10/17/14 Ocean City Today

Page 1

OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET

OCTOBER 17, 2014

REVIEW

DALE CATHELL Judge explores and discusses his past in his book, “Wading Through the Swamp: The Memoirs of a Bad Boy” – Page 37

SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY

FREE

Hall Ok’d to run as case fails

City water shows no legionella

Ayres straightens out council on state law regarding ‘domicile’

Tests at six locations show waterlines now clear of bacterium

By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (Oct. 17, 2014) Two separate hearings over the past week on the eligibility of Ocean City Council candidates had wildly different outcomes, leaving a number of unanswered questions as to what the council can and can’t do as a quasi-judicial body. While potential contender Philip Ufholz was denied his candidacy at a hearing on Oct. 9, former Councilman and political firebrand Joe Hall was ultimately confirmed in his right to run at a hearing on Oct. 14. While similar arguments against the both candidates were presented by attorney Jay Phillips, City Solicitor Guy Ayres was only available to advise the council during Hall’s hearing. Subsequently, Ayres held the council to a much stricter set of ground rules during Hall’s session than was adhered to during Ufholz’s, frequently asking Phillips to refrain from portraying things to the council that were not, in fact, supported by actual juridical definitions or case law. “I don’t, respectfully, believe that there’s a judge anywhere who would say that a person who is domiciled in the State of Maryland…can’t leave this town at any time to take care of family business in North Carolina, lest he lose See PHILLIPS Page 4

Are You Prepared for Old Man Winter?

LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY

HANKERING FOR FRIES After a rainy Friday and Saturday, the Ocean City Boardwalk was bustling with activity Sunday afternoon as visitors enjoyed the sunshine and warm weather. A number of people also had a craving for Thrashers fries.

Salary study nears Jurisdictions chosen against which city pay will be compared By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (Oct. 17, 2014) How much of a pay cut – or increase – would a municipal executive in Raleigh, N.C. take in order to come to Ocean City? We’re about to find out. The City Council this week approved a list of comparable jurisdictions and agencies to be used in the city’s upcoming employee compensation

study, which is being done in preparation for negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police that will likely determine the direction of city salaries and benefits for the next several budgets. The study is being done under a contract with Management Advisory Group International Inc. “Your organization presents a little more of a challenge than some, because you swing from a relatively small town during part of the year to a rather large, populated urban area for the other part of the

year,” said David Lookingbill, a consultant with MAGI. “There’s a balance that you all must find as to how you structure your organization and staff your departments in order to reasonably meet needs that are wildly different form one time of the year to the other.” MAGI’s process is two-part, Lookingbill said. “The process we go through is a combination, were we first get information from the employees and their superiors about what jobs are going on See DATA Page 3

By Kara Hallissey Staff Writer (Oct. 17, 2014) Results came back negative for all six areas of the city’s water supply tested for Legionella, the bacterium that causes Legionnaire’s Disease. Each site was in the vicinity of 145th Street, the area that tested positive for the disease a few weeks ago. Officials launched the initial investigation after two visitors who had stayed at the Econo Lodge on the same street contracted Legionnaire’s Disease. It revealed the bacterium, which causes a form of pneumonia when a person inhales water vapor, steam or mist carrying it, in the motel’s water system and in a 145th Street fire hydrant. “Luckily, all six test samples came back negative,” said Jessica Walters, communications manager for the Town of Ocean City. The Worcester County Department of Health is taking “safeguard measures” to increase the levels of chlorine, which will flush out the water system, Waters said. “It is important to maintain and follow all guidelines for the highest quality of water.” There is no definitive answer as to how Legionella entered Ocean City’s water supply. It is present in many water supplies, but becomes harmless after chlorination. The disease multiplies in stagnant water and infrequently See CONTAMINATION Page 3

Limited Time Offer!!! Call Today!!! 410-289-5335 410-289-5335 24 24 Hour Hour Service Service

Complete

HVAC System

starting at $290000

While Supplies Last

We Repair & Service All HVAC Brands ~ All Credit Cards Accepted

FREE Pre-Winter Inspection Call Today (valid thru 12-31-14)


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.