December 21, 2007

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

At the end of every year in this space, I put forward some predictions for what I think will happen over the next year. I looked back this week to grade myself and see whether I was on the mark with my forecasts or way off on what would happen in 2009. By far and away, it was not a good year as far as my predictions go. Here's a run down of my embarrassing performance. On The Money -- I suggested 'bureaucratic delays and other practical obstacles' would lead to not one slot machine being used...READ MORE

Thursday, December 27 - Unveiling Of New Historical Displays Planned In OC

OCEAN CITY - Visitors to City Hall on New Year's Day will be able to view brand-new exhibits chronicling different historical aspects of the town when the Ocean City Mayor and City Council's 12th Annual Open House is held from 1-3 p.m. The Mayor and City Council's Open House has become a community tradition. Each year offers a different theme. This year's event will highlight "Ocean City's Elected Officials: Past and Present," to recognize the elected officials that have served the...READ MORE

Wrecked Truck Driver

BERLIN - A Delaware man who first stranded his truck in the median on Route 50 before waving and jumping in front of cars attracted attention to himself to the point he was arrested for drinking and driving this week. Around 4 a.m. on Sunday, Maryland State Police troopers responded to the area of Route 50 and Hall Rd. for a report of a white male hitch-hiking and jumping in front of oncoming traffic. Upon arrival, the officers contacted a suspect, later identified as Robert Miller Howard, Jr.,...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Deck

There is obvious irony, as well as humor, in the fact a first-year Ocean City cop was charged with driving while intoxicated after attending a Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) party in Delaware. It goes without saying cops should not be drinking and driving. When it does happen, the contradiction is extraordinary. They are supposed to understand all too well the dangers associated with it and should know better. As they should be, when it comes to matters like this, cops are held to a higher...READ MORE

OC Best To Go Strict With Sex Shops

The Mayor and Council again extended the moratoria on the issuance of business licenses and zoning approval for sexually oriented businesses. The restrictions will now continue until at least March 1. The extension gives the council time to put together and vote on the appropriate ordinances. For months, the council has been hearing proposals from staff on potential ordinances to govern the future of the sex shop industry in Ocean City. We believe the city is making it harder than it has to be...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Decision Applauded Editor: The Assateague Coastkeeper and Assateague Coastal Trust would like to commend the County Commissioners for their vote on Tuesday, Dec. 18 to amend the county's wastewater and sewer plan to accommodate expanded service for the Town of Berlin, without approving a new wastewater discharge into Kitts Branch and Newport Bay. We feel the commissioners made a precedent setting vote on Tuesday by requiring the Town of Berlin to upgrade its current wastewater treatment plant...READ MORE

Deal To Bring Subway Cars To OC Nearly Complete

OCEAN CITY - It now appears the effort to obtain more than 600 retired New York City 'Redbird' subway cars for Ocean City's ever-expanding artificial reef system off the coast is close to a done deal with the first batch of cars expected to arrive as early as this spring. According to Captain Monty Hawkins of the 'Morning Star,' a member of the Ocean City Reef Foundation who has been close to the effort to obtain the retired subway cars, just a few formalities stand in the way of completing the...READ MORE

Moore Intrigued By Possible 'Culmination' Of Legal Ca

BERLIN - If popular local attorney Joseph Moore is successful in his attempt to follow another Berlin native son to the bench of Maryland's highest court, he will have bypassed an important step in the path taken by his predecessor, Judge Dale Cathell, but the two have otherwise followed eerily similar career paths. Moore last week officially filed an application to replace Cathell as the Maryland Court of Appeals judge for the state's First Appellate Circuit, which includes the nine counties of...READ MORE

Friday, December 21 - OC Extends Sex Shop Moratorium

OCEAN CITY - The end date of the moratorium on sexually oriented business licenses and zoning in Ocean City was officially pushed back another month this week with the unanimous vote from the City Council. In a regular session of the Mayor and City Council Monday night, the council was presented with a resolution extending the moratoria on the issuance of business licenses and zoning approval for sexually oriented businesses. The resolution calls for the extension of the expiration of the...READ MORE

Friday, December 21 - Resort Cop Fired After DUI Arrest

OCEAN CITY - An Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officer arrested and charged with driving under the influence last week after a holiday party was terminated by Chief Bernadette DiPino on Monday following an administrative hearing. OCPD Officer Wilbur Thomas Jesson was arrested early last Wednesday morning in Delaware when his car left the roadway along Route 113 after leaving an Ocean City Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 10 Christmas party. Jesson was driving on Route 113 near...READ MORE

Friday, December 21 - White Marlin Open Suit Moves Ahead

SNOW HILL - The multi-party lawsuit asking a Worcester County judge to sort out the top three finishers in the blue marlin category of this year's White Marlin Open nudged forward this week in Circuit Court with an agreement on the procedural aspects of the case. White Marlin Open organizers in September filed a complaint of interpleader, which essentially asked a Worcester County Circuit Court judge to intercede on their behalf and assess who among the top three winners in the 2007 event's blue...READ MORE

Decatur to Host Coleman Tourney

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity basketball team will play host to the annual John Coleman Christmas Tournament next week featuring county rival Pocomoke and three of the top schools from Virginia's Eastern Shore. The annual holiday tournament, named for long-time Worcester County Public Schools Administrator John Coleman, has become one of the highlights of the holiday basketball tournament schedule on the Eastern Shore. The event has evolved over the years and barely resembles what it...READ MORE

Mallards Down Jaguars, 52-35

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's boys' varsity basketball team used a couple of big runs to beat Salisbury Christian, 52-35, on Monday to improve to 8-2 on the season including a perfect 2-0 mark in the ESIAC conference. The Mallards got balanced scoring from up and down the roster and hunkered down on defense nearly every time the Jaguars made a mini-run of their own to cruise to their eighth win against just two defeats. Worcester came out of the gates with an 11-2 run in the first quarter to set the...READ MORE

Seahawks Outlast Vikings, 51-40

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity basketball team got in the win column this week with a solid team effort resulting in a 51-40 win over visiting Cambridge-South Dorchester on Monday. The young Seahawks struggled a bit to start the season, dropping their first two games, but showed a glimpse of their future with a win over the Vikings on Monday. After falling behind, 13-7, in the first quarter on Monday, Decatur put together three and half quarters of great basketball at both ends of the...READ MORE

Winterfest Soccer Camp on Tap

OCEAN CITY- Local youth soccer players looking for a mid-holiday week diversion are encouraged to participate in the annual Winterfest Soccer Camp hosted by the Ocean City Recreation and Parks next week from December 27-29. The camp will be held from December 27-29 at Northside Park Recreation Complex. Session A will be offered for boys and girls ages 4-6-years-old and will last from 9:00-10 a.m. Session B is for children 6-16-years-old and will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more...READ MORE

County Wants Berlin To Stay With Single Sewer Plant

SNOW HILL - Berlin must stick with one sewer plant and discharge into the stream as little as possible until spray irrigation fields for the new capacity are online, with five years to reach total spray discharge, the County Commissioners decided in the first test of their environmental fortitude since the 2006 election. 'Leadership is saying we must prioritize our bays, our watersheds, our streams, the life blood of this county,' said Commissioner Judy Boggs, who called on her fellow...READ MORE

Ex-Husband To Pay $75K In Embezzlement Plea Deal

SNOW HILL - A former local resident who absconded with over $100,000 in embezzled funds from his now ex-wife before heading out west and assuming a new name and new life last week entered a plea agreement in the case which will force him to pay $75,000 in restitution to the victim. Former Ocean Pines resident Richard Brueckner, now Richard Thelander, in the late 1990s allegedly forged his estranged wife's signature several times to clear out personal accounts and illegally obtain at least six...READ MORE

Lawsuit Questions Legality Of Slots Referendum

BERLIN - Another twist was added in the never-ending battle over slots in Maryland last week when the state's Republican leadership in the House and Senate filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of several pieces of legislation passed by the General Assembly during the recent special session. The minority leadership in the House and Senate last Thursday filed suit in Carroll County Circuit Court calling into question several actions taken by state lawmakers during the recently...READ MORE

Public's Help Sought With Unsolved OC Murder

OCEAN CITY - Nearly three years after a Virginia man was apparently murdered in his family's Ocean City condominium, resort police this week appealed to the public for help in locating his remains, which they believe could have been wrapped in bedding and dumped within a 30-mile radius of the crime scene. Eduardo Masoller, then 52, of Springfield, Va., was reported missing by his family on Feb. 3, 2005 just three days after he and his crew arrived in the resort area for a contracting job. Ocean...READ MORE

OC Police Toy Drive Reaches Out To 71 Families

OCEAN CITY - The annual Ocean City Police Department Toy Drive once again proved to be a blessing to many local families. A volunteer crew of 48 people, led by Chief Bernadette DiPino, tended to 71 families, including more than 150 children, last Saturday. This event was started by DiPino's grandfather in the Baltimore Police Department many years ago. The tradition was continued by her father in Baltimore, and later by the chief 12 years ago here in Ocean City. Each year the event has...READ MORE

Annual New Year's Day Walk Named In Founders' Honor

BERLIN - Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) will host its 29th Annual New Year's Day beach walk, on Jan. 1, 2008 at the Assateague Island State Park. Organizers have this year named the event posthumously in honor of two founders of the Trust, Ilia Fehrer and Judith Johnson. This popular event begins at 1 p.m. at the State Park concession stand and draws crowds of 100-300 beach walkers for an afternoon stroll on Assateague Island, lead by a park ranger who eagerly shares his knowledge of the...READ MORE

County OKs Bills Limiting Adult Businesses

SNOW HILL - The art versus pornography argument came up again when the County Commissioners discussed legislation restricting adult oriented businesses, but that did not deter the elected officials from passing the laws unanimously. The bills, which restrict adult oriented businesses to heavy industrial zoning and govern how the businesses are conducted inside buildings, replace emergency legislation passed in early summer. Adult businesses will be allowed in a mile long stretch in Bishop,...READ MORE

County Takes No Action Against Massage Parlors

SNOW HILL - Although passing two other bills governing sexually oriented businesses, the Worcester County Commissioners put aside the bill governing massage parlors this week after learning that legislation will be introduced in the state legislature that will likely have the same effect. 'There'll be no need for us to have this legislation,' if the state passes a law, said Worcester County attorney Ed Hammond. The county law would prohibit massage parlors offering sexually oriented services....READ MORE

Developer Says Property's Future Uncertain After County Vote

BERLIN - The murky question of one Berlin wastewater plant or two has been cleared up, leaving town staff and elected officials ready to move on with the project with a clear goal in mind, while the developer involved in the proposal must find a new direction. 'The County Commissioners have spoken,' Berlin Mayor Tom Cardinale said. 'It's time for Berlin to get the job done and move on.' The imposition of the one plant scenario by the County Commissioners means that Berlin staffers are now...READ MORE

Efforts Underway To Help Students With Tests

OCEAN CITY - Local schools are working overtime to assure that High School Assessment (HSA) exams don't prevent students from graduating. By implementing prevention and intervention remediation efforts, schools are aiming to insure that every student passes the HSA's and makes that coveted walk across the stage. HSA's are aimed at measuring school and individual student progress. The standardized test covers the subject areas of biology, government, English 10 and algebra. The class of 2009 will...READ MORE

OC Planning Comm. Looks Over Revised Projects

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission was presented with revised plans for the Seaside Escape Condominium and Clipper Hotel this week, as parking issues to both projects were addressed. Seaside Escape Condominium, located on 79th Street and Coastal Highway, presented the Planning and Zoning Commission with revised plans this week, showing the revised location of the dumpster and recycling receptacles, a revised plan that did not meet the approval of Zoning Administrator...READ MORE

OC's Party Block Eyes Pool Bar Addition

OCEAN CITY - The Party Block could be seeing an expansion in the near future that would include a pool bar and lounge area, an addition that would expand the current scope of the business from strictly night time entertainment to all day enjoyment. Owner Ralph DeAngelus and attorney Joe Moore appeared before the Planning and Zoning Commission this week for an administrative review of the plans. The Party Block, located on 17th Street and Coastal Highway, has been providing drinks and...READ MORE

Ocean City Artery To Get Major Overhaul

OCEAN CITY - The reconstruction of St. Louis Ave. took a small step forward this week with the town's request for proposals for civil engineering, traffic and landscape design services. This week a Request for Proposals (RFP) was approved by the City Council, allowing the town to accept proposals for engineering and architectural services for the reconstruction of St. Louis Ave. At this point, the town is only calling for proposed design work for the reconstruction of the street. No plans or...READ MORE

Reward Offered In Missing Woman Case

BERLIN - The family of a Delaware woman and mother of two, who went missing in the Pocomoke area over a month ago, this week offered a $5,000 reward for information to help locate her as the holidays near. Christine Marie Sheddy, 27, of Bowers Beach, Del., was last seen on Nov. 13 in the Byrd Street area of Pocomoke. She has been missing for about five weeks now, touching off a search effort across Worcester County that has been expanded to include neighboring Delaware and Virginia. The...READ MORE

Scrap Tires Planned For Berlin Park Path

BERLIN - The scrap-tire walking and jogging path long intended for Stephen Decatur Park should begin construction this spring, the Berlin Town Council learned last week. The five-foot wide path will be laid out around the park, stretching six-tenths of a mile and will accommodate walkers and joggers. Bicyclists will be asked not to use the path. State grant funds from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) will fund construction. The Maryland Board of Public Works approved the project...READ MORE

Smith Island Cake Could Be State's Official Dessert

SNOW HILL - Eastern Shore heritage and tourism promoters want to put the region on the map with a cake, an eight to 10-layer delicacy from Smith Island that could become the official state dessert of Maryland if all goes to plan. Smith Island cake supporters hope to attract more visitors to the lower shore with the state dessert designation.             Legislators Paige Elmore and Lowell Stoltzfus are on board and will introduce...READ MORE

Defined Benefit Plans Reconsidered

BERLIN - If you think defined benefit plans are only for big businesses, take another look. An increasing number of small and midsize businesses are considering these plans as an alternative to the 401(k) or other more conventional retirement savings tools •€' although under current regulations, they can also be used very well in conjunction with a 401(k). But unlike a 401(k) plan or other defined contribution plan, defined benefit plans promise retired employees •€' including owners...READ MORE

My Thoughts

For as long as Insider can remember, he has been playing a game with himself first thing in the morning. It has a little something to do with the temperature outside and a lot to do with guessing. The old guy likes to roll around in the morning and while he's slowly waking up he starts to think about what it's like outside. He can see from his bedroom the colors in the sky and that's a pretty easy indicator to figure out what the day is like. One day this week the wind was blowing fiercely and...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Jack Leroy Babcock BERLIN - Jack Leroy Babcock, age 78, died on Monday, December 17, 2007. Born in Rice Lake, Wis. he was the son of the late George Babcock. He is survived by his mother, Alyce Phillipson Bacock of Rice Lake, Wis.; two sons, Stephen L. Babcock and his wife Yvonne of Berlin and Thomas A. Babcock and his wife Joy of Salisbury; two grandchildren, Michael Babcock and Derrick Babcock; and four nieces. Babcock was a member of Buckingham Presbyterian Church. He moved to Berlin in 1963...READ MORE

Ocean City

OCEAN CITY Trout Lane 14th Street Fri-Sun 11-3 Bayside Townhouses Rick Meehan Coldwell Banker 410-723-8778 OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Daily 9-5 3BR Bayside Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bay 1 Fri-Sun 10-4 3/4BR, 3+ BA Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Mon-Fri 11-3 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN...READ MORE

Ocean Pines - West Ocean City - Berlin - Fenwick Island

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Fri-Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker BERLIN Purnell Crossing Tues-Sun 11-6 3BR/2.5BA Villas w/ 2-car Garage Ryan Homes 866-776-9818 OCEAN PINES 98 Lookout Pt Sat-Sun 12-3 2300sqft Waterfront Greg Erdie Coldwell Banker 410-641-5700 FENWICK ISLAND Bayside Rt. 54 Models Open Daily Classic Beach Resort Town Carl M. Freeman 877-436-9998 OCEAN PINES Canvasback Road Sat 11-3 3BR/3.5BA 3000+sqft Della Wilson Remax Premier...READ MORE

Live Bands And DJs

Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Entertainment Friday & Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Blue Ox & Babe's Lounge: 410-250-6440, 127th St. Coastal Hwy.; Monday, Dec. 31: New Year's Eve with Kevin Poole & Joe Mama, 9:30 p.m. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, Dec. 21: DJ BK. Castaway's: 410-524-9090, 64th St. Bayfront; Friday, Dec. 21: Lloyd Dobbler Effect; Saturday, Dec. 22: Phoenix Rising; Thursday, Dec. 27: Zion Reggae Band &...READ MORE

Ocean City Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary

The Ocean City Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary held its Christmas luncheon at Phillips by the Sea. The auxiliary donated baby gifts to Worcester GOLD Director Debbie Cole to help fill the baby pantry. Pictured is Marlyn Pietruska, Auxiliary Chairwoman Bertha Huettner and Cole. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Worcester County Democratic Women's Club

The Worcester County Democratic Women's Club members attended the United Democratic Women's Clubs of Maryland, Inc. Convention at the Carousel Hotel in November. Pictured, seated from left, are Arlene Page and Barbara Bland; standing, from left, Ethel Hines, Dell Purnell, Joan Roache, Millie Ward, Pam Mitchel, Lavern Powell, Diana Gross, Jean Louis and Kathy Muncy. ...READ MORE

Pinesteppers Square Dance Club

The Pinesteppers Square Dance Club met recently for a Holiday Pot Luck Supper prior to their weekly square dance workshop. The group meets every Wednesday at the Community Hall.   The Pinesteppers will begin a series of lessons for new dancers in January. For more information, contact President Joe Hunter at 410-208-6331. ...READ MORE

Ocean City Elementary

Lisa Brady's second grade class won first place for their experimental project "Paper Power" in both the Ocean City Elementary School Science Fair and the Worcester County Science Fair. Pictured, back row, from left, are Matthew Ford, Caitlyn Roberts, Jesse Keen, Lizeth Flores, Logan Wilkins and Matthew Sobol; middle, Harry Heller, Ozzy Gulbranson, Emily Hurley, Matthew Lodanski and Tara Bowling; and, front, Deja Kellam, Ori Bibas, Joshua Thompson, Karla Maldonado and Kayla Higgins....READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate School

Students in Mrs. Gwin's fourth grade enrichment class at Berlin Intermediate School conduct an experiment trying to determine the "Mystery" powder. Fourth graders have been studying mysteries dealing with handwriting analysis, footprints and the sequencing of events. The class is pictured above. ...READ MORE

Patti Hogan's Third Grade

Patti Hogan's third grade students have been writing and reading the directions on how to make people chow. Students then can give the chow away as a gift to a friend or a relative. Students pictured are Natalie Bunting and Ja'Lynn Ewell. ...READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate School

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) club members from Berlin Intermediate School placed "Do Not Drink and Drive" tags on Christmas trees at a variety of stands in the Berlin area. They are hoping that this promotes good decision making this holiday season. Above, student Cory Campbell is pictured. ...READ MORE

Showell Elementary

Showell Elementary dedicated a Spirit Day to the Spirit of Giving under the leadership of early intervention teacher Dawn O'Hara. Students dressed in school colors and brought in a new unwrapped toy for the Sheriff's Christmas Toys for Tots mission. The children also brought in canned goods and a stuffed animal to sit and learn with them in school during Spirit Day. Above are Zachary Pilarski, Joey Serpe, Evan Conboy, Hannah Fisher and O'Hara. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary School

James Whittington and Lawrence Johnson, third graders at Buckingham Elementary School, are pictured working on geometry during Buckingham's after-school program Project Outreach. ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): An old adversary wants to make amends over the holidays. The decision is yours. But wouldn't it be nice to share the upcoming new year with another friend? TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): As news of your work gets around, expect to receive a special holiday 'gift' from influential contacts who could help you launch your new projects in the new year. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Instead of fussing over what you didn't do to prepare for the holidays, relax and enjoy the...READ MORE

Things I Like

A house nicely decorated for Christmas Driving by The Bonfire during the holidays Getting rid of a load of junk at the dump Hearing a howling wind from bed on a cold night My dogs lining up at the door first thing in the morning Wind chimes doing their thing off in the distance Jimmy Stewart in •€˜It's A Wonderful Life' Finishing a book worth remembering High school plays Going to church on Christmas Eve Those 'Proud Parent ...' bumper stickers  ...READ MORE

Thing We Like

A nice chardonnay in a Waterford Crystal glass A 101-degree hot tub on a 50-degree evening Candles, candles and more candles, all lit Spotless clean kitchen counters Sleeping with the heat on and windows open An empty trash can after the trash truck comes on Thursday Chicken noodle soup from the Minit Market Ordering a martini and it comes with 'small tender' olives No parking spaces to be found when I go to work in July Snowflakes dropping by a street light By Carol L. Dickel  ...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Women Honored At Dinner OCEAN CITY - Approximately 250 people gathered in the Crystal Ballroom of the Clarion Resort Fontainebleau Hotel for the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) Holiday Dinner Meeting on Dec. 13. The main attraction of the evening was a tribute to the 'Steel Magnolias', a name given to the women who started the hospitality industry in Ocean City. Some of the women are past presidents of OCHMRA, the years are noted in brackets. The first OCHMRA dinner...READ MORE

"Counting the Christmas Miracles"

We get the call every single night. Each night, my mother in law calls our house, giving us constant updates on the 8's (just like the Weather Channel) to let us know what Christmas movie is going to be playing on television. These calls have been coming since Thanksgiving, and thanks to the ABC family station, there has been non-stop Christmas movies every night, that have not only been a thrill for my kid, but have taken me back on a nice little jaunt down memory lane. I never realized just...READ MORE

Still Going Strong With Flags After 27 Years

OCEAN CITY - For 27 years, the Country Flag Shop has been turning out a variety of flags, ranging from recreational to military use, but according to owner Bruce Nelson, business won't be slowing or coming to an end anytime soon. Nelson has been operating out of his Rotherwood Lane location just outside of Ocean Pines for the past 27 years, supplying both locals and visitors with custom flags and banners to be used for business, recreational or residential use. After 27 years in the business,...READ MORE