OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
SEPTEMBER 19, 2014
SUNFEST
FALL FESTIVAL Resort’s annual four-day event, which kicked off Thursday, celebrates 40th anniversary – Page 41
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
FREE
Tragic Wednesday: Two drownings in matter of hours Fatalities rise as rip tides continue to trap swimmers
By Josh Davis Staff Writer (Sept. 19, 2014) Tragedy struck the Ocean City beach yet again on Wednesday, claiming two more lives in what has already been a historically violent summer at sea. In separate incidents, a 52-yearold male from Huntingdon, Pa. and a 49-year-old male from Rosedale died after struggling in rip currents. Ocean City Beach Patrol responded to a pair of distress calls near 17th and 20th streets on the beach just after 12:30 p.m. Swimming restrictions were put in place, and crews rescued three swimmers in what Ocean City Beach Patrol Captain Butch Arbin called “a pretty routine rescue from a rip current.” “One of those individuals, although the guard said he never went under water, did go unconscious,” Arbin said. “They already had him holding onto a buoy, and he then just lost consciousness.” Crews transported a 19-year-old male and the Huntingdon, Pa. man to Atlantic General Hospital, treating the former for non-life threatening injuries. The 52-year-old was pronounced dead at approximately 1:30 p.m. Beach Patrol Surf Rescue Technicians responded to a second incident in the area minutes later, bringing two more swimmers caught in rip currents to shore. Neither required medical attention. Hundreds of people watched as ambulances and police cars lined the Boardwalk between 17th and 20th streets during the dual rescues. Pittsburgh native Dan Chess, who was on the beach near 17th Street, believed he saw at least six people being pulled from the water. “It was all within 15 minutes,” he said. “They pulled three out and after probably another 10 minutes they See TWO Page 4
PHOTO COURTESY SCOTT MISLAN
CHARITABLE PADDLERS Paddlers, from left, Beth Roche, Jason Mislan, Jeff Mason, “Delaware” Dave Powell, Chris Furst, Joe Wandishin, Steve Twilley and Tyler Cole prepare to kayak from Ocean City to Baltimore on Tuesday, Sept. 16, to raise money for the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation during the 2014 Scunny Memorial Paddle. See story on page 8.
Councilwoman Pillas won’t run Retirement, other moves now has town with four seats open for election By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (Sept. 19, 2014) As of this week, the Town of Ocean City’s upcoming municipal election is shaping up to be not much of an election at all. Two recent campaign trail developments have left the town with four open seats in the Nov. 4 contest, and only four candidates – at most, given that only two have actually filed so far
NEW Heating & Cooling Starting at
$
Systems
.00
3499
While supplies last • Financing available
– vying to fill them. After serving two four-year terms, Councilwoman Margaret Pillas announced at this week’s council session that she plans to retire. “Since this is the last Monday night meeting before the filing deadline, I want to let everyone know that I will not be seeking another term on council,” Pillas said. Under the city’s charter, all candidates for Mayor and City Council seats must file at least 28 days prior to the election. “I want to thank everyone who I’ve served with…and everyone who has
ever voted for me,” Pillas said. “I hope you still hold me in your confidence.” Council President Lloyd Martin and Councilman Brent Ashley are also up for re-election this cycle, but both have yet to file. Neither would confirm this week that they intend to do so, although the local political establishment is clearly operating under the assumption that both will indeed win another four years in their seats. Further, although his seat would not normally be open until 2016, See PILLAS Page 3
Marc Anthony Home Services • Cooling • Heating • Plumbing • Electric 888-353-4050 www.marcanthonyservices.com • Appliances
AC/heat tune up $
.99 89 (includes duct sanitizing!)