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FALL TEAMS PREVIEWS Stephen Decatur High squads get through preseason and are ready to compete – Page 89
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AUGUST 31, 2018
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Schools ready, teachers set for opening day
PHOTO COURTESY ROGER STEGER, OCEAN CITY VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY
Although retired as both Ocean City mayor and fire chief of the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company, Fish Powell still pitched in at age 79 to man the deck gun during the 2008 Dough Roller fire on the Boardwalk.
OC mourns former Mayor Powell Friends, associates recall their times with ex-fire chief and mentor on leadership
By Josh Davis Associate Editor (Aug. 31, 2018) Friends and colleagues of former Ocean City Mayor Roland E. “Fish” Powell on Wednesday remembered the man as a natural leader, as a tireless advocate for the fire department, and as someone always willing to help the next upand-comer. Powell, who could be the last of Ocean City’s homegrown heads of government, had recently been
placed in hospice care, according to family members. He passed away on Wednesday morning at age 89. Having previously served on the City Council and as City Council president, Powell was elected mayor of the resort in 1985 after stepping down as president of the Worcester County Commissioners to seek the post. He served until 1996. Powell, for whom the Ocean City convention center is named, was less than a week away from his 90th birthday, on Sept. 5. Ocean City Public Works Director Hal Adkins “Though I don’t recall the specific topic, during one of my first presen-
tations before the mayor and City Council in 1985, when Fish became mayor, I vividly recall him looking at me and publicly stating, ‘Son, you’ve got to learn to stop talking past the sale,’” Adkins said Wednesday. “I was 23 years old at the time and I’m now 55. “My request got approved, but that single statement has been lingering in the back of my mind, as a reminder, for all these years when making subsequent presentations. He was a very wise man.” Clay Stamp, executive director Opioid Operational Command Center, and emergency See FISH Page 5
By Morgan Pilz Staff Writer (Aug. 31, 2018) Over 6,700 students will be returning to Worcester County’s 14 public schools on Tuesday, Sept. 4, when the 2018-19 school year begins. “We’re excited to welcome all 6,700 back on Tuesday,” Lou Taylor, superintendent of Worcester County Public Schools, said. “It’s a partnership with this entire community, our board of education, our staff at the school and our elected officials who support our school system and provide the means that we can do things to ensure our kids can do their best.” As of earlier this week, 6,700 students will fill the halls this year as compared to last year when 6,663 students were enrolled. The 180-day school calendar runs to Thursday, June 13, with three cancelation days for inclement weather. The last day of school will be adjusted if the county school system does not See PUBLIC Page 7
2018-19 School Holiday Calendar: Oct. 19 – Maryland State Education Association Convention Nov. 5 – Professional Day Nov. 21-23 – Thanksgiving Break Dec. 24-Jan. 1 – Winter Break Jan. 21 – Martin Luther King Day Jan. 24-25 – High school exams, half-day for all students Jan. 28 – Professional day Feb. 18 – Presidents Day March 29 – Professional day April 1 – Professional Day April 19-22 – Spring break May 27 – Memorial Day June 12-13 – High school exams, half-days for all students
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