OC Today-Dispatch AUGUST 8, 2025
STUBBORNLY LOCAL, EQUALLY INDEPENDENT
BIG BLUE COMING IN
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PRICELESS
PHOTO COURTESY OF JAMES ACUNA
The anglers and crew aboard the Barbara B come through the Ocean City Inlet in a celebratory mood Monday afternoon, as they bring in a monster blue marlin. The 929.5-pounder was at the top of the White Marlin Open leaderboard and was worth just under $4.5 million in prize money ... until a 72-pound white marlin knocked it out of the top spot Wednesday. More on Page 3.
Wind shifting? ‘Miracle on 65th Street’ Responding to a Delaware lawsuit, feds say they’ll take another look at their approval of US Wind’s construction and operations plan.— PAGE 18
Children’s House by the Sea II, respite for young cancer patients, built with donations, contributions and a little cash — PAGE 78
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OC Today-Dispatch
AUGUST 8, 2025
Enjoy Enjo oy lunch, lunc ch, dinner, din nner, Drinks D Drinks & ocean o cean breezes br reezes with h the best best view w in town! town! o
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AUGUST 8, 2025
OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 3
PHOTO COURTESY OF WHITE MARLIN OPEN
The Barbara B had a special day on Monday in the White Marlin Open, bringing in the fifth largest blue marlin ever weighed in during the 52-year tournament and boating the first-place dolphin.
WMO excitement runs high despite lower tourney turnout By Steve Green Executive Editor (Aug. 8,2025) Fears of unfavorable offshore conditions led to an 11% drop in participation from last year’s White Marlin Open, but the tournament still offers a $7.2 million purse for anglers with one local boat hoping for a $4.2 million pay day. This year’s White Marlin Open will have 282 boats vying for a $7.2 million purse. Unfavorable offshore conditions reduced participation, particularly among the smaller boats. For comparison, last year brought 318 boats seeking a share of $8.59 million in prize money. In 2023, for the 50th anniversary event, 400 boats competed for a record $10.5 million. With offshore conditions expected to worsen late in the week, this year’s tournament has been extended to a fish three out of seven day tournament with fishing days extended to Sunday (rather than Friday). Last year’s tournament was extended by a day due to offshore wave conditions. In its pre-tournament update, White Marlin Open officials acknowledged, “Two years in a row, Mother Nature has not been kind, but it hasn’t slowed down the spirit of the WMO.” This year’s registration of 282 is the lowest since 2013 but unlike back then the purse is $7.2 million compared to $2.47 million. In its first year in 1974, the White Marlin open attracted 57 boats with a total payout of $100,000. The following is a look at the tournament’s participation and purse by year dating back to 2005. 2025: 282/$7.2 million 2024: 318/$8.5 million 2023: 400/$10.5 million 2022: 408/$8.6 million 2021: 444/$9.2 million 2020: 433/$6.8 million
2019: 404/$6.1 million 2018: 382/$5.45 million 2017: 353/$4.97 million 2016: 329/$4.42 million 2015: 307 $3.9 million 2014 288/$2.77 million. 2013: 262/$2.47 million 2012: 253/$2.3 million 2011: 237/$2.13 million 2010: 255/$2.13 million 2009: 298/$2.2 million 2008: 300/$2.3 million 2007: 396/$3.1 million 2006: 428/$3.14 million 2005: 449/$2.7 million Big blue marlin wins day one There were 128 boats fishing on Monday and the big news was the 920pound blue marlin brought in by the Barbara B. The crew of the Barbara B of Atlantic Beach, N.C. had themselves a memorable day – hooking the massive blue marlin – the fifth largest in tournament history – as well as a firstplace dolphin, a 32.5-pound beauty. The blue marlin was boated by Timonium resident Drew Osmeyer and reportedly only took about 20 minutes to get into the boat. A gaff was used to secure the blue marlin, resulting in some deformities to the fin area, but the fish was deemed legal by tournament officials. The blue marlin stood to earn $4.47 million after one day of fishing. The 32.5-pound dolphin, caught by Essex resident Andrew Schreiber on the Barbara B., stood in first place as of Thursday morning and was worth about $54,800. Also, on Monday, two tuna were weighed in at the exact same amount, 52.5 pounds. First was the C-Student out of Southside Place, Texas, with the yellowfin caught by Kelley Megarity worth $152,000 after one day of fishing. Then came the Bow Down of Cape May, N.J., weighing in a 52.5See OFFSHORE Page 106
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Welcome to a truly exceptional residence where luxury meets waterfront tranquility. This stunning 5-bedroom, 6-full-bathroom, and 2-half-bathroom Bayfront home, epitomizes coastal elegance with 145 feet of direct bay frontage and captivating southern exposure. Step through the elegant front door and be immediately entranced by the intricate details and high-end upgrades throughout. MDWO2014714
OCEANFRONT STUDIO CONDO with STUNNING VIEWS
38967 WILLOW LANE FENWICK ISLAND, DE • $1,229,000 This prime mixed-use property is located on the highly trafficked Route 54 corridor, just one mile from both Fenwick Island Beach and Ocean City Beach. Zoned C-1/ and Residential for commercial use, it offers outstanding visibility and signage opportunities, making it ideal for a variety of business ventures. The location provides the perfect balance between residential comfort and commercial potential, with easy access to coastal attractions. DESU2085740
MOVE-IN READY 2 BR, 1 BA CONDO
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424 LARK LANE #E303 OCEAN CITY • $268,900
10312 THIRTY KNOTS LANE GLEN RIDDLE • BERLIN • $1,190,000
301 S. HERON GULL COURT OCEAN CITY • $875,000
32474 LIGHTHOUSE RD SELBYVILLE, DE • $7,900,000
Rare Opportunity: Build Your Dream Home on a Prime Waterfront Lot! Seize the chance to create your ideal residence on this exceptional 0.73-acre waterfront lot, nestled on an expansive sandy beach within the highly sought-after gated community of Glen Riddle. Enjoy panoramic views of the Ocean City skyline, and breathtaking vistas of Turville and Hearing Creek, as well as the Assawoman Bay. Glen Riddle is an amenity-rich community. MDWO2023166
Live Here! Play Here! Build Your Dream Home in Heron Harbour Isle! Discover one of the most sought-after communities in Ocean City — Heron Harbour Isle. This premium home site offers the perfect opportunity to build your dream home with southern exposure, canal and bay views, and stunning sunsets right from your backyard.
Prime commercial location in Selbyville of 10.09 acres. This is a rare commercial development opportunity on the busy intersection of Lighthouse Sound Rd. (Route 54) and Hudson Rd. There are already many existing new homes surrounding this property and more than 3,200 additional homes are coming soon. This is the perfect location for a shopping center, multiple smaller retail businesses, and/or medical or other professional offices to serve these homes and the entire Selbyville, Bayside, Fenwick, Ocean City area. The Seller will finance up to 70% of the purchase price at 1 percent below the current prime lending rate for up to 5 years. The property is located 8 miles from the beach! DESU2044978
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10300 COASTAL HWY, UNIT 1802 ATLANTIS • OCEAN CITY • $268,900 This freshly painted, newly floored studio condo offers breathtaking ocean and sunset views from a private balcony. The fully equipped kitchen includes a stove, fridge, dishwasher, and oven. Enjoy direct beach access, a sparkling pool, and a convenient parking pass. Perfect as a vacation getaway or rental investment. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of paradise! MDWO2029128
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34862 WEST LINE RD SELBYVILLE, DE $3,900,000 Commercial Site in Prime Location hits the Market! 2.36 acres on the corner of RT 54 and W. Line Rd in Selbyville DE. This location is directly across from Yellowfins Restaurant and shoppingcenter on heavily traveled Rt 54. The location is approximately 3-4 miles to the beaches of Ocean City & Fenwick Island. It has water and 8' sewer main that will supply a hotel, shopping center, office complex, medical center, professional center, etc. Lot is cleared. Buy it Now Before It's SOLD!!! Owner Financing is available. MLS DESU184528
WORCESTER COUNTY
This 2BR/1BA condo is currently being used as an Airbnb and the rental income is amazing. The condo is being sold furnished and is in move in ready condition. It is close to restaurants, shops, Jolly Roger, the boardwalk and beach. The complex has a large outdoor pool. Come take a look today before it's SOLD! MDWO2020908
KEYSER POINT WEST OCEAN CITY $299,000
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5.13 acres build your 11718 TURVILLE LANE 601 BAYSHORE DR #19 13000 MARINA VIEW LN #19 222 N HERON DR UNIT 222-1 POINT PLANTATION OCEAN CITY • $825,000 dream home. Popular BAYBERLIN OCEAN CITY • $1,574,900 HERON HARBOUR • $2,999,900 Rare Bayfront Opportunity – No Condo Fees Corner-End Townhome in The SanctuWest Ocean City Loca- Waterfront Estate with Infinity Pool, Hot Tub or HOA! 3 Bed |2 Bath | Boat Lift | Sold Fully This stunning 4-bedroom, 4-bath corner Bayfront & Deeded Boat Slip in Bay Point Plantation- Furnished. Welcome to this rarely available di- unit townhome offers unparalleled water- ary at Heron Harbour - This rarely available 3bayfront end-unit townhome tion just minutes from Welcome to your dream coastal retreat in the rect bayfront townhome in highly sought-after front living with a 24,000 lb. boat lift and bedroom,2.5-bath The Sanctuary at Heron Harbour hits the marexclusive community of Bay Point Plantation. Village West—offering million-dollar views. private deck. Enjoy breathtaking water in in one of Ocean City's most sought-after wathe beach off US 50 on This stunning waterfront estate offers Freshly updated exterior with modern coastal views from every level, including a spa- ket terfront communities.Inside, this beautifully curb appeal. Step inside to an open-concept cious family room with a fireplace, up- upgraded home features custom woodwork panoramic water views, high-end finishes, Keyser Point Rd. Dis- and resort-style amenities—including a layout that blends style and comfort. Spacious graded kitchen with granite countertops, throughout, creating a warm and inviting atmosboat slip, custom infinity-edge pool, living area features tile flooring & remodeled and a luxurious primary suite with a spa- phere. The spacious family room boasts hardcover your own private slice of paradise deeded dual hot tubs, firepit, and expansive indoor- gourmet kitchen with SS appliances, upgraded like bath and private balcony. The home wood flooring and a cozy fireplace, perfect for year-round enjoyment. Large glass sliders frame living and entertaining spaces. As you countertops & cabinetry, a center island & on this large, wooded lot located on outdoor step through the front door, you’re immedi- breakfast bar. Tile backsplash, hardwood floors also features a garage, elevator access, and expansive water views, making it a perfect space exposed beams add rustic charm to modern a community pool. Perfect for boaters or for entertaining or simply enjoying peaceful sunKeyser Point Road in Ocean City, Mary- ately captivated by the wall of expansive win- &coastal aesthetic. Full bath and laundry on this those seeking peaceful waterfront living, sets over the bay & watch boats pass by. The dows and sliding glass doors that frame kitchen is equipped with quartz counland. Nestled just minutes from the heart unobstructed views of the water, creating a level. Adjacent family room overlooks private just minutes from Ocean City’s beaches, gourmet tertops, white cabinetry, stainless steel appliseamless connection between indoor and out- patio & bay. Covered deck, ideal for barbecues dining, and shopping. Schedule your tour ances, and ample storage. Step outside to your of downtown OC. MDWO2031504 today! MDWO2029676 & crab feasts & watching boats drift by. door living. MDWO2031978 private bayfront deck. MDWO2031466
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Prime Residential Lot in Lighthouse Sound – Build Your Dream Home! A rare opportunity has just become available in the prestigious Lighthouse Sound community! This expansive 22,159 sq ft lot—one of the largest in the neighborhood-offers the perfect setting to build your dream home. Ideally situated overlooking the 4th green of the acclaimed Links at Lighthouse Sound golf course, the lot boasts breathtaking water views and a stunning backdrop of the Ocean City skyline. Enjoy a lifestyle of luxury and leisure in a community recognized by Golf Magazine as one of the Top 100 golf courses in the country. The Links at Lighthouse Sound also features an elegant clubhouse and a highly rated restaurant—perfect for relaxing after a round of golf. Just minutes from Ocean City’s famous beaches, restaurants, and shops, this lot offers both tranquility and convenience. Whether you’re looking to build a full-time residence or a vacation retreat, this location provides the ideal coastal living experience. MDWO2031950
Welcome to your perfect beach getaway in the heart of North Ocean City! This beautifully maintained 1-bedroom, 1-bath condo in the desirable Raffles complex offers some of the best views in town for the price— enjoy breathtaking sunsets and fireworks over Northside Park right from your own deck. Step inside to find a bright, inviting living space with an updated kitchen, a comfortable family room ideal for entertaining, and a sliding glass door that opens to the outdoor balcony with spectacular park views. Upstairs, the spacious primary bedroom and full bathroom offer privacy and comfort. The unit also includes a washer and dryer for added convenience. The complex has a outdoor pool and bike racks. MDWO2030846
MOBILE HOME PARKS FENWICK ISLAND, DE OFFERED AT $2.1 MILLION EACH $4.2 MILLION TOTAL This is a prime location in soughtafter Fenwick Island! This is an extremely rare opportunity to purchase C-1 commercial land in Fenwick Island DE close to the beach and Atlantic Ocean. A salty breeze carries the scent of the Atlantic Ocean as you stand on these 4 commercially zoned C-1 parcels in Fenwick Island. DESU2059932 DESU2059922
"I am thrilled to be recognized by Coastal Style as the BEST luxury real estate agent for Worcester County for the second year running. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my clients for their continued support."
The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate 2025 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2015 a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 10771BALT_07/15
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AUGUST 8, 2025
OC Today-Dispatch
OCFD announces passing of former fire chief Larmore
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By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Aug. 8, 2025) Chris Larmore, the former Ocean City fire chief who oversaw the merger of the department’s career and volunteer divisions, has died. The Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) announced his passing in a statement Wednesday. “It is with our deepest regret that we announce the passing of Life Member 101, Past Volunteer Fire Chief and the Town of Ocean Chris Larmore City’s first Career Fire Chief, Christopher N. Larmore,” the statement reads. “Chief Larmore answered his last alarm on August 5, 2025.” Larmore assumed the role of fire chief in 2008, during one of the department’s most tumultuous periods. Around that time, disagreements between the volunteers, who felt the company was being pushed aside, and the paid department, who wanted to grow to be the primary provider of fire and rescue service, erupted into public view. The dissension among both parties, as well as community members, led the city to create a work group, which resulted in the merger of the volunteer fire company, the career fire/EMS division, and the fire marshal’s office into a united Ocean City Fire Department. From there, the council voted to appoint Larmore, then the company’s fire chief, as the department’s new leader. Larmore volunteered to do the job for nothing but was ultimately given a salary to make him an official city employee. Larmore would oversee the department for more than a decade. “Chief Larmore, Life Member #101, was instrumental in combining the Volunteer Fire Company, Career Fire/EMS Division, and Fire Marshal’s Office into the combined Ocean City Fire Department we proudly operate today,” a statement from the fire department reads. “In honor of Chief Larmore’s service, Mayor Rick Meehan has ordered all Ocean City flags to be flown at half-staff.”
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Calendar ..............................48 Classifieds ..........................53 Crossword ............................46 Dining Guide ........................82 Editoral/Letters....................98 Entertainment ......................72 Horoscope ............................47 Obituaries ..........................103 Police/Crime........................23 Public Notices ......................58 Sports ................................107
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AUGUST 8, 2025
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PAGE 10
AUGUST 8, 2025
OC Today-Dispatch
Route 589 property rezoned for new homes Multi-family, mixed-use development in the works for land south of Ocean Pines By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Aug. 8, 2025) A new site plan for a mixed-use, multi-family development project along the Route 589 corridor could be in the works after Worcester County officials rezoned a 23-acre property from commercial to residential. Attorney Hugh Cropper told the County Commissioners on Tuesday that the R-3 Multifamily Residential zoning would be less impactful than the existing C-2 General Commercial zoning, because housing would generate far less traffic than other commercial uses like a convenience store,
fast food joint, or even a car dealership. “Residential development is going to be less impactful in every single respect,” he said. After an hour of presentation and discussion, the commissioners voted to approve the rezoning in a 6-0 vote with Commissioner Caryn Abbot absent. In 2013, the property on the east side of Route 589 (Racetrack Road) opposite Taylorville Lane was rezoned from agricultural to commercial. But neighbors appealed the rezoning, and had it reset back to agricultural. Cropper said, at the time, he appealed to the courts and won, so the commercial zoning was re-instated. From there, the property owners – Maryland Medical Owners II, LLC and Maryland Medical Owners III, LLC – made plans for a 100,000
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square foot medical campus operated you’d have to go into Ocean Pines,” he by Atlantic General Hospital on the said. While the Route 589 parcel does 23-acre property, including four operating rooms, specifically for elective butt up against Ocean Pines, any development here would be a standsurgeries. If completed, it would have in- alone enclave and would not provide cluded ancillary services like pharma- any vehicular points of access into the cies, physical therapy and a wellness Ocean Pines roadway system, Cropcenter, and would have rivaled AGH’s per also noted. When Cropper quoted from the flagship Berlin hospital in size, Cropcounty’s draft comprehensive plan, per noted. The project was fully fleshed-out saying the availability of affordable and had earned site plan approval housing is a major factor in the susfrom county officials. However, be- tainability of the local economy and cause of changes to Maryland’s hospi- quality of life, it elicited a question tal funding model, combined with the from Commissioner Chip Bertino COVID-19 pandemic, this develop- (District 5, Ocean Pines). “Define affordable housing,” ment plan proved untenable, and the Bertino asked Cropper. “How much original vision was scaled down. are we talking The owners ultiabout?” mately cut their project in half and built a ‘Okay, so, affordable housing is Cropper hedged. “I can tell you these smaller outpatient really a relative elastic term, multifamily units medical center, now the Gudelsky Family depending on what the developer would be more afMedical Center, on decides to do, as opposed to fordable than, say, the houses in Penthe property. affordable housing being nington Commons,” Now, the owners pegged to specific square he said. are targeting resifootage or cost.’ “Well, I would dential development, Hugh Cropper, Attorney hope they would Cropper told the be,” Bertino said, Worcester County “but are we talking Commissioners at their Tuesday meeting. Cropper esti- $200,000 to $300,000? $300,000 to mated the new R-3 zoning designation $400,000? Somewhere? Or is it yet to could permit a density of up to 137 be determined? “I don’t know how to quantify townhouse units. Anything more than 20 homes is that,” Cropper replied. “Okay, so, affordable housing is reconsidered a major residential planned community and faces a litany ally a relative elastic term, depending of governmental check-ins along the on what the developer decides to do,” way, according to Jennifer Keener, the Bertino said, “as opposed to affordcounty’s director of development re- able housing being pegged to specific view and permitting. Even if a builder square footage or cost.” Cropper moved fast, it could take 18 to 24 agreed. months, she told the commissioners. Moving forward, Cropper said the Cropper noted that, up and down next step for the property is for the the Route 589 corridor, there are no county’s planning commission, and housing options that front the road- ultimately the county commissioners, way. to review a residential community site “We have no multifamily, we have plan, but there’s no timeline for when no workforce, we have no apartments; that might occur. SP PA ACIOUS 5 BR , 4 BA HOME in COLONIA AL VILLAGE
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PAGE 12
OC Today-Dispatch
AUGUST 8, 2025
Retired judge faces misconduct allegations Former county official, law clerk named in complaints for time sheet fabrication By Brian Shane Staff Writer (Aug. 8, 2025) State prosecutors have charged retired Worcester County District Court Judge Gerald V. Purnell with misconduct in office for knowingly allowing a longtime law clerk to falsify timesheets while still collecting a full salary. Prosecutors also cited his former clerk, 46-year-old Bridget Lowrie, with misconduct in office. The complaint against both is civil, not criminal, and prosecutors are asking for both Purnell and Lowrie to be fined a penalty of $10,000. Each is scheduled for trial on Sept. 15. Purnell re-
In
tired last summer after 18 years on the bench. Complaints for both were filed July 30 in Anne Arundel County District Court, saying Purnell failed to notify the judiciary about the conditions of his law clerk’s employment. In the affidavit pertaining to Purnell, Lowrie was identified only by her initials, B.L., while Lowrie’s affidavit Judge Purnell does not name Purnell, referring only to “a district court judge.” Prosecutors say from 2020 until her June 2024 resignation, Lowrie submitted timesheets attesting she worked eight hours a day for five days a week, totaling 40 hours a week,
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with the occasional paid day off or holiday. And while Lowrie did aide Purnell occasionally with administrative duties and performed research assignments, she was paid for a full-time job without actually working 40 hours a week – and Purnell let it happen, according to prosecutors. The complaint alleges Lowrie received paychecks totaling approximately $485,000 over a decade. According to court documents, they knew each other because Lowrie had appeared before Purnell in his Snow Hill courtroom when she worked as assistant state’s attorney. In January 2015, Purnell offered Lowrie a full-time clerk position; he had hiring authority as the District Two administrative judge overseeing the Lower Eastern Shore. At the time,
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Lowrie was already working full-time as an adjunct professor at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills. Even as she became employed by Purnell in April of 2015, Lowrie continued to work in that role, teaching courses in criminal justice and paralegal studies, according to court documents. “Consistent with what he understood to be the practice of the prior Administrative Judge,” Purnell’s affidavit says, “Purnell intended that B.L. would assist him along. He offered B.L. a full-time salary but agreed that she would work as needed at the request and direction of Purnell.” By December 2020, as the COVID19 pandemic raged and many state employees worked from home, the state judiciary implemented a new timekeeping system called Connect. All employees were now required to enter actual time worked and submit for approval by a supervisor. While Purnell, 69, was responsible for approving her timesheets, he typically delegated that task to others on the administrative staff, according to a July 24 affidavit from the Office of the State Prosecutor. “He allowed them to be submitted as showing that she was working full days even though Purnell was aware that B.L. was not working eight hours per day or 40-hours per week,” court documents state. Lowrie was still employed fulltime with both the courts and at Chesapeake College when she took on another job in August 2023, teaching criminal justice courses at a different college which the affidavit did not identify. By March 2024, the courts established a new policy on outside employment: Judiciary staffers would now have to start submitting any outside or secondary employment into the Connect software, Mandatory details included the name of the outside employer, job title and duties, start date, whether the role was paid or unpaid, and hours worked. Lowrie contacted Judge Purnell to talk about the new policy. After that conversation, she decided that she would not complete the form, according to court documents. At the same time, another new policy outlawed more than one day per week of telework, and required employees sign an agreement acknowledging the policy. Prosecutors say Lowrie also declined to sign the new teleworking agreement. A few weeks later, on June 7, senior members of the court expressed concern that, despite Lowrie being a 10-year employee of Judge Purnell, some judiciary employees “had not seen her and did not know who she was,” court documents state. Five days later, the human resources department asked Lowrie to See PURNELL Page 13
AUGUST 8, 2025
OC Today-Dispatch
County plans ahead for new expansion on Racetrack Rd. By Brian Shane Staff Writer (August 8, 2025) To aid in future development along the Route 589 corridor, Worcester County is considering – but not promising – an extension of water and sewer lines. Public Works Director Dallas Baker on Tuesday told the county commissioners that his department commissioned a study to evaluate new sewerage service on Route 589 (Racetrack Road) south of Pennington Commons but north of Route 50. The Salisbury-based engineering firm George, Miles & Buhr conducted the study. While the county has no plans for water sewer service in the area for now, developers have been asking, Baker said. “The question they ask us is: what do we have to put there? What size pipes? Where do the force mains have to go? What are the lift station requirements?” he said. “Our goal with this study is to answer that question, provide a framework, so when these developers come in, they’re aware of what the county’s needs are.” The engineering study divided the Route 689 corridor into two sub-sections, with Turville Creek being the dividing line, according to an internal county memo. The first zone, above Turville Creek, is bound by Gum Point Road to the south and Nottingham Lane to the north. It could have 536 EDUs for an average daily flow of 134,000 gallons per day. The second zone, below the creek, would extend along the west side of Racetrack Road and butt against Route 50. A portion also extends to the east side of Racetrack Road, at the crossroads of Route 50 and Grays Corner Road. It would have 363 total EDUs for a flow of 90,750 gallons per day. Each zone would have its own regional sewage lift station, served by a combination of sewer force mains, gravity sewer mains, and water
mains. Sewage collected would be pumped to the existing Ocean Pines treatment plant. Baker told the commissioners that the fewer pump stations built, the less costly it would be to maintain the system, because each comes with pumps that eventually need replacement and generators that need servicing. One successful model to emulate is a regional water main in West Ocean City, where project developers know what size water pipes they need to connect with to meet firefighting flow demands, he said. “That’s been very successful in making sure everybody’s informed up front,” Baker said, “and we want to try to use that same model here. We’re asking for commissioners’ endorsement of the proposed plan, and we will share that with folks as they look to come in and develop.” Baker also stressed that this plan is not a guarantee that infrastructure will be built. Rather, if development occurs in this area, the plan helps developers understand the county’s expectations and determine their own costs when evaluating a potential project. “We’re not planning on building this infrastructure ourselves. This would be developer-dependent and (developer-)driven. It’s just a road map.” The commissioners approved the recommendation unanimously, 6-0, with Commissioner Caryn Abbott absent. Commissioner Eric Fiori (District 3, West Ocean City) said this was smart planning ahead of development and thanked Baker for the foresight. “A lot of times, when there’s water and sewer, we end up behind the eight-ball. We end up where development accelerates faster than the plan. This was a wonderful step moving forward, seeing that on the horizon,” he said.
Purnell heads to trial Sept. 15 Continued from Page 12 provide a written statement regarding her District Court employment. She quit the next day, June 12. Purnell spoke the following day, June 13, with the John P. Morrisey, the Chief Judge of the District Court of Maryland, and “discussed his arrangement with B.L.,” the affidavit says, and talked about stepping down from the bench ahead his scheduled retirement at age 70. Attorneys for both – William J. Murphy for Purnell and William C. Brennan for Lowrie – declined to comment for this story when reached by phone. Notably, court documents also revealed that Purnell suffered a stroke
in the middle of the workday, on June 3, 2024. A source tells OC Today-Dispatch this happened in the middle of the workday, while Purnell was on the bench trying a case, and that he seemed disoriented enough for court staff to check on him after the docket cleared. Purnell retired shortly afterward. His last day was Aug. 31. Purnell made history when he became the Eastern Shore’s first African American District Court judge, taking office in 2006 after being appointed by Gov. Bob Erlich. Purnell also worked from 2003 to 2005 as a deputy state’s attorney in Dorchester County.
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