Commentary

Commentary Ocean City Today Nov. 5, 2021 Page 44 Make bids public to limited extent

Twelve years ago in late October, the Ocean City mayor and council began the secret process of selecting an advertising agency to handle the resort’s multi-million-dollar account.

The city accepted the bids and picked its agency without revealing (until much later) what that winner proposed to do for the undisclosed amount it would end up handling.

So tight-lipped was the city that the companies’ presentations were delivered in a Fort Knox-like circumstance because “proprietary information” was involved.

Understandably, the agencies didn’t want to reveal their trade secrets and ideas to their competitors for fear they might steal them. Also a possibility was that some other resort might snatch and use for themselves ideas developed for Ocean City.

The same “proprietary information” argument is being used again, following the council’s Monday night acceptance of agency proposals. But money, and more specifically the room tax money that finances the resort’s marketing, is not proprietary information because it is not the property of the agencies. It’s money generated for this specific use by every lodging establishment and legitimate rental in town.

Yet, few of the resort’s hotel and motel operators (along with every other business that benefits from resort marketing) will have any idea of what will be spent and where. They are expected to trust the judgment of the City Council. But, some will ask, what about the Tourism Commission’s role in vetting the proposals? That too has to be restricted to members who also are elected officials, according to what the late City Solicitor Guy Ayres said in 2009.

If these bids do contain proprietary information, Ayres explained, then no member of the public can see them, and that includes the Tourism Commission’s representatives of the business community.

Ayres added that these documents are either open or they’re not, and allowing the commission’s business members to see them would mean they must be open to all.

Understanding that creative material should be closely guarded, we contend that the financial breakdown on who will spend what where and with whom is not proprietary and should be made public.

Ocean City Today

11934 Ocean Gateway, Suite 6, Ocean City, Md. 21842 Phone: 410-723-6397 / Fax: 410-723-6511.

EDITOR ............................................ Stewart Dobson MANAGING EDITOR................................ Lisa Capitelli STAFF WRITERS .................. Greg Ellison, Greg Wehner, ..........................................Jack Chavez, Mallory Panuska ACCOUNT MANAGERS.......... Mary Cooper, Vicki Shrier ..............................................................Amanda Shick CLASSIFIEDS/LEGALS MANAGER .... Nancy MacCubbin SENIOR DESIGNER ................................ Susan Parks GRAPHIC ARTIST .................................... Kelly Brown PUBLISHER........................................ Christine Brown ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ...................... Gini Tufts

PUBLIC EYE Let me repeat myself

People often ask me how I come up with material for this column every week. Here’s the answer (pick one): 1. I possess a superior intellect, so I sit down at my computer, say “Inspiration On!” and just like that it happens. I’m amazing! 2. Give a monkey a keyboard, and sooner or later it will ... 3. I steal, lie, cheat, talk to the spirits and run old stuff that I happen to come across when I’m bored. That’s what I’ve done with the following, which I re-discovered this week. It’s from 2009, but my memory being what it is these days, it’s all new to me, and it’s still appropriate, however sad that may be. ***

Question: What’s the most useless thing on the face of the planet?

Answer: A member of Congress with a leaf blower.

Let me explain why.

My approach to autumn leaves laying in the yard is to be deeply involved in watching my wife rake them. It is, after all, my belief that we should allow nature to take its course and let this spent foliage remain on the ground, happy and undisturbed. I think of it as being environmentally friendly, or at least that’s the best argument that I have for doing nothing.

I’m told, however, that old leaves will kill the grass, which doesn’t sound like a terrible thing to me. If that’s true, then it reduces the

frequency with which the grass must be cut. And if we don’t cut the grass or rake the leaves, we will never need a leaf blower, the one garden implement that proves mankind’s obsession with convenience regardless of the result. In other words, cool versus tool. This is because the actual effectiveness of a leaf blower is somewhere between a hoe without a handle and a sprinkler system in Death Valley. While I understand that a leaf blower is the perfect lawn tool for me, since I could appear to be busy without doing anything, I find that sufficient whining about having to do any sort By Stewart of yard work generally gets me out of it altogether. But what I don’t understand is why we Dobson even have these things, considering that the wind, which is free and doesn’t require oiling, does the same thing, only better. A good west wind and – poof – I have transferred ownership of my leaves and clippings to my neighbor across the street. The problem is that most people who use leaf blowers don’t pick up the leaves or grass clippings when they’re finished doing whatever it is they do. They merely redistribute them. In that respect — and here’s the connection we’ve all been waiting for — leaf blowers are like Congress: they make a lot of noise and don’t accomplish anything of a permanent nature. The only difference is that instead of redistributing leaves, Congress redistributes money, the liberals to social programs and the conservatives to business interests, while neither side seems to put it where it won’t get blown away. A member of Congress and a leaf blower. That’s what I call a more perfect union.

OC risks losing family vibe

Editor,

Some beach towns advertise their resort as ‘The Best Beach’ & ‘The’ Beach. For generations Ocean City, known as ‘The Family Beach,’ is struggling to hold on to this reputation.

Now is not the time to sanction a motorcycle event to replace the H2O September car event. This seems to be counterproductive!

Noisy, highway traffic types of events has had an effect on the town and the family image.

Margaret Pillas Ocean City

Questions OC property taxes

Editor,

The Mayor & City Council of the Town of Ocean City continue to overtax the property owners.

The town has a stated policy of maintaining 15 percent of General Fund expenditures as a reserve fund.

Over the last seven fiscal years (FY), the Unassigned General Fund balance or Reserve Fund grew steadily from 21.6 percent in FY15 to 29.6 percent in FY20.

With the release of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for FY21, we find that the town had an Unassigned General Fund balance of 36.9 percent as of June 30, 2021.

These excess reserves are over $17,000,000 more than the 15 percent needed to be in compliance with the reserve policy. This excess amount is the equivalent of 18.5 cents on the property tax rate.

In other words, the town could have lowered the property tax rate in FY 21 by 40 percent and still maintained their reserve policy.

Further review of the CAFR reveals that revenue for FY21 exceeded budget estimates by over $4.6 million, while expenditures were over $5.7 million less than anticipated. This combined with other factors shows a favorable variance of over $10.6 million.

With this continued trend year after year, it is easy to see that we are being overtaxed.

Vincent dePaul Gisriel Jr. Ocean City Offshore wind farms benefit all citizens

Editor,

A letter published in this paper on Oct. 15 by Mr. Doug Durante of Ocean City offered an outrageous point of view, that the decisions around the proposed offshore wind farm be made solely by oceanfront property owners — properties that we all help pay for via FEMA, subsidized flood insurance and beach renourishment.

Federal and state laws are clear that our beaches and oceans are a shared benefit to all U.S. citizens, not a wealthy few.

Likewise, the escalating climate crisis will affect everyone, everywhere, regardless of status or political views.

In Mr. Durante’s opinion, not only should the 8 million annual visitors who enjoy Ocean City’s beaches not have a say, he even expressed contempt that residents of nearby Ocean Pines and Rehoboth Beach participated in a recent public listening session hosted by the State of Maryland on wind farm leases to be located offshore of both Maryland and Delaware.

Mr. Durante might be surprised to learn that the actual stakeholders of the proposed wind farm are not just the 6,972 citizens of Ocean City or even the 6.046 million residents of Maryland, but rather all 329.5 million citizens of the USA.

The Town of Ocean City’s jurisdiction ends at the water line. The State of Maryland’s jurisdiction extends another 3 miles out to sea.

At 13 miles offshore, where this wind farm will be located, the ocean is governed by the federal government. That status, combined with the fact that this wind project may have far-reaching impacts on our energy future and how we respond to climate change as a nation, makes it relevant to every American — not the least of whom are Baltimore residents that stand to benefit from turbine manufacturing jobs at Sparrows Point, and contractors in Delaware who may benefit from increased offshore jobs.

The Constitutional liberties we all value so dearly provide these people the right to have their views heard by our government.

Our oceans are an increasingly busy place, with uses ranging from shipping and military exercises to commercial fishing, recreation, energy production, telecommunications, and aquaculture.

Regulators are increasingly challenged to balance all these uses, but Maryland and the Department of Interior have done an excellent job — choosing a location with the least overall impact on tourism, shipping lanes, wildlife and fishing.

The site was surveyed for years to understand the seafloor composition, depth, affected species, and ensure there was no presence of submerged tribal cultural remains. They then brought this information to the public through a robust input process that received overwhelming support at the time.

Now the Town of Ocean City wants to renegotiate the deal, so the state conceded to yet another round of stakeholder meetings, the ones that Mr. Durante refers to in his letter.

Stakeholders in favor of the wind farm, which included prominent Ocean City business owners, outnumbered the naysayers 92-17 at those sessions.

Any changes to the lease area would put other ocean uses at risk, particularly shipping and whale migration. It would also necessitate having to redo the very long and expensive survey process.

In short, it would kill the project. Mr. Durante may not understand that, but the OC town council does. And it’s clear that’s their objective.

As a long-time former resident, whose extended family maintains numerous condo properties and a tourism-dependent business in town that will be devastated by increased sea level rise, I find the town’s biased representation towards a handful of disgruntled beachfront property owners appalling and unethical. Arlo Hemphill Baltimore County, Maryland

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Supports offshore wind turbines

Editor,

My name is Scott Hymes and I have been coming to Ocean City for all of my 58 years as a tourist and for business and I’m in favor of the wind turbines off Maryland’s coast.

I recently saw some letters to the editor that I wanted to respond to.

It’s not right that a small group of people with the loudest voices should have the biggest say in this decision when there is so much at stake with the health of our state’s environment.

For years Maryland’s citizens and waterways have been victims of pollution from coal-fired power plants. Maryland has been a leader in making the changes Continued on Page 46

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Continued from Page 45 to improve our waters but it’s time for the next step to combat sea level rise due to climate change.

Wind energy off our coast is a nobrainer. There will always be wind.

Although the number of windmills has changed, there are now fewer and they are farther out to sea. They started with 187 and are now down to about 107.

Only one will be 13 miles out with most at 17-27 miles away and the projects are 100 percent privately funded. The view from the shore is inconsequential.

Federal agencies and NGOs took great pains to properly site the 80,000acre Maryland lease area to avoid fishing, shipping, and wildlife impacts.

Impacts to migratory birds are minimal outside 10 miles, and impacts to whales and shipping lanes a serious problem outside 28 miles, the lease area, at 12-27 miles, was perfectly sited by the Department of the Interior.

As an environmental professional, I trust that US Wind has taken every measure of caution enlisting University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and others to conduct bird and marine mammal studies, gathering critical scientific data on birds, sea turtles and marine mammals. The turbine structures will be great habitat for fishing too!

Also there will be 3,500 direct construction jobs, and more than $1 billion in labor income over 20 years and an increase in Maryland’s GDP by $6.9 billion over 20 years.

Change can be scary, but so is failure. Let’s embrace the future and reap the benefits.

Pennsylvania woman facing robbery charges from May

Scott Hymes Severna Park, Maryland Kudos to Ocean City Elks Lodge #2645

Editor,

On Saturday, Oct. 23, I experienced the honor and privilege, as a veteran, attending the 8th Annual Military Banner Presentation Ceremony of the 2021 Ocean City Hometown Heroes Program for Worcester County residents, that occurred at the Elks Lodge. This is only one of many varied events sponsored by the Elks Lodge, a true “giving” organization.

The Military Banner Program, each year, honors members of all branches of service via flying a Boardwalk banner with a photo of the designated veteran indicating the era of their service.

The Banner Ceremony united this year’s gathering of veterans as we each briefly spoke of our time in uniform and it was evident that the words spoken displayed pride and loyalty to our county.

Many thanks to Pat Riordan, Program Manager and his staff (all volunteers) whose effort and time spent along with contributions from the public and various organizations, allowed this patriotic event to occur. Respectfully submitted, John Talbott Ocean Pines By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) A Pennsylvania woman faces robbery and assault charges after accusing a childhood friend of taking her money, snatching money out of the friend’s wallet, and hitting her in the face several times, according to police. Trinity Marie Mays, 20, of Thomasville, Pennsylvania was arrested this week on a warrant stemming back to May 27 at a hotel near Fifth Street, and charged with robbery, theft of an amount between $100 and $1,500, and seconddegree assault.

On May 27, police were called to the motel for a “strong-arm robbery” and when they arrived, they spoke to Laylah Nicole Adams, whose face appeared to be red and swollen.

When officers spoke to Adams, she said she and Mays grew up together and were staying at the hotel.

Adams said the two of them, plus two others, drank a few alcoholic beverages at the hotel room and went to sleep at approximately 1 a.m. But at 4:30 a.m., Mays woke up Adams and

accused her of taking her money and threatened to “stomp” her. Adams told police she tried to calm Mays down and assured her she did not take anything from her. Adams then checked her wallet to see if the money was misplaced and recalled seeing six $20 bills and one $5 bill. Mays grabbed the wallet from Adams’s hands while hitting her on the face, Adams told police, and once Adams got her wallet back, the money was gone. Trinity Mays Mays continued to hit Adams before one of the other occupants broke them up and escorted Mays out of the room, according to Adams. The next day, a probation officer from the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole informed Ocean City Police that Mays was on probation for possession of a stolen handgunk and violating her probation terms. A warrant was issued for Mays. Adams was treated at Atlantic General Hospital for a possible concussion and told officers she wanted to pursue criminal charges against Mays. She also provided police with a series of Snapchat messages between her and another person who caught the punches on video. Adams also provided police with a video of Mays speaking over Facetime. During the conversation, Adams told Mays she was being recorded and accused her of stealing her money. Mays said, “I don’t give a ****. I will beat you the **** up bitch, again.” Police ultimately arrested Mays for robbery, theft of more than $100, but less than $1,500, and second-degree assault. On Oct. 26, Mays was arrested for the warrant associated with the charges and after a hearing, posted bond in the amount of $30,000.

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By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) If not for the swift, attentive work of dozens of Ocean City firefighters, the historic Angler restaurant and boat dock in downtown Ocean City could have easily gone up in flames when a fire broke out Halloween night on its east side.

“By the time we got there they had it pretty much under control,” coowner Julie Smith said of the volunteer and paid crews who responded to a neighbor’s call that there were sparks shooting from the more than 80-yearold building sometime after 9 p.m.

“The city volunteer fire department did an amazing job,” Smith continued. “They were there minutes from the time they were called and had it under control pretty much by the time we got there.”

Smith owns the business, known as Bill Buntings Angler Restaurant & Boat at 312 Talbot St., with her sister, Jayne Bunting. The restaurant and boat dock have been in their family since 1938, and losing it would have been devastating.

“It’s not just (our) livelihood, ours is a family history,” Smith said. “We’ve been there since we were born.”

Bunting also commended the quick response of the firefighters, some of whom she said she has known since elementary school.

“The attention from members of the volunteer department was amazing,” she said. “They probably had 30 people there within five minutes.”

She also said they were “blessed” that the damage was not worse. By the time the sisters arrived at the property Sunday night, they said no flames were showing and that the damage that ensued was minimal compared to what could have occurred.

“We were really really fortunate that there was no more damage done,” Bunting said. “The wind was in the right direction, we are just really blessed.”

The Angler had closed for the season Saturday night, just one day before the fire broke out in the kitchen and bathroom area. And because the damage was minimal, the sisters expect to be ready to reopen as planned at the beginning of May for the 2022 season.

Ryan Whittington, the spokesman for the Ocean City Fire Department, said in an email Monday that the cause of the fire was still under investigation, but Smith and Bunting said all signs point to an electrical ignition.

“At this time they’re assuming it’s an electrical fire, we just haven’t gotten it all confirmed yet,” Smith said.

Whittington said firefighters responded to the call between 9 and 9:30 p.m. Halloween night, just six minutes after a call to the Hilton Suites on the 3200 block of Baltimore Avenue.

For that call, firefighters and emergency medical service personnel responded to reports of smoke in the structure. Upon arrival, Whittington said firefighters discovered “smoke conditions” on the eighth floor of the high rise and isolated the cause to a malfunctioning air handler before removing it.

PHOTO COURTESY RYAN WHITTINGTON, OCEAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT Ocean City firefighters battling a blaze Halloween night at the Angler restaurant on Talbot Street. The flames ignited between 9 and 9:30 p.m. and responders arrived quickly and put them out.

PHOTOS COURTESY RYAN WHITTINGTON, OCEAN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT Ocean City firefighters do an overhaul Halloween night of a portion of the Angler restaurant on Talbot Street after a fire. The flames ignited between 9 and 9:30 p.m. and responders arrived quickly and put them out.

Pocomoke man charged with animal cruelty

Previously-cited breeder hit with nine misdemeanor counts, hearing scheduled

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) A Pocomoke City man was charged with nine counts of animal cruelty on Oct. 28.

Michael Louis Parrett, 65, of 2844 Byrd Road, was handed the misdemeanor charges following a monthslong investigation by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office.

A private dog breeder, Parrett has long had a contentious relationship with the Pocomoke community and the county government. New animal control laws enacted over the summer specifically target breeders with questionable-at-best practices, something neighbors, who dubbed Parrett “Parvo Mike,” have claimed of him.

I“t’s nice to see and I’m very pleased that the new legislation is working to protect our dogs and animals,” said Commissioner Josh Nordstrom. “As I said before several times, animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Worcester County. Taking these steps to pass this legislation is a great step in the right direction to make that a reality.”

Parrett is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 19.

The Animal Control Office levied 10 citations against Parrett on similar charges in 2019.

Nordstrom stressed that what he applauds is not an impending comeuppance, but that protection of aniSee CHANGES Page 48

Gambino, one of the dogs rescued from Michael Parrett’s property, is seen after being taken to the vet and cleaned up. Parrett was recently charged with nine misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. He is due in court for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 19.

Colby Matthew Sifford, 19, of Whaleyville, Maryland was arrested by Ocean City Police on Oct. 25 near Third Street and charged with possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.

Police were working downtown in an unmarked vehicle when they saw a silver sedan weaving in and out of traffic as it moved from the far-right lane to the far-left lane without using a turn signal.

Sifford, who was driving the sedan, was stopped by officers near First Street, and when they approached the vehicle, they smelled marijuana coming from inside.

Police asked Sifford to stop the car and for all the occupants to exit the vehicle so they could conduct a search. Inside the glovebox, police found a clear plastic baggie containing a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. Police also found a scale.

When the officers weighed the powder, it measured to be 10 grams, and they determined it was “far more than one would possess for normal human consumption.”

According to police, the value of the cocaine was approximated at $1,200 when sold in half-gram increments, or $1,000 if sold in one-gram increments.

Based on the results of the search, Sifford was placed under arrest.

Cocaine possession

Robert Josue Strang-Moya, 28, of Berlin was arrested by Ocean City Police at 2:44 a.m. on Oct. 27 near First Street and charged with DUI, possession of narcotics, and various other charges.

Police said they spotted a vehicle parked on the 100 block of Wicomico Street with Strang-Moya slouched behind the driver’s seat. According to court documents, when officers approached Strang-Moya, he told them he “was at the beer place,” and pointed toward one of the local pubs.

The officer suggested Strang-Moya call for an Uber or Taxi, and he said he would.

But a short time later, according to police, the officer saw Strang-Moya driving north on Baltimore Avenue, swerving between two lanes, and turning onto First Street, where the officer conducted the search.

Strang-Moya was placed under arrest for DUI, and when the officer conducted a search of the car, a baggie of white powder suspected to be cocaine was found.

DUI and resisting

Brenden Michael Waller, 28, of Berlin was arrested by Ocean City Police at approximately 10:15 p.m. on Oct. 27 near 146th Street and charged with DUI, resisting arrest, second-degree assault, hindering an investigation, and several traffic violations.

Police said Waller was seen driving 46 mph in a 25-mph zone near 142nd Street and nearly striking a curb. Police said that when the officer turned on his emergency lights to perform a traffic stop, Waller continued driving, running a stop sign, making a wide turn, and driving over the yellow line before travelling on the wrong side of the road.

Waller pulled over to stop and was ordered out of the vehicle, which he refused to do. Instead, he sat there with his hands up. The officer continued to tell Waller to get out of the car, but he still refused.

The officer walked up to Waller as other members of the police force arrived and placed “stop sticks” in front of the car to ensure he did not flee.

Police told Waller he was hindering an investigation and was ordered out of the car again, but he continued to sit in his seat and argued with police.

Waller told the officer he did not have to get out of the car, police said, and said he would not exit because he feared they were going to kill him.

Even when officers asked Waller for his license, registration, and insurance, he refused to hand them over, police said. It was later discovered Waller’s license was expired.

Once Waller unlocked his doors, officers tried to open it. But Waller refused to let them open the door and yanked it back toward himself, causing the officer to “almost” slam his fingers and hands in the door jam.

Police ultimately used force to remove Waller from the vehicle and he continued to resist, calling the officer derogatory names.

Narcotics, DUI arrest

Aaron Nash Dubois, 35, of Berlin was arrested by Ocean City Police at 11:47 p.m. on Oct. 27 near the Route 50 bridge and charged with possession of narcotics, DUI, and various traffic violations.

Police said Dubois was pulled over for not wearing his seatbelt and during the stop, he told officers his license may be suspended for failure to pay child support and a previous DUI.

After an investigation, police believed Dubois was under the influence of alcohol, and he admitted to having “three shots” at a nearby pub.

He was then placed under arrest and a search of the vehicle revealed a folded gum wrapper with an offwhite rock-like substance believed to be cocaine.

DUI drugs and alcohol

Wesley Brian Richardson, 50, of White Marsh, Maryland was arrested by Ocean City Police at approximately 1:15 a.m. on Oct. 30 near 32nd Street and charged with DUI of drugs and alcohol.

Police said officers heard an engine revving loudly near 32nd Street before seeing truck headlights approaching them at a high rate of speed.

The truck then broke hard and made a sharp left turn, followed by a right sharp turn before the officer was able to conduct a traffic stop at a nearby hotel.

Richardson was the driver of the truck and police determined he was under the influence of alcohol.

When Richardson got out of the truck, police said, he lost his balance and stumbled. Richardson told officers he had three or four drinks at a nearby restaurant. He also said he takes medication for anxiety and depression.

He was ultimately placed under arrest for DUI of drugs and alcohol.

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Changes to animal control law lead to Pocomoke arrest

Continued from Page 47 mals in Worcester County.

“The dogs that he harms through his means of raising and keeping them, and the damages and the distress he causes to his neighbors, is a major concern to me,” he said. “I don’t want any more animals to die, to get hurt or see them get loose. I don’t want the neighbors to be disturbed any longer. That’s why we passed the laws in the first place. Protect not only the animals but the people who want to live a peaceful existence.”

“With the dedicated and talented people in the ... state attorney’s office, we’re moving toward that goal.”

Lenore Bennett, owner of Bayside Dog Training and All Paws Doggie Daycare and local animal control reform advocate, welcomed the news of the charges but thought Parrett might be getting off easy.

“I’m very happy to hear that he was charged,” Bennett said. “Unfortunately these are just misdemeanors that typically involve only fines. If he does not have an income to pay them, there is little recourse if he does not.”

New county laws were enacted in August that include criteria for hold times for strays, who may operate a kennel, standards that must be upheld to operate a kennel, standards for what’s considered suitable shelter, vaccination and mental state requirements for adoption, and specific definitions for related animal control terminology for everything from “commercial kennel” to “dog.”

The law comes with a companion bill that defines a “commercial kennel” in the zoning code.

Revolution Parade of ’41 galvanizes Soviets

By Peter Ayers Wimbrow III Contributing Writer (Nov. 5, 2021) This week, 80 years ago, with the “enemy at the gates,” the Soviet Union staged a 1941 October Revolution Parade in honor of the October Revolution 24 years earlier. That the parade honoring the October Revolution was held in November is because of the switch from the Julian Calendar, which Russia used at the time of revolution to the current Gregorian Calendar, bringing it in line with the rest of the world.

At first, Soviet authorities were not inclined to hold the annual parade. However, on further consideration, the authorities decided that the citizens needed inspiration and that a parade would do the trick and that it would tell the whole world that the Soviet Union was still fighting and would continue to fight. So, with German forces 20 miles from the city, the parade was planned.

First, the parade route had to be protected from the Luftwaffe. From all over the front lines, 550 fighters were ordered to Moscow. Thanks to these, and a heavy snowstorm, there was no interference from the Luftwaffe. Normally, two to three months would be devoted to parade preparations. In this case, it was done in a few days.

Gen. Pavel Artemyev led the parade into Red Square on horseback, to the accompaniment of the combined bands of the Central Military Band of the People’s Commissars of Defense, the band of the Dzerzhinsky Division, and the staff band of the Moscow Military District led by the Military District’s Director of Music, Col. Vasily Agapkin. After a speech by Stalin from atop Lenin’s tomb, the following units marched past: the Corps of Drums of the Moscow Military Music College; Moscow Artillery School; combined regiments from the 336th Naval Infantry Brigade, and Navy Headquarters detachment from Moscow; the 332nd Rifle Division; the Dzerzhinsky Division (named in honor of Felix Dzerzhinsky — “Iron Felix” — first head of the dreaded secret police); NKVD Internal Troops; People’s Militia Division; regiments from the Military Council of the Moscow Military District, Vsevovusch and the Red Guards Battalion. Most of these soldiers, upon exiting Red Square, marched straight to the front where many died.

Stalin’s speech commemorated the great October Socialist Revolution and reminded the people that they had faced worse times and had prevailed. He noted that, unlike post World War I, this time the Soviets had allies and were not standing alone. He also noted that Germany had lost 4.5 million men and that it could not, “...sustain such a strain for long,” and that within a year, at the most, it would begin to buckle.

He told the Soviet citizens that, “...the whole world is looking to you as the force capable of destroying the plundering hordes of German invaders.” Stalin invoked past successful leaders such as Prince Alexander Nefsky who triumphed over German and Swedish invaders in the 13th Century, Field Marshal Alexander Suverov who never lost a battle and Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov, who chased Napoleon’s army out of Russia.

Simultaneously, with the parade in Moscow, there was a parade in Kuybyshev, which was formerly, and currently is, Samara. This is where much of the Soviet government had relocated in October during the “great skedaddle,” in October. The 500-yearold city is located where the Volga and Samara Rivers join and currently has a population of 1.1 million.

The parade was held in Kuybyshev Square. The city and the Square were named for Valerian Kuybyshev, who until his death on January 25, 1935, was the First Deputy Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars of the Soviet Union. In 1991, the city’s name was changed back to Samara.

The Kuybyshev parade participants were led into the Square by Lt. Gen. Maxime Purkayev, commander of the Sixtieth Army. The participants were addressed by Stalin crony, Marshal Kliment Y. Voroshilov, who previously had been Commissar of Defense, and was currently Deputy Minister of Cultural Affairs.

The parade participants included: the Corps of Drums; the Corps of Cadets; the Military Medical Academy; brigades from the 65th and 239th Rifle Divisions; Air Defense, Naval and NKVD Battalions. A total of 15,000 soldiers, 140 military vehicles, and 217 aircraft, accompanied by a 360-man-band, paraded for an hour and a half. Diplomats from 27 countries attended.

Another parade occurred in Voronezh, which is located on the Voronezh River, about 7.5 miles from where it enters the Don River. Currently, the 800-year-old city has a population in excess of one million. That parade consisted of personnel of 327th Flight Division, commanded by Ivan Mikhailovich Antiufeev. In addition to the soldiers marching, there were columns of armored cars, trucks, motorcycles, jeeps and Katyusha rocket launchers.

Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, the October Revolution has not been celebrated. However, the parade to commemorate the 1941 parade has been held, and will be again this year, on Sunday, in Moscow and in Samara.

Next week: Assault on Moscow

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.

1941 parade in Red Square, Moscow.