December 19, 2008

Council Divided On $5M Convention Center Upgrade

OCEAN CITY - Last week the City Council seemed willing to play along with ideas to upgrade the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. This week, some members were singing an entirely different tune. Plans were presented at last week's City Council work session for a $5 million upgrade to the existing convention center which would include efficiency improvements to heating, water, electrical and technological components of the building as well as altering the existing layout of the second floor to...READ MORE

Thoughts from the Publisher's Desk

The ongoing cleansing of the department budgets in Ocean City has led to some interesting revelations. In last week's coverage of cost-cutting moves for the transportation department, it was revealed the town gives away approximately $122,000 worth of free rides on the Boardwalk tram and about 80 percent of that figure was used by about 2,200 senior citizens. In a move he knew would be unpopular, Public Works Director Hal Adkins suggested the town eliminate the free passes for seniors and...READ MORE

Night Swimming Ordinance A Must

Night Swimming Ordinance A Must Two men were honored recently by the Ocean City Mayor and Council for the courageous rescue of three swimmers in the middle of the night last summer. The incident drew the council's attention at the time with some recommending the council should put a law on the books outlawing night swimming before one of the town's employees or volunteers dies attempting a rescue that should never have to occur in the first place. Although it may be the last thing on anyone's...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Support Needed To Reduce OC Tax Rate Editor: (The following letter was addressed to the taxpayers of Ocean City with a copy forwarded to this newspaper for publicatin.) I thank you for your vote of confidence in my candidacy for Ocean City Council. I find the job of serving you challenging and exciting. We are in a serious time and have the great opportunity to make changes in the role local municipal government plays here in Ocean City. Ocean City has become a city that now runs and controls...READ MORE

Five-Month Investigation Nets Three Drug Arrests

Five-Month Investigation Nets Three Drug Arrests OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Police Department's narcotics unit this week concluded a five-month CDS distribution investigation in the resort with the arrests of three suspects from Delaware after finding them in a car in the north end of town. This week, OCPD officers served a search and seizure warrant on one suspect, Christopher Lee Sturgis, 23, of Selbyville, after finding him in a vehicle on 143rd Street. Officers searched the vehicle and...READ MORE

Friday, December 19-Committee Appointments Not A Simple Matter For Council

OCEAN CITY - Legislative committee assignments may be a pretty cut-and-dry portion of what goes on in local government. Yet, this week, the appointment of City Council members to the respective committees perhaps inadvertently revealed some glaring divides in the council itself. Though it is allowed in the town's charter in section C-413 for the mayor to appoint all members to the respective committees, it has been practiced in recent memory for the mayor to grant power to the council to decide...READ MORE

Friday, December 19--Local Child Advocacy Group Needs Community Help

BERLIN - With a growing, diverse population in Worcester County and an in-kind increase in the number of children needing a support system, a local child advocacy group is calling out for more volunteers to meet the need. Neglected, abused and otherwise troubled children in Worcester who find themselves snared in the web of the complex legal system for a wide variety of reasons have a neutral friend in the Lower Shore Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, but the local support system...READ MORE

Friday, December 19--Worcester Households Seeking Energy Bill Assistance

BERLIN - A staggering economy coupled with the arrival of winter and uncertainties in electric and fuel bills has created a perfect storm of sorts for those struggling to keep up with energy costs in Worcester County and across the state, but some relief arrived last week with the announcement of a $110 million boost in federal funding for Maryland's energy assistance programs. Governor Martin O'Malley, along with Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, last week announced the state has...READ MORE

Friday, December 19--School Board Estimates $4.5M In Budget Cuts

NEWARK - Rising costs and a mandatory budget cut, which equals a 6-percent cutback in the schools budget, will significantly affect education in Worcester County, the Worcester County Board of Education emphasized in a brief discussion of the budget at its meeting Tuesday. 'We have to cut around $4.5 million from our '09 operating budget. Cuts of that magnitude will result in an impact on our programs and staff,' said Board of Education Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert at Tuesday's school...READ MORE

County Concerned Over Slots Legislation Specifics

SNOW HILL - Hiring practices, distribution of slots revenue and road impacts need to be clarified in Maryland's current slot machine legislation, Worcester County staff attorney Sonny Bloxom warned the County Commissioners Tuesday. 'I looked at it from the standpoint of things that would really impact our county,' said Bloxom. The attorney identified five items of concern in the legislation as written including the fact the law calls for hiring preference to be given to people living within 10...READ MORE

Decatur Middle Earns State Blue Ribbon Designation

BERLIN - Worcester County's highly decorated public school system added another feather to its cap yesterday when state education officials named Stephen Decatur Middle School a Maryland Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. With the announcement yesterday, Stephen Decatur Middle joins six other Worcester County public schools that have received the prestigious award including in no particular order Ocean City, Showell and Snow Hill Elementary Schools, along with the three public high schools in the...READ MORE

Government May Fund Performing Arts Center

OCEAN CITY - The question on whether or not the town of Ocean City needs a performing arts center of any kind seems a bit more complicated than simply 'to build or not to build?' Ongoing efforts from both the private and public sector in recent months to bring a performing arts center to the Ocean City area in some capacity have been met with mixed reviews, with the main arguments against the idea revolving around financial risks in such a perilous time. City Engineer Terry McGean and Tourism...READ MORE

Purnell Wins District, Overcomes Conflict Concerns

BERLIN - Troy Purnell carried the District 1 special election with 53 percent of the vote Tuesday to step into the District 1 council seat. Berlin newcomer Phil Cropper took 36 percent of the vote, while former mayor and town council member Rex Hailey made a disappointing showing with just 11 percent of vote. Purnell received 120 of the 225 votes cast, with Cropper getting 80 votes and Hailey 24 votes. Every town council seat will be filled for the first time since the unexpected death of Mayor...READ MORE

Route 589 Property Sold For $700K At Auction

BERLIN - A large parcel of farmland on the border of Ocean Pines that languished unsold for years found a new owner last week by auction, bringing in $700,000 despite the lack of utilities at the site. Developer Palmer Gillis purchased what has been called the Burbage property, just south of the North Gate of Ocean Pines and across from the north Route 589 Shore Stop, on Thursday for less than the assessed value of the land. The most recent state assessment of the land's value listed the parcel...READ MORE

City Removes Pension Exemption To Ease Expenses

OCEAN CITY - All Ocean City employees will pay 5 percent of every paycheck toward their pension until the day they retire, thus easing the burden on city taxpayers to foot the bill to pay for their post-employment benefits. After Finance Administrator Martha Lucey's recommendation in October to amend a 2004 rule that allows town employees to stop paying into their pension plans after 30 years of service to require them to continue to pay in for as long as they are working, the City Council voted...READ MORE

Comprehensive Rezoning Plan Enters Final Stretch

SNOW HILL - The comprehensive rezoning should be delivered to the County Commissioners by mid-February, according to staff, bringing the final draft text to the public a few weeks shy of the third anniversary of passage of the new county comprehensive plan approved in March 2006. The comprehensive rezoning will implement many of the provisions of the 2006 Comprehensive Plan, which have remained essentially unenforceable while the old zoning remains in force. The commissioners instructed staff to...READ MORE

High Court Orders Case Be Re-Opened

BERLIN - A lawsuit between an Ocean Pines marina and a contractor who built its allegedly defective boat slips was re-opened in Worcester County Circuit Court this week after the state's Court of Special Appeals last week overturned the lower court's ruling to dismiss the case in favor of the defendants. In August 2006, the Pines Point Marina council of condominium unit owners filed suit against M.V. Ocean Pines Limited Partnership, the developer of the marina, Rehak Floating Docks, the...READ MORE

Local Women Making Holidays Better For Families

OCEAN CITY - When you are down and you need some love, you turn to your mom. For four local families, this Christmas will be a bit brighter thanks to a group of local moms, known by some as the 'hot mom group of Ocean City.' For the fourth straight year, the group of almost 100 local women will provide needy local families with Christmas gifts, in hopes that every family can enjoy the holiday season and ensure that there are at least some presents under their trees. What started as a handful of...READ MORE

New Computer System Could Recoup Lost Tax Revenue

SNOW HILL - A new computer tax system could recoup another $165,000 in tax revenue for Worcester County over four years by identifying improperly filed tax credits.  'The comptroller's office is hopeful there'll be a substantial increase in revenues mostly from income tax,' Kathy Whited, Worcester County budget officer, informed the County Commissioners Tuesday. The new state-mandated Modernized Integrated Tax System (MITS) will cost Worcester County $70,000, which will be spread out over...READ MORE

OC Air Show Producer Briefs Council On 2009 Event

OCEAN CITY - In just its second year, the Ocean City Air show has booked 'the Beatles' of flight demonstration performers: the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. OC Air Show event promoter Brian Lilley officially announced the Thunderbirds would be coming to Ocean City for this summer's 2009 show to Mayor and City Council Monday night and outlined plans for the two-day event scheduled for June 13-14. The inaugural flight of the OC Air Show was considered a huge success by many as crowds of...READ MORE

OC Police Chief Reflects On Death Penalty Commission

OCEAN CITY - Members of the Maryland Commission on Capital Punishment, which includes Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino, last week issued their final report after months of testimony from those on both sides of the issue and recommended the death penalty be abolished in the state. The Maryland General Assembly created the 23-member commission during the 2008 legislative session and charged the appointed body with studying all aspects of the death penalty as it is currently and...READ MORE

One Of OCPD’s ‘Most Wanted’ Arrested In Florida

OCEAN CITY - A resort man deemed one of the Ocean City Police Department's 'most wanted' for a string of burglaries in an Ocean City trailer park in March was arrested this week in Florida and awaits extradition to Worcester County to face 34 charges of burglary. The OCPD was informed this week a suspect on its 'most wanted' list was recently arrested in Oakland Park, Fla. just north of Fort Lauderdale. Stavros 'Steve' Kominos, 21, of West Ocean City, has been on the OCPD's most wanted list...READ MORE

Phony Bomb Threat Suspect Convicted

SNOW HILL - A Virginia man who threatened to drive a truck full of explosives into the Worcester County Government Office Building in Snow Hill in July in order to avoid a court date on theft charges dating back to September 2006 was convicted this week in both cases and faces jail time and a substantial amount of restitution to victims of his scheme. On July 1, the Worcester County Circuit Court received a letter stating an elite special forces unit from Saudi Arabia was going to drive a truck...READ MORE

Sewer Policy Changes Expected To Cut Discharge

SNOW HILL - Two changes made to sewer policy in Worcester County this week will reduce the discharge of nitrogen into the coastal bays from point sources in the critical area. The Worcester County Commissioners voted to accept two amendments to the Worcester County water and sewer plan, one to require that new septic systems in the critical area use nutrient reduction technology, and another amendment switching the Assateague Island National Seashore (AINS) sewer system from a bay outfall to...READ MORE

Stabbing Suspect Sentenced To Six Months In Prison

SNOW HILL - A Pennsylvania man arrested in June in connection to a double stabbing in Ocean City pleaded guilty last week to second-degree assault and was sentenced to 18 months in jail with all but roughly six months suspended. Edward Michael Cockrell, 18, of Lancaster, Pa., appeared in Circuit Court on Wednesday to face a wide variety of charges including first-degree assault for his role in the stabbing of two men during an altercation on Coastal Highway on June 15. Cockrell pleaded guilty to...READ MORE

Suspect Fled Police Before Fatal Crash

OCEAN CITY - A Seaford man killed early Monday morning in a fiery crash along Route 1 in Bethany Beach had been detained briefly by Ocean City police just minutes before fleeing north in his vehicle. Elijah J. Foreman, 21, of Seaford, died in a crash early Monday morning when he failed to negotiate a turn at a high rate of speed and left the roadway, striking a utility pole and causing power lines to fall on his vehicle, a Plymouth Voyager, which then burst into flames. Just minutes earlier,...READ MORE

Coconuts Claims Volleyball Title

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's Co-Rec Volleyball League wrapped up last weekend with Coconuts at the Castle in the Sand claiming the championship in a tight match over Team Gator. Coconuts defeated Team Gator, 25-20, in the first game of the title match, and followed that up with a narrow 25-23 win in the second game. The winter co-rec volleyball season is set to get underway on January 20 and will run through April 21. Matches are played at Northside Park on...READ MORE

Decatur’s Miller Heading to Navy

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur wrestling and football standout Danny Miller this week signed a letter of intent to attend and wrestle at the U.S. Naval Academy next year, following in the footsteps of other Seahawks in recent years to move on to the prestigious university. Miller, a two-time defending state champion, on Monday officially signed a letter of intent for Navy during a brief press conference at Decatur. He has been a standout on the Seahawk football team for three years and could likely...READ MORE

Champs Crowned in Ho Ho Surf Off

BERLIN- The 2008 Ho Ho Surf Off, the Eastern Surfing Association-Delmarva's final contest of the year, produced its share of drama last weekend despite the high winds and cold temperatures, with veteran surfer Travis Knight edging upstart Dillon Harrington in the men's open division and a couple of other surfers young and old capturing titles. The ESA's 2008 Ho Ho Surf Off was held last Saturday at the north side of the Indian River Inlet with stiff northwest winds and temperatures hovering just...READ MORE

SDHS Varsity Wrestling Finishes 2nd at Lackey Invitational

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity wrestling team made a strong showing at the Lackey Invitational high school wrestling tournament in southern Maryland last weekend, finishing second among the 19 of the top programs in that area of the state and collecting a handful of individual titles along the way. Decatur finished second last week at the Lackey Invitational, collecting 259 total team points to finish just behind tournament champion La Plata, which finished with 274 team points. La Plata...READ MORE

Who's Playing Where and When Musically Speaking

Back of the bag 410-250-3337 130 St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Dec. 19: TBA Saturday, Dec. 20: Lower Case Blues Every Tuesday: Open Mic Hosted By Tungsten Groove Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Dec. 19: TBA Saturday, Dec. 20: TBA Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th Street Friday, Dec. 19: DJ Rupe, 7-10 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 , 10100 Coastal Hwy.  Friday, Dec. 19-Sunday, Dec. 21:On The Edge Cowboyz...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who We Have Lost

Daniel John Macaboy, Sr. BERLIN - Daniel John Macaboy, Sr., age 78, died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 at his home in Berlin. Born in Washington D.C. he was the son of the late Frank Macaboy and Mary Conahan Macaboy. Macaboy had been an administrator in Washington Hospital for many years. He was a United States Air Force veteran, member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Ocean Pines and Knights of Columbus in Silver Spring and Naples, Fla. He is survived by his wife, Florence G. Macaboy; two...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): The arts are a strong part of the Arian aspect, with music becoming more dominant. An important decision looms as a longtime relationship takes an unexpected turn. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Surrounding yourself with beautiful things helps restore the Taurean soul. Enjoy an art exhibit, for example. Or redecorate your personal space with something truly splendid. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Some colleagues might try to talk you out of what they insist is a risk,...READ MORE

SDHS National Honor Society hold teacher breakfast

On Wednesday of American Education Week, Stephen Decatur High School's National Honor Society, sponsored by journalism teacher Mary Berquist and English teacher Sabre McIntosh, treated teachers to an elegant breakfast. Above, Decatur Principal Lou Taylor, teachers Nora Duke and Laurie Chetelat are served by Zach Hall and Jimmy Simons. ...READ MORE

Parents Association Holiday Luncheon at WPS

Enjoying the recent Parents' Association Holiday Luncheon at Worcester Preparatory School Lower School faculty members Mary Jane Mason, Snow Hill; Julie Roughton, Fenwick Island; Jeanie Mancini, Ocean City; Alana Parker, Public Landing; Tracey Berry, Bishopville; Christina Russo, Ocean City; and Carol Ginnavan, Ocean City ...READ MORE

OC Community honors the Memory of Margaret Sas

On Sunday, Dec. 7, several Ocean City community members gathered at Fiesta Park on 141st Street to honor the memory of Margaret Sas during a memorial bench dedication. Sas was an active Ocean City community member, who volunteered her time to several local organizations. The bench was donated by the Caine Woods Community Association. Sas was killed in a car accident in January 2006. ...READ MORE

Worcester County Child Advocacy Center receives $4500 Grant

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore (CFES) has awarded a $4,500 community needs grant to the Cricket Center, Worcester County's Child Advocacy Center, for the purpose of supporting a marking and publicity campaign to increase public awareness about the nonprofit organization and its services. Participating in a presentation of a grant award certificate are, from left, Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing; Anne Almand, Cricket Center Board Member; Wendy Myers, Cricket Center Executive...READ MORE

Congressman-Elect Visits Democratic Club of Worcester County

Congressman-elect Frank Kratovil was recently invited to attend the Democratic Club of Worcester County's holiday party. Pictured with Kratovil are Jean Louis, President of the Democratic Club of Worcester County, left, and Kathy Muncy, Vice President. ...READ MORE

A Week in Business

Prudential Lands Top Producers BERLIN - The growing family of Prudential Carruthers Realtors welcomes the addition of the following full-time agents to its offices in Ocean City and West Ocean City. Joining the 75th Street Office is consistent top producer Joy Snyder, JoAnn Campbell, Josh Morimoto, Patty Cummings and Bethany Given. New to the West Ocean City office are Ed Balcerzak, the team of Della and Joe Wilson, Skip Schlesinger and Kim Lucido McCabe. AGH Names Board Chair BERLIN -...READ MORE

Safeguarding Future Of Your 401(k) In Tough Times

OCEAN CITY - For most 401(k) investors, the economic and market turmoil has had a sobering effect on their employer-sponsored plans. Still, as difficult as it may be to review your 401(k), now is an important time to take a hard look at the way your plan is constructed. Bull markets mask flaws in a portfolio, says James F. Ade, Vice President and Retirement Solutions Specialist for Merrill Lynch. 'That's because people tend to take gains for granted. But when markets struggle, there's less...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

The newsroom around our office on Fridays is usually pretty quiet since the paper is distributed that morning, but not last Friday afternoon because Beckett was in the building. After being passed around the office for a spell, there he was by my side sitting in one of my favorite new things, a seat that can attach to a table for use in restaurants or when a highchair is not available. I learned last week that it also works on my desk in the newsroom. (That's good to know, my wife told me...READ MORE

My Thoughts

A movie Insider must watch at least once around this time of year is 'A Christmas Carol,' and it has to be the original in black-and-white, not all the knock-offs over the years. For those who don't know, all the movies stem from the famous Charles Dickens short story. When the movie is more popular than the book, people often forget where its inspiration came from. Insider makes sure to credit Dickens for the wonderful work of fiction. The old guy's favorite must-see flick was directed by Edwin...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students learn about Five Senses

Students in Sheri Brueckner's kindergarten class at Ocean City Elementary School recently used their five senses to learn about apples. Pictured are Amica Shrestha and Dakota Martin. ...READ MORE

BIS Students Host County Commissioners

Students at Berlin Intermediate School invited some special individuals to their school to help celebrate American Education Week in November. Students sent invitations to the County Commissioners and other local dignitaries. Above, sixth grader Summer Mattie is pictured with County Commissioner Bobby Cowger, who stopped by to see her personally ...READ MORE

WPS Lax Coach Spends some Tips to Gala Auction Winner

Worcester Prep Varsity Lacrosse Coach Kevin Gates recently spent some quality time on the lacrosse field with third grade student Tucker Brown, Rehoboth Beach. Brown had the winning bid at this year's Gala auction and got to join Gates and the team for practice and a game ...READ MORE

WPS Students Write Letters to Local Government

Worcester Prep freshmen, under the direction of teacher Dana Schaefer, wrote letters to government leaders encouraging them to consider making government buildings more energy efficient. The students researched possible solutions to problems with their local governmental buildings. Letters were sent to the Accomac County Council, Bethany Beach Town Council, Berlin Town Council, Georgetown Town Council, Ocean City Town Council, Salisbury City Council, Snow Hill Town Council and Sussex County...READ MORE

OC Elementary 2nd graders distribute gifts to needy children

Second grade students at Ocean City Elementary School dressed bears for the Salvation Army to distribute to needy children this holiday season in the Ocean City/Berlin area. Pictured from Wendi Eitel's second grade class are, front, Hannah Johnson and Sarah Proctor and, back, Kevin Beck, Mary James and Jack Remmell ...READ MORE

OC Elementary does "Fall Leaf Project"

Debra Quilter's early intervention class at Ocean City Elementary School recently read a book called 'Fall Leaf Project' They collected leaves with their parents, identifying different colors and counting the leaves. The leaves were packed up and shipped to a kindergarten class in Hawaii, where the students do not experience autumn. Students, from left, areBradley Gurrola-Garcia, Tommy Gjoni, TyShaun Holland and Freddie Hagan.  ...READ MORE

Cedar Chapel Special School Takes 2nd Place

Cedar Chapel Special School took home second place, third place and Judge's Special Recognition awards in the local Christmas parades around the area. Shown here are Ariel Godwin, TJ Frampton and Isaiah Foreman performing for the judges. ...READ MORE

Snow Hill 1st Graders Raise Money for Oasis Ministries

Giving to others reflects the true spirit of the season. The first grade classes at Snow Hill Elementary School collected money to support the Oasis Ministries program to buy new blankets and pillows for those in need. Shown with the items purchased with their donations are, from left, first grade students Jazmine Sample, Danny Shockley, Onyx Velez and Shadiamon Dale. ...READ MORE

Things I Like

That 'Marley and Me' was made into a movie The colors of a sunset on a cold day When the Ravens and Steelers play The odd noises my son makes while he eats CNN's Planet In Peril The horse and carriage rides in Berlin Good old fashioned chocolate chip cookies The strange things for sale on eBay Short meetings Picking up a vehicle after an oil change Not needing a jacket in December ...READ MORE

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 Sandpiper Dunes Oceanfront Between 58 & 59 Sat 1:30-3:30 3BR/2BA S. End Unit Linda Moran Prudential Carruthers 443-614-2261 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...READ MORE

Open Houses in West Ocean City 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 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 Carruthers 410-524-7000 ...READ MORE

Open Houses Outskirts of Ocean City

Delmar 32671 E. Line Rd. 4BR. 1BA. Single Family Home Sat. Dec. 7 & 12th 12-1 Marshall Auction 410-749-9092/302-856-7333 Fenwick Island, DE 36310 Day Lily Parkway Sat. and Sun. 1-3 4 BR. 3.5 BA. Townhome Jennifer Hughes Resot Quest 302-537-8061 Ex. 8061 ...READ MORE