October 31, 2008

Open Houses in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Daily 10-4 Sat 9-5 3BR Bayside Condos Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Daily 10-4 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Bel Mare Somerset Street Daily 11-3 3BR/2BA New Const. Skip Schlesinger ReMax Premier Properties 410-520-8118 OCEAN CITY Gateway Grand Daily 10-5 48th St....READ MORE

Open Houses in West OC and Berlin

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Fri-Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 WEST OCEAN CITY 12613 Whisper Trace Oyster Harbor Sat 10-2 4BR/2BA/2200sf Lot of House for Little $$$ Rich Difilippo Coldwell Banker 410-430-2365 BERLIN Purnell Crossing Old Ocean Blvd Tues-Sun 11-6 New Contruction 3BR/2.5BA Villas w/ 2-Car Garage Ryan Homes 866-776-9818 WEST OCEAN CITY New Construction West Harbor Village Daily 10-5 11 Townhouses 3BR/2.5BA/Garage Prudential...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

In a rare split vote, and perhaps a sign of things to come with this new group of elected officials, the Ocean City Council re-appointed Joe Mitrecic to the president's chair last week. Voting for Mitrecic, who has served as president of the body since 2006 after he was re-elected, were Council members Doug Cymek, Mary Knight and Lloyd Martin. Voting against the motion to keep Mitrecic as the man who sets the meeting agendas and leads the meetings at City Hall were Joe Hall, Jim Hall and...READ MORE

A Vote Against Slots

A Vote Against Slots With Question 2 on their ballot next Tuesday, Maryland voters will finally decide whether the state will add slots to its existing forms of gambling. We say vote against it. If slots are approved at the numerous sites including the Ocean Downs racetrack, the impact on this area will be significant. There's no question it will hurt Ocean City area businesses already competing for the disposable incomes of those visiting the area and those who reside here. Many businesses are...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Trimper's Legacy Editor: Granville Trimper, the long-time steward of Ocean City's most iconic amusement destination has left us. All who are familiar with Ocean City's history know that it really began when Granville's grandparents established their amusement park in what is now Old Ocean City. In these troubled times of ours, this I know: that Ocean City's memory resides within the sturdy, aged timbers of the Life-Saving Stationhouse, now our museum; its brains [sometimes more, sometimes...READ MORE

Business Burglarized

Business Burglarized BISHOPVILLE - Two Bishopville residents were arrested on burglary, theft and forgery charges this week after allegedly breaking into a heating and air conditioning business and stealing a safe before trying to pass the business's checks at local stores. During the early morning hours on Monday, Worcester County Sheriff's deputies responded to First Service Heating and Air Conditioning in Bishopville for a reported burglary. The investigation revealed the suspects forcibly...READ MORE

Ocean City Loses An 'Icon' In Trimper

OCEAN CITY - The bench at Trimper's Rides on the south end of the Ocean City Boardwalk where family patriarch Granville Daniel Trimper held court and doled out ride passes to generations of residents and visitors for so many years sits empty this week, and not just because the calendar is turning over to November and the park is being dismantled for the winter. Trimper died this week at the age of 79 at Atlantic General Hospital after a lengthy illness, leaving behind a huge void for family,...READ MORE

Decatur Athletes Recognized by Peers

 Stephen Decatur hung a banner of a different sort last week when the Bayside Conference Sportsmanship Award banner was raised in a prominent place in the school's main lobby. Representatives of nine of the other Bayside Conference schools granted the award to Decatur's outstanding student-athletes for their continued sportsmanship in the spirit of high school athletics. ...READ MORE

Seahawk Girls Advance in States

BERLIN- Despite the cold, blustery conditions, Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity soccer team stayed hot this week, blanking visiting Bel Air, 3-0, in a second-round playoff game at home on Tuesday to advance to the state regional quarterfinals. For a while on Tuesday, it was uncertain if there would be a game with driving rain and cold, windy conditions in the area through the morning. By mid-day, however, the sun poked through the clouds, although the winds certainly didn't die down, and it was...READ MORE

Decatur Playoff Hopes Improve

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity football team cruised past Wicomico, 28-6, last weekend to improve its post-season chances with two very important games remaining on the schedule. Typically, the Wicomico game is one the Seahawks circle as one of its toughest of the season, but the Indians are in a down year and Decatur took care of business in workmanlike fashion last Friday to improve to 5-3 on the season. Two weeks ago, Decatur dropped a close one to Bennett, putting its playoff hopes in...READ MORE

Decatur Volleyball Earns Three-Seed

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity volleyball, rewarded this week with a number-three seed in the Class 3A-East region tournament, team opens its state playoff run tonight with a home match against Northeast High of Anne Arundel County. The Seahawks, seeded third in the Class 3A-East Region tournament, which gets underway tonight, will face 14-seed Northeast at home. If Decatur advances, it will face the winner of the first-round match between Reservoir and Meade. The Seahawks finished the...READ MORE

Mallards Claim ESIAC Title

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's boys' varsity soccer team completed another great season last week, topping Delmarva Christian, 3-0, on Friday to win the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) tournament championship. The Mallards beat Gunston, 4-1, in the ESIAC tournament semifinals last Friday to advance to Friday's title game. In the Gunston game, Mike Mollichelli led the way with a hat trick, scoring three of his team's goals. Matt Carey added a fourth goal in the Gunston game, while...READ MORE

Seahawks Bow Out of State Tourney

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's men's varsity soccer team lost a heartbreaker last weekend, falling to visiting Aberdeen, 2-1, in double-overtime to bow out of the state Class 3A-East playoffs. The Seahawks entered the post-season as the four-seed in the Class 3A-East tournament and earned a home date in the opening round against Aberdeen. However, Decatur's appearance in the tournament was short-lived after Aberdeen scored a goal in the second overtime period to eliminate the Seahawks and advance in...READ MORE

Atlantic Physical Therapy Tough Guy of the Week Named

This week's Atlantic Physical Therapy 'Tough Guy of the Week' award went to Danny Miller for his outstanding play in a recent game against Bennett. Pictured above, left to right, are Decatur Coach Bob Knox, Miller, and ATP President Bob Hammond. ...READ MORE

Friday, October 31, 2008--Council Grants Developer Year Extension

OCEAN CITY - A local land developer was granted an unprecedented extension to hold-off on building 18 luxury condominiums for another year, leaving the City Council in the middle of a bitter fight between a cautious businessman and some angry neighbors. At Tuesday's Mayor and City Council work session, Bob Warfield was granted another year extension, with strict guidelines attached, to finish building his 1111 Edgewater Avenue project, which some neighbors are calling 'stonehenge', describing...READ MORE

Friday, October 31, 2008--Council Supports Scaled-Back Fire Truck Request

OCEAN CITY - Getting two out of three isn't always a bad thing, even for Ocean City's bravest. The Ocean City Fire Department got approval to purchase two new fire trucks totaling just over $962,000 from the City Council on Tuesday, despite originally hoping for three. Fire Chief Chris Larmore brought a proposal in front of the council proposing the low bid award purchase of three new fire trucks to KME (Kovatch Mobile Equipment) in Nesquehoning, Pa., which would provide 'three much needed new...READ MORE

Friday, October 31, 2008--Gulyas Says "I'm Running In 2010"

OCEAN CITY - Putting to rest any discussion to the contrary, County Commissioner Louise Gulyas said this week she plans to seek a fourth term representing Ocean City at the county level. Although Gulyas' term does not expire until 2010, a recent report on possible replacements for her seat encouraged her to make the announcement early. 'I am running because I really enjoy what I do. I want to finish the things I have started. I got a new library for Ocean City and I want to make sure the...READ MORE

Friday, October 31, 2008--HSA Results Show 90% Meet Grad Requirement

Staff Reports NEWARK - The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) recently released 2008 High School Assessment (HSA) results for the class of 2009. The class of 2009 is the first cohort of students (this year's seniors) that are required to pass the tests in order to earn a Maryland High School Diploma. The HSA results show that 90.3 percent of Worcester County public school seniors have met the HSA graduation requirement. 'We are pleased with the progress that our students are...READ MORE

Baseball Bat Found In Bay Ruled Out In Homicide Case

SNOW HILL - Pre-trial posturing in the first-degree murder case against a man charged in the beating death of a Berlin teen in May continued last week in a motions hearing. Worcester County Circuit Court Judge Theodore Eschenberg last Friday ruled favorably on several pre-trial motions in the first-degree murder case against Dominic Richard Canale, 22, of Ocean City, including dropping the second-degree murder charge against the defendant. In addition, Eschenberg also approved a motion by...READ MORE

Conviction Reveals New Details In West OC Murder

SNOW HILL - The man accused in the stabbing death of a West Ocean City woman in April was found guilty of first-degree murder this week in Worcester County Circuit Court and likely faces life in prison. Roberto Antonio Murillo, 29, of West Ocean City, formally entered a plea of not guilty on Monday, but agreed on the statement of facts in the case as part of a plea arrangement between prosecutors and his attorneys. Circuit Court Judge Theodore Eschenberg then found Murillo guilty of first-degree...READ MORE

Councilman Goes Aggressive Route In First Meeting

OCEAN CITY - Joe Hall may have had to shake off first meeting jitters after a two-year absence, but he stayed true to his promise to attempt to cut costs in his first official work session back in City Hall. Hall, who was elected last week after losing a bid for re-election in 2006, ran on two major points during his campaign for City Council. On Tuesday, he tried to uphold at least one of those campaign promises in the first few minutes of his first meeting, proposing an all-out stoppage...READ MORE

Resort Capital Projects Under Scrutiny

OCEAN CITY - The new City Council grinded the Ocean City machine to a temporary halt on Tuesday, suspending all capital improvement projects pending further review. A list of all capital improvement projects will be brought to the Mayor and City Council by City Manager Dennis Dare and other town officials in upcoming weeks, in order for the council to prioritize which projects are imperative in light of the country's economic crisis. Councilman Joe Hall, who had promised to make a motion in his...READ MORE

Young Students Show Political Awareness

Young Students Show Political Awareness OCEAN CITY - What could a kid possibly know about the complexity of issues facing voters on Tuesday? The answer might just be 'more than you think.' It's been said that kids soak up the world around them like little sponges. If that's true, The Dispatch wondered what area kids have 'soaked up' from what could the most intensely covered U.S. presidential election in history. Some area students, ages pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, were asked what they...READ MORE

Berlin Police Outline General Orders

BERLIN - Berlin police this week presented the Mayor and Council with a detailed list of general orders, which includes policies and practices the department already adheres to but are not necessarily on the books. For example, the nine-page document outlines a complex list of general orders related to the ranks and responsibilities of sworn officers, a broad range of issues related to the training and deployment of the department's K-9 units, and the handling of juvenile suspects and detainees,...READ MORE

Bishopville Home Invaders Sought

BISHOPVILLE - Local law enforcement agencies this week are seeking the public's help with the identification and capture of three suspects who remain at large after an armed home invasion at a residence in Bishopville last Saturday. The armed home invasion occurred last Saturday, Oct. 25, at a residence on Old Stage Rd. in Bishopville. According to police reports, three masked men kicked in the front door of the residence and entered the home. One of the masked men allegedly held a revolver to...READ MORE

Election Officials On Fraud Lookout

BERLIN - Just days before the presidential election on Tuesday, a team of federal prosecutors and FBI agents are coordinating with state and local elections boards, including Worcester County, to review any allegations of election fraud and voting rights abuses that might arise. The federal task force has consulted with the Maryland Elections Administrator and other state and local officials to review and discuss procedures for handling alleged election fraud schemes or voting rights violations....READ MORE

End Committee Meeting, Councilman Says

OCEAN CITY - Pointing to the uncertain economic times as his primary motivation, one resort councilman is looking to temporarily abandon the town's subcommittees in favor of the entire council hearing all matters. The town currently utilizes a number of sub-committees including the Tourism Commission, Recreation and Parks Commission and Police Commission. Individual council members are appointed to serve on these committees, which typically meet monthly to discuss issues and hear...READ MORE

Neighbors Raise Concerns About Proposed Group Home

BERLIN - Concerns about proposed transitional housing for mentally ill members of the community coming to an otherwise quiet neighborhood in Berlin could be unfounded as the non-profit company with a contract to purchase the home in question attempted to allay some of the fears this week. At Monday's Mayor and Council meeting on Monday, residents of Maple Drive raised concerns about Go-Getters Inc., a non-profit organization on the Lower Shore that provides rehabilitative services to mentally...READ MORE

OC, Worcester Secure $800K In Homeland Security Grants

BERLIN - Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley announced last week roughly $26.7 million in federal Homeland Security grants were heading to the state, of which around 85 percent would be passed through to local governments including just shy of $800,000 combined for Ocean City and Worcester County. Maryland's share of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants for state and local governments this year comes in at around $26.7 million. The state is mandated to pass a minimum of 80 percent of...READ MORE

Plan Would Give Berlin Mechanism To Manage Growth

BERLIN - After years of wrestling with a sort of mythical waiting list for projects lined up for water and sewer capacity in Berlin, the Mayor and Council on Monday introduced legislation which, if approved, will create a mechanism for allocating the precious commodities in the town in the future. As Berlin inches closer to a state-mandated expansion of its public water and sewer capacity, projects proposed for development have been put on a waiting list until such time water and sewer capacity...READ MORE

Proposed Convention Center Bond Raises Questions

OCEAN CITY - Tempers flared at the end of Tuesday's three-hour City Council work session, over recommendations to 'get authority to borrow' up to $10 million to upgrade the Roland E. Powell Convention Center, before a single sketch drawing had ever been seen. 'What the hell are we doing here?,' asked a visibly frustrated Councilman Jim Hall. 'We haven't seen a drawing or a sketch or a blueprint of this apparent expansion, and if I were to vote for this motion, and someone were to ask me on the...READ MORE

Suspect Strikes Deal In Pocomoke Murder

SNOW HILL - The second of three men charged in the January 2007 murder of a local woman with ties to Ocean City pleaded guilty to a lesser manslaughter charge last Friday in Circuit Court and now awaits his fate pending the outcome of a pre-sentence investigation. Shawn Anthony Treherne, 23, of Bowie, Md., pleaded guilty last week in Circuit Court to manslaughter for his part in the beating death of Judy Lynn Wojcik, who was 41 at the time of her death, in Pocomoke on Jan. 13, 2007. Treherne's...READ MORE

Suspect Takes Plea As Facts Emerge About Incident

SNOW HILL - One of two defendants facing first-degree murder charges in the beating death of the Berlin teen in May had his case resolved this week when he pleaded guilty late Wednesday to a lesser reckless endangerment charge and was sentenced to five years in jail, all of which was all suspended but the 140 days he already served. Fernando Angelo Musiani, 19, of Ocean City, who was charged with first-degree murder for his role in the death of Michael Harry Mitchell on May 29, pleaded guilty to...READ MORE

Timetable Set For Citizen Review Of County Rezoning

SNOW HILL - Worcester County citizens must wait until the comprehensive rezoning is completed before airing their views on the draft commercial building design guidelines, county elected officials decided last week. The County Commissioners had previously talked of setting a public hearing on the commercial design standards for November. The design guidelines are closely tied to the comprehensive rezoning, Development Review and Permitting director Ed Tudor told the commissioners at their...READ MORE

A Look at Who Was Out On the Town This Week

Weekly pictures from the restaurant and bar scene around the Ocean City area.  ...READ MORE

People Joining Together For Community Causes

See who was out helping causes in the Ocean City area. ...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Granville Daniel Trimper OCEAN CITY - Granville Daniel Trimper died Monday, Oct. 27, 2008 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. He was 79. Born Feb. 9, 1929, he was the son of the late Pearl Sullivan and Granville Christopher Trimper. He was the last remaining grandson of German immigrant Daniel Trimper, who in 1890 founded Windsor Resort/ Trimper's Rides, now the nation's longest continually owned and operated amusement park. He had served as the company's manager and C.E.O. A lifetime...READ MORE

My Thoughts

Politics is a nasty game and Insider has to wonder how Obama and McCain sleep at night these days. They, along with their respective campaign folks, are so busy slurring accusations at each other in the hopes something will stick their heads should be spinning off. They have their entire lives, as well as their legacies, vested in this election. Consequently, they will do whatever it takes to win and the clichés and rhetoric are too much to bear these days. They are just repeating everything...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Hileman Names Top Agent BERLIN - Bethany Drew was recently named Hileman Real Estate's top agent for September in both listings and sales. She is licensed in Maryland, Delaware and Virginia and been named top agent of the tear three times. Community Makes Donation OCEAN VIEW, Del. - Millville By The Sea, Delaware's largest master planned community, has donated $10,000 to The Fisher House. Proceeds were from its fourth annual golf tournament, held Oct. 7, at Bear Trap Dunes Golf Course. The...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

Like most parents, we only want the best for our baby, and five-and-a-half months into this parenting thing, it's easy to see how things can get out of hand quickly if you ride that approach too far. Besides the obvious good health, happiness and all that other corny crap all parents desire for their kids, there's the material world, and that's a lot more complicated than the daily routine and demands of caring for a little person. It's overwhelming the amount of wonderful things enticing...READ MORE

Barracuda Team completes DARE program

Students of the sixth grade Barracuda Team at Berlin Intermediate School recently completed the Drug Awareness Resistance Education (DARE), a two-week program sponsored by the Worcester County Sheriff's Department. Deputy Matt Crisafulli facilitated the program, whichwas designed to help students avoid harmful drugs and alcohol. Above, DARE essay winners are, from left, Megan Mitchell, Mark Rohrer, Tyler Hall, Gabrielle Evans, Chelsea Lawson and Chamari Green. Submitted...READ MORE

New Fruits and Vegetables Program at OC Elementary

Ocean City Elementary School fourth grade students connect learning to the new fruits and vegetables program. Students at Ocean City Elementary are given a fruit or vegetable to try every Tuesday and Thursday. Fourth graders use this as an opportunity to create line plots and write poetry about the treats. Students wrote acrostic poems to describe some of the delicious fruits and veggies they have tried, like peppers, and strawberries. Every Tuesday and Thursday fourth graders create line...READ MORE

2nd Graders at OC Elementary enjoy Camping Day

Students from Monica Piern's second grade class at Ocean City Elementary School enjoy "Camping Day" after reading the story, 'Henry and Mudge and the Starry Night' by Cynthia Rylant. Students dressed in their favorite camping gear and enjoyed making smores and trail mix, drinking cider and playing campfire games. Pictured are Ryan Lewis, Cassidy VanVonno, Collin Eitel and Halle Friedman.  ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Group Sends Letters to Troops

Some of the members of Worcester Preparatory School's Random Acts of Kindness group prepare special notes to be sent to overseas soldiers. Above, from left, are Zak Hoshino, Berlin; Saqib Khan, Salisbury; Billy Brittingham, Berlin; Chase Schmehling, Bishopville; Alex Scott, Lewes; and Jack Pedigo, Lewes. ...READ MORE

Snow Hill First Graders Learn to Vote

Snow Hill Elementary first grade students in Mrs. Tucker's class are learning to cast ballots using a voting booth made by Salisbury University intern Cassie Graves. Above, Graves is showing students Lizbeth Trejo-Munoz and Skylar Blank how to use the booth and then students will use this information to make graphs in math class.  ...READ MORE

Thirty Eight Worcester Prep Students honored by College Boards

Thirty-eight Worcester Prep students from the Classes of 2008 and 2009 were honored by the College Board with Advanced Placement Awards. Members of the Class of 2009 who achieved this status were, front from left, Allie Pedigo, AP Scholar with Distinction; Hilary Roughton, AP Scholar; Alex Lewis, AP Scholar with Distinction; Katie Twilley, AP Scholar with Honor; Sarah Ann Showell, AP Scholar; Niki Kunciw, AP Scholar with Distinction; Rachel Sharp, AP Scholar; back, Meegan Jayne Smith, AP...READ MORE

BIS Fifth Graders Visit 18th Century Ship

Fifth grade students at Berlin Intermediate recently took a field trip to Salisbury to learn about the 18th Century sailing ship, The Sultana, which was docked in the city harbor. Above, Macy Dolan and Kayla Lorance pose for a moment to display this 18th century device, a Sextant, that helped the navigators  locate their latitude and longitude based on the angle of the sun ...READ MORE

BIS Students Complete DARE Program

Berlin Intermediate School students displaying exemplary behavior during the recent two-week DARE program received Daren Lion, a mascot for the program. Pictured, from left, are Miranda Rendell, Shandon Foreman, Delilah Purnell, Ashley Dear, Jennah Lupiwok and Melanie Engle. ...READ MORE

Spirit/Homecoming Week at Worcester Prep

Having fun in physical science class during Spirit/Homecoming Week at Worcester Prep are, from left, Sarah Chaski, Lewes; Alyssa Alicea, Seaford; and teacher Colleen McGuire, Snow Hill. During the week, classes and studies continued as usual, but dress was casual. ...READ MORE

OC-Berlin Rotary Club President Receives Plaque of Recognition

Ocean City-Berlin Rotary Club Immediate Past President Jeff Grim, center, receives a plaque in recognition of his successful year as president. He is flanked by Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club Treasurer David Blair and President Stan Kahn. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Dental Bags Donated to Diakonia Residents

Diakonia Support Staff Intern Shakeem Brown, left, accepts dental bags for Diakonia residents from Dr. David H. Schiff and his wife Lisa. The bags, which contain toothpaste, tooth brushes, dental floss, lip balm, dental mirrors, fluoride rinse mouth wash and sugar free candy, were made up and donated by the Schiffs in honor of Make A Difference Day. The Schiffs also delivered bags to Worcester County GOLD, Agape Project, The Cricket Center and Worcester County Youth and Family Counseling-Family...READ MORE

Local Chapter of NARFE celebrates 15th anniversary at gala luncheon

Local Chapter #2274 of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) celebrated the 15th anniversary of its founding at a gala luncheon at Jordan's Rooftop Restaurant in Ocean City. Joining in the fifteenth anniversary celebration were all presidents since the chapter's inception in 1993. Pictured, from left, are D. Thomas Longo, Jr., of Delmar; NARFE National President Margaret L. Baptiste; current Chapter President Dan H, McGrath, of Ocean Pines; Frank A. Altobelli, of...READ MORE

Three Estate Planning Strategies

OCEAN CITY - If there is a silver lining to the current slump in equities, it may be this: Taken in conjunction with low interest rates, these temporarily reduced asset values are helping make a number of smart estate planning opportunities possible. 'This is a good time to pursue gifting strategies to the next generation,' said Tadd Lindsay, Director of the Midwest Division of Merrill Lynch's Wealth Structuring Group. 'Making use now of certain estate planning techniques •€' such as...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You enjoy the attention early in the week, but it might be a good idea to opt for some privacy by week's end so that you can have more time to consider an upcoming decision. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You unearth some surprising facts. Now you need to consider how to use them to your advantage. Meanwhile, it might be best to keep what you've learned secret for now. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): A comment by a colleague piques your curiosity to know more. Best...READ MORE

Things I Like

Talking local politics When bad things happen to bad people (O.J.) A baby in little shoes A good work ethic Robert DeNiro movies Free shipping That voters will have their say on slots Halloween on Washington St. in Berlin Unpacking the truck after a Sam's Club trip The first night at home after staying in a hotel My son's weird fits of laughter ...READ MORE