at $211 million, with budget requests exceeding that by $11 million. The county finance team reduced the projected revenue by $4.2 million to $205 million. Department heads then whittled down their requests by nearly $15.3 million to reduce the above-revenue amount to $270,000. Harold Higgins, the county’s chief administrative officer, said the finance team assumed that the pandemic would reduce income tax collections, interest on investment and state revenues.
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“We’re going to have to go with the numbers that we have and then six months from now, if the pandemic either eases or remains the same, I Joseph Mitrecic think we’d have to come back and adjust our budgets at that time,” Higgins said. “To try to look through the economy with a crystal ball and guess what’s going to happen, I think, is going to be counterproductive to this point.” Higgins said most of the reductions were in capital expenditures, such as machinery or new vehicle requests, as well as new personnel. Although the county has a reserve balance of about $19 million, Higgins said it won’t have to dip into that. Instead, the county would draw on the remaining unassigned $15 million first or explore other options. “Most years, we end the year in a positive variance where revenues exceed expenditures,” Higgins said. “Those prior surpluses in the past have been redirected to the next year’s fiscal year’s expenditure requirements. That may happen.” The county also already rededicated $1 million in the unassigned fund balance to covid-19 expenditures. A few budget highlights include public works requesting $607,152,
the board of education requesting $94.6 million, parks requesting $1.8 million, recreation requesting $1.6 million, tourism requesting $1.2 million and the commisHarold Higgins sion on aging requesting $1.5 million. Although the volunteer fire and ambulance companies are requesting $7.8 million, a five percent increase from last year, Higgins said they will probably not get that much since there will be fewer visitors this summer. “We don’t have the traffic, so we don’t have the delays,” Higgins said. “Their transport times should be less between going from a call in West Ocean City or Ocean City to AGH [Atlantic General Hospital]. Even from Pocomoke to PRNC [Peninsula Regional Medical Center] should be less. I believe that they’re going to have some operational cost savings from that.” Fewer visitors also means presumably fewer emergency calls, and that funding is based on the number of calls. The commissioners have reiterated that they do not intend to raise the property tax. County Commissioner Joseph Mitrecic said that keeping the tax rate the same will require numerous cuts. “Unfortunately, to keep the tax
rate the same, we might have to cut some services,” Mitrecic said. “That’s always an option. We don’t want to do that and we’ll try to do anything we can not to.” He added that all departments are experiencing cuts. “We’re hoping that we can be fair with everybody and try to meet the needs of the taxpayers and the nonresident taxpayers, but be financially responsible to all citizens of Worcester County,” Mitrecic said. Some budget items that have been removed or postponed may be added in later, as Mitrecic said the pandemic is a fluid situation. He encouraged the public to tune in and ask questions. “Know where your tax dollars are going,” Mitrecic said. To view the meeting on May 5 without speaking, visit worcestercountymd.swagit.com/live. Those planning on speaking should register at us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R7VZcbCZRwqWickNDZKf Vw. Public comment will be limited to two minutes each. Written comments may be emailed to wchearing@co.worcester.md.us or sent by hard copy to the County Commissioners Office at the Worcester County Government Center. Comments and registration must be completed by Monday, May 4 at 4 p.m.
Continued from Page 3 eight cases to be listed. There are 29 cases in the Berlin and Ocean Pines 21811 zip code. There is only one person hospitalized with covid-19 as of Wednesday and four people total have been hospitalized. Five cases have been at the Berlin nursing home, two of which are staff members. Twenty-six people have been released from public monitoring. As of Thursday, Maryland had 21,742 cases, with 6,043 in Prince George’s County, 4,300 in Montgomery, 2,831 in Baltimore, 2,068 in Baltimore City, 1,725 in Anne Arundel, 918 in Frederick, 867 in Howard, 564 in Charles, 436 in Carroll, 414 in Harford, 406 in Wicomico, 206 in Washington, 167 in Cecil, 150 in Calvert, 150 in St. Mary’s, 118 in Allegany, 79 in Kent, 71 in Caroline, 61 in Worcester, 52 in Queen Anne’s, 51 in Dorchester, 35 in Talbot, 26 in Somerset and four in Garrett. As of Wednesday, Sussex County had 2,169 cases. Atlantic General Hospital said that it has seven beds for covid-19 patients
in the intensive care unit. It has expanded capacity by opening a 16-bed medical surgical unit adjacent to the nursing home in Berlin. The entrance is separate from the nursing home. Staff are also credentialing more physicians in primary care practice to work in the hospital. There are more options for telemedicine or phone call appointments to mitigate contact. The hospital has stated that it has enough ventilators, personal protective equipment and testing for now, but that could change if there is a surge. Atlantic General and the Worcester County Health Department are streamlining tests to the 10th Street Atlantic Immediate Care. Test results can take two to three days. Tests taken at the hospital are in collaboration with Peninsula Regional Medical Center or state labs, which can turn around tests faster. Atlantic General said anyone demonstrating covid-19 symptoms is first diagnosed for influenza, and then covid-19. Symptoms of coronavirus are fever, coughing, shortness of breath, chills,
shaking, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, and in more serious cases, pneumonia. It is spread through respiratory droplets, personal contact or surface contact with the virus on it. Those experiencing symptoms should call their primary care provider or the health department. Do not show up unannounced to a medical facility. When a case is confirmed positive, the health department conducts contact tracing to inform individuals and businesses that may have come into contact with the positive case. The Worcester County Health Department has opened a hotline Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to determine if a person should be tested. Call 410-632-1100 and select option eight. For general information on the coronavirus call the health department 24/7 at 410-632-4321 or visit worcesterhealth.org. View updates from Atlantic General at atlanticgeneral.org/patients-visitors/covid-19-updates/. To track Maryland cases, visit coronavirus.maryland.gov/.
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Gov. Larry Hogan unveils coronavirus recovery plan By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Gov. Larry Hogan last Friday unveiled his plan to reopen the state, and hopes to see the first phases of the recovery launched in early May. “Maryland’s roadmap to recovery, which we are launching today, utilizes the guidelines which were issued by the White House last week, incorporates many of the principles of my National Governor’s Association plan, and much of the work of the plan’s released by the American Enterprise Institute and Johns Hopkins,” Hogan said. For the state to reopen, four criteria, or building blocks, must be met: expanded testing capacity, increased hospital surge capacity, increased supply of personal protection equipment (PPE) and a contact tracing operation. “Our teams have been making significant progress, in each of these criteria,” Hogan said during a press conference last Wednesday. The Hogan administration was well on its way of achieving, and exceeding, its goal to increase the state’s hospital capacity by an additional 6,000 beds. The state has received 5.9 million surgical masks, 1.5 million KN95 masks, 705,000 N95 masks, 2.3 million surgical gowns, 1,000 additional ICU beds and 1.1 million face shields. On Wednesday, the governor approved a contract with the National
Opinion Research Center (NORC) — the nation’s oldest and largest university-based research firm operated by the University of Chicago — to quadruple the state’s tracing capabilities to up to 1,000 cases a day. He also unveiled “COVID Link,” an online contact-tracing platform that will help with the tracing operation. Perhaps Hogan’s greatest feat occurred last Saturday, when the South Korean government delivered 500,000 covid-19 test kits to the state through a negotiation coined Operation Enduring Friendship. Nevertheless, despite this progress the state must meet additional criteria, before proceeding with its recovery plan. “At this point, for the state to move forward in easing social distancing, in a lower risk way, there needs to be a period of declining hospitalization and ICU stays and deaths from covid19 in Maryland,” Dr. Tom Inglesby said. “There isn’t a decline yet, and we need to keep going to get to a point where the numbers are starting to move downward.” Hogan, as well as the official roadmap document, focuses on a plateau, rather than a strict decline. Once this decline or plateau is seen, the state could move forward into stage one, which would lift the stay-at-home order, and would allow for certain businesses to open, and for community, religious and quality of life improvements to take place — while maintaining social distancing
Hardwire receives $100K grant to manufacture PPE By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) After about a month of full production, Hardwire LLC is churning out one face shield every two seconds. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Pocomoke City company switched from producing protective armor used by the military to personal protective equipment. George Tunis, president and CEO of Hardwire, said it has produced 100,000 each for the states of Maryland and Delaware, 80,000 for the federal emergency management agency and 150,000 for miscellaneous website orders. It will deliver another 800,000 to FEMA next week. On Wednesday, Gov. Larry Hogan announced a $1.6 million grant for 20 Maryland companies producing personal protective equipment for the covid-19 pandemic. “Ramping up our supply of PPE is
a critical building block in our state’s recovery plan and we are taking an allhands-on-deck approach to secure these resources for our front line workGeorge Tunis ers,” Hogan said in a statement. “I want to thank and commend the local businesses who have shifted their operations and increased production to help us save lives and flatten the curve.” Hardwire is the only company in Worcester that received a grant. It will receive $100,000, the most possible, hopefully within a week, according to Emily Tunis, president and COO of Hardwire. George Tunis said the grant will help as the company ramps up production, and yet, it’s a drop in the bucket. “This week, we’re going to be hovSee HARDWIRE Page 6
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On April 24, Gov. Larry Hogan unveiled the “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery” plan to reopen the state. The governor said he hoped to begin the three-stage plan in early May.
measures. If stage one proved successful, with no spikes in cases, the state would enter stage two, which would expand the reopening of businesses and potentially raise the cap on social gatherings. Most difficult to predict would be stage three, which would greatly loosen social distancing and social gathering restrictions, and most businesses and religious centers would be allowed to gather en masse. “I want to stress that each of these recovery stages will need to be instituted in a safe, gradual and effective manner,” Hogan said. “If we try to rush this, and if we don’t do it in a thoughtful and responsible way, it could cause a rebound of the virus, which could deepen the economic crisis, prolong the fiscal problems and slow our economic recovery.” Nonetheless, for local businesses that feared a dead summer, Hogan’s announcement was a breath of fresh air. “Given the uncertainty of the times, I was pleased to see Gov. Hogan unveil a thoughtful plan for reopening,” said Susan Jones, Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association executive director. “… Busi-
nesses are dependent on June, July and August profits to sustain them throughout the entire year. Therefore, we know we are at a critical juncture. We must be mindful of the health aspects, but we are quite mindful of the need to restore the economy. Many people have been without income and without a way to generate income as they were mandated to be closed.” Jones also pointed to delayed loan application approval, which has caused enormous anxiety for local business owners who fear permanent closure. “Fortunately, many recent surveys are pointing to the need to get outside and with our countless outdoor activities, we will see visitors,” Jones said. Nonetheless, Jones, like Hogan, recognized that weeks of preparation would be needed to ready the resort for guests. “We won’t be able to just flip a switch,” Hogan said. “Unfortunately life is not going to just immediately go back to normal. In fact, it is important to recognize that until a vaccine is developed, the way we go about our daily lives and the way we work is going to be significantly different for a while longer.”
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MAY 1, 2020
PHOTO COURTESY ATLANTIC GENERAL HOSPITAL
Megan Klakring, left, a nurse tech, and Sarah Sharkey, a radiation tech at Atlantic General Hospital, demonstrate the use of the face shields provided by Hardwire LLC.
PHOTO COURTESY HARDWIRE
Recently laid off employees find work at Hardwire LLC in Pocomoke City manufacturing face shields for medical staff and other essential workers.
Unemployment continues to slow From April 12-18, 467 Wor. residents applied for total of 5,000 since early March By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) With 467 Worcester County residents filing for unemployment in the week ending on April 18, a total of 4,935 residents have filed since the week ending on March 7. In the week ending on April 11, 664 Worcester residents applied for unemployment. The coronavirus pandemic has caused hundreds of businesses across the nation to temporary or permanently close their doors, leading to a surge in unemployment. Before the pandemic, Worcester’s unemployment filings were only in the 30s at the beginning of March. For the entire state, 47,545 Marylanders filed for unemployment in the week ending on April 18, compared to 61,770 for the week ending on April 11. While some restaurants have chosen to close, others remain open for
carryout and delivery. According to the Restaurant Association of Maryland, nearly 150,000 restaurant workers in the state are unemployed and 40 percent of restaurants are out of business. All short-term rentals for Ocean City and unincorporated Worcester County were ordered to terminate all April reservations. On Tuesday, the Ocean City Council extended that restriction to May 22. Fewer than 10 hotels in Ocean City are open and those that remain open are only serving essential workers. Hotels are doing a mix of paying their nonworking employees, paying them a reduced salary and laying off workers. Some hotels that are open are hiring more, as the essential workers are being streamlined to a limited number of lodgings that are working with a skeleton staff. Ocean City has seen far less visitor traffic than usual, since the beach and Boardwalk are closed until May 15. Without those visitors, essential businesses have struggled to remain open. With a newly approved request
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from the United States Department of Agriculture, the Maryland Department of Human Services will operate a Disaster Household Distribution Program through The Emergency Food Assistance Program to feed families affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The department will distribute 1 million pounds of food to Maryland counties with 2,000 or more unemployment insurance claims in March. Worcester is one of those counties. The packages for one to two household members have food such as frozen meat, canned goods, rice, cereal, juice, shelf-stable milk, fresh fruit and pasta. Large households may qualify for more than one package. Under the federal CARES Act, unemployment benefits now include an additional $600 and 13 more weeks of benefits than Maryland’s typical 26 weeks. The benefit amounts are calculated based on the income received over the past 18 months. The search for work requirement has been temporarily waived. The deadline to enroll with the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange, the state’s Affordable Care Act marketplace, was set to end mid-April, but has been extended until June 15 so those who have lost their employer-based insurance because of their employers’ own financial problems can apply for health insurance. The Maryland Department of Labor launched a “one-stop shop” last Friday for all Marylanders to apply for unemployment benefits online, including independent contractors and the self-employed. Because the site had numerous glitches and crashes during its opening weekend, it is undergoing maintenance between 1-3 a.m. every night. Visit dllr.state.md.us/employment/unemployment.shtml to access the application.
Hardwire aims to produce 200,000 face shields daily Continued from Page 5 ering around 80,000 a day,” Tunis said. “We set weekly stretch goals because we’re going faster each week. Our stretch goal is 200,000 a day. We’ll easily get to 100,000 a day next week.” He hopes that will set Hardwire at one million face shields a week. Since switching to face shields, the company has added three new cutting machines, 130 work cells and 70 employees. Tunis said that it should have add another 30 to 40 employees by the end of this week. The online orders have also been growing as Hardwire sends the face shields to health clubs, cashiers at stores and even salons in Florida. It has also sent face shields to Atlantic General Hospital and Peninsula Regional Medical Center. The Lowe’s in Pocomoke purchased 100 face shields for its employees. “Face shields protect the entire face and it’s impermeable in both directions,” Tunis said. “It’s really very good protection, so that’s why we’re seeing it used out in the normal world.” He added that it’s also more comfortable than a face mask - it’s not hot, it doesn’t fog up glasses and people can still see each other’s faces. Although he wishes Hardwire could fix the pandemic entirely, Tunis said he’s glad the company can do its part to help the Eastern Shore. “It’s a great place to live and be just because of the spirit down here,” Tunis said. “I don’t think I’d want to be anywhere else on planet Earth right now.”
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County to review zoning amendment for RCA on May 19 By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) The Worcester County Commissioners scheduled a public hearing for May 19 to discuss a zoning code amendment to allow special events in the Resource Conservation Area in the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area. The special events, such as birthday parties, weddings and other celebrations, would be held within the estate, agricultural and resource protection zoning districts by special exception. The amendment received a favorable recommendation from the Worcester County Planning Commission on March 5. Although it was given a favorable recommendation, county staff pointed out several issues, including whether the standards for the critical area were reviewed by a board for the critical area instead of the Worcester County Board of Zoning Appeals. In addition, staff pointed out that the areas in the resource protection zone were selected because they need protection and that even though the impact would likely minimal, the amendment could erode the zoning code. Bob Mitchell, director of environment programs, said that the amendment does detail several restrictions – the special event must take place outside the buffer and a scaled drawing of the zoning site requirements must be submitted with the application. “The scaled drawing must demonstrate how the event will minimize impacts to natural resources and protect the defined land uses in the RCA,” Mitchell said. He added that the activities must take place in close proximity to existing structures and the property must be 25 acres or larger. All lot coverage and proposed temporary structures must comply with the Habitat Protection Area requirements. The event must take place between April 1 and Oct. 31. There is no limit on the number of events that may occur during that time period. “We think this would allow for enjoyment and scenic appreciation of the environment by allowing special events of the designation,” Mitchell said. All seven commissioners offered to sign their name to the bill. If the county commissioners pass the bill, the state Critical Area commission will review the legislation for final approval.
oceancitytoday.com Will help baysideoc.com you find a
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The Worcester County Commissioners all agreed to sign their names to a text amendment to allow special events in the Resource Conservation Area in the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area. ELIZABETH BONIN/ OCEAN CITY TODAY
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Local, state and national covid-19 updates Resort, Md. officials have plans to reopen; promising data, potential treatments By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Local, statewide and national updates on the coronavirus. Local April 28, 2020 — City Manager Doug Miller presents the city’s roadmap to recovery. However, city leaders criticized the proposed plan, stating it lacked a timeline based on the governor’s hope to reopen the state by early May. April 29, 2020 — As of Wednesday morning, Worcester County reported 54 confirmed cases of coronavirus, eight in Ocean City, and one death in the county. State April 23, 2020 — Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam and Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser send a joint letter to the Trump Administration urging for the president to keep telework policies in place for federal employees. More than one-fifth of the nations federal workforce lives in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia — roughly 360,000 people. Hogan announces the expansion of nonprofit group World Central Kitchen’s (WCK) food relief operation in Baltimore City, at the Camden Yards Sports Complex. Every Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the organization will distribute 10,000-20,000 fresh meals to Baltimore residents. April 24, 2020 — Hogan also unveils the “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery,” plan. The recovery plan has three stages, each one easing up social distancing, social gathering and business closure orders. To begin phase one, however, Hogan says the state must see a consistent plateau in hospitalization rates, ICU stays and deaths.
However, Hogan said he was optimistic, and hoped to open the state in early May. April 27, 2020 — Hogan announces on Twitter that the Maryland Health Department will open additional drive-through testing sites at converted Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP) stations this week. Hogan says he also directed the state health department to begin releasing coronavirus data associated with nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other facilities providing congregate living for residents. April 28, 2020 — Hogan says through the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Maryland Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund, 20 companies had been awarded $1.6 million in grants to manufacture personal protective equipment (PPE). Maryland schools Superintendent Karen Salmon announces that all school athletic events were canceled for the remainder of the year. April 29, 2020 — As of Wednesday morning, Maryland has 20,113 confirmed cases, 929 deaths, 87,672 negative results, 1,295 citizens released from isolation and 1,528 patients hospitalized. National April 23, 2020 — An additional 4.4 million people file unemployment claims the week prior, bringing the total to 26 million. House passes additional small business aid money — $484 billion. April 24, 2020 — The FDA warns against the use of antimalarial drugs, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine, for coronavirus treatment. The drugs were recently in the spotlight after President Donald Trump touted their use against the virus. The covid-19 death toll passes 50,000. Trump says he will block money to the United States Postal Service, unless it quadruples its prices. The Congressional Budget Office estimates a $3.7 trillion deficit, a 5.6
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percent economic contraction and a 12 percent unemployment rate by the end of 2020, The New York Times reports. The Navy recommends reinstating Capt. Brett E. Crozier. The captain had been relieved of his duties last month, after he leaked a letter to the media in which he plead for more coronavirus resources for his ship, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which saw a massive outbreak of the coronavirus. April 27, 2020 — The Washington Post reports that analysis of federal data estimates excess deaths during early weeks of the coronavirus pandemic — this suggests covid-19 death tallies fall short of capturing the full depth of this health crisis. April 28, 2020 — The Washington Post reports that U.S. coronavirus, based on the data compiled by the news media company, had surpassed 1 million. The Trump administration orders meat plants to stay open, despite trends showing many are becoming
coronavirus hot spots. The U.S. Treasury Department says it will recoup hundreds of million of dollars given to large companies that applied for, and received, large sums of money meant for small businesses. The Los Angeles Lakers, for example, took $4.6 million in loan money — the basketball team’s estimated worth is $4.4 billion, according to Forbes. As of Tuesday, the United States has 981,246 cases and 55,258 deaths. April 29, 2020 — The U.S. economy shrinks by 4.8 percent from January through March — it’s worst slowdown since the 2008 Great Recession. The FDA plans to authorize emergency coronavirus treatment, remdesivir, an experimental antiviral drug, The New York Times reports. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the federal government’s leading infectious diseases scientist, hailed early trial results, but remained cautiously optimistic.
USACE will offer long-term inlet solution by September By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Determining a longterm solution for the shoaling in the Ocean City inlet should not be delayed by the coronavirus pandemic, Sarah Lazo, public affairs specialist for the United States Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District, said this week. The Corps still plans to make a recommendation to Worcester County by September, complete the environmental assessment and design by spring 2021 and start construction in late 2021. Although maintenance dredging takes place on a regular basis, the inlet waters have become increasingly shallow and the shoals continue to grow. This has damaged some boats and prevented some commercial fishing boats from working out of Crossword answers from page 32
the area. As a result, the Worcester County Commissioners in February 2019 voted to team up with the Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Natural Resources for a long-term solution. At the beginning of the year, the Corps staff completed the first stage – observational data collection and testing. Lazo said they are now working on 2 and 3D modeling to determine how the sediment moves in the waterways and how it’s transferred. This should help it determine a range of solutions for the shoaling. In addition to the maintenance dredging, there could be structural solutions like jetties or channel modifications such as deepening the channel, according to Lazo. “The alternatives will be plugged into the models to see how they perform to address the shoaling and to ensure they don’t negatively impact other areas with their construction/implementation,” Lazo said. “Alternatives will be revised based on modeling findings.” Contrary to early assertions from the Army Corps of Engineers that it would have a long-term solution report for the Worcester County Commissioners by March, Lazo said that was the report was actually an internal informal report developed by the United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center reSee INLET Page 9
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Inlet solution will not be delayed by covid-19 pandemic garding the modeling. She added that the research and development center presented that report in February to the Army Corps of Engineers and the sponsors, Worcester County and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The report detailed data collection observations and preliminary hydrodynamic modeling. This information will aid in developing solutions. The environmental assessment will be available to the public when it is completed. The Worcester County Commissioners agreed in February 2018 to contribute $300,000 to the project, while Ocean City Council decided not to participate. At a public meeting held by the Army Corps of Engineers in Berlin last May, Army Corps Project Manager Jacquie Seiple said that the inlet project is 90 percent federally funded.
Various locations available for lab blood work, draws (May 1, 2020) To accommodate patients of Atlantic General Health System providers who need routine blood work ordered by AGHS providers, the following locations are offering lab draws, by appointment only: • Atlantic Health Center – Call 410-641-3340 • Atlantic General Primary Care, Berlin – Call 410-641-0430 • Atlantic General Primary Care & Endocrinology, Ocean Pines – Call 410-208-9761 •Atlantic General Primary Care & Pediatrics, West Ocean City – Call 410-390-3341 • Atlantic General Primary Care, Ocean View – Call 302-541-4460 • Atlantic General Primary & Specialty Care, West Fenwick – Call 302564-0004 • Atlantic General Primary & Specialty Care, Pocomoke – Call 410957-6622 This is for routine lab work only. None of the locations will offer covid19 testing. Officials are asking that patients call the office to schedule a time for their blood work to maintain social distancing efforts.
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ELIZABETH BONIN/OCEAN CITY TODAY
The United States Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District is still on track to give a recommendation on a long-term solution for the shoaling in the Ocean City inlet in September.
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Ørsted Skipjack Wind Farm pushed back, to end 2023 By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) The Ørsted company’s proposed Skipjack wind turbine project off the coasts of Maryland and Delaware, will be delayed. “As the federal permitting timeline evolves, Ørsted is now receiving its federal Notice of Intent for the Skipjack Wind Farm later than originally anticipated,” a press release said. ”As a result, Ørsted has determined that moving Skipjack Wind Farm’s anticipated completion date from late 2022 to the new target of the end of 2023 puts us in the strongest position possible to deliver a successful project.” The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Manage (BOEM) issues a notice of intent during the federal permitting process to announce its plan to prepare an environmental impact statement for the Construction and Operations Plan (COP) submitted by Skipjack Offshore Wind. “Ørsted submitted its construction and operations plan to BOEM in 2019 … that submission is a prerequisite to BOEM issuing the notice of intent,” said Henry Fawell, Campfire Communications chief executive officer. Fawell said the delay would have no affect on the company’s evidentiary hearing with the Maryland Public Service Commission on June 4-5. “The turbine change does not affect the commercial operation date, and the commercial operation date does not affect the turbine change — the two are unrelated,” he said. As Fawell alluded to, the evidentiary hearings are related to the company’s decision last summer to use taller wind turbines than those it had originally proposed. The company wants to use 850 foot-tall GE Renewables Haliade-X 12 megwatt turbines — twice the size of the Statue of Liberty. The decision had made the already unpopular wind project even less desired by resort officials and business leaders, who argue the wind turbines would visually pollute the resort’s coastline view, which in turn would
JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Ocean City staff and legal counsel will work with Ocean I Hospitality development to reach a deal for an easement and bayside boardwalk agreement. Negotiations had been made last December, but, because of the pandemic, corporation president Tauhid Islam, bottom left, asked to defer an upfront payment of $165,000.
Hotel easement deal put on hold Developer asks city council members for deferment of payment due to covid-19 By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Approval of an easement and a bayside boardwalk construction agreement has been tabled, after the developer of the Cambria Hotel, Ocean 1 Hospitality, asked to defer its required $165,000 contribution. The site plan for the Cambria Hotel (next to the bridge where the Cropper concrete plant used to stand) had been approved in 2017, with several conditions, including a 10-foot wide easement agreement for the construction of a bayside boardwalk. On Tuesday, the council had been expected to approve the signing of a deed of easement, which would have required the $165,000 from the developer upon signing.
The money would go toward funding the boardwalk construction, which will be conducted and maintained by the city. However, President of Ocean I Hospitality, Tauhid Islam, asked the council to defer the payment. Islam said because of the covid-19 pandemic, oversea factories had been shut down, delaying the hotel’s construction timeline by three or four months, which in turn greatly increased costs. In addition, Islam said the hospitality group had chosen to keep some of its hotels in the area open for essential travelers in order to keep its staff employed and on payroll. With all of this in mind, Islam wanted to defer the payment until construction of the boardwalk began, which is slated for sometime this fall, and guaranteed it would be paid within 10 days of the start date of the construction date.
cause irreparable damage to the city’s tourism economy. This claim was debated during a public hearing held in January at the
Ocean City convention center at 40th Street, and in February the Public Service Commission ordered for evidentiary hearings to be held.
Councilman Mark Paddack expressed his confidence in Islam, and moved to approve the deferral, noting the project’s estimated multi-million dollar contribution to the resort’s tax base. “You’ve invested $17 million into our tax base, and I look at a $165,000 deferral — I’m 100 percent behind that, I just need to make sure my colleagues on the council feel the same,” Paddack said. However, other city officials, while sympathetic to Islam’s request, were hesitant to grant it without a legally binding contract or bond that would guarantee the payment. Attorney Mark Cropper of Ayres, Jenkins, Gordon & Almand law firm, representing the city, said he alongside city staff had drafted the deed in December, sent it to the developer’s attorney, Joe Moore, who then reviewed and approved it. Cropper recommended moving forward as planned, and to not defer the payment. Office of the City Solicitor Heather Stansbury added that if the city does not have the funds now, and for some See DEVELOPER Page 11
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Ocean City Today
Developer must guarantee $165K payment Continued from Page 10 reason it doesn’t receive it later, it could become a financial burden for the city. Nonetheless, Islam argued that so much had changed since the deal was negotiated socially and economically, and pleaded with the council to be understanding of the development corporation’s tight finances. Paddack, seeking middle ground, asked whether the city could require a partial bond and defer the rest of the payment later. Islam responded that the development corporation had attempted to obtain multiple personal bonds, but
because of the pandemic’s effects on the hotel industry, no banks had approved the request. The local hotel industry has been hit hard by the virus, and has seen record low occupancy rates, as previously reported by Ocean City Today. “I trust the development corporation,” Councilwoman Mary Knight said. “I understand the times we are all in right now, but as a representative of our taxpayers, we need some type of guarantee that we will receive the $165,000 dollars, that we won’t have to go spend legal fees to recoup that. I understand that you can’t go get a bond, but I would like to see
some guarantee.” Councilman Matt James agreed. “This summer is not going to be good for Ocean City hotels, whether you’re brand new or 30 years old,” James said. “I will only support with a guarantee of money.” City Manager Doug Miller suggested tabling the easement deal until
the next council meeting on Monday, May 4, so that city staff, city legal counsel and the development corporation could come up with a solution. “I support the idea,” Mayor Rick Meehan said. “The developer has clearly stated his position … we are in unprecedented times right now, but we do have to look at the future.”
Ocean City Development Co. gives council annual update By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Ocean City Development Corporation President Blaine Smith and Executive Director Glenn Irwin gave an annual report to the Ocean City mayor and council on Tuesday. “This will be our 20th year anniversary,” Smith said of the organization created in 2000. Since then, the orGlenn Irwin ganization has greatly expanded, with 153 members, 12 committees and 15 board members, Smith said. The corporation’s main offerings are its façade improvement and green building programs, as well as its newly formed development assistance program. Blaine Smith The façade improvement program has been active since 2002, and aims to beautify the exteriors of businesses and residential properties in the downtown area. To date, the corporation has helped to complete 235 building renovations through its façade program, with over $6.1 million in private sector investments, Irwin reported. In 2019, the corporation completed 17 of these projects, and has six underway for 2020 so far. The green building initiative came along nine years later. Through that program, the corporation dedicates funds to builders who use energy efficient building materials. Seventy-two projects have been completed to date, 11 in 2019 alone,
with $1.1 million in private sector investments. The latest program is the development and assistance program, which was developed in 2019 to provide grants to projects providing significant investment in new and renovation of employee housing units. Despite the program’s infancy, it has already seen tremendous popularity, with 32 projects completed to date, two underway in 2020 and $2 million in private sector investments. Examples of projects that have benefited from this particular program include the 104 Dorchester Street property, which is being converted into a 55-bed seasonal employee housing unit, as well as the corporation’s own Tarry-A-While Ocean City Beach Patrol housing, which offers 13 beds at a discounted rate. Outside of building projects, the corporation also dabbles in art with its painted utility box program. Roughly three utility boxes are painted each year, Irwin said, with 35 utility boxes, largely in the downtown area, having been painted so far. The corporation also sponsors and/or co-sponsors several special events. However, Irwin said many of the events for this summer had been modified or were under consideration to be modified, as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. Aside from updating city officials on the corporation’s various projects, Irwin and Smith also requested approval of business lease use on a public right-of-way on Somerset Plaza in downtown Ocean City. Funding from the business lease is to be used for special events at the plaza. The council unanimously approved the request.
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The Cambria Hotel on First Street faced some setbacks, after the coronavirus pandemic caused oversea factories to shutdown, delaying supply shipment.
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Ocean City Today
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Workers scale the 136th Street water tower and give it a fresh coating of paint this week.
Church offers drive-through food pantry held bi-weekly By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Two churches in Berlin have joined to offer a drivethrough food pantry to take place every other Wednesday, with the next one scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers from Stevenson United Methodist Church (SUMC) and Buckingham Presbyterian Church are providing groceries for families in need. The drive is being run through the Stevenson United Methodist Church’s ministry, the SUMC Spirit Kitchen. The SUMC Spirit Kitchen had been offering free lunches every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. before the coronavirus pandemic, but now that the church has been closed as a result of the virus, the volunteers have decided to offer the meals on 103 Flower Street. “We’ll be open for 10 years come February and it was just a group of us people from Stevenson United Methodist that felt like the Lord had wanted us to feed his people,” Founder Vicky Nock said. “But since we’ve been closed by covid-19, we decided to do a drive-through pantry over on Flower Street. We’ve been doing that every other week as opposed to open every week because we’re seeing a lot more people.” During last Wednesday’s drivethrough, the food pantry handed out over 12,000 pounds of food to around 206 families, Nock said.
“Each family will get eight to 10 bags of groceries,” Nock said. The food is provided by the Maryland Food Bank, with which the SUMC Spirit Kitchen is an agency. Even though volunteers from Buckingham Presbyterian are participating, only authorized agencies of the organization can request supplies from the Food Bank. Supplies typically include canned and fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, potatoes, onions, chicken, meat, dairy products and even toilet paper and paper towels, though supplies do vary with each shipment. There is little interaction with the families, she said, as the organization sets up several tables at 103 Flower Street and then places the groceries in the trunk of the vehicle or at a station for people who arrive on bikes or by foot. Nock and her volunteers do this not only as a means of supporting their church, but to help those in the community who need it most. However, the activity costs money that the church cannot provide funds for at this time. Even though the food is supplied by the Maryland Food Bank, the organization runs primarily on grants and donations. “We don’t get money from the church,” Nock said. “We exist completely on grants and the good-hearted people in the community.” Nock encouraged people who are able to donate money to help run the drive-through food pantry. Dona-
PHOTO COURTESY STEVENSON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Thousands of pounds of food is handed out to families in need during the Stevenson United Methodist Church Spirit Kitchen drive-through food pantry at 103 Flower Street in Berlin every other Wednesday. The next scheduled drive will take place May 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
tions can be sent to the Spirit Kitchen at 123 North Main Street. For more information about the
food pantry, visit https://thespiritkitchen.wixsite.com or visit the SUMC Spirit Kitchen Facebook page.
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Local restauranteur creates online campaign Rosenfeld’s owner begins Facebook group to support businesses, people in need By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Of all the industries affected by the novel coronavirus, restaurants and small businesses are expected to be hit the hardest, which is why a local restaurant owner has created a campaign that will feed families in need while supporting restaurants.
Warren Rosenfeld, who owns Rosenfeld’s Jewish Delicatessen on 63rd Street in Ocean City and Rehoboth, Delaware, hasn’t been affected as drastically as other W. Rosenfeld restaurants, as this time of year is when most of his customers order take-out. However, he knows that his Ocean City location, which celebrated its seven-year anniversary on Monday, cannot survive this way in the summer. Nor could
other restaurants, he realized. “Like a lot of people. I’ve probably spent much more time on Facebook during this downtime than I normally would, and I was starting to see some posts on Facebook about people needing help,” Rosenfeld said. “It just occurred to me that it really was just this simple: restaurants still need help. There are now families that need quite a bit of help, and there must be a way to marry the two needs to try to appeal to people who can help.” His solution is simple: buy gift cards from local restaurants and do-
nate them to families in need. “Two needs of the community would be taken care of by one donation,” he said. “I know restaurants that are doing five and 10 percent of what they normally have. If we can prolong the life of a local restaurant by having some gift cards purchased … we can then do some real good in the community. “In addition to that, by having that card or the food that that card represents given to a local family so that they can eat for a day or two or three See DONATIONS Page 14
410-289-1283
410-289-1283
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Donations and volunteer drivers requested Continued from Page 13 without worry, then a lot of people have benefited and we’ve benefited the business community and the individual community throughout Wicomico, Worcester and Sussex,” Rosenfeld continued. Rosenfeld created a Facebook page called Delmarva Gift Cards Fighting Hunger, on Monday, April 20, and within the first day had already purchased enough gift cards to help support eight families in need and raised over $1,300, $300 of which came directly from Rosenfeld’s pocket. “In each of those situations, the situation was kind of dire,” he said. “The people really did need a meal or food and they needed it quickly. [The first day], I bought gift certificates at my own restaurant so that I could shoot out food immediately to the first three, four or five beneficiaries that needed it the most.” Four days later the campaign helped another five families. The campaign helps restaurants and families within Worcester, Wicomico and Sussex counties, ranging as far as Hebron, Maryland to Milford, Delaware. Five local restaurants have been regularly used for the gift cards in Maryland and Delaware. Rosenfeld is even encouraging donors to not use his restaurant and help support other businesses. The group is offering meals not just to individual families in need, but those who are sponsored by local organizations, like Worcester County GOLD, Diakonia, the Ocean City Police Department, various churches and
other charities throughout the area. Rosenfeld expects to see several of the same families his group has already fed, especially as restrictions are extended. “I’m under no illusion that any of the people we fed this week are now going to be fine,” he said. “They’re not going to be fine. I anticipate that I’m going to have to be seeing 10, 12 or 14 families every single week, whether it’s for one, two or three meals.” Rosenfeld is running this operation entirely by himself and hopes the amount of families in need and donations balance against one another. “I’m hoping that somehow the donations and the nominations can keep going hand in hand,” he said. “Right now, I do have a surplus of funds, so I’m going to be able to take care about the next 15 families without more donations. “But I’m hoping that I can sort of convince people to buy gift cards and advise us of those gift cards while at the same time I’m getting nominations to be made aware of new families,” Rosenfeld continued. The process is simple: donors contact a restaurant in their area that is still open and buy a gift card over the phone or online. Donors then can tell the restaurants to hold onto the gift cards and reach out to Rosenfeld through the Delmarva Gift Cards Fighting Hunger Facebook page. Someone will either pick up the cards or have the information sent to the families in need to redeem the amount available on the card. Rosenfeld asks that donors mes-
TOWN OF BERLIN, MARYLAND NOTICE OF A PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE The Town of Berlin of Maryland proposes to increase real property taxes. 1. For the tax year beginning July 1, 2020, the estimated real property assessable base will increase by 2%, from $447,513,345 to $456,764,633. 2. If the Town of Berlin maintains the current tax rate of $0.80 per $100 of assessment, real property tax revenues will increase by 2% resulting in $74,010 of new real property tax revenues. 3. In order to fully offset the effect of increasing assessments, the real property tax rate should be reduced to $0.7838, the constant yield tax rate. 4. The Town of Berlin is considering not reducing its real property tax rate enough to fully offset increasing assessments. The Town of Berlin proposes to adopt a real property tax rate of $0.80 per $100 of assessment. This tax rate is 2% higher than the constant yield tax rate and will generate $74,010 in additional property tax revenues. A public hearing on the proposed real property tax rate increase will be held at 7 pm on May 11th at Town of Berlin Town Hall. The hearing is open to the public, and public testimony is encouraged. Persons with questions regarding this hearing may call 410-641-2770 for further information.
sage him through the page to inform him of where the card was purchase and how much is available on the card. “We will acknowledge that we received the information and we’ll tell you that we’ll be in touch with you once we’ve used it, just so that you know that it has in fact been used,” he said. “And then we’ll work with the restaurant.” Currently, Rosenfeld has around six to seven volunteers willing to either collect the cards or deliver food for the families in need. “Right now, we have a very excited group of drivers that have gotten a tremendous amount of satisfaction from picking up the food and delivering it to the families,” he said. “We’re doing contactless deliveries. We’re putting the food on at the front door and then calling the family from the car. “The drivers are calling me or contacting me and telling me this was an
incredible experience,” Rosenfeld continued. “And they felt so touched when the family came out and waved to them. It’s a good thing all the way around with what we’re going through. This is really something I think that can catch on and motivate people and make people feel good.” Rosenfeld believes this campaign will last beyond the end of the coronavirus pandemic, and could be used for years in the future. “There’s no reason this isn’t a program that shouldn’t be going on for the next couple years, because I think it’s going to take that long to get everything back to normal,” he said. “This is not a program that should be going away anytime soon.” For more information or to contact Rosenfeld about donating or becoming a driver, visit the Delmarva Gift Cards Fighting Hunger Facebook page.
Second reading for building code adoption, Mon., May 4 By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Builders should prepare for new construction guidelines, as the Ocean City Council prepares to adopt, on Monday, the 2018 International Code Council building code, with local amendments. “There’s been reorganization of the entire chapter 10 [building code] and it’s to give some clarity and consistency with the other departments, and to make it easier to understand and navigate for everybody else,” said Jake Doub, Ocean City chief building official. Since 2006, the resort has adopted the International Code Council’s building code, which is updated every three years. “We use them [ICC] because they were three different code organizations and they merged together so it gives a much more broad spectrum of the codes for different areas. It’s the most accepted code body in the U.S.,” Doub said. Before the mid-1990s, building codes were divided regionally — the Building Officials Code Administrators International (BOCA) overseeing the East Coast, the Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCI) watching over the Southeast and the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) managing the West Coast. In 1994, the three code groups merged into what is now the International Code Council, in order to create a nationwide, single coordinated set of model building codes. This year’s updated version will bring a few big adjustments. “There is now an entire section of
a chapter dedicated to deck construction,” Doub said. “Prior to the 2018 version, a lot of the design was based off of best practices, and now we have methods that you can actually go into the code and figure out what size post you need and what size footing you need.” Another significant difference will be how the code defines a substantial improvement. “Our flood code here … [it] defines what a substantial improvement is as over 50 percent of what the value of your structure is, and the building code defines work area as when you alter more than 50 percent of an area, it has nothing to do with cost,” Doub said. “It created a lot of confusion because people were applying the flood code to the building code, and vice versa, so we made that change so it’s consistent between our flood code, our building code and also the Fire marshal’s office codes.” This is important because going over this 50 percent threshold determines whether or not a builder must install a fire sprinkler system in the property, which can greatly drive up the cost of the project. Other changes include the elimination of stainless steel hardware, as well as some cost changes. “The increase in price would come primarily from energy conservation requirements,” Doub said, which could drive up costs marginally. Doub said builders with any feedback on the 2018 codes should call the Ocean City Planning and Community Development office at 410289-8855, or via email at jdoub@oceancitymd.gov.
MAY 1, 2020
Ocean City Today
BOE celebrating nurses, teachers amid coronavirus By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Officials from the Worcester County Board of Education recognized teachers, school nurses and local libraries with three proclamations during their monthly teleconference meeting on Tuesday, April 21. Superintendent Lou Taylor and the members of the board proclaimed April National 2020 School Library Month, May 4-8 as Teacher Appreciation Week and Lou Taylor Wednesday, May 6, as School Nurse Appreciation Day. “One of the things that Worcester County Board of Education does throughout the year is recognize the people who work extremely hard to make our school system successful,” Taylor said. “As you know, we are a people business and we have many outstanding, wonderful people who work tirelessly, and boy, has that been ever so evident over the last six weeks here in Worcester County Public Schools.” Ever since schools were closed to the public mid-March, teachers, counselors and other faculty have worked to ensure students can continue their studies through an online environment. Taylor invited Coordinator of Library Services Jen Sills to the teleconference to thank her and other librarians, whether for the public schools or the Worcester County Libraries, for their services. “As a former librarian herself who did an excellent job … thank you for your leadership, as we move our library programs through our school system, as we grow in so many ways, as technology has become a part of our libraries and the changes that librarians have to make to keep up with the 21st century learning process,” he said. In accepting the proclamation, Sill said, “I just want to thank everyone for taking time to recognize our libraries and our school librarians. They do work very hard every day and it’s wonderful to take a few minutes to celebrate them in the role they play in our schools and in transforming learning and education for our students.” For Teacher Appreciation Week, Taylor said he is proud of how teachers have been adapting to an online education environment.
ELIZABETH BONIN/OCEAN CITY TODAY
CONSTRUCTION Construction workers tear up the sidewalk in front of the Carousel Hotel off 117th Street on Tuesday, April 28.
“I am just overwhelmed, first and foremost, by what’s happening with our teachers and the adjustments they have made,” he said. “The thing that I have watched most closely – yes, instruction is important – is the caring hearts that they have put forth to help every kid during this process. Never, in my many years as being an educator, have I appreciated teachers more than I appreciate them right now, because they have done this with open arms.” Finally, the school board recognized Wednesday, May 6, as School Nurse Appreciation Day. Challenges brought on by the coronavirus have been handled well by the school nurses, Taylor said. “One of the challenges they had early on was a number of our kids, for example, left medication in our schools and we needed to get into schools and get that medication,” he said. Lauren Williams, the coordinator of mental health services for the schools, was also available during the teleconference, and Taylor thanked her on behalf of all the school nurses for the work they have done. “I want to make sure, first and foremost, as the person in charge of our school nurses, thank you for the work that you’re doing and the job that you’re doing,” he told her. “Certainly, we celebrate school nurses as we celebrate all employees every day. But it’s a special day on May 6 to celebrate and appreciate our school nurses.”
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Ocean City Today
Art League contest honors moms (May 1, 2020) The Art League of Ocean City is issuing a challenge to children and families on Delmarva: Honor Mom with a beautiful piece of chalk art and win a prize for her and the family. The deadline for entries is Thursday, May 7 at 4 p.m., and the public will vote for the winner. “Here’s how to play,” Aubrey Sizemore, volunteer coordinator for the Art League, said. “Make your best chalk drawing in your sidewalk or driveway sending a Mother’s Day message to your mother. Take a
good photo of your chalk drawing and e-mail it to me at aubrey@artleagueofoceancity.org by Thursday, May 7 at 4 p.m. Please include your name, e-mail, phone number, and the town you live in so we can credit you in the exhibit and let you know if you won.” All entries will be posted on the Art League’s Facebook page @artleagueoceancity by the morning of Friday, May 8. The art that receives the most “likes” by noon on Mother’s Day, May 10, will receive the grand prize. The
winner will be announced at 3 p.m. on Mother’s Day on the Facebook page. The grand prize includes a $50 gift card from Liquid Assets, a $95 gift package from Creative Day Spa, flowers for mom, a one-year family membership to the Art League, and one free online art class, valued at $30. The Art League of Ocean City is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects.
Blood bank seeks treatment help (May 1, 2020) Blood Bank of Delmarva is calling for recovered covid19 patients to donate blood plasma to help treat other patients with advanced illness. In the treatment, known as convalescent plasma, the patient is transfused with the donor’s plasma with the goal of using the donor’s antibodies to help clear the virus more rapidly and help decrease the need for ICU beds and ventilators. Blood Bank of Delmarva is now increasing the nation’s supply of convalescent plasma by collecting donations from those who have recovered from covid-19. Blood Bank of Delmarva will collect, process the plasma for infusion, and maintain a bank for hospitals to treat patients with serious or immediately life-threatening covid-19 infections. “As covid-19 has impacted areas across the country, we are collecting convalescent plasma from those
who have recovered in order to treat patients currently fighting this terrible disease,” said Christopher D. Hillyer, MD, president and CEO, of New York Blood Center. “Our blood centers are collecting and maintaining a robust public bank of convalescent plasma in order to serve hospitals in the area and all around the nation. If you have recovered from the coronavirus, please come in and donate so we can treat more patients.” Donors must have tested positive for covid-19 and be symptom-free for 14 days. One donation can be used to treat two to three patients struggling with severe cases of covid-19. Interested donors can sign up at www.delmarvablood.org/cpdonor. To learn more about Blood Bank of Delmarva’s efforts to collect convalescent plasma, visit delmarvablood.org/plasmaforcovid19. Blood Bank of Delmarva was
founded in 1954 as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) community blood bank with a simple mission: saving lives. The Blood Bank of Delmarva achieves its mission every day by providing safe blood and blood products to all 19 hospitals in Delmarva and relies on over 80,000 volunteer blood donors each year to ensure patients’ needs are met. The Blood Bank of Delmarva distributes over 130,000 blood products annually and operates four donor centers. Each year, the Blood Bank of Delmarva hosts over 600 blood drives. These blood drives would not be possible without the commitment of community organizations that volunteer to serve as sponsors or coordinators, which provides opportunities for blood donors to give blood and help patients in need. For more information, visit delmarvablood.org or follow at facebook.com/delmarvabloodbank.
PIZZA PARTY Ocean City native Bubba Almony, security protection agent and international ambassador for bodyguards against bullying, recently donated pizzas to support essential employees at Peninsula Regional Medical Center and Atlantic General Hospital, shift fire/EMS workers at Showell, Berlin, Ocean Pines, Ocean City and Snow Hill fire stations, and to the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Ocean City, as well as to a shift for every police agency/dispatch in Worcester County. Pictured, representing the Ocean City Fire Department, from left, are Ryan McCready, Craig Evans, Eric Olson, Tyler Fritz and Eric Borneman.
MAY 1, 2020
Art League to offer free online classes for youth at home (May 1, 2020) The Art League of Ocean City is providing a series of free online art classes specially designed for youth who are learning from home. The free classes are funded in part by an emergency grant from the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. “It is vitally important that we keep area students engaged in creative learning while schools are closed and classes go online,” Rina Thaler, executive director of the Art League, said. “We thank the Community Foundation for their vision in helping us fund free online art classes so these students can continue to learn from home. “While this grant funds our free classes for now, every bit of support we receive would help us continue to offer art classes at no charge,” Thaler continued. “Please consider donating to our covid-19 Emergency Operating Fund on our website.” Every week starts off with a free “Monday Storytime” where a member of the community reads a children’s story on the Art League’s Facebook page. Each story will be accompanied by a craft project that relates to it using commonly found objects. Storytime premieres at 10 a.m. every Monday and is available on Facebook all day. On Friday, May 1, fine art painter Ryan Vai will teach a free online class for teens 13-18 on “Spiral Drawing.” On Wednesday and Thursday, May 67, Ash’iz Cuffee will instruct a free class for teens ages 13-18 called “Expressing Your Voice through Spoken Word Poetry.” Cuffee has been a teacher for 15 years and is a certified Child Development Associate. “I think we all can remember our awkward days of youth, trying to find our voice and where we seem to fit within this massive puzzle we call life,” Cuffee said. “We have an opportunity to gift them with a more productive way of traveling their journey of self-expression and awareness.” This class is limited to the first 15 students to sign up. Students must have the Zoom app and preregister at https://reg131.imperisoft.com/ArtLeag ueOfOceanCity/ProgramDetail/353032 3434/Registration.aspx. Every Friday, Lindsey Winters, art teacher at Showell Elementary School, will offer free online classes from 1-1:45 p.m. for children 6-12 years old. This class is limited to the first 12 students to sign up. Students must have the Zoom app and preregister at https://reg131.imperisoft.com/ArtLe agueOfOceanCity/ProgramDetail/3530 323032/Registration.aspx. Also on Fridays, the Art League’s Facebook page posts a new and creative activity that children can do at home with materials they find around the house. The Art League of Ocean City is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the visual arts to the community through education, exhibits, scholarship, programs and community art projects.
MAY 1, 2020
Ocean City Today
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MAY 1, 2020
Ocean City Today
WORLD WAR II
German warlord orders invasion By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer (May 1, 2020) Today, 80 years ago, the German warlord ordered the Wehrmacht to invade Germany’s neighbors, France, Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg on May 5, 1940. On May 3, the date was postponed for a day, because of bad weather. The following day, it was rescheduled for May 7, and then again to May 8, but Luftwaffe chief, Field Marshal Hermann Göring, convinced Hitler to postpone the invasion until May 10. On May 9, at 5 p.m., Hitler’s special train, Amerika, left Finkenkrug, on the west side of Berlin. Most of the crew had no idea of its destination. Some thought that it was headed to Denmark, for a visit to the troops stationed there. However, when the train passed Hamburg and headed west, everyone knew its destination. It arrived, at dawn, near Bad Münstereifel, on Germany’s western border with Belgium. Bad Münstereifel currently has a population of 17,000 and is located 19 miles south of Bonn, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Columns of troops, trucks, tanks and artillery stretched from the border a hundred miles. Because of congestion, it would take two weeks to get all the units across the border. In the meantime, Hitler had boarded a car bound for headquarters, code named “Felsennest”(Rocky Eyrie). Even before all of the fighting had ceased in Poland, the German government launched a peace offensive directed at France and, to a lesser extent, Great Britain. German intelligence had reported there was a significant peace attitude in the population of France, its government, and its army. That it had entered the war unenthusiastically was reflected in the performance of its armed forces so far. In the meantime, Hitler summoned the Army brass and informed them of his decision to, “... attack in the West as soon as possible, since the FrancoBritish Army is not yet prepared.” The date for the attack was set for Nov. 12,1 939. On Oct. 9, he ordered planning to begin. By that time the British had sent nine infantry divisions (the British Expeditionary Force), under the command of Gen. John Vereker(Lord Gort) to France — compared to the 110 mobilized by the
French Republic. It was, as Churchill recognized, “... a symbolic contribution.” Essentially, the German plan was a modified version of the Schlieffen Plan used, unsuccessfully, in World War I. The modifications would be that, in addition to invading neutral Belgium, the Wehrmacht would also invade neutrals Holland and Luxembourg. The Gen. Erich von Germans knew that an Manstein attack along the French border, where France was protected by the Maginot Line, would be suicidal. On Nov. 7, 1939, der Führer reluctantly postponed the assault by three days because Gen. Maurice of bad weather, “... and Gamelin the railway transport situation....” Meanwhile, on the German side, another plan was being developed. Hitler had not liked the plan delivered by the German General Staff, but he didn’t know how to fix it. The senior, and most respected, General in the German Army, Col.-Gen. Gerd von Rundstedt didn’t like the plan either and he did know how to fix it. As a matter of fact, his chief-of-staff, Lt. Gen. Erich von Manstein, with input from armor specialist, Lt. Gen. Heinz Guderian, was developing the plan which would ultimately carry the Wehrmacht to a stunning victory in France. This plan shifted the main point of attack to Sedan on the Meuse/Maas River and concentrated the bulk of German armor there. To get there, the Germans would have to move their tanks through the Ardennes Forrest in Belgium, which the French had already determined was “impassible ” for armor, and was, therefor, lightly defended. But, in order to implement the plan, it had to be accepted and adopted by Hitler. And, of course, this was in Armeegruppe A’s sector, and, coincidentally, Col.-Gen. von Rundstedt was the commander of Armeegruppe A! In effect, von Manstein’s Plan called for armor, and other mechanized forces, to be stripped from Armeegruppe B, under the command of Gen. Fedor von Bock,
and added to Gen. von Rundstedt’s Armeegruppe A. Now the trick was to get the plan past the General Staff and before Hitler for his approval. On Jan. 10, 1940, a seeming disaster befell the Germans, in the form of what has become known as the “Mechelen Incident,” or “Reinberger Incident.” As a result of the “Incident,” the Allies obtained the German plans for the coming invasion! This, of course, required that the invasion date be postponed once again. In the meantime, Gen. von Manstein, was being marginalized. The Chief-ofStaff of the German Army, Franz Halder, had relieved him from his post as Chief-of-Staff of Armeegruppe A on Jan. 27, and “promoted” him to commander of an armeekorps in East Prussia — as far from the invasion forces as possible. That assignment was to begin on Feb. 9, 1940. Somehow, this situation was brought to the attention of der Führer, who invited Gen. von Manstein to Berlin for dinner on Feb. 17. After listening to Gen. von Manstein’s idea, Hitler ordered that the original plan be scrapped and the new one adopted, and that von Manstein’s orders be reversed and that he return to his position as Col.Gen. von Rundstedt’s chief-of-staff with Armeegruppe A. The upshot of all this was that the Allies now thought that they had the German plan of attack, and they began to counter that plan. Because neither Belgium nor The Netherlands would allow Allied Armed Forces on their territory, for fear of provoking a German attack, it was not until the Germans launched their assault that the Allies could move into the two countries. But once that occurred, the Allies played right into the new German strategy. By moving into Belgium and Holland, they were essentially moving east into the German trap, because now the German strategy called for a single drive west to the Channel Coast splitting the Allied Forces. This is precisely what happened. The French had assembled 40 of their best divisions, which together with the 10 British divisions, comprised the First Army Group, under the command of Gen. Gaston Billotte. Gen. Billotte’s First Army Group prepared to move east into Belgium and The Netherlands to meet the anticipated German attack.
Lord Gort
But this wasn’t World War I, it wasn’t the Schlieffen Plan and Paris was not the immediate German objective. The objective was the destruction of the Allied armies. The thrust into The Low Countries, by Gen. von Bock’s Armeegruppe B, was now a diversion, with the main attack by Gen.l von Rundstedt’s Armeegruppe A coming further south, through the “impassible ” Ardennes Forrest. On May 10, 1940, the German Wehrmacht unleashed its new plan. The Luftwaffe quickly achieved air superiority by attacking Allied air bases and destroying many planes on the ground. Once the River Muese/Maas had been crossed at Sedan on May 13, the Germans turned right and headed for the English Channel, instead of going straight for Paris, as was expected by the Allies. In the meantime, Gen. Billotte’s First Army Group rushed to its position, and into the German trap in Belgium. As German armor raced west, toward the English Channel, the Allies hurried east into the German trap. And if the older Generals in Berlin, including, surprisingly, von Rundstedt, had not been so concerned about the tanks being cut off, and had not interfered with their advance by requiring them to slow and wait for the infantry, the Germans would have reached the English Channel several days sooner, and there probably would not have been time for the Allies to organize an evacuation at Dunkirk. Continued on Page 19
MAY 1, 2020
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Ocean City Today
Convention center events plummet By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) The Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City could lose upwards of $700,000 in income this spring and summer because of events that have cancelled or plan to cancel their dates because of covid-19, according to Larry Noccolino, executive director of the convention center. Since Tuesday, 35 events at the convention center have been cancelled, but Noccolino said staff is anticipating 10 more to cancel. “The business that Larry Noccolino we do between January and June amounts to about 75 percent of our total for the year,” Noccolino said. “January, February and part of March are behind us, thank God. What lies ahead is a whole lot of uncertainty.” The convention center is funded partially by Ocean City’s general fund and by the State of Maryland. To try to mitigate the financial loss, some convention center staff have been transferred to other Ocean City government departments, according to Jennie Knapp, Ocean City budget manager. She added that the convention center still has expenses, whether or not it has people in it. “We’re still going to have principle and interest costs on the building and on the expansion,” Knapp said. “We still have an electric bill for the building. We’re still going to have maintenance costs on the building. Those are fixed costs that aren’t going away whether we have conventions in the building or we don’t.” Noccolino said that although many events have cancelled, 28 of them have chosen to reschedule and some are still booking into 2021 and beyond. He added that those who have cancelled have not been charged cancellation fees. “The reason being is that we’re not only in the convention business and the hospitality business, but we’re in the relationship building business,” Noccolino said. “Our staff, some have been here for over 35 years, have helped build those relationships and continue to do so.” For events that are still as scheduled, Noccolino said the convention
center would advise staff and attendees to follow state directives and guidelines, including wearing a mask, keeping six feet apart and continuously washing hands. “As we look into later summer, mid-summer, we have groups like Star Power, the Greek Festival, the Maryland Association of Counties, Jeep Week, and as we get into fall, BikeFest,” Noccolino said. “We’re looking forward to doing all of those, however, if we can’t, we can’t.”
He added that Ocean City government’s rainy day fund, as well as the mayor and city council, have been supportive. The unassigned fund balance on June 30, 2019 was $21 million. “The rainy day fund was actually designed for disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes and weather-related events,” Noccolino said. “However, this is a once-in-a-millennium happening here. We’d never thought we’d see something like this.”
JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY
As of Tuesday, the convention center on 40th Street has had 35 events cancel due to the coronavirus pandemic.
WORLD WAR II Continued from Page 18 The superiority of the Luftwaffe, German tank tactics, and the originality of Gen. von Manstein’s plan were the keys to victory. It is hard to imagine a more successful plan. In fact, it succeeded beyond the Germans’ wildest dream. It, quite literally, stunned the entire world. The Germans had isolated Gen. Billotte’s First Army Group containing those 40 fine French divisions and the BEF. Prior to this, France was thought to have the most powerful army in the world, with more, and better tanks and guns than the Germans. In a matter of weeks it had been crushed, most of the country occupied, almost two million of its soldiers taken prisoner, the British chased off the continent and Belgium, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands overrun. The cost to the German Reich was 49,000 dead, 110,000 wounded and 18,500 missing. The Allies suffered 390,000 dead and wounded, in addition to the POWs. Next week: Capture of Fort Eban Emael Mr. Wimbrow writes from Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at: wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.
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Ocean City Today
MAY 1, 2020
Spring sports season canceled for schools Coaches, administrators and players disappointed; decision due to covid-19 By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (May 1, 2020) After consulting with the Maryland State Board of Education and Dr. Karen Salmon, State Superintendent of Schools, the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association announced earlier this week the cancelation of events for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year. This includes the remainder of the boys’ and girls’ basketball state championships and all spring sports, as well as spring state championships. “It’s certainly understandable, but I’m highly disappointed for the kids. They work so hard to earn the right to be on a team,” Lou Taylor, superintendent of Worcester County Public Schools, said. Due to covid-19, Lou Taylor the Maryland State Department of Education ordered all schools closed from March 16 through March 27. It was then extended to April 24, but because of the increase in coronavirus cases, the school opening date was pushed back to May 15. “It’s taken away an activity that is important to our kids in Worcester County,” Taylor said. “Hopefully this will end and we’ll be back to normal someday soon.” Taylor, who is a former principal of Stephen Decatur High School, where he also played sports and coached, said he will miss cheering on the student-athletes. He enjoys standing on the sidelines and watching them play, he added. Don Howard, Stephen Decatur High School’s athletic director, agreed. “I go to ever home event,” he said. “It’s a pleasure for me to watch them play.” Sports offered at Decatur during the spring season inDon Howard clude, boys’ and girls’ tennis, baseball, softball, track and field, and boys’ and girls’ lacrosse. Preseason for nearly all the sports teams kicked off on Feb. 29. Teams had about two weeks of practices before schools were closed. Howard, who coached the Decatur varsity softball team for many years, said everyone held out hope that some of the season would be salvaged, but when the school closures were extended to May 15, that sealed the deal. “I feel so sorry for the seniors in particular because they don’t have
the opportunity to participate in their final season of high school sports,” he said. “That’s what bothers me most.” This would also have been the first spring season for teams to play on the school’s new turf field inside the stadium. Sara Braniecki, coach of the Decatur girls’ lacrosse team, said she was looking forward to the season. “I’m super disappointed and the girls are definitely disappointed,” she said. “Everyone’s totally Sara Braniecki bummed. They miss doing something they love with the people they love.” Braniecki said after the first twoweek closure, she hoped the girls would be able to get back on the field. “We told them to stay in shape and keep a stick in their hands,” she said. Braniecki had seven seniors on her roster this season. Five of them have signed to play lacrosse in college. “I don’t know if that makes it harder or easier because they will have the chance to play more lacrosse,” she said. “But, they’re missing out on their senior year playing together here.” Most of the girls have been playing together since they were kids. Braniecki was pleased with their performance during the short preseason and was excited for the next few months. “They were more in shape, they were more aggressive and they were wanting to go far in the state tournament, more than I’ve ever seen,” she said. “They had really improved. It was just promising. I was looking forward to having a really good season.” Scott Kurtz, coach of the varsity softball team, was also looking forward to the season. “There were big expectations for a lot of our teams to do well this season,” he said. Scott Kurtz “It’s a tough season to miss out on.” His team was able to get one scrimmage in, and Kurtz was pleased with the performance on the mound. He handed out new uniforms to his players a few days before their scheduled playday on March 14, which ended up being canceled. “I sent them home from practice and I haven’t seen them since,” he said. “You set goals, and you just don’t get the chance to see how it plays out, and that’s tough.” Kurtz had three seniors on his roster this season. Two plan to play softball in college. “They missed out on their final opportunity to win another Bayside championship,” he said. “I felt really
good about our chances. I felt like we had the pieces of the puzzle to do it. We had a target on us and we were looking forward to embracing that role.” Up until earlier this week, Kurtz said he was still hopeful they could get some games in, even if schools opened back up on May 18. “It’s just a big empty hole right now. Just a piece is missing,” he said. “They’re playing on their own and I know they’ll be ready to get back at it. We’ll make our run next year.” Worcester Preparatory, a private college prep school also located in Berlin, has been following the state’s closures. Worcester Prep Athletic Director Matt McGinnis, who is also the president of the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference, which the school participates in, said everyone held Matt McGinnis out hope that some of the season could be made up. When it was announced that school closures were extended to May 15, the decision was made to cancel the spring sports season. Sports offered at Worcester Prep during the spring include, boys’ and girls’ tennis and lacrosse. Typically, the regular season wraps up around May 1, and playoffs about a week later. “My heart goes out to everybody – the coaches who love coaching the kids, and especially the senior student-athletes. They had big dreams and big goals their last year,” McGinnis said. “It’s a bummer. It’s a small school, so the coaches really develop
a relationship with their student-athletes.” Worcester began its preseason on March 2. The tennis teams, which have new courts this year, had several practices and both lacrosse teams were able play a scrimmage or two before schools were closed. Chris Williams, coach of the girls’ lacrosse team, said he saw good things during his scrimmages. “It was looking like such a good year. It was going to be a fun, exciting season,” he Chris Williams said. “We were looking great. We had a great group of seniors. Such a talented group.” Williams had 13 seniors on his roster for this season. One plans to play lacrosse in college, so Williams said “this was like the last hurrah for the seniors.” “And we had some young talent and what they would learn from the seniors would be invaluable,” he said. “It was crushing. This was the most successful senior class in terms of quality and quantity. We just had so many seniors that were going to contribute.” Williams said he kept holding out hope some of the season games could be played. “We were trying everything we could to get them on the field one more time,” he said. “But, things just kept getting worse. It never crossed my mind in the beginning that the whole season would be lost. Prom, graduation, senior trip – they’re all great things they worked so hard for their high school years. They earned those. It’s just devastating all around.”
JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY
NO RIDERS The Jolly Roger on the Pier Ferris wheel looms over an empty beach and Boardwalk.
MAY 1, 2020
PAGE 21
Ocean City Today
OPA gets SBA loan of $1.1 million Money will protect payroll for association employees during economic shutdown By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Although many businesses and nonprofit organizations were left out of the rush for paycheck protection program loans two weeks ago, the Ocean Pines Association was not. The OPA received $1.143 million in Small Business Administration coronavirus relief money by having its paperwork done in time for processing before the money ran out on April 16. OPA President Doug Parks said the emergency funds would be used to maintain payroll for association employees during the current economic turmoil. “We are fortunate to have been approved by the SBA for a loan associated with the Paycheck Protection Program,” he said. The PPP money, $349 billion, was released on April 3, after Congress in March approved the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. In response to the inability of many businesses to obtain the low to no-interest loans, Congress approved a second round of funding, including $310 billion for PPP, $75 billion for hospitals, $25 billion for covid-19 testing and additional funds for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. After the SBA program was unveiled, a work group was rapidly formed to examine the topic. That group consisted
of Parks, General Manager John Viola, Director of Finance and Operational Logistics Steve Phillips and OPA Treasurer Larry Perrone. “The workgroup met with OPA attorneys who confirmed the Association’s qualification criteria and expense compliance requirements,” he said. “ Parks said the OPA’s local lender, Bank of Ocean City, provided further guidDoug Parks ance. Also supporting the OPA team were Senior Executive Secretary Michelle Bennett and Director of Public Relations and Marketing Josh Davis. Davis said to help navigate the hastily constructed bureaucratic process, the OPA work group consulted with John Hickman, Eastern Regional Director of the Maryland Small Business Development Center “He hosted several zoom sessions on the PPP loan, which we attended along with dozens of other local businesses,” he said. “He also helped answer a few questions via email.” Hickman heads the Eastern Region Maryland SBDC, an outreach program run by the Perdue School of Business at Salisbury University for local businesses. “We provide assistance to businesses throughout Delmarva, but we’re part of a statewide network that’s part of a national network,” he said. “The largest single source of our funding comes
from SBA.” Hickman said expert guidance was required by a wealth of local businesses and qualifying entities after the rapid roll-out of PPP funding, which was adapted from the existing SBA 7(a) loan program. “The PPP structurally is a loan program that SBA adapted their existing 7(a) loan program ... to be able to quickly work through the local lending institutions to get funds out to businesses to allow them to maintain payroll,” he said. “Generally, Congress will pass a bill ... and they’ve got months to implement that … this was one they turned around in a little over a week [and] you can’t do that from starting at ground zero.” Under the PPP guidelines, loan amounts used for payroll costs are forgivable, as well as less than 25 percent of awarded sums for mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs incurred before Feb. 15 and paid over the eight-week period after loan receipt. Parks said the OPA, which has also applied for funds through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan offered through the SBA, would continue to operate and meet current financial obligations while monitoring the evolving health crisis. “We are hoping that our amenities and other services affected by the covid19 pandemic will be open in the next several weeks and we can return to some level of normalcy,” he said. “In the meantime, we ask all OPA members to abide by the government mandates and hope everyone stays safe and healthy.”
Signs added to Routes 113, 818 SHA determined various safety measures following fatal car accident on Feb. 6 By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) The State Highway Administration has started to add signs to the intersections of Route 113 and Route 818 after a deadly car crash on Feb. 6. Following the crash, Berlin residents asked Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) to seek a solution for the dangerous intersection. She contacted the administration to begin determining the appropriate safety measures. After a traffic signal study was conducted, the administration decided that it would add speed limit signs to Route 113 in the southbound direction between Burley Street and Germantown Road, according to Carozza, who recently received an update from the district engineer. “And it looks like they’re going to enlarge the one-way signs of the intersection and the yield sign, which
ELIZABETH BONIN/OCEAN CITY TODAY
The State Highway Administration has started to add more signage to the intersection of Route 113 and Route 818 after a fatal car accident on Feb. 6. It will continue to monitor traffic levels to consider a traffic signal in the future.
would be added to the north bound ramp from U.S. 113 to Germantown Road,” Carozza said. She added that the initial report concluded that the activity at that intersection did not warrant a traffic signal. “However, given increased traffic on 113 north and south and given this
recent accident, that has prompted SHA to increase their monitoring of that part of 113,” Carozza said. The possibility of a traffic signal at some point will depend on volume of traffic and safety considerations. “Even if a signal is warranted, there also may be some budget challenges given covid-19,” Carozza said.
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MAY 1, 2020
Ocean City Today
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFS By Josh Kim Staff Writer (Mary 1, 2020) The following took place on Tuesday, April 28, during the Ocean City Council work session:
Retirement Mayor Rick Meehan, Emergency Services Director Joe Theobald and members of city council recognized city employee Bob Dimaio, who is retiring after serving the community as the resort’s electronic services manager for the last 25 years.
Showell school project progressing By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) The 18th monthly update regarding the construction of the new Showell Elementary School shows it continues to progress despite the coronavirus pandemic. Members of the Worcester County Public School Board of Education were provided an update on the school’s
progress during its monthly meeting held via teleconference on Tuesday, April 21. Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert provided the most recent report regarding the school’s progress in place of Facilities Planner Joe Price and Oak Project Manager Bill Moschler, who have usually brought the board up to date. “I’m happy to say that one of the
Van appropriation The Ocean City Council approved a purchase request for a $25,069 van for the Ocean City Tourism Department. City Procurement Manager Catrice Parsons explained that the money would come from the city’s vehicle trust fund, which had $47,000 leftover — in FY 2020, all budgeted vehicles had been procured at a cost avoidance. City Manager Doug Miller added that the money in this fund could only be used for vehicle purchases anyway. The old tourism vehicle would be transferred to the Public Works Department to replace a 2006 Dodge caravan, which had exceeded its useful life. Parsons added that if the city waited to purchase the vehicle off-contract, it would take an additional 16 weeks of production time in China, another two months to be delivered and an addi-
PHOTO COURTESY JOE PRICE
tional $2,000. The request was approved 6-1, with Councilman Tony DeLuca in opposition.
Construction of the new Showell Elementary School is currently underway. Pictured is the school’s media center. It is expected to be open for the 2020-21 school year.
things that was exempted from the closure by the governor was school construction projects were allowed to continue,” he said. “These contractors had been doing a great job. We expect to have occupancy permits for the building the middle of next month and start moving furniture in. We’re on schedule open in early September; the first day of school. So, things are going well.” Within the past 30 days, workers have completed the installation of a bifold door, emergency generator start up and mock walls for electronic displays. Work is currently being done on concrete flatwork, installing doors, roofing, drywall and flooring, painting and electric cable installation. Over the next 30 days contractors expect to work on paving the courtyard, plumbing and adding other essential features to the walls and ceilings. The new 9,600-square-foot building will replace the current 5,200-squarefoot school, and will eliminate the need for the nine portable classrooms at the school. At present, the 40-year-old school has 536 students from kindergarten through third grade. Fourth graders, who were moved out of the building because of insufficient space, will return once the $47 million school opens. The school is expected to accept over 130 new students once it is open for the 2020-2021 school year in September.
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MAY 1, 2020
Ocean City Today
PAGE 23
Woman arrested multiple times for streaking, theft
JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY
CROWN CASTLE Workers installed Crown Castle fiber-optic cable on Tuesday, April 21, on 139th Street.
Delmarva Power reminds residents to dig responsibly (May 1, 2020) Delmarva Power has again joining Miss Utility of Delmarva – the one-call notification center for Delaware and Maryland – to remind residents, businesses and contractors that safe digging must remain a priority to prevent damage to critical underground energy services and keep communities safe. In light of the covid-19 pandemic and the stay-at-home orders in Delaware and Maryland, many residents are using this time at home to take on a spring doit-yourself projects. Because of that, the company is reminding do-it-yourselfers who plan to do some digging or excavating that they must call 811 at least a few days before beginning to learn the approximate location of underground utility equipment. Delmarva Power responded last year to more than 300 incidents where damage was caused to underground electric or gas lines due to unsafe digging practices. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811.
Landscaping, planting trees and shrubs, installing a fence or mailbox, and building a deck, pond or patio, are all examples of digging projects where a call to 811 should be one of the first steps. Delmarva Power has more than 6,000 miles of underground electric lines in Delaware and Maryland and nearly 3,600 miles of natural gas pipeline buried throughout northern Delaware. Aside from Delmarva Power’s lines, there are underground communications cables, water and sewer lines, and other utilities. Properly locating underground lines is essential to safely completing any digging job. Residents and businesses should call on Monday or Tuesday for work planned for an upcoming weekend, providing ample time for the approximate location of lines to be marked. If a contractor has been hired, property owners should confirm that the contractor has called 811, and should not allow work to begin if the lines aren’t marked.
By Josh Kim Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) Over the last few weeks, Ocean City resident Tatiana Leonidovna Foreman, 33, has been in and out of custody for a series of crimes, including streaking on the Boardwalk. Police first encountered Foreman on April 14, at a grocery store at 95th Street. A worker had called police because Foreman had been acting strange, and seemed Tatiana Foreman to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police reported. Police found Foreman pacing around a Mercedes, and she told police that she was there to watch an online class. She had allegedly driven from Baltimore to Ocean City to visit her husband, police reported. After interviewing her and conducting a license search, police discovered Foreman’s license had been suspended, and contacted her husband to pick her up, according to the police document. Police then reported that as they waited for her husband, Foreman became agitated and began to record the officers, barked at them and then started her car and drove across the parking lot, nearly striking an officer’s patrol vehicle. Police arrested her for the incident. Then, on April 17, around 8 a.m., police encountered Foreman again after being dispatched to the Caroline Street comfort station at 11 S. Atlantic Ave., in regards to reports about a naked woman allegedly stealing from storefronts. Upon arrival, a public employee pointed the officer to the woman’s whereabouts, and police reported finding Foreman sitting on a chair, pantless. When Foreman saw the officer, she reportedly stood up and began to frantically put her pants and jacket
back on, while rambling in both English and a foreign language. Police questioned Foreman, and she denied taking anything. However, police reported that lying next to Foreman was a screen-printed black canvas, which had more canvases balled up inside. Foreman allegedly confessed to taking the canvases, but claimed she knew the owner. Police arrested Foreman, but as officers were preparing to leave, a witness told police “he was just trying to enjoy his first cup of coffee, when he saw the female in her birthday suit running south on the Boardwalk.” Foreman was charged with theft, disorderly conduct, trespassing on posted property, indecent exposure and malicious destruction of property. Police would encounter Foreman once more on April 20. Around 8 p.m., an officer reported being dispatched to a burglary in progress at a downtown residence. The complainant told police that Foreman was attempting to enter his residence through his window — an occurrence that had occurred twice already, once on March 25 and again on April 15. Officers arrived at the residence, and told Foreman to come to them, which she did. She told police that she had been released from jail that day, and gave the judge the complainant’s address as her own. Since the judge signed the release, she told police that gave her authority to stay at the address. After speaking with the complainant once more, police reported arresting Foreman, who faces third and fourth-degree burglary, trespassing private property and disturbing the peace. Since her return to Ocean City, police reported that Foreman has had seven encounters with local law officers, and has been arrested three times.
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MAY 1, 2020
Ocean City Today
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Peanut butter mousse chocolate box By Deborah Lee Walker Contributing Writer (April 24, 2020) As we discover our way through the daily uncertainties, it is essential that we give thanks for the blessings before us and at the same time lend a helping hand to those in need. “Social distancing” and “staying home” are new concepts but are necessary as we strive to get back to “normalcy.” Cooking is a fun way to strengthen family ties while exploring the fascinating facets of gastronomy. “Peanut Butter and Jelly To Go” is an edible chocolate box stuffed with peanut butter mousse and topped with strawberry jam and a dollop of whipped cream. There is much to discuss, so let’s get started. We will begin with the actual edible chocolate box. Sometimes the simplest ideas can create the most fabulous results. Chinese takeout containers are the molds for the edible box. These containers are available at Amazon or can be obtained through your favorite Chinese eatery. This dessert is on the rich side and I recommend the pint size. The next consideration is the chocolate box itself. I have found that CandiQuik microwavable chocolate trays are easy to use and produce a smooth, velvety chocolate that will stand up to the design of a box. CandiQuik can be purchased at your local supermarket and is very affordable. I am a fan of chunky peanut butter, but smooth peanut butter is the preferred choice when making a mousse. The light, airy filling will be compromised by the bits of hard peanuts. A touch of instant coffee mixed with equal parts of water has been added to the peanut butter mousse. The coffee gives the mousse more depth of flavor and cuts down on the overall sweetness. The chocolate box is topped with a good quality strawberry jam. This continues the theme of peanut butter and jelly. In addition, the chunkiness of the
jam adds contrast in texture, has more strawberry flavor and saves time. When plating the chocolate box, it is imperative to place a dollop of whipped cream underneath the box. The whipped cream acts as a glue and keeps the box from sliding. The presentation is just as important as the recipe itself. Remember, the plate is a blank canvas and you are the artist. Height, color and texture should be taken into consideration. “Peanut Butter and Jelly To Go” is simple to make but it does take time. This is a great activity to share with your children since it does not involve the stove. At the same time, it gives you the chance to practice on this decadent dessert. Entertaining is in the near future and social distancing will be a thing of the past. Now is the time to experiment and elevate your skills as a cook. Enjoy!
Peanut Butter and Jelly To Go Edible Chocolate Box 2 (16 oz.) Chinese takeout containers 1 (16 oz.) CandiQuik microwavable chocolate trays cooking spray
Repeat t h i s process for the other container. Refrigerate until chocolate is hard and ready to be filled with peanut b u t t e r mousse. 4. In the meantime, combine coffee and hot water in a small cup. 5. Using a hand held mixer, blend the cream cheese, peanut butter, coffee liquid and vanilla in a medium bowl until smooth. Set aside. 6. Wash beaters and place them along with a metal bowl in the freezer for 10 minutes. 7. Place cream in cold bowl. Using the hand held mixer with cold beaters, beat until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar and again blend until soft peaks form. 8. Add the peanut butter mixture to the beaten cream and mix until fully incorporated and very smooth. Fill chocolate boxes with peanut butter mousse and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Peanut Butter Mousse ½ teaspoon instant coffee ½ teaspoon hot water 8 oz. whipped cream cheese 1 cup creamy peanut butter 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup powdered sugar 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Strawberry Jam favorite good quality strawberry jam Miscellaneous cooking spray Reddi-wip 1. Lightly spray the inside of the Chinese takeout containers. 2. Melt microwavable chocolate according to instructions on the package. 3. Using a pastry brush, coat the inside of Chinese takeout containers with chocolate. It is best to apply a thin coating. Refrigerate for 15 minutes, then apply another coating. Make sure the entire interior (minus the lid) is covered in chocolate.
Presentation 1. Place a dollop of whipped cream on each serving plate. Spread it out enough to cover the width of the box. 2. Carefully cut away the Chinese takeout box with a sharp knife. Cut the rough edges of the chocolate box so they are even. Gently press the box (cut side down) on top of the whipped cream. 3. Top chocolate box with strawberry jam and a dollop of whipped cream. 4. Garnish with toasted peanuts, strawberries, powdered sugar, edible glitter, or even a shot of your favorite coffee after-dinner drink. – Secret Ingredient – Desserts. “Stressed is dessert spelled backwards.” – Unknown
Berlin Farmers Market set to open for season this Sunday By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) The third annual Berlin Farmers Market might be unconventional this year, but it will still kick off its season this Sunday, when it opens from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The farmers market will take place every Sunday from May 3 to Aug. 30 on Pitts Street, where local farmers and other vendors will sell everything from fresh produce to wines, flowers, art and tools. As per the governor’s regulations amid the coronavirus pandemic, farmer’s markets are allowed to run provided they are outdoors and ensure that patrons maintain the six feet distance rule, as well as limit time and crowd size.
Shoppers and vendors must wear masks to protect themselves and are encouraged not to linger too long in the space. No more than two people may accompany each other, with the recommendation that children, senior family members and pets remain behind for safety’s sake. “I’m following the guidelines set forth by Maryland Department of Agriculture,” Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said. “It totally kills me, because we are so pet-friendly. In Berlin, all of our events always, always welcome pets. But unfortunately, for this period of time, not to the market [until further notice].” Opening weekend will have 13 venSee THIRTEEN Page 25
MAY 1, 2020
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Ocean City Today
Thirteen vendors for opening day Continued from Page 24 dors, comprised of Baked Dessert Café, Baywater Farms, Cross Farms, DelVecchio, Gilbert’s Provisions, Una Bella Salute, Lyon Distilling Company, Cherry Walk Garden and Preserves, Home Canning Classics, The Bay Mushrooms, Splendid Earth Acres and Berlin Sconer. Customers can expect to see fresh produce, baked goods, oils and vinegars, wines and other spirits and flowers this weekend. There will be around 10 more vendors come the end of the May, Wells said, as they are still preparing or growing their products. “When people are involved in a crisis, the first thing that is always concerning to people are where they’re going to get their food,” Wells said. “I think that it proves the point that Shop Local is extremely important to support our local farmers is now even more important today than it has ever been. “We in Berlin have known that the entire time,” she continued. “So we’ve always been a supporter of our local farmers, and now, even more so in an open air market.” In addition, the market will offer a special early bird half hour for seniors ages 60 and older to shop from 8:309 a.m. “I wanted to make sure that seniors
could feel safe when they come,” Wells said. “But because the market has always gone from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., I didn’t want to have people show up at 9 wondering why they couldn’t go in. I asked the farmers if they would consider opening up early, and we decided that they could be there and set up a half hour early at 8:30 a.m.” In the past, the market has offered live music and children’s arts and crafts. These items will not be offered until the governor lessens his restrictions on social gatherings. The market will be offering recyclable shopping bags for $10. The bags
were paid for with a Keep America Beautiful grant the town recently received. Wells warned that there will only be two entrances to the farmer’s market, as the bank parking lot will be blocked in order to follow regulations. “You can either get there via the intersection of William and Pitt Street, or Main and Pitt Street,” she said. “I have signs being printed up with the market rules that will be placed at those locations you can’t enter.” For more information, contact Wells at iwells@berlinmd.gov or call 410-629-1722.
Crystal Giesey, of Masterpiece Flowers, showcases a floral bouquet during the second annual town of Berlin Farmers Market on Pitts Street last year.
Art organizations provide students with material kits By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (May 1, 2020) The Art League of Ocean City and Worcester County Arts Council are helping Worcester County public school students by donating art kits to help with their projects. Although the center on 94th Street is closed, the Art League donated 350 kits filled with pencils, paper, crayons and markers to be used for educational purposes. “The school system started their online learning and then they rapidly realized that a lot of the kids didn’t even have the basic supplies at home, no clean paper or even real simple things like markers or colored pencils for kids to do online learning and art projects,” Executive Director Rina Thaler said. Coordinator of Instruction Tamara Mills asked Thaler and Anna Mullis, president of the Worcester County Arts Council, for help with the art supplies. Thaler accepted, even though her organization could use a financial boost itself, because it was the right thing to do, she said. “We’re at a point where we’re closed, laying people off, trying to pay See ART Page 30
REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE SO CLOSE TO THE BEACH 13323 ATLANTIC BLVD
MONTEGO BAY COMMUNITY 13323 CONSTITUTIONAL AVE
WOW so close to the BEACH you can walk. Put this one on your list to see while you are in OC. Bright & cheery 3BR/2BA w/huge living room, formal dining room, modern kitchen w/tile counter top, Farm style sink, Electric range w/self-cleaning oven, frost free refrigerator with ice maker & laminate flooring in the kitchen, dining room, hallway & BAs. Both BAs have been updated w/new sinks, toilets & plumbing. Large family room. Enjoy relaxing on the patio after a day at the beach or pool. Located close to busline, restaurants/bar and indoor & outdoor miniature golf course. Community amenities include 3-pools (including a wading pool for the little ones), 2-tennis courts, 2-shuffleboard courts, 9-hole miniature golf course, Bayfront boardwalk w/3-fishing piers, canal front fishing & crabbing area, 8-acre wildlife sanctuary/pond with a 1/2 mile walking path 5-acre open park & street lighting (lamppost at every property). Additional amenities include city streets & sidewalks, city water & sewer & city trash collection. The HOA dues are just $299 year. $234,500
This 4BR/1.5BA is located in the sought after community of Montego Bay in quiet North O.C. on a 40 x 90 lot. This home has been very well maintained, is move-in ready and is being sold fully furnished. Conveniently located within walking distance to everything you need... shopping, dining, bus stop, the beach and Ocean City's beautiful Northside Park. Community features 2 inground pools, 2 tennis courts, 2 shuffleboard courts, a 9 hole mini-golf course, an 8 acre wildlife sanctuary with a pond and blacktop walking trail, a bayfront boardwalk with 3 fishing/crabbing piers, and more...all for only $299.00/yr HOA fee. Don't miss out on this one, call today! $224,900
Larry Holdren Real Estate, Inc©
Larry Holdren Real Estate, Inc©
13901 Coastal Hwy., Suite 8, Ocean City, MD
13901 Coastal Hwy., Suite 8, Ocean City, MD
For More Information Call 800-252-2223 • 410-250-2700
For More Information Call 800-252-2223 • 410-250-2700
www.larryholdrenrealestate.com • email: ocmdhre@gmail.com
www.larryholdrenrealestate.com • email: ocmdhre@gmail.com
MONTEGO BAY COMMUNITY MONTEGO BAY COMMUNITY
Well maintained 3BR/2.5BA in quiet North OC. Great location, only steps to one of the communities inground swimming pools, shuffleboard & mini golf course. Sold fully furnished w/2 separate living areas, large dining/kitchen area, full size washer & dryer & large storage shed. Community amenities include 2 inground swimming pools, 2 outdoor tennis courts, a shuffleboard court, 9 hole mini-golf course, wildlife sanctuary with pond and blacktop walking/jogging trail & bayfront boardwalk with fishing/crabbing piers. All for only $299/year HOA dues. $199,900
Call Bill Rothstein
800-745-5988 • 443-280-2530 108 S. Ocean Drive • Ocean City, MD
119 OYSTER LANE
Montego Bay Realty montegobayrealty@aol.com www.montegobayrealty.com
Walk to the Beach from this 3BR/2BA in the sought after community of Montego Bay. Open split bedroom floor plan, newer appliances (within 5 yrs.), new roof (within 1 Year), full sized washer & dryer, screened porch and its being sold fully furnished. Community features 2 swimming pools, 2 tennis courts, shuffleboard court, 9 hole mini-golf course, wildlife sanctuary with pond and blacktop walking trail, a bayfront boardwalk with 3 fishing/crabbing piers, and more... only $299.00/year HOA Fee. $179,900
Call Bill Rothstein
800-745-5988 • 443-280-2530 108 S. Ocean Drive • Ocean City, MD
13334 NANTUCKET ROAD
Montego Bay Realty montegobayrealty@aol.com www.montegobayrealty.com
PAGE 26
MAY 1, 2020
Ocean City Today
WORCESTER COUNTY
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FY 2021 OPERATING BUDGETS The Worcester County Commissioners will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budgets for the Agencies and Departments which are funded by the Worcester County Commissioners. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in lieu of public appearance, the meeting will be held remotely via video teleconference. If you would like to speak at this public hearing you must register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_R7VZcbCZRwqWickNDZKfVw . Participants who join the video/audio conference will be enabled to speak by the meeting chair. Speakers will be allowed to address the County Commissioners for up to two (2) minutes. Public Comment may also be submitted in advance by email at wchearing@co.worcester.md.us or in writing received on or before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, May 4, 2020 in the County Commissioners Office at Room 1103 Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. The meeting will be streamed live on the County website https://worcestercountymd.swagit.com/live at: 7:00 P.M., Tuesday, May 5, 2020 General Fund requested expenditures consolidated on March 17, 2020 exceeded available revenues (based upon current tax rates) by $11,326,214. Due to COVID-19, revisions to revenues and expenditures have been reduced in anticipation of economic forecasts which now amends the shortfall to $272,504. This difference must be reconciled by the County Commissioners either through reductions in expenditures or increases in taxes, fees and/or use of Budget Stabilization Funds. Copies of the requested and revised budgets are available for public inspection on the Worcester County website at www.co.worcester.md.us. GENERAL FUND ESTIMATED REVENUES
Property Taxes
Requested Budget
Covid-19 Revised
Requested Budget
Covid-19 Revised
$ 145,059,221
$ 145,059,221
Licenses & Permits
2,506,182
2,506,182
Income Taxes
30,000,000
26,500,000
Charges for Services
6,558,570
6,558,570
Other Local Taxes
13,781,000
13,781,000
Fines & Forfeits
52,700
52,700
1,811,823
1,811,823
1,500,000
850,000
369,957
369,957
440,561
440,561
5,354,372
5,266,872
2,497,400
2,497,400
TOTAL ESTIMATED REQUESTED & REVISED REVENUES $ 209,931,786
$ 205,694,286
State Shared Federal Grants State Grants
Interest Misc/Sale of Assets/& Other Transfers In – Casino/Local Impact Grant Funds
GENERAL FUND ESTIMATED EXPENDITURES Requested Budget
Covid-19 Revised
$ 98,529,334 12,494,881
$ 94,611,239 12,494,881
477,315
302,315
Circuit Court
1,286,419
1,283,919
Commission On Aging
1,505,778
1,450,878
980,197
983,367
Debt Service (less Education Debt)
1,440,788
1,440,788
Development Review & Permitting
1,872,260
1,787,703
Board of Education: Operating Expenses Debt Payments to be paid on behalf Boat Landings
County Administration
Requested Budget
Covid-19 Revised
Library
2,826,767
2,669,521
Maintenance
1,278,217
1,053,342
Mosquito Control
223,830
189,405
Natural Resources
521,254
521,254
28,294
27,800
2,690,284
2,451,284
730,745
589,787
2,003,395
1,826,205
663,852
607,152
1,798,342
1,646,232
85,001
75,000
972,486
839,886
Orphan's Court Other General Government Other General Government:
Economic Development
(State Dept. of Assessment Operating Exp)
448,471
395,738
Elections
1,057,341
1,054,533
Parks Public Works Administration
Emergency Services
3,350,706
3,020,315
Recreation
Environmental Programs
1,548,032
1,423,749
Recreation & Culture
Extension Office
206,697
206,697
Recycling
Fire Marshal
551,353
516,664
Roads
4,441,199
3,496,753
Grants to Towns
7,242,640
5,986,250
Sheriff
8,827,604
7,455,700
Health Department
5,683,797
5,683,797
Social Service Groups
841,368
675,078
Homeowner Convenience Centers
797,716
687,716
State’s Attorney
1,482,633
1,484,463
Human Resources
471,341
435,691
Taxes Shared w/ Towns
2,645,257
2,345,257
Information Technology
522,436
522,386
Tourism
1,331,527
1,264,727
23,916,877
21,584,483
Treasurer
1,224,778
1,163,841
756,945
0
Vol. Fire Co. & Ambulance Co.
9,418,369
7,861,124
9,663,352
9,431,748
Wor-Wic Community College
2,418,122
2,418,122
Insurance & Benefits: (Includes OPEB-all employees) Interfund Jail
TOTAL REQUESTED & REVISED EXPENDITURES $ 221,258,000 $ 205,966,790
Commentary
Ocean City Today May 1, 2020
Page 27
What can we do? Exercise caution As politicians, businesspeople, some economists and libertarian-minded individuals agitate for an end to the covid19 lockdowns, the argument invariably brings up the relatively small percentage of virus-related deaths versus the economic ruin these restrictions will cause. But the question that’s seldom discussed, as we argue over whether the exercise of common sense might negate the need for these repressive measures, is what the covid-19 numbers might be now if governors had not acted as they did. The anti-restriction perspective asserts that, given the devastating economic problems that could lie ahead, we might be better off with less government control and more responsible common sense behavior by the citizenry. If only common sense was that common. If it was, to cite some examples from everyday life, we wouldn’t have motorcycle helmet laws, or speed limits. We wouldn’t have laws that prohibit throwing objects at vehicles, property or persons, or have, as Ocean City does, a law that prohibits landing an aircraft in town. Obviously, government officials and ordinary citizens have seen common sense thrown out the window so many times that it defies the imagination to believe that suddenly it will dominate our behavior. Hence these shackles on our liberties. The question, however, remains: have these lockdowns done more harm than good? That is unknowable. The only estimate of the death toll of an unchecked covid-19 pandemic in the public conversation comes from Imperial College, London, where researchers in March concluded that the covid-19 fatalities in this country alone would be in the range of 2 million ... as compared to the current 60,000-65,000. Is that overblown? Maybe. Then again, maybe not. Common sense suggests that governments need to react to what’s in front of them based on the advice of experts and their own opinions of public behavior. After that, no one can say definitively what we need to do, other than to proceed with caution and not swing too far in either direction.
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, Morgan Pilz, ...................................... Joshua Kim, Elizabeth Bonin ASSISTANT PUBLISHER .......................... Elaine Brady ACCOUNT MANAGERS............................ Mary Cooper CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER .... Nancy MacCubbin SENIOR DESIGNER ................................ Susan Parks GRAPHIC ARTISTS ................ Kelly Brown, Kyle Phillips 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 2020
PUBLIC EYE
Navy reveals aliens
This explains everything. I’m referring to the Pentagon’s revelation this week that videos taken by Navy pilots in 2004 and 2015 really are recordings of Unexplained Aerial Phenomenon in our skies. So now, when we have reached a point where nothing makes any sense, we know why: we have been and continued to be secretly ruled by aliens. Obviously, Trump has been worrying about the wrong By aliens all this time. Instead of Stewart focusing on the southwest, he should have gone to Congress Dobson for funding to build not a wall, but a space shield between us and Alpha Centauri. Not that it would have mattered, because it’s way too late for that: we have been taken over by the Pod People and didn’t even know it. We realize now that the “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” in which the Pod People debuted in 1956 and then reappeared in several remakes, was not an unsettling piece of fiction at all, but a documentary shot by someone who, as is always the case with Pod People invasions, is no longer with us to explain how he or she got the footage. If you think I’m wrong and are skeptical of the existence of Pod People, I offer two strong pieces of evidence, the first of which are these Navy films. Clearly, someone or something was here that did not file a flight plan. Secondly, why do you think they call them Podcasts? Or iPods? Or Storage Pods? Well, that’s exactly what these latter pods are for: they harbor the extraterrestrials until they can take over a human body, which is then discarded as inferior, presumably along with Win-
dows 8, tape cassettes, and fondue. And iPods? It makes complete sense now that the reason Apple Inc. was so far ahead of its computer-code writing competitors in those earlier years is that Steve Jobs was not from this planet. Interestingly, Elon Musk, Strange-Dude-in-Chief of Tesla, just seems like an alien, while Justin Bieber ... oh come on, we’ve all known for a long time. And Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg? Has anyone ever actually seen him blink? I did just one time: his eyelids closed sideways. Fans of the fact-based television show “Ancient Aliens” will read this and go, “Yep, u-huh, tell it like it is, brother,” because they have been tuned into the truth for years. I mean just think about how our society has changed over the last several decades. At one time, for instance, this country’s favorite condiment was ketchup, Heinz 57, in fact. Now? It’s salsa. What does that tell you? Further, if you asked your grandparents if they could imagine gathering around the television to watch “My 600-Pound Life,” they would call you nuts. The truth is the stars are Pod People, multifamily occupancy. Politically speaking, the Pod People have been in charge for decades. Look at Sen. Mitch McConnell. Any questions? The continuing uproar over disinformation campaigns, nut-job conspiracy theories, the unstoppable spread of surveillance, paralyzing political discord and, yes, the invention of Almond Milk, are the products of one thing: Pod People aliens. Thank you, U.S. Navy, for revealing the truth, because some of us were having a tough time believing that we were really that crazy. Now we know, it’s not us at all. Oh, and this fascination with taking Selfies everywhere, apparently to prove your own existence? Alien all the way.
PAGE 28
Ocean City Today
MAY 1, 2020
OP-ED
We will defeat covid-19, but at what cost? By Alfred Grasso Contributing Writer (May 1, 2020) As of this writing, 49,963 Americans have perished to covid-19 and 869,172 US cases have been confirmed. In response, governors across the country are following CDC guidelines and have issued shelter-in-place orders with exceptions for essential services only. Over 26 million Americans are now unemployed, wiping out the post-recession employment gains. We have all been touched by covid-19 in some way; whether you or someone you know has contracted the virus, become unemployed or worst case, perished from this horrible disease. What’s clear is that we are all scared and that is understandable. A phased approach to re-opening the economy has now been developed. The three phases are intended to balance the risk of contracting the virus with the dire consequences of the current remedies. While the decision lies with the governors of each State, the CDC and
White House have issued guidelines that are based on up-to-date data and readiness, mitigating the risk of resurgence, and protecting the most vulnerable. We now turn to our state leadership to Lead. The safe and easy response is to go slow and avoid additional deaths attributed to the virus. However, what is needed is a balanced approach that avoids systemwide risks. We will defeat covid-19, but at what human costs if we move too slowly? Let’s look at some less-discussed statistics. Suicide hotline calls and reported domestic abuse cases have increased 10-20 percent since shelter-in-place orders were declared. Calls to suicide hotlines in Philadelphia have increased about 10 percent in the last few weeks, said Omoiye Kinney, the communications director at the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disability Services (DBHIDS) which oversees two hotlines. Of 22 law enforcements polled by NBC News in early April 2020, 18 agencies stated that they had seen a rise of domestic abuse reports in the previous month ranging from 5 percent to well over 20 percent. In the United States, an average of 20 people experience intimate partner physical violence every minute.
This equates to more than 10 million abuse victims annually, 1 in 3 female murder victims and 1 in 20 male murder victims are killed by intimate partners. Seventy-two percent of all murdersuicides are perpetrated by intimate partners. This rise in covid-related domestic abuse cases and suicide hotline calls can account for tens of thousands of deaths nationwide and many more worldwide. We have yet to understand the effect of long-term closures on those with addiction issues. The United States was struggling with an opioid crisis long before this outbreak. 2018 data shows that every day, 128 people in the United States die after overdosing on opioids. Could a longer “shutdown” have a more devastating effect on those involved in an opioid or other type of addiction? According to Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) a $20 billion wine and spirits distribution company, sales of spirits jumped by around 50 percent for the week ending March 21. According to Nielsen data, the overall increase nationally for the week, was a 55 percent spike in sales. An estimated 88,000 people (approximately 62,000 men and 26,000 women) die from alcohol-related causes annually, making alcohol the third leading preventable cause of
death in the United States. The first is tobacco, and the second is poor diet and physical inactivity. The closure of schools and gyms is contributing to a lack of physical activity and a poor diet for children dependent on school lunches. While shelter-in-place orders minimize the physical risk of contracting covid-19, these orders have clearly caused a rise in psychological and emotional risks that are known to result in equally devastating physical consequences that will endure well after we defeat the risks associated with contracting this virus. Today, The New York Times published, “Instead of coronavirus, the hunger will kill us,” citing the World Food Program estimates that 265 million people could be pushed to the brink of starvation by the end of the year. The White House and CDC phased approach tries to balance both sides of this equation. The governors must do the same. We must not move too quickly so as to overwhelm and imperil our healthcare systems. But we cannot move so slowly that we do not account for the enduring damage done by closing our economies and shuttering ourselves indoors. Here is my message to my governor. 1) Strengthen our statewide healthcare system. Protect the staff and See AT Page 29
MAY 1, 2020
PAGE 29
Ocean City Today
OP-ED
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
At what cost?
Send hugging heart to local AGH heroes
Continued from Page 28 workers, ensure adequate facilities and supplies, increase capacity by balancing the load statewide, recruit a reserve and ready healthcare workforce: doctors, nurses, EMTs, etc. 2) Test, test and test more. Set up safe and efficient screening and testing sites. Prioritize not only symptomatic individuals but also those most vulnerable. Trace contacts of covid-positive results, test and isolate if needed. Provide added assistance and resources to those most vulnerable; the elderly, those with pre-existing conditions and/or addictions. 3) Pay close attention and respond accordingly to psychologically induced consequences such as increase in suicides, domestic abuse or alcohol- and drug-related incidents. 4) Follow the White House and CDC gating criteria closely, but don’t hold back. Place confidence in your healthcare system and begin opening the economy as soon as the criteria are satisfied. 5) Monitor the situation closely and be prepared to make changes. Create plans by region so as not to create undue stress in areas that are less affected. (Mr. Grasso, a resident of Lewes, Delaware, is the former president and CEO of The MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit company operating federally funded research and development organizations. He held the position from 2006-2017 and currently serves as a consultant. He is a member of the Defense Science Board and a former member of the Army Science Board. He is a Ted Talk participant, and is a member of the National Academy of Science’s Government, University and Industry Research Roundtable).
Editor, All of us have seen the images on the news showing the brave caregivers who every day put their lives on the line for us. We have our own local heroes here at Atlantic General Hospital who are working hard to keep us healthy and safe. These are our friends and neighbors – doctors, nurses, aides, office staff, lab technicians, ambulance drivers, housekeeping staff, maintenance, food preparation staff, and so many others. We need to show them we think and care about them. We are calling on our community to show support for our local caregivers at AGH by sending hugging hearts with messages of encouragement and support to the hospital. You can download images of the hugging heart from the Art League’s website at www.ArtLeagueOfOceanCity.org or on the Art League’s Facebook page. The hugging heart is available as both a color image to print directly on home printers, and also as a coloring bookstyle page that can be printed for children and family art projects. Finished hearts can be mailed through the Post Office to: Atlantic General Hospital, Att: Caroline Phillips, 10320 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin, Maryland 21811. Or digital hearts can be uploaded to COVID19donations@atlanticgeneral.org. Thank you, neighbors, for having a heART and sending a hug to those we count on. Rina Thaler Executive Director, The Art League of Ocean City
Opening economy too soon could hurt us This letter was sent to President Donald Trump and forwarded to Ocean City Today Dear President Trump: I am writing to you to express my deep concern about the direction that this country is going under your chaotic leadership from the Oval Office as we battle the covid-19 virus.
I understand the increased level of frustration that a reported minority of people are experiencing because of the stay at home orders that the governors of most states have issued. Now to get more specific. I have seen you on television say that you, as President, had the power to declare, possibly as early as May 1, 2020, that our economy was opening for business. This was quickly followed by a pronouncement that really that power rested in the hands of the governors. And now I have watched the reports on television about demonstrators in the streets demanding that these stay at home orders be relaxed in order for some businesses to begin to open, etc. The really sad part of all of this is the total lack of your support for the governors as they try with all their heart to protect the safety and well-being of their citizens. In fact, I view many of your comments on this issue as undermining the governors while encouraging these protestors to continue their demonstrations. My greatest fear is that your behavior on this issue could lead to riots in the streets similar to what we had in Charlottesville, Virginia, a few years ago. I believe that we have come a long way in our battle against this invisible enemy. However, we should not attempt to reopen the economy before steps are in place to do it in a safe and orderly manner. This includes a number of steps that have been identified by your Task Force such as wide-spread testing, tracing, etc. As horrific as this virus has been, it would be devastating to find ourselves back to square one in this battle because we opened the economy too soon. In closing, I ask that you be less concerned about the stock market while paying greater attention to the medical and scientific professionals that can provide you with sound advice as to the best way to move forward in these difficult times. After all, we only get one-shot at getting it right the first time! Harry W. Yeich Ocean City
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MAY 1, 2020
Ocean City Today
Art material kits useful for various assignments, crafts Continued from Page 25 our employees and not bringing any income in either,” Thaler said. “So, I appealed to our board of directors to put in the money for the donation, and they donated $900 for the first round of the kits, which provided the initial 350. “Our board felt very committed to helping the youth,” she continued. “As a non-profit organization, even though we’re facing a lot of financial challenges right now, we couldn’t turn our back on the kids of Worcester County ... they need us. In addition to the art supplies, the Art League also provided a Heart with a Hug poster for families to color and post to their windows to show their support for emergency responders and essential workers. Thaler also asking the organization’s grant providers to raise more money to pay for another round of 350 kits. Mullis of the Worcester County Arts Council was happy to help the students in any way she could. “We know how challenging it is for [students] to be away from school, from teachers, from their normal environment and being at home, a lot of students don’t have access to essential materials,” Mullis said. “It was very important for us to reach out and show support to the schools and show that the community really cares for our schools. “I hope the students will feel comforted by the fact that there are community organizations thinking about them,” she continued. “I hope that
they will be able to create something colorful and inspiring to help them move forward.” The Worcester County Arts Council also gave 350 kits, and if the need arises, will donate more in the near future. Mills is thrilled that the Art League and Arts Council was able to help. “We thought it was important, because while we do have a lot of students with materials at home, we also are very aware that we have a large number of students who don’t have access to those things at all,” Mills said. “Within the first week of online learning, we got a couple of responses from kids saying that they didn’t have drawing paper at home and to please accept this assignment in a different material because they didn’t have things like crayons or markers. “We knew there was a gap, but it became more evident as the learning began,” she continued. “We really wanted to quickly get some materials to students for them to complete assignments with those materials.” In addition to the kits helping students perform their assignments, Mills also believes it will be useful for students’ emotional and mental health. “It’s also a way for students to create in a time of crisis, art and music … their special area subjects are so important because it allows them to express emotion,” Mills said. “It allows them to work through their feelings of anxiety or depression at this time. Those areas are vital right now.”
HOROSCOPE ARIES – Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, others want to lure you into their shenanigans, but you don’t need to worry about falling prey. You stick to your own ways of doing things.
TAURUS – Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you may need to take a different and unusual approach to get things accomplished this week. Do not be afraid to take the bull by the horns if it is necessary.
GEMINI – May 22/Jun 21 Thinking outside of the box is something that you do with frequency, Gemini. Although others may not be sure of your unconventional methods, you always get things done. PHOTO COURTESY AMARA MILLS
Art material kits, donated by the Art League of Ocean City and the Worcester County Arts Council in Berlin, include paper, markers, colored pencils, crayons and erasers, among other items.
Market will change after covid-19 as well as voice-controlled home automation should see a surge with the constant need to hand wash and the reminder to wash your hands after you touch anything and before you touch your face. There is even technology being introduced that automatically opens doorknobs for hands-free entry to your home. HVAC purification systems: Homeowners will want to be able to breathe easy that the air in their own homes is safe. Taking the next step beyond a one room air purifier, upgrades to whole house HVAC systems are available, such as the award-winning REME HALO in-duct air purifier, which reaches every cubic inch of air that your central ac can reach.
Cancer, anxiety about starting a new path or chapter in your life is completely normal. Look forward to all of the positive things that may be in store soon enough.
LEO – Jul 23/Aug 23 Mental health, Mills said, is just as important to student’s education as math, science and English and helps keep them engaged. “Getting a student to talk about music at the dinner table from an activity that they did or getting them to sit down and create a drawing. It just releases so much stress, it helps calm children. It’s really important to make sure that we don’t just ignore those content areas right now, but rather embrace them in a way that allows students to physically and mentally be well.” Fifty of the school material kits will be available at each food site location offered by the Worcester County Public Schools.
REAL ESTATE REPORT
By Lauren Bunting Contributing Writer (May 1, 2020) We all want to see the pandemic come to an end, but realize the return to normal life will be a gradual progression—and one that will bring along changes in the way we live. When it comes to real estate and your home, some of the changes that might come about in your home design and renovation decisions could be: Home offices: With many working from home right now, if you don’t already have a designated home office, you are probably working from your kitchen counter or your dining room table. Additions might include home office space that will allow for uninterrupted video conferencing calls. Touchless in-home technology: Touchless faucets and light switches,
CANCER – Jun 22/Jul 22
This whole home in-duct air purifier is designed to reduce odors and air pollutants and it’s effective against particulates, microbials and gases. This system has been thoroughly tested on airborne and surface bacteria and viruses, such as MRSA, e-coli, and Norwalk, to name a few. Bigger pantries: The need to stock up on food essentials to minimize trips to the grocery store, which in turn, minimizes your risk of exposure to an airborne virus, will prompt more homeowners to expand their pantry closets. Hand washing sink options: With the need to increase hand washing to prevent the spread of the virus, adding utility sinks in garages and half bathrooms could be on the rise. – Lauren Bunting is a licensed Associate Broker with Atlantic Shores Sotheby’s International Realty in Ocean City.
Lend a helping hand to someone who may need a vote of confidence or some words of support this week, Leo. Your efforts will be appreciated very much.
VIRGO – Aug 24/Sept 22 Make the most of luck that comes to you this week, Virgo. Do not speculate why such good fortune comes your way, but embrace it with an open heart.
LIBRA – Sept 23/Oct 23 Do not rush to judgment on any situation or person for the time being. All of the facts have not come to light or sharpened. But the truth will soon reveal itself, Libra.
SCORPIO – Oct 24/Nov 22 Scorpio, someone close to you needs space this week, so give them some room to breathe. Find a way to keep busy as this person works through what he or she needs.
SAGITTARIUS – Nov 23/Dec 21 Sagittarius, a competitive coworker is pushing hard to be on top. Use this as motivation as you to strive to become the best version of yourself you can be.
CAPRICORN – Dec 22/Jan 20 Capricorn, you feel confident moving forward with a relationship after a heart-to-heart talk. Now this week you can cultivate this relationship even further.
AQUARIUS – Jan 21/Feb 18 Share your thoughts and feelings with someone who is unbiased if you want an accurate assessment of what you need to do to improve, Aquarius. A willing listener is quite helpful to you.
PISCES – Feb 19/Mar 20 Pisces, you will need patience in spades this week. Others may not be able to maintain your pace, so give them the benefit of the doubt.
MAY 1, 2020
Ocean City Today
PAGE 31
OBITUARIES KRISTIE ANN DENNISON Ocean City Kristie Ann Dennison, age 67, died Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Harrison House of Snow Hill in Snow Hill, Maryland. Born in Washington D.C., she was the beloved daughter of the late Ernest E. and Shirley F. Miller Dennison. She is survived by Kristie Dennison her sisters, Cyndy Dennison of Ocean City, Maryland, and Sherry Dabney (David) of Bethany Beach, Delaware. Also surviving are her nephews, Matthew Dennison, Jimi Dennison (Maria) and Peyton Miller Bernell; cousins, Kara Moyer, Patrick Moyer (Selena), Megan Moyer and Michael Moyer; sister-in-law, Anne Dennison Creech; and uncle, George E Miller III. Preceding her in death was her twin, brother Kevin, and Stephen Dennison. Kristie was a graduate of Wheaton High School. Her great love was her music and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed the beach life, a beautiful sunrise, sunset, a good fried shrimp platter, watching anything sports oriented and the Hallmark Channel at Christmas. A graveside service will be held at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, Maryland, and will be private for the family. A donation in her memory may be made to the Worcester County Developmental Center, 8545 Newark Rd, Newark, Maryland 21841. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. RICHARD DENNIS ZIMMERMAN Ocean City Richard Dennis “Denny” Zimmerman, age 74, of Ocean City, Maryland, formerly of Frederick, Maryland, died Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Maryland. He was born in Frederick, Maryland, Dec. 15, 1945, to the late Harry and OcR. Zimmerman tavia Gosnell Zimmerman. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bonnie Zimmerman, and daughters, Wendi Eitel and her husband, Steve, and Holli Foltz and her husband, Marc. He is also survived by grandchildren, Collin, Meredith, Max and Ethan. He will also be missed by his “best dog ever,” Odie. Denny was a 1963 graduate of Middletown High School, Middletown, Maryland, and then attended Tennessee Tech in Knoxville, Tennessee.
He was a member of Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frederick, Maryland and The Elks Lodge of Frederick and Ocean City, Maryland. Denny was retired from Frito Lay and Frederick Coca Cola. Cremation followed his death. A service will take place at a later date and will be private for the family. A donation in his memory may be made to: The COPD Foundation, donations@copdfoundation.org. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com. MARY JAYNE MOTES Ocean City Mary Jayne Motes, age 73, died on Sunday, April 19, 2020, at her home. Born in Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of the late A. Ritchey and Mary Sanker Ritchey. She was preceded in death by her husband, John R. Motes, in 2009, and stepsons, Freddie and Mary Motes John Motes. She is survived by a brother, Daniel Ritchey and his wife, Dianna, and best friend and “sister,” Judie Keller. Mrs. Motes had worked as a clerk for Peebles Department Store. Mary Jane had a smile that would light up a room and a laugh that was
so infectious you were sure to end up with a sore stomach. She loved deeply and if you were lucky enough to have a place in her heart you were blessed with a friend who would be there through thick and thin. When asked for her opinion she was sure not to sugar coat how she felt and told you exactly how it was. Nothing said party time like Mary Janes arrival with her famous deviled eggs in hand. When she wasn’t out and about with her loved ones she was at home snuggled up with her cats Moo Moo and Cali. She adored her cats and would often refer to them as her babies. She was no stranger to working hard although she was not well enough to work toward the end of her life. She kept working as long as she possibly could and returned to work as quickly as possible after her first few hospital visits. Even though she will be greatly missed we are thankful that she will be joining her husband, J.R, and many other loved ones in heaven. Rip Mary Jayne. A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park and will be private for the family. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin. ROBERT F. BOWMAN Ocean City Robert F. Bowman, 84, of Ocean City, passed away in his home on Thursday, April 16, 2020. He was born in Washington, D.C., raised in Edinburg, Virginia, and then moved back to D.C. He was the son of the late Leo and Mary Frances Bowman. Robert Bowman Robert (Bob) will be greatly missed by his daughter, Lisa A. Zimmerman; son-in-law, Mark; three grandchildren, Kara, Kelsi and Zackery Zimmerman; and countless life-long friends. Bob was preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 57 years, Rita, and siblings, Patricia Lipincyski, Judy Anderson and Leo Bowman Jr. Bob served as a private in the Army, a D.C. firefighter, a bailiff at P.G. County Circuit Court, a ground’s manager at Pepco, and finished his career at FEMA. Bob and Rita raised Lisa in the Bowie-Crofton, Maryland area from 1968 to 1992 and then moved to Ocean City where they became active Continued on Page 32
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Ocean City Today
MAY 1, 2020
OBITUARIES Continued from Page 31 members of the Ocean City Elk’s Lodge. As a member of the Elk’s Lodge, Bob was a founder of Guns N’ Hoses and was recognized as Officer of the Year. Bob was a loyal Redskins and Nationals fan and loved watching the games with Rita. The devoted grandfather loved spending time with his family, enjoyed baking, fishing and wood craftsmanship. Bob and Rita could be found tearing up the dance floor on any given Friday night in their younger years. Bob was known for his big laugh and even bigger heart, unfailing wisdom, and his storytelling abilities. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. Until then, continue to celebrate love and life with those closest to you, just as Bob did. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com. NEVADA MARY CARPENTER Newark Nevada Mary Carpenter, age 81, died Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at her home. Born in Lewes, Delaware, she was the daughter of the late Zed Henry Jarvis and Katherine Ann Smith Jarvis. She was preceded in death by her husN. Carpenter band, John Lee Carpenter, and by two children, Kenny Jarvis and Denise Short. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Lou Carpenter, of Newark; Jimmy Carpenter, and his wife, Cindy, of Tennessee; and Dennis Carpenter and his wife, Karen, of Berlin. There are 23 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, including a beloved granddaughter, Mary Ellen Carpenter-Mayo; a daughter-in-law, Beth Jarvis of Parsonsburg; and son-in-law, Jim Short of Frederick, Maryland. Also surviving are her sisters, Eloise Carpenter, Ethel Hickman, Lula Hawkins and Hester Jarvis, and brothers, Earl Jarvis, Charles Jarvis and Edward Jarvis, all of Delaware. There are numerous nieces and nephews. Also preceding her in death were four brothers, Otis, Harry, Raymond and Thomas Jarvis, and two sisters, Alice Truitt and Ellen Murzyn. She also leaves behind her dearest and much loved pets, cat, Lovey, and dogs, Coffee and Ellie May. Nevada had worked many years with the Harrison Group in Ocean City in housekeeping, and at Frontier Town. She was a devoted member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean
City, the Elks Lodge in Delaware and had been a Cub Scout Troop Leader. She loved cooking, sewing, gardening and singing. But most of all, she loved her grandchildren and her large family. A graveside service will be held and will be private for the family. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. A donation in her memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, Virginia 22312, or the Worcester County Humane Society, P.O. Box 48, Berlin, Maryland 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.
Tull. There are eight grandchildren, Zoe, Jason, Samuel, Nathan, Brianna, Trevor, Wyatt and Manuel, and several nieces and nephews, close friends, including special friends, Robert “Fish” Fisher and Douglas Gibbons. Preceding him in death was a brother, Roger Bloxom, and a sister, Donna Tull. Larry was a graduate of Stephen Decatur High School, and received his associate’s degree from Delaware Tech Community College. He had worked as a police officer for the Town of Berlin.
An avid hunter and fisherman, he was president of the West Ocean City Hunt Club, proud 30-year member of the Berlin Fire Company, and charter member of Berlin FOP Lodge 136. Larry was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, and will be missed greatly. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. A donation in his memory may be made to the Berlin Fire Company, 214 N. Main St., Berlin, Maryland 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com. Arrangements are I the care of the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin.
CROSSWORD
ELIZABETH DORNAN Bishopville Elizabeth Dornan, age 86, of Bishopville, died Monday, April 13, 2020, at Coastal Hospice At The Lake in Salisbury. Elizabeth was born in Lisburn, Ireland, and was the daughter of the late Dermott and Rose Dornan. She was a retired bank manager from the former Nations Bank and was a member of the Red Hat Society. She is survived by two sons, Robert J. Dornan (Susan) of Bowie, Maryland, and James P. Dornan of Fairfax, Virginia; three sisters, Patsy Kerr, Kitty Grogan and Enia Mulholland, all of Ireland; three grandchildren, Chason Harrell, Ethan Harrell and Emily Harrell, and a son-in-law, Mason Harrell. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Dornan; a daughter, Rosemary Harrell; and two brothers, Dermott Dornan and Edward Dornan. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. Condolences may be sent by visiting www.bishophastingsfh.com. WILLIAM BLOXOM Newark William “Larry” Bloxom, age 70, died Monday, April 20, 2020, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born in Lewes, Delaware, he was the son of the late Greer and Colleen Bloxom. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Sue Bloxom; and children, Sean G.A. OdeWilliam Bloxom gaard and his wife, Debbie, Shane L. Odegaard and companion, Kelly, Michele C. Shaffer and her husband, Bryan, and Skye A. Odegaard; daughter-in-law, Meghan Odegaard; brother, David Bloxom and his wife, Sharon; and brother-in-law, David
Answers on page 8
MAY 1, 2020
PAGE 33
Ocean City Today / Public Notices
TOWN O F OCEAN N C IT TY O PERA ATING BUDG GET T FISC CAL YEA AR 202 21 BE IT ENACTED AND ORDAINED by the Mayor and Council of Ocean City, Maryland, that the following fund revenue and departmental expenditures, together with certain restrictions and authorizations are adopted: General Fund
1 ST READING
General Fund
1 ST READING
FY - 2 021 1 A.
F Y - 2 021 1
Anticipated Revenue: Property Taxes
B. Anticipated Expenditures: $
Other Taxes
44,213,864
General Government
20,319,523
Public Safety
$
4,181,274 38,451,321
Licenses and Permits
4,322,150
General Public Works/Beach Maintenance
Revenue From Other Agencies
5,316,167
Sanitation and Waste Removal
6,712,250
Charges For Current Services
11,190,940
Highways and Streets
5,787,736
5,989,003
Fines and Forfeitures
849,400
Economic Development - Tourism
7,923,553
Other Revenue
803,370
Culture and Recreation
8,459,875
Prior Year Reserves Total Revenue
1,707,477 $
88,722,891
Debt Service
5,175,977
Total Expenditures
$
82,680,989
To Transportation Fund
1,387,206
To Airport Fund
313,171
To Convention Center Total Revenue
$
88,722,891
and Other Financing Sources
To Capital Projects Total Expenditures
Co C onnveenntiio onn Waateerr
Trraannsp po orrtaatiio onn
Service Charges
$
6,697,495 $
Aiirrp po orrt
C Co ouurrsee
4,481,576 $
1,922,461 $
14,413,210 $
1,107,727 $
2,232,134
0
0
191,400
0
0
Grants
0
1,445,782
1,631,525
0
2,090,000
0
Food and Beverage Tax
0
0
1,540,000
0
0
0
Prior Year Reserves
0
116,000
14,000
0
0
6,411
$
0 6,807,115 $
1,387,206 7,430,564 $
1,581,525 6,689,511 $
0 14,604,610 $
313,171 3,510,898 $
0 2,238,545
$
2,224,451 $
3,984,368 $
3,170,050 $
4,147,104 $
357,728 $
1,149,003
2,897,253
3,378,196
1,748,835
3,956,847
872,131
1,075,069
Capital Outlay
825,000
68,000
31,700
2,549,272
2,200,000
14,473
Debt Service
860,411
0
1,569,121
3,951,387
81,039
0
Anticipated Expenditures: Personal Services Non-Personal Services
Transfer to Reserves Total Expenditures
0 6,807,115 $
$
0 7,430,564 $
169,805 6,689,511 $
0 14,604,610 $
0 3,510,898 $
0 2,238,545
Information
Service
Ve ehicle
Ri sk
Pen sion &
Capi tal
Technology
Cen ter
Trustt
Managemen t
OPEB Trustt
Projects
Anticipated Revenue: Charges to Other Funds
$
8,150,104 $
0
Investment Earnings/Other
0
0
0
38,380
5,770,000
0
Employee Contributions
0
0
0
0
2,012,000
0
Sale of Capital Assets/Lease Rev
0
0
526,009
0
0
0
Prior Year Reserves
0
0
190,526
0
0
General Fund Contribution Total Revenue B.
Waasteewaateerr
109,620
Transfer-In From General Fund Total Revenue
A.
G Go ollff
C Ceennteerr
Anticipated Revenue: Capacity/Impact Fees
B.
2,760,000 88,722,891
$
and Other Financing Uses
Enterprise Funds: A.
1,581,525
2,277,887 $
4,714,893 $
3,234,856 $
0 3,951,391 $
2,537,707 $
0 2,576,087 $
0
$
0 2,277,887 $
0 4,714,893 $
0 15,932,104 $
3,020,000 3,020,000
$
1,097,683 $
1,744,946 $
1,180,204
2,969,947
1,003,432
2,208,472
1,045,000
0 $
0 0
Debt Service
0
0
986,372
0
0
0
Capital Outlay
0
0
1,961,587
0
0
0
Benefit Payments
0
0
0
0
9,650,000
0
Transfer to Reserves
0
0
0
80,000
5,237,104
Anticipated Expenditures: Personal Services Non-Personal Services
Capital Projects Total Expenditures
$
0 2,277,887 $
0 4,714,893 $
0 $
0 3,951,391 $
287,615 $
0 2,576,087 $
0 15,932,104 $
0 3,020,000 3,020,000
Special Authorization - Budget Manager The Budget Manager shall be authorized to reallocate departmental appropriations among the various objects of expenditures as she deems necessary. Such changes shall be approved by the Finance Administrator & City Manager Restrictions - City Manager: A.
The utilization of any contingency appropriation shall be accomplished only with prior authorization from the Mayor and Council.
B.
Utilization of appropriations established in the Capital Improvement Fund may be accomplished only with the express approval of the Mayor and Council.
Tax Rate: An Ad Valorem Tax Rate of $0.4559 per $100 of assessed valuation of real property and a rate of $1.14 per $100 of assessed valuation of corporate and personal property tax is required to fund this budget. INTRODUCED at a meeting of the City Council of Ocean City, Maryland held on May 4, 2020. SECOND READING of this ordinance shall be held at a meeting of the Mayor and City Council on May 18,2020.
OCD-4/23/2t
PAGE 34
MAY 1, 2020
Ocean City Today / Public Notices
NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARING WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AGENDA
THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 Pursuant to the provisions of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance and due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and in lieu of public appearance, notice is hereby given that the public hearing will be held remotely by conference call with the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County. Directions for joining and participating in the hearing will be posted on the County website on April 30, 2020. 6:30 p.m. Case No. 20-19, on the lands of Noel Arciaga, requesting a variance to the Ordinance prescribed side yard setback from 8 feet to 5.57 feet (an encroachment of 2.43 feet) associated with a proposed wheelchair ramp in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1206(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 88 Cresthaven Drive, approximately 1,068 feet west of Marview Drive, Tax Map 16, Parcel 46, Section 9, Lot 555 of the Ocean Pines Subdivision, in the Third Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:35 p.m. Case No. 20-20, on the lands of Ashley Phillips, requesting a variance to the Ordinance prescribed front yard setback from 100 feet from an arterial highway to 84.8 feet (an encroachment of 15.2 feet) associated with a proposed attached garage and living space additions to an existing single-family dwelling and an after-the-fact variance to the Ordinance prescribed side yard setback from 15.04 feet to 1 foot (an encroachment of 14.04 feet) associated with a detached garage in the A-2 Agricultural District pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-202(b)(5), ZS 1-202(d)(2), ZS 1122 and ZS 1-305, located at 11317 Worcester Highway (US Route 113), approximately 280 feet south of Racetrack Road (MD Route 589), Tax Map 15, Parcel 57, in the Third Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:40 p.m. Case No. 20-25, on the lands of Michal Pawlowski, requesting a variance to the Ordinance prescribed lot width for proposed Lot 1 from 60 feet to 37 feet (a reduction of 23 feet); a variance to the Ordinance prescribed side yard setback from 8 feet to 1 foot (an encroachment of 7 feet) for the existing dwelling on proposed Lot 1; and a variance to the Ordinance prescribed minimum width of a flag stem for proposed Lot 2 from 35 feet to 23 feet (a reduction of 12 feet) associated a proposed subdivision in the R-4 General Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1208(b)(2), ZS 1-305, ZS 1-306(a)(6) and ZS 1-311, located at 9840 Keyser Point Road, approximately 500 feet south of Ocean Gateway (US Route 50), Tax Map 26, Parcel 294, in the
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 APRIL 16, 2020 or to have it otherwise disposed of in a manner provided by law. Line No Year 027-20 2010 031-20 2004 037-20 1996 040-20 2007
Make LINCOLN GMC CHEVROLET SATURN
Model MKX SIERRA BLAZER VUE
Color SILVER BLACK BLUE WHITE
Style TK TK SUV Tk
VIN 2LMDJ6JC2ABJ20117 1GTGC23U44F105093 1GNCS18W1TK171085 5GZCZ63407S861048
Mileage N/A N/A 264727 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-4/16/3t ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Tenth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:45 p.m. Case No. 20-27, on the application of Mark S. Cropper, Esquire, on the lands of Cox 122 Raceway, LLC, requesting a variance to the Ordinance prescribed front yard setback off Ocean Gateway (MD Route 50) from 100 feet to 51.2 feet (an encroachment of 46.7 feet), and a variance to the Ordinance prescribed front yard setback from Grays Corner Road (MD Route 707) from 50 feet to 11.3 feet (an encroachment of 38.7 feet), and a special exception to increase the height of the fence in the front yard setback to 8 feet, all of which are associated with the proposed expansion of an outdoor seating space associated with an existing restaurant in the C-2 General Commercial District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(3), ZS 1210(b)(2), ZS 1-305 and ZS 1-326, located at 11247 Ocean Gateway, at the intersection with Racetrack Road and Grays Corner Road, Tax Map 21, Parcel 170, in the Third Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:50 p.m. Case No. 20-26, on the application of Mark Stevanus, on the lands of KCK 7 LLC, requesting a special exception (transient use) to establish an outdoor recreational/amusement use (Heavy Metal Playground) and a variance to the Ordinance prescribed front yard setback of 100 feet from an arterial highway to 50 feet (an encroachment of 50 feet) in the C-2 General Commercial District pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1105(c)(5), ZS 1-116(c)(3), ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-305 and ZS 1-337, located at 12325 Old Bridge Road approximately 390 feet east of the intersection with Ocean Gateway (US Route 50), Tax Map 26, Parcel 156, in the Tenth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:55 p.m. Case No. 20-21, on the application of T. Garvey Heiderman, on the
lands of Village Greens Enterprises Limited, requesting a special exception (transient use) to allow compost operations of restaurant food waste in the A-1 Agricultural District pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1105(c)(5), ZS 1-116(c)(3) and ZS 1-337, located on the north side of St. Martins Neck Road approximately 430 feet west of Industrial Park Road, Tax Map 10, Parcel 280, in the Fifth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS OCD-4/23/2t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF APPOINTMENT NOTICE TO CREDITORS NOTICE TO UNKNOWN HEIRS Estate No. 18251 TO ALL PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF MERVIN JAMES BYRD Notice is given that Thomas R. Byrd, 2711 Buford Rd. #379, Chesterfield, VA 23832, was on April 13, 2020 appointed Personal Representative of the estate of Mervin James Byrd who died on March 28, 2020, with a will. Further information can be obtained by reviewing the estate file in the office of the Register of Wills or by contacting the personal representative or the attorney. All persons having any objection to the appointment (or to the probate of the decedent’s will) shall file their objections with the Register of Wills on or before the 13th day of October, 2020. 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. Thomas R. Byrd 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: April 23, 2020 OCD-4/23/3t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARING WORCESTER COUNTY BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS AGENDA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, 2020 Pursuant to the provisions of the Worcester County Zoning Ordinance and due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and in lieu of public appearance, notice is hereby given that the public hearing will be held remotely by conference call with the Board of Zoning Appeals for Worcester County. Directions for joining and participating in the hearing will be posted on the County website on April 30, 2020. 6:30 p.m. Case No. 20-18, on the application of Phillips Signs, Inc., on the lands of
MAY 1, 2020 Singerman Real Estate (dba Outlets Ocean City), requesting a special exception to reconstruct and relocate a legally existing non-conforming pylon sign associated with Outlets Ocean City in the C-2 General Commercial District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(3), ZS 1122(d)(1), ZS 1-210(b)(2), ZS 1-305 and ZS 1-324, located at 12741 Ocean Gateway (US Route 50), on the northwest corner of the intersection with Golf Course Road, Tax Map 27, Parcel 642, in the Tenth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:35 p.m. Case No. 20-24, on the lands of Valeri Tcheremissine, requesting a variance to the Ordinance prescribed front yard setback from 50 feet from the center of the road right-of-way to 32.5 feet (an encroachment of 17.5 feet) associated with a proposed second story addition to an existing dwelling in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1206(b)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 12904 Lake Avenue, on the southeast corner of the intersection with Golf Course Road, Tax Map 22, Parcel 397, Block 14, Lot 5 of the Bayshore Acres Subdivision, in the Tenth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:40 p.m. Case No. 20-23, on the application of Annette Cathell, on the lands of Michael Riordan, requesting a variance to the Ordinance prescribed front yard setback from 50 feet from the center of the road right-of-way to 37 feet (an encroachment of 13 feet) associated with a proposed singlefamily dwelling in the V-1 Village District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1204(b)(2), and ZS 1-305, located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Langmaid Road and Newark Road, Tax Map 40, Parcel 144, in the Fourth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:45 p.m. Case No. 20-22, on the application of Snow Hill Volunteer Fire Company, Inc., on the lands of State of Maryland, requesting a special exception to allow a firehouse in the R1 Rural Residential District, a variance to the Ordinance prescribed side yard setback from 30 feet to 20.9 feet (an encroachment of 9.1 feet) and a variance to the Ordinance prescribed rear yard setback from 30 feet to 0.1 feet (an encroachment of 29.9 feet) associated with the proposed construction of a new firehouse pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(3), 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-205(c)(6) and ZS 1-305, located at 6572 Snow Hill Road approximately 835 feet east of Village Trail, Tax Map 46, Parcel 15, in the Second Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:50 p.m. Case No. 20-17, on the application of Hugh Cropper, IV, Esquire, on the lands of Elwood & Mary Hokanson, requesting an after-the-fact modification to a previously granted variance to the Ordinance prescribed front yard setback from 50 feet from the center of the road right-of-way to 40.1 feet (an encroachment of 9.9 feet) associated with a single-family
PAGE 35
Ocean City Today / Public Notices dwelling in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1206(b)(2), and ZS 1-305, located at 12351 Meadow Drive approximately 0.36 miles southeast of the intersection with Snug Harbor Road, Tax Map 33, Parcel 346, Lot 33 of the Snug Harbor Subdivision, in the Tenth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 6:55 p.m. Case No. 20-4, on the application of Hugh Cropper, IV, Esquire, on the lands of Lawrence and Jacqueline Lieske, requesting a variance to the Ordinance prescribed side yard setback from 6 feet to 3.9 feet (an encroachment of 2.1 feet) associated with a proposed second story deck and stairs and requesting a variance to the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Buffer Management Area (BMA) from 15 feet to 0 feet (an encroachment of 15 feet) associated with an After-the-Fact concrete walkway and patio in the R-2 Suburban Residential District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(4), ZS 1-116(m), ZS 1-205(b)(2), ZS 1305, NR 3-104(c)(4), and NR 3-111 located at 10411 Brighton Road, approximately 465 feet south of Rumgate Road, Tax Map 21, Parcel 8, Section A, Block 9, Lot 28 of the Cape Isle of Wight Subdivision, in the Tenth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. 7:00 p.m. Case No. 20-28, on the application of Hugh Cropper, IV., on the lands of West O Madfish, LLC, requesting a variance to the ordinance prescribed side yard setback from 6’ to 0’ (an encroachment of 6’), and a special exception to allow a 6 foot tall fence in the Ordinance prescribed front yard setback, associated with the proposed re-construction of a restaurant in the CM Commercial Marine District, pursuant to Zoning Code Sections ZS 1-116(c)(3), ZS 1-214(c)(2) and ZS 1-305, located at 12817 Harbor Road, on the northerly side of Harbor Road, approximately 436 feet west of Golf Course Road, Tax Map27, Parcel 376, Lot 44 in the Tenth Tax District of Worcester County, Maryland. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS OCD-4/23/2t _________________________________
tions and minimum lot requirements, including a minimum lot area of twenty-five acres. Such facilities and uses must be in compliance with all building, fire, health, zoning and environmental code requirements. The event must be located not less than five hundred feet from any residential structure on an adjacent property and any amplified music must end by 11:00 pm.)
NOTICE
TOWN OF BERLIN
OF INTRODUCTION OF BILL 20-2 WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Take Notice that Bill 20-2 (Zoning - Special Events in the RP Resource Protection District) was introduced by Commissioners Church, Mitrecic, Nordstrom and Purnell on March 17, 2020. A fair summary of the bill is as follows: § ZS 1-215(c)(15). (Renumbers the previous subsection ZS 1215(c)(15) to subsection ZS 1215(c)(16) and adds a new subsection ZS 1-215(c)(15) to allow the commercial hosting of non-agricultural functions and events as an accessory use on a farm in the RP Resource Protection District by special exception with certain condi-
A Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. will be held on Bill 20-2 at the Commissioners' Meeting Room, Room 1101 - Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in lieu of public appearance, the meeting will be held remotely via video teleconference. If you would like to speak at this public hearing you must register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/re gister/WN_OZnNd_q5RqJ7NBZsAbrxw . Participants who join the video/audio conference will be enabled to speak by the meeting chair. Public Comment may also be submitted in advance by email at wchearing@co.worcester.md.us or in writing received on or before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, May 18, 2020 in the County Commissioners Office at Room 1103 Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is posted on the Legislative Bulletin Board in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103, is available for public inspection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center and is available on the County Website at www.co.worcester.md.us . THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCD-4/30/2t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR ORDINANCE 2020-02 ADOPTING THE FY 2021 REAL PROPERTY TAX RATE Monday, May 11, 2020, 7:00 p.m. The Mayor and Council of the Town of Berlin will hold a Public Hearing regarding Ordinance 202002 setting the proposed real property tax rate at $.80 per $100 of assessed value. The Public Hearing will be held in the Berlin Town Hall Council Chambers, 10 William Street, Berlin, MD 21811 on Monday, May 11, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. A copy of the proposed Ordinance will be available in the Mayor and Council Packet on the Town website,
www.berlinmd.gov or can be emailed or mailed to you upon request, please call 410-641-2770 or email info@berlinmd.gov to request a copy for inspection. OCD-4/30/2t _________________________________
TOWN OF OCEAN CITY
ORDINANCE 2020-03 RE: Chapter 10, Building and Building Regulations Notice is hereby given by the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, that an ordinance was introduced for first reading at their meeting of April 20, 2020. Second reading is scheduled for May 4, 2020. A complete text of the ordinance is available for review in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall 3rd Street and Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842, or online at oceancitymd.gov in the April 20 agenda packet. Proposed amendments were first presented at the January 14, 2020, Mayor and Council Work Session. This ordinance adopts 2018 International Code Council building codes with local amendments. OCD-4/30/1t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF INTRODUCTION OF BILL 20-3 WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Take Notice that Bill 20-3 (Natural Resources - Special Events in Resource Conservation Areas) was introduced by Commissioners Bertino, Bunting, Church, Elder, Mitrecic, Nordstrom and Purnell on April 21, 2020. A fair summary of the bill is as follows: § NR 3-102(a). (Adds a definition of the term “Special Events” to the Worcester County Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Law.) § NR 1-108(d)(10). (Adds this new subsection to authorize special events to be conducted in an Estate, Agricultural or Resource Protection zoning district within Resource Conservation Areas of the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area, subject to certain standards, including: the activities must generally occur outside the buffer area; a scaled drawing must be submitted for approval demonstrating compliance with the site requirements of the County Zoning Ordinance and minimizing impacts on natural resources; such events shall be conducted in close proximity to existing structures; special events shall be limited to properties of twenty-five acres or larger in area and may only be scheduled to occur between April 1 and October 31 of each calendar year; and requiring compliance with and protection of Habitat Protection Areas as de-
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Ocean City Today / Public Notices
fined in Section NR 3-120 of the Atlantic Coastal Bays Critical Area Law.) A Public Hearing on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. will be held on Bill 20-3 at the Commissioners' Meeting Room, Room 1101 - Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, Maryland. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in lieu of public appearance, the meeting will be held remotely via video teleconference. If you would like to speak at this public hearing you must register in advance at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/re gister/WN_OZnNd_q5RqJ7NBZsAbrxw . Participants who join the video/audio conference will be enabled to speak by the meeting chair. Public Comment may also be submitted in advance by email at wchearing@co.worcester.md.us or in writing received on or before 4:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on Monday, May 18, 2020 in the County Commissioners Office at Room 1103 Government Center, One West Market Street, Snow Hill, MD 21863. This is only a fair summary of the bill. A full copy of the bill is posted on the Legislative Bulletin Board in the main hall of the Worcester County Government Center outside Room 1103, is available for public inspection in Room 1103 of the Worcester County Government Center and is available on the County Website at www.co.worcester.md.us . THE WORCESTER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OCD-4/30/2t _________________________________
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 held by teleconference via meeting link to be published on the Town’s website www.oceancitymd.gov. Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 6:00 PM Pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-93(2), Powers, of the Code, an appeal has been filed pursuant to the provisions of Section 110-94(3)(a) requesting a special front yard exception in a manner similar to the existing nonconformity of the deck and stairs, which currently provides an 11’ setback. The purpose is to rebuild code compliant steps to the deck on the 2nd floor, providing a minimum 7’ setback instead of 14’
required by Code. The site of the appeal is described as Lot 9, Block 39 of Section Two-A of the Caine Woods Plat; further described as located on the north side of N. Surf Road, and locally known as 730 N. Surf Road, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: ADAM H. CARSON (BZA 2552 #20-09400004) 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 Ryan Bodley, Attorney OCD-4/30/2t _________________________________
TOWN OF OCEAN CITY PUBLIC NOTICE
INVITATION TO BIDDERS TITLE: PACKAGE 1 – IMPROVE RSA AND INSTALL LOCALIZER OCEAN CITY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT BID NO.: B20-01 Sealed Proposals for this project shall be accepted by: The Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, Maryland, c/o Diana Chavis, City Clerk, 301 North Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City Maryland 21842, prior to 11:30 am local time on Friday, May 22, 2020. Due to COVID-19, the City Hall is closed to the public. Bidders who want to participate in the bid opening at 1:00 pm local time on Tuesday, May 26, 2020 may do so via electronic means; details will be provided at the Pre-bid meeting. Submissions must be marked “Airport RSA Proposal” on the outermost packaging. The Scope of Work under this contract consists of furnishing all supervision, labor, materials, equipment, tools, and associated work necessary to complete the Package 1: Improve RSA and Install Localizer project at Ocean City Municipal Airport. The scope of work for this project includes installation of new localizer/DME system, removal of existing localizer, and mass earthwork to improve the RSA of Runway 14-32. This work is Package 1 of a multi-package program at Ocean City Municipal Airport, Runway 1432 RSA Standards and Rehabilitation Program. All work shall be completed in accordance with the Contract Documents. This project consists of a Base Bid and Add-Alternate 1 as outlined herein; all of which must be bid with the Proposal. It is the intention of the Town to award all work to the low bidder for the combination of base bid and addalternate actually awarded. Contract Plans and Specifications may be obtained electronically upon request by contacting Derek Hollinger, PE, AECOM at Derek.Hollinger@aecom.com. Contract Documents will be available
after 10:00 am on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Questions regarding this bid will be accepted by AECOM by e m a i l i n g Derek.Hollinger@aecom.com. The cutoff date for questions is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020. A Pre-Bid Meeting for interested bidders will be held at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at Ocean City Municipal Airport. Please limit attendees to essential personnel for social distancing purposes. Bidders interested in inspecting the work areas should do so informally and independently by contacting Jaime Giandomenico, Airport Manager, at 443-235-4434 to arrange such visit. Each bid shall be accompanied by all completed bid forms (Form of Proposal, Affidavit, Experience, Localizer/DME Experience and Qualifications, Drug-Free Certification, Utilization and DBE form, Disclosure of Interest, Bid Tabulation Forms), Contract Provision CP-4 Buy American Preference, and a bid guaranty in the amount of 5% of the total bid amount (Base Bid + Add-Alternate 1) which shall be a Cashier’s Check made payable to the Mayor and City Council of Ocean City, Maryland, or a bid bond which is underwritten by a surety approved by the Town. The Bid Package submitted by the successful bidder must be reviewed and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Maryland Aviation Administration prior to award of the Contract. Accordingly, it is intended that the project be awarded to the successful bidder within 120 calendar days of the dates specified above. All unit prices should be developed with consideration of project start-up in Fall/Winter 2020. The Town of Ocean City reserves the right to reject any or all bids or to accept any bid, or portions thereof, when, in their judgment, the public will be better served. OCD-4/30/1t _________________________________
NOTICE
OF PUBLIC HEARINGS BOARD OF PORT WARDENS Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 106, “Waterways,” Article II – “Shoreline Development” of the Code of the Town of Ocean City, Maryland, hereinafter referred to as the Code, same being the Port Wardens Ordinance of Ocean City, Maryland, notice is hereby given that public hearings will be conducted in the Council Chambers of City Hall located at 301 Baltimore Avenue, Ocean City, Maryland. Thursday, May 14, 2020 2 P.M. Online Meeting Please join our meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/ 999173381
MAY 1, 2020 You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (646) 749-3122 Access Code: 999-173-381 New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/999173381 PW 20-06 A request has been submitted to install (1) boat lift with all associated poles and re-deck existing pier. Maximum channelward of 19’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 505 PENGUIN DR., SLIP 1, in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: HIDDEN OAK FARM, LLC. OWNER: GEORGE YATES PW 20-013 (Continued from March) A request has been submitted to remove existing 6 x 18’ dock and install one (1) double PWC lift a maximum of 13’ channelward. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 1933 MARLIN DR Parcel # 3288 -105A in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: OCEAN CITY BOAT LIFTS & MARINE CONSTRUCTION OWNER: TAREK DAGSTANI PW 20-018 (Continued from March) A request has been submitted to install two (2) 5’x 12.5’ PWC floats (125 sf) a maximum distance 35’ channelward of existing bulkhead. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 717 RUSTY ANCHOR RD UNIT 4 Parcel # 9160 -4 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: J. STACEY HART & ASSOC. OWNER: TIMOTHY O’HARE PW 20-021 A request has been submitted to install one (1) boatlift with associated poles to an existing pier. Maximum channelward 32’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 617 BAYSHORE DR PARK F Parcel # 5347 -F in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: HIDDEN OAK FARM, LLC. OWNER: DAVID BRADLEY PW 20-022 A request has been submitted to replace 25’ of vinyl bulkhead in kind, construct a 3’ x 17’8” pier, install one boatlift with associated piling, maximum channelward 15’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 321 136TH ST UNIT B Parcel # 9846A- in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: MCGINTY MARINE CONSTRUCTION OWNER: ANTHONY BISAZZA PW 20-023 A request has been submitted to install a 6’ x 33’ parallel platform with stairs and a 6’ x 24’ pier, maximum channelward extension of 30’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 13331 PEACH TREE RD Parcel # 8020A-1271B- in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: HIDDEN OAK FARM, LLC. OWNER: LINDA WOLFE PW 20-024 A request has been
MAY 1, 2020
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Ocean City Today / Public Notices
submitted install one boat lift with associated piling, maximum channelward distance of 16’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 752 94TH ST UNIT B Parcel # 9666 -200B in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: MCGINTY MARINE CONSTRUCTION OWNER: GEORGE RONCHI PW 20-026 A request has been submitted to construct a 5’ x 40’ parallel dock, a 6’ x 14’ perpendicular pier. Dredge a 10’ x 40’ area between bulkhead and parallel dock. Install one boat lift on the inside of the parallel dock with associated poles, maximum channelward 40’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 1528 TEAL DR Parcel # 3429 -29 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland APPLICANT: OCEAN CITY BOATLIFTS & MARINE CONSTRUCTION OWNER: KENNETH STEIDING PW 20-027 A request has been submitted to construct a 10’ pier extension, install one boatlift with 4 poles channelward 19’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 201 S HERON DR UNIT 4G Parcel # 5311A-4 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: OCEAN CITY BOATLIFTS AND MARINE CONSTRUCTION OWNER: CHARLES MAURER PW 20-028 A request has been submitted to construct a 5’ x 18’ pier, aligned w/existing piers. Install one boatlift w/poles maximum channel-
ward 18’ of community walkway. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 11604 SHIPWRECK RD UNIT A Parcel # 3910A-64B in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: OCEAN CITY BOAT LIFTS & MARINE CONSTRUCTION OWNER: RICHARD GONZALEZ PW 20-029 A request has been submitted to install one boatlift with four poles maximum channelward 56’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 205 SOMERSET ST UNIT 303 Parcel # 2501 -B303 - in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: OCEAN CITY BOAT LIFTS & MARINE CONSTRUCTION OWNER: BRAD BRIZZI
INVENSTMENTS, LLC. PW 20-030 A request has been submitted to install one boat lift with poles and one 12’ x 13’ Titan Platform floating dock maximum channelward 30’. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 2205 PHILADELPHIA AVE UNIT 301A Parcel # 4236 -A301 in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: OCEAN CITY BOAT LIFTS & MARINE CONSTRUCTION OWNER: GARY HARTSOCK PW 20-031 A request has been submitted to install one elevator type boat lift with 4 poles and to construct a 4’ x 10’ deck, maximum channelward 16’ The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 700 RUSTY AN-
CHOR RD UNIT B Parcel # 2572 700B in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: OCEAN CITY BOAT LIFTS & MARINE CONSTRUCTION OWNER: DENNIS NEWMAN JR. PW 20-032 A request has been submitted to remove and dispose of existing 5’ x 20’ perpendicular pier and install a new 5’ x 32’ perpendicular pier in same footprint. The site of the proposed construction is described as being located at 13001 ATLANTIC BLVD Parcel # 8020A-1354B- in the Town of Ocean City, Maryland. APPLICANT: OCEAN SERVICES OF DE. OWNER: VICTORIA SANDOR OCD-4/30/2t _________________________________
Legal Advertising Call Nancy MacCubbin 410-723-6397, Fax: 410-723-6511 or E-mail: legals@oceancitytoday.net OPEN HOUSES APR. 30 - MAY 7
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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.
38
MAY 1, 2020 Classifieds now appear in Ocean City Today & the Bayside Gazette each week and online at oceancitytoday.com and baysideoc.com.
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
HELP WANTED
MAINTENANCE Immediate position available for year-round Restaurant Maintenance Personnel. Electrical, plumbing, HVAC & LPgas knowledge required. Prior experience with restaurant equipment necessary. Great opportunity with benefits. Send resume to: REST. MAINTENANCE, PO Box 160, Ocean City, MD 21843 or email romeara@harrisongp.com.
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HIRING ALL POSITIONS!!
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Full time & Part time Stop by our location on 52nd street! or call 443-664-2825
• Over 65 Beach Attendant Positions Available • Make Lifelong Friends & Memories • Earn Valuable Sales & Customer Apply Online at Service Skills EightyFiveAndSunny.com/ • Competitive Wages Employment • Hourly + Commission + Tips
HELP WANTED
RENTALS
REAL ESTATE
PGN Crabhouse 29th Street & Coastal Hwy. Help Wanted •Delivery Drivers Please call 410-289-8380
2BR, 1BA newly remodeled Ocean City condo for rent. 20th Street, Bayside. Seasonal/year round. 312-618-2000
Taking on New Listings. Need help selling your house?? Call Howard Martin Realty, 410-352-5555. We also handle year-round rentals.
MAINTENANCE F/T, Y/R. 32-40 hrs./week. Dependable. Handyman with good skills. Must have transportation/tools. Send resume to fred@paradiseoc.com.
Competitive Salary: $17 - $20/hr. depending on experience. • Help build and maintain Delaware and Maryland's fastest growing restaurant group • Perform interior and exterior finish work, such as drywall, painting, paneling, ceiling and floor tile, plumbing repairs, heating and air conditioning system repairs • Perform routine and emergency repairs on restaurant equipment, including diagnostics on electrical and refrigeration components • On call on a rotating emergency schedule for weekends and holidays • Basic skill sets must include some Electric, Plumbing, Carpentry, Refrigeration Benefits: Health Insurance, 401K, Sick Leave Fax to 410-520-0199 For faster processing please apply online at www.joindunkin.com. You are applying for work with a franchisee of Dunkin’ Donuts, not Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Any application or information you submit will be provided solely to the franchisee. If hired, the franchisee will be your only employer. Franchisees are independent business owners who are solely responsible for their own employees and set their own wage and benefit programs that can vary among franchisees.
Classifieds 410-723-6397
NOW HIRING!! Production Crew for our WOC kitchen facility Up to $17.50/hr. Apply online at: www.delmarvadd.com
BERLIN: From 225 sq. ft. to 700 sq. ft. office space. From $350 to $1100 per month. Includes utilities. 120 sq. ft. storage sheds each $95/mo. Call 410-726-5471.
Hiring ALL Positions!! Full time & Part time To apply go to: www.mygcjob.com
RENTALS RENTALS
Maintenance Technician
COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL
RAMBLER MOTEL 9942 Elm Street, WOC (Behind Starbucks) Sleeps 4, $250 per week Manager onsite 410-213-1764
DOWNTOWN OCEAN CITY Immaculately clean 2BR apartments. Each sleeps 5 people with single beds. May 1 to September 7. Price is $2,250 per person or $11,250 per apartment, including utilities, plus deposits. No smokers, parties, or pets. All male or all female in each unit. Taking applications. Call or text 410-422-2100 Steger Seasonal Apartments
Classifieds 410-723-6397
Executive Director Ideal candidates will have chamber or association management experience and should hold a BS/BA in Business Administration or Management. Must possess strong financial management and computer skills, and excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing. Candidates should exhibit strong leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities. Ability to effectively lead and influence others in a confident, positive, and results-oriented manner. Salary commensurate with experience. Resumes will be accepted until the positions is filled. Submit resume and cover letter to: Greater Ocean City, MD Chamber of Commerce ATTN: Executive Director Search Committee 12320 Ocean Gateway Ocean City, Maryland 21842 Email questions to: Danielle@oceancity.org
Advertising Sales Position Account Manager opening. Applicants should have experience in sales or face-to-face customer service. Salary, commission, health benefits and 401K plan. Send resumes to ebrady@oceancitytoday.net, or mail Ocean City Today, 8200 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD. 21842. InteSviews will be conducted via Facetime, Skype or Google Hangouts ... for the time being.
DONATIONS DONATIONS Do you have an old bicycle not being used? It could mean a world of difference to a hard-working international student. We are looking to get as many bikes as possible. Your donation will be taxdeductible. Contact Gary at 443-975-3065.
SERVICES
The Greater Ocean City, Maryland Chamber of Commerce is seeking candidates for the position of
Ocean City Today/Bayside Gazette
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AUTOMOBILE DONATIONS DONATE AUTOS, TRUCKS, RVs Lutheran Mission Society MARYLAND STATEWIDE of MD. Compassion Place ministries help local families CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING with food, clothing, counselNETWORK ing Tax deductible. MVA licensed #W1044. BUSINESS SERVICES 410-636-0123 Place a business card ad in www.CompassionPlace.org the Regional Small Display 2x2/2x4 Advertising Network – Let MDDC help you grow your business! Call TODAY at 410-212-0616 to increase your customer base and get results.
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MAY 1, 2020
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Ocean City Today
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PAGE 40
Ocean City Today
MAY 1, 2020