• POLITICS: City Councilmember asked for confidential information unfavorable to fire department
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Ocean City Today head, OCVFC assistant chief alleges in report to superiors. PAGE 10A
• SPORTS: Lady Mallards shut out Royals 15-0, top Eagles 6-1 this week. Coach Frostrom says players working well together. They help and encourage each other. PAGE 36A
BUSINESS . . . . . . . . . . . 1C CLASSIFIED . . . . . . . . . . 5C ENTERTAINMENT . . . . . . 5B LEGALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7C
LIFESTYLE . . . . . . . . . . . 1B OPINION . . . . . . . . . . . 44A OUT&ABOUT . . . . . . . . 21B SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . 36A
FOOD, DRINK, CRAFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT– IT’S SUNFEST … PAGE 1B
WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
FREE
Council kicks out woman for disruption Gadfly Diegelmann gets boot for clapping, waving ZACK HOOPES Staff Writer
ment, I have some things that can be salvaged,” Kristin Joson, owner of one of the three units, said in an email. “We have a long road ahead to rebuild but no one was hurt.” Joson, who works for the Charles County public school system, is also a member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol and writes the popular beach safety column, “On Guard,” for this newspaper.
(Sept. 20, 2013) City Hall is apparently cracking down on what is seen as disruptive or un-productive behavior during council meetings, although those affected are clearly skeptical about the motivations of the authorities. Local activist and frequent council critic Ellie Diegelmann was asked to leave Monday night’s meeting by the attending police officer, after applauding in response to comments made by another citizen to the council. Diegelmann clapped her hands for only a few seconds before ceasing. However, the Ocean City Police Department officer who was detailed to monitor the council meeting then approached Diegelmann’s seat. “He told me, ‘The council president says you have to leave,’” Diegelmann said following the meeting. She and the officer then went into the hallway, where Diegelmann says she asked why she was being removed and if she could come back in. “He wouldn’t tell me why I was being asked to leave, but he said that everyone gets two warnings, and the third time he would have to arrest me,” Diegelmann said. She then came back into the council chambers to get her notes, which she had left on her chair. Diegelmann then began to waive her arms in the air, the intent of which was to get the council’s
See HOMEOWNER on Page 4A
See POLITICAL on Page 3A
Mick Chester photo
Flames engulf a townhouse building on 94th Street Sunday afternoon, consuming most of it except for areas protected by sprinkler systems.
Fire destroys resort townhomes ‘My unit survived the most and the sprinklers definitely helped. I’m pretty amazed.’ (Sept. 20, 2013) A 94th Street house erupted in flames last Sunday afternoon, charring part of the building, melting one car and threatening nearby buildings, as firefighters from Ocean City and Delaware faced an inferno that sent up a massive column of smoke visible for miles. The blazing three-unit townhouse
Residential & Commercial 24/7 Emergency Service
complex, which was directly across the street from the new Ocean City Art League headquarters, was mostly lost except for some areas protected by a sprinkler system. No one was home at the time and there were no injuries, but owners were left to sift the ashes early this week for whatever personal items were spared. “Thanks to their response and the hard work of the volunteer fire depart-
STARTING AT
CLARA VAUGHN Staff Writer
$
2999
COMPLETE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS
WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
410A 13-15 SEER PACKAGE: • Air Handler or Furnace, Coil & Condenser or Heat Pump • Programmable Thermostat • 2 Year Labor & 10 Years Parts Warranty • 1 Year Elite Maintenance Plan
Financing Available • All Major • Credit Cards Accepted
We Service All HVAC Brands
443-783-1591 855-484-8221 www.GVHVAC.com
MD HVAC #4450 – MD MHIC #130427 – DE HVAC/R # HM0000865 – LICENSED & INSURED