Voices From The Readers

Voices From The Readers
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Better People Skills Needed
Editor:

On Thursday, Aug. 12, County Commissioner Linda Busick stopped by my wife’s dog grooming shop here in Bishopville. We have a Jimmy Bunting for County Commissioner sign in our front yard. She tried to bully my wife into voting for her because she had past business relations with her grandmother, the founder of the dog grooming shop. When bullying didn’t work she changed tactic’s to her husband had just died and she has no family here. That didn’t work either. It’s not anyone’s business who we vote for but it’s pretty obvious that we’re voting for the Worcester County native. I don’t think it’s anyone’s business who we are voting for. Ms Busick has no business coming into any business that is privately owned and saying anything about signs in the yard. She seems to think that because she had business affairs with my wifes grandmother that entitles her to my wife’s vote.

She doesn’t know that before she was ever a shop customer to my wife’s grandmother that founded the business that my family was in an oyster business with Jimmy in St. Martins Neck. She copped a bad attitude and as she was leaving a paying customer said hello to her and commented that "She had found the right place" meaning the proper dog grooming business and Ms. Busick replied "I don’t think so" rather nasty to them.

She has no business in our place of business saying anything about our yard sign and whom we support for County Commissioner. Jimmy Bunting is a hometown man with good values and supports our community. I know he will do a better job than Ms. Busick, who showed us first hand she does not have the people skills needed to represent Bishopville.

Kyle J Hayes Sr.
Bishopville

Editor’s Note: In an attempt to represents both sides of the issue, Busick was forwarded a copy of this letter and given an opportunity to respond in writing. Her response follows.

Disappointed To Lose Support
Editor:

Ms. Hayes is not only an outstanding member of the community, but she is also someone with whom I have had occasion to advocate for in the past.

Based on our mutual friendship and support of one another during the past three years, I felt that it was both wise and proper to find out if her decision to support another candidate was based on my performance in office.

I was relieved to hear her say that I’ve worked hard while in office and that her decision to support another candidate was based instead on her family’s longstanding relationship with another candidate. It’s always disappointing to lose the support of an individual like Ms. Hayes, but that doesn’t negate our friendship in any way.

In fact, after our discussion, we spent some time together catching up on family matters and even parted with a hug.

Linda Busick
Downtown Entrance
Needs Fiscal Attention
Editor:
For years, I have been waiting and watching for the beautification of our downtown entrance.

We spend all this money on big projects, but ignore the simple and most noticeable benefits we could display to our visitors as they approach our town after crossing the two bridges (Routes 50 and 90).

We have the space to make a beautiful statement and it would cost pennies. I have to wonder why we have not done this yet. All one has to do is drive up to beautiful Bethany to see the wonders they have done with a few flowers. We have the beautiful fish fountain, but nothing to really catch the eye. Dig all that bad soil out, put some irrigation in along with some nice top soil and many beautiful flowers that will bloom all summer.

I would be glad to assist if they need any help. Please bring this to someone’s attention.
Dollye Schroyer
Ocean City
Handicap Spots
Not A Problem
Editor:

With regards to the letter from Kelly Morrison of York, Pa. on her bad experience regarding handicapped parking allow me to point out a few things.

The problem appears to be that Ms. Morrison has the mistaken impression that the town of Ocean City owns the entire town and is therefore obligated to provide handicapped parking on every street. Much of the town is owned by private residents, and private businesses.

In addition, she, as the driver, is not handicapped. She is physically able pull to the beach access area, remove her handicapped passenger to the pedestrian area and legally park her vehicle in an available parking spot. If her mother is in such serious condition that she could not be left in the pedestrian footpath area, then Ms. Morrison should have brought an additional party along to assist.

According to Maryland Land Records, all buildings located on 120th Street are either privately owned or condo/hotels. I’m pretty sure that only the hotels are only required to provide such spaces in their parking lots for their residents and only if, they have a parking lot of their own.  

While it is a street, which has public parking, it is not a parking lot and therefore not required to contain handicapped/van accessible parking spots. And yet there were two. Does the county that Ms. Morrison resides in provide two handicapped parking spots on each of the streets in York?

There is no Boardwalk at 120th Street, nor is there a Boardwalk at 70th Street. I’m curious how one maneuvers a wheelchair in the sand, as we found it impossible. A far better choice for Ms. Morrison would have been to choose to utilize one of the public parking areas that meet or exceed the federal and state requirements for providing handicapped access.

The Inlet parking lot, an actual parking lot, and actually "provided" by the town of Ocean City has 1,200 parking spots and 35 of those are designated handicapped or van accessible. This is more than required by the law, which is 20 for the first 1000 spots and 1 for every 100 spots after that. The UInlet parking lot provides direct access to the beach and also to the boardwalk. In addition the town of Ocean City as a Paratransit service that can deliver you directly to the boardwalk, 365 days out of the year, you just have to call them!

Hoping for leniency because you use a handicapped hang tag is shameful. The two persons driving the vehicles that were legally parked could have been an amputee and a family with a seriously disabled child. I’m grateful that the town of Ocean City provides handicapped parking on side streets, but they are just that… side streets that provide parking spaces; they are not parking lots.

There were alternatives to breaking the law, getting frustrated and fined, and having your vacation ruined over $30.

Proud resident of the Ocean City area,
Ruth Koontz
Ocean City
Smoking Ban Needed
Editor:

I emailed you last year and it fell on deaf ears with the exception of Joe Hall. The time has come for the council to pass a no smoking band on the beach and Boardwalk. No referendum no ballot issue, get it done.

Every article in the past five years has come to the same conclusion. Second-hand smoke is hazardous to your health. The comment by Joe Mitrecic published in The Dispatch on Aug. 6, "discussion about banning smoking on the beach would have to include economic considerations". What economic considerations could trump the prevention of second hand smoke and all the related health issues? Come on council members, take the bull by the horns and pass a no smoking ban and have it in place for the 2011 season.

Stewart Shinnick
Ocean City
It’s Right Thing To Do
Editor:

I read with interest, the Letters to the Editor regarding smoking in the Aug. 27 edition of The Dispatch.

Having been a smoker, I remember the yellow fingers, the house that smelled like the bottom of a 3-week old ash can no matter how hard I tried to keep it clean, and having to have everything dry cleaned if I went out to a bar or restaurant. I had friends who spent the first hour after they woke up coughing and hacking from smoking the day before. I tried to quit smoking several times and on July 11, 1991, I stopped smoking and never looked back—I wish other smokers could experience the same thing.

The bottom line to all of this is the second hand smoke and the harm it does to children, people with respiratory problems (including former smokers), and non- smokers who want to protect their children and themselves period. In September 2007, I sent an e-mail to the American Lung Association (ALA) — giving broad room for interpretation — and below is their response (the Mayor and City Council were sent a copy on June 21, 2008):

I wrote, “I walk on the boardwalk in Ocean City almost every day. There are constantly smokers around and I wondered if their second hand smoke is dangerous to others (their children included), or is the smoke so dispersed that it’s not an issue. Thanks”

The ALA wrote, “A recent report by the Surgeon General stated that all the scientific evidence was in, and there is no safe level of cigarette smoke exposure. Basically, if you can smell the smoke, you have potential to be harmed. I would agree with you that the overall exposure would be less, but there is no way anyone can say this type of exposure is safe. Considering that cigarette smoke has over 4,000 chemicals, and over 60 known cancer causing ingredients, it is no wonder that there is no safe level of exposure.”

The Ocean City Mayor and Council need to take a very hard look at this and initiate a ban. Perhaps they can come up with a “smoking area” where the beach, boardwalk, and public parks will be safe for the residents of Ocean City and the visitors. And please, the ban should be in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year unless someone can come up with documentation that second hand smoke has no effect in the off season.

It’s not a financial thing, it’s not a big government thing, it’s the right thing to do for everyone. For those who have been around smokers all their life and “apparently” have no side effects, congratulations, you’ve dodged a bullet so far however, there are others who are not so lucky and are paying the price for those who smoked around them and have also taken up this habit because of them and are doomed to misery down the road.

There are many courteous smokers out there who refrain from smoking around those who don’t — unfortunately, there are those who care only about themselves and would continue to smoke even if given the choice — a no win situation. Would you want your children, grand children, or someone you love to be the victim of those irresponsible smokers?

David Murdock
Ocean City
Say No To Smoking Ban
Editor:

We follow the ongoing discussion about no smoking on Ocean City beaches. To the two of us, who are reformed smokers for years, second hand smoke rates a grade of F-.

One of our primary concerns stems from the fact that we have served as part of the so-called dune patrol since 2002. Cigarette butts abound in our sections of dunes along with some cigar butts. The majority of the butts are along the restraining fences at the far, west, end of the dunes. Some were no doubt blown there by the wind, but we suspect others were flipped over balcony railings by people in the condos.

However the butts arrived there, they are among the most difficult to pick up. We have decided that the best way to handle them are by gloved hands. What we don’t know is how those butts affect the birds that frequent the dunes.

It’s sad that a government body would consider an ordinance to prevent smoking on the beach. We keep losing our freedoms, because we ourselves don’t act to protect them – in this case by voluntarily not smoking on the beach. And has been pointed out, who will enforce a no smoking ordinance? Beach patrol members have enough watching for people in the water and the “occasional” alcohol consumer. Add smoking too?

We’d prefer smokers refrain from their habit on the beach and that condo dwellers keep their smoke butts in condo ashtrays. But then this isn’t a perfect world.

Bob and Mary Ann LeMay
Ocean City
Thanks For Support
Editor:

An Albert Camus quote comes to mind in regards to the generosity of Seacrets, USA and their dedicated staff to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP): “Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.”

During the past two weeks, Seacrets held several benefits that raised a significant amount for the Maryland Coastal Bays! We at MCBP can’t say enough about their generosity as well as their dedication.

And what a professional and friendly crew we found. From the management staff down to the peace police, Seacrets staff is top notch. Manager Justin Grimes, who created the Dunkfest H2010 fundraiser, and Manager Gina Day who gave it her all working at the event with Justin was incredible. Door Manager Rob Ruth couldn’t have been more patient with our crazy crew, and Chris and Sinad of the peace police were very helpful.

And a great special thanks goes to the cast of characters who sat in the tank and brought friends who donated money. Dunkers included Steve Green, publisher and editor of the Coast Dispatch; Rico Rossi, co-general manager of Seacrets; Tammy Cebula, owner of Galaxy 66 and Lovin Life Limos; John Gehrig, owner of D3 Corp and president of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce; Scott Malinski, Seacrets bartender; Doug Buxbaum, owner of Buxy’s Salty Dog; DJ BK, who also did an awesome job emceeing the event; and Jim Long, who also took time to help BK emcee while BK was in the tank. We also had customers who paid to have their friends dunk them including a firefighter from New York City.

Seacrets recognizes the work MCBP does to help protect the future of their spectacular backdrop. The MCBP is a non-profit program which is a part of the National Estuary Program and is a partnership between citizens and the towns of Ocean City, and Berlin, the National Park Service, Worcester County, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Environment and Planning who have joined forces to protect and restore the watershed.

Sandi Smith
Maryland Coastal Bays Program
Project A Success
Editor:

On behalf of the Worcester County Garden Club, I would like to thank Lowe’s in Pocomoke, for their redesign and planting of the Butterfly Garden at the Snow Hill Elementary School in. Through their community outreach program, the Hero’s Project, they provided volunteers and materials, enabling our club to continue the project that we developed in 2002. Their determination and accomplishments were particularly admired as it was the hottest day of the summer.

Refreshments were donated by Food Lion, Dunkin Donuts and the Subway Shop in Pennington Commons; by Bagels and … in Ocean Pines, and by the Emporium in Snow Hill.

Our thanks to Lowe’s store manager, Scott Gausmann, to Amber and Joe, garden managers, to their employees for donating their time and to the community stores for their donations.

Mary Lou Scott
Berlin
(The writer is the president of the Worcester County Garden Club.)
Geesaman Memory Endures
Editor:

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all who recently donated to Snow Hill Youth Football (SHYFB) in memory of Jay Geesaman. Jay loved the game of football, and he was a staple on the bleachers where he watched his son, Geese, coach and his grandchildren, Greg and Zach play SHYFB. Football and family were Jay’s life and these loves continue in the Geesaman family.

On behalf of the players and coaches, and to everyone who has made SHYFB possible, we thank you.
Coaches of Snow Hill Youth Football