Articles

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Update: City Manager Search Process Tainted By Call? Maybe, But Vote Looks Likely For Next Week

OCEAN CITY -- An elected official’s 13-minute phone conversation with a leading candidate to fill the city manager vacancy has called into question the integrity of the search process in its final days. The Ocean City Mayor and Council are expected within the next couple weeks to decide between two candidates unanimously supported by the council for a final interview that took place earlier this month. It was expected once the requisite background checks were completed on the two finalists...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: City Manager Search Process Tainted By Phone Call?

OCEAN CITY -- An elected official’s 13-minute phone conversation with a leading candidate to fill the city manager vacancy has called into question the integrity of the search process in its final days. The Ocean City Mayor and Council are expected within the next couple weeks to decide between two candidates unanimously supported by the council for a final interview that took place earlier this month. It was expected once the requisite background checks were completed on the two finalists...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Boardwalk Reconstruction Phase I Completed

OCEAN CITY – The first phase of Ocean City’s Boardwalk reconstruction was officially completed last week in plenty of time for the summer season. “It went very well,” City Engineer Terry McGean said. “We finished ahead of schedule and under budget, so that’s always two good things.” The last board was nailed down last Thursday, April 19, at precisely 10 a.m. on 15th Street. Phase I included reconstruction from 27th Street to 15th Street as well as the...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: OC Property Value Decline’s Impact On Tax Rate Explained

OCEAN CITY – Alarm over the proposed increase in Ocean City’s tax rate has led to city finance experts to provide a breakdown of the town’s assessments and tax rate in an attempt to relieve some confusion. During last week’s budget wrap-up, Finance Administrator Martha Bennett began by reviewing the actual value of Ocean City properties as far back as 1978, concluding that 2013’s property values have returned to the same level as in 2007. “A lot of things have...READ MORE

NEW FOR MONDAY: OC Police Seek Help With Missing Person Case

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City Police today are seeking the public’s help in locating a New York man reported missing by his family since early Saturday morning. Lance Corey Gaines, who was visiting Ocean City with his family from upstate New York, was last seen on April 21 at approximately 1 a.m. at the Sandbar on 33rd Street and Coastal Highway. Gaines, who was reported missing by his family, has brown hair, blue eyes and was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. He is roughly...READ MORE

NEW FOR FRIDAY: Take Pride In Berlin Week Begins Tomorrow With Clean Up Day

BERLIN -- As core partners in the newly expanded Take Pride in Berlin Week, the Town of Berlin, Grow Berlin Green (GBG), International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) and Worcester County Health Department will be offering participating volunteers more than just the opportunity to make a difference in the community. Folks who come out for the Clean Up Day scheduled for the morning of April 21 and Berlin Trail Mix on April 28 won’t just be full of pride, they will also come away with a...READ MORE

NEW FOR FRIDAY: Snow Hill Store’s Alcohol License Revoked; Other Businesses Fined

SNOW HILL -- Ten area businesses faced hearings for alcohol sales to minors at Wednesday’s Board of License Commissioners (BLC) meeting. A total of $3,500 in fines was levied and one Snow Hill store was forced to turn in its alcohol license. One common theme stood out in all of the cases where underage Sheriff’s Office cadets attempted to buy alcohol -- a failure by clerks to simply deny vertical Maryland licenses, which board members assert would prevent a huge majority of sales to...READ MORE

Route 54 Project Pushed For Holiday Finish

FENWICK -- Embattled Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDot) officials and elected officials this week had their feet held to the fire over the estimated completion date of the prolonged road construction along Route 54 in Fenwick Island, but a projected Memorial Day finish now appears to be a reality. In excess of 100 concerned and often irate citizens and business owners crammed into Smitty McGee’s in Fenwick on Wednesday morning to grill DelDot officials on the projected end to...READ MORE

Two New Beer, Wine Licenses Okayed For Berlin

SNOW HILL -- Five new alcohol beverage licenses were approved by the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners (BLC) Wednesday as well as expansions on a number of established licenses. In Berlin, two businesses received approval of Class “D” beer and wine licenses. The Maryland Wine Bar at Berlin, which will only be serving wine from Maryland vineyards, was quickly approved by the BLC. According to co-owner Deborah Everett, who hopes to be open by June, the bar will be unique,...READ MORE

County, Seacrets Working On Sheriff’s Deputy Patrol Accord

SNOW HILL -- An attempt by the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Seacrets, an entertainment and restaurant complex in Ocean City, for police security in the form of extra patrols met resistance from several County Commissioners. A vote on the issue was delayed until absent Commissioner Louise Gulyas, who represents Ocean City, could be given a chance to review the situation and cast a vote. “Anyway you look at it, you’re...READ MORE

St. Louis Ave. Project Advances Without Decorative Lights

OCEAN CITY – To light or not to light was the question during budget discussions this week regarding the reconstruction and improvement of St. Louis Avenue. In February, the Mayor and City Council was presented a list of capital improvement projects to be included in an ordinance for a bond sale. At that time, city staff presented the full reconstruction of St. Louis Ave., including storm drains, new street scape with wider sidewalks and new pavement, at a cost $9 million. The cost for...READ MORE

Worcester Finalizes Numerous School Leadership Changes

SNOW HILL -- A number of Worcester County schools are about to see a widespread changing of the guard in administration. Besides losing Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Andes and Assistant Superintendent for Administration Ed Barber to retirement at the end of the current fiscal year, the Board of Education also had to replace several principals, which sparked a large shuffle among employees, since nearly all promotions were made from within the school system. “As a result of some...READ MORE

With Parking Resolved, Planners OK Lizard Expansion

OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission has approved the expansion of De Lazy Lizard on First Street to include a beach area and kids playground. The proposed site plan revision includes off-site parking spaces to eliminate a current parking deficiency as well as an existing water-related recreational activity and an expanded outside use area. A couple of weeks ago, the commission delayed the site plan discussion and was not willing to grant the establishment any other...READ MORE

City Council Approves $1,000 Worker Bonus

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City employees are slated to receive a $1,000 bonus in July, but the Mayor and Council had some initial differences of opinion to work through before making that decision. Last Friday during a budget session, Councilman Joe Hall unexpectedly proposed to give municipal employees a $500 bonus on July 1. “Clearly, what the staff has been able to do in being responsible and bringing forward a responsible budget, I would like to suggest that we give a $500...READ MORE

ATM Loophole Lawsuits Filed; Businesses Warned To Comply

OCEAN CITY -- Resort business owners and operators this week are being warned about posting clearly marked signs about transaction fees for ATM machines after a rash of lawsuits exploiting a little known loophole have been filed against several local establishments. Under the federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act, which governs ATM transactions, there is specific language relating to the notification requirements for extra fees. Users of ATMs know there is typically a prompt on the screen...READ MORE

County Liquor Control On Pace For $556K Profit

SNOW HILL -- The Department of Liquor Control (DLC) is on track to meet its year-end profit goal of $556,500, according to officials. When Worcester decided to absorb the then quasi-governmental Liquor Control Board last July and turn it into an actual county department, DLC Director Bobby Cowger said that, while the transition went smoothly, the entity itself was a mess. “There was a huge amount of bad inventory,” he told the commission. Additional problems at the time of the...READ MORE

Diakonia Named First Recipient Of Schaefer Award

WEST OCEAN CITY -- Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot was in West Ocean City yesterday morning to present the first-ever William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award for Worcester County to Diakonia, an emergency transitional shelter that provides a leg up to individuals and families in the resort area and across the Lower Shore. Franchot created the award, which will recognize individuals and organizations across Maryland that provide public service in their communities, in honor of the late...READ MORE

Post-Labor Day School Start Pushed

OCEAN CITY -- State Comptroller Peter Franchot met with resort business leaders yesterday morning to announce his initiative to push the start date for public schools across Maryland back until after Labor Day. For decades, the public school year in Maryland always started after Labor Day, the symbolic end to the summer season, but in recent years, most jurisdictions have moved the start date earlier and earlier, into mid-August in some cases. Because of its resort nature, Worcester was one of...READ MORE

Area Businesses Score RAM Awards

OCEAN CITY -- The Restaurant Association of Maryland held its 58th Annual McCormick and Company Stars of the Industry Awards gala on Monday, recognizing the top restaurants and bars across the state in several categories, and once again the Ocean City area was well represented among the winners. De Lazy Lizard was recognized as the Favorite New Restaurant in the state, while Shenanigans was honored as the Favorite Bar or Tavern in Maryland. Bill and Julianne Gibbs, owners of the Dough Roller...READ MORE

City Council Moves Forward With New Scooter Regs

OCEAN CITY – Regulations placed on the resort’s scooter rental industry in town to improve public safety moved one step closer to final approval this week with just a couple of tweaks made.
Back on Jan. 31, the Mayor and Council passed an ordinance to establish a 90-day moratorium on the issuance of new or renewed business licenses for scooter rentals. The council became concerned over the proliferation of scooter rental businesses in town and the safety issues that have...READ MORE

WOC Cat Situation May Spark Changes

SNOW HILL -- In the wake of public outcry over the euthanasia of three West Ocean City cats, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Animal Control tried to clear the air Tuesday, presenting a timeline of what actually happened as far as cat trapping on Waterview Drive. While Animal Control was not chastised for its handling of the situation, the County Commissioners are hoping the incident will spark some changes, including more cages so animals can be held longer and more community...READ MORE

Berlin Trail Mix Registration Now Open

BERLIN -- Trail Mix 2012, an event to promote trails around Berlin and to encourage families, kids and bike and fitness enthusiasts to get out and around town, will take place Saturday, April 28. Walk, bike, run or push a stroller for the inaugural trail event that kicks off with a ribbon cutting for the Safe Routes to School Program at Berlin Intermediate School at 9:30 a.m. The idea behind Trail Mix 2012 is to promote the town’s heritage, natural areas and resources and to foster better...READ MORE

Wicomico Approves Income Tax Rate Increase

SALISBURY – Wicomico County’s budget is up in the air as officials wait for word from the state on how pending legislation will affect its finances, but the County Council did come to terms with increasing the income tax rate. For the last few weeks, Wicomico County has been watching the Maryland legislature, which has cast a “doomsday” budget. A Senate Bill, Maintenance of Effort (MOE), had been passed requiring the county to increase its contribution to the Board of...READ MORE

Plant Sale Pre-Orders Now Available

BERLIN -- With longer days and warmer temperatures, many are planning to spruce up yards and businesses to enjoy the outdoors. When the time comes to put your green thumb to work, think about the benefits of planting native plants. If you want to purchase native plants (and delicious heirloom tomatoes) for your yard or business, join the Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) for the 13th Annual Native and Heirloom Plant Festival, scheduled for May 5. The festival begins at 8 a.m. and will be held in...READ MORE

Severe Sentences In Tipsy Taxi Cases

SNOW HILL -- More cases were heard last week in Circuit Court stemming from arrests made over the winter during Operation Sand Dollar, including one repeat offender who was sentenced to 14 years in jail and another defendant who received a 10-year sentence. Two months after the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) announced the results of a major, two-year sting operation involving an undercover narcotics officer posing as the owner and operator of a taxi cab, the first batch of cases hit the...READ MORE

Summer Flounder Regs Loosened

OCEAN CITY -- The summer flounder season opened last weekend with new, relaxed regulations on keeper sizes and season lengths, although the restrictions on tautog have been enhanced. “Because Maryland anglers have remained under the summer flounder target harvest levels for the past two years, we are able to lower the minimum size limit and extend the season lightly to provide anglers more opportunity,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell. “As with other...READ MORE

Ireton Against ACLU Meeting On Redistricting

SALISBURY -- Mayor Jim Ireton made it clear Monday that, though the City Council may want to work with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) while revising election districts, he had “no interest” in negotiating with the group. “The American Civil Liberties Union is a special interest group. They should be in touch with the courts after you finish your map and a vote is taken,” said Ireton. “I have no interest in negotiations with them. I negotiate with you and...READ MORE

OCPD Plans Tech Advancements

OCEAN CITY – Police Chief Bernadette DiPino provided an update to the Mayor and City Council last week as the department prepares for the upcoming summer season. “When I became chief nine years ago, one of the long-term strategic plans was to utilize technology as much as possible,” she said. “Social media is a big deal in our society and we plan on using that in our law enforcement to help us support crime and help us be more proactive as crime approaches.” DiPino...READ MORE

Easton Mail Center Closure Fought

BERLIN -- Md. Sen. Barbara Mikulski again this week made her feelings known about the proposed closure of the U.S. Postal Service Mail Processing Center in Easton, which serves the entire Eastern Shore, and was even able to attach some amendments to the bill, but the legislation cleared a procedural hurdle on the way to passage. Mikulski on Tuesday introduced four amendments to the Senate postal legislation after voting against proceeding to the bill as the future of the Easton Mail Processing...READ MORE

Council Mulls Adding Booking System To Website

OCEAN CITY – Rather than voting prematurely to add a centralized booking system to the town’s website, the Mayor and City Council delayed the move to consider the impact it would have on the resort area’s lodging industry. Ann McGinnis Hillyer of oceancity.com proposed this week to the Mayor and City Council, RezEZ, a central reservations system for booking hotels to be used from the town’s website, ococean.com, the town’s Facebook page and other social media...READ MORE

Wicomico, Worcester Announce Burning Bans

BERLIN -- Unseasonably warm and dry weather have resulted in persistent drought conditions across the Lower Shore, forcing officials in Worcester and Wicomico counties this week to issue a ban on most outdoor burning for an indefinite period. On Monday, Worcester County Fire Marshal Jeff McMahon issued a burn ban on outdoor burning for an indefinite period of time in Worcester County. All current burn permits have been rescinded until further notice. The ban applies to all outdoor ignition...READ MORE

Council Approves Weekly Laser Show, Fireworks

OCEAN CITY – A series of new events received its final approval this week from the Mayor and Council and is slated to begin Memorial Day weekend. Since December, there has been much discussion over a new series of events proposed to come to Ocean City this summer. At that time, the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) brought forward Bob Rothermel of Special Event Productions/T.E.A.M Productions, who proposed a number of new events that would be funded with TAB’s funds, $275,000, which was...READ MORE

Berlin Eyes 5-Cent Property Tax Rate Decrease

BERLIN -- While there may be trouble at the county level, the budget picture for the town of Berlin is largely positive and contains a property tax decrease, a $500 one-time bonus for employees and a more than $500,000 budget surplus with revenues coming in higher than expenditures. Totaling $13,333,164 million, the proposed budget is $328,680, or 2 percent, lower than the current budget. This is the fourth consecutive year that the town has decreased its budget from the previous year. Even so,...READ MORE

Komen’s Race For The Cure Comes To Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – The number of participants for the Inaugural Komen Maryland Ocean City Race for the Cure continued to rise throughout the week as Ocean City turns pin to support Susan G. Komen coming to town. As of Monday, the number of participants registered for the Race for the Cure on Sunday, April 22, had increased to 2,717 from 2,201 last Wednesday. The number is expected to grow as the week progresses. “Our goal, because this was the first year, was 3,000 people … so we...READ MORE

Berlin Begins Comprehensive Rezoning Process

BERLIN -- A discussion on proposed revisions to the town’s comprehensive re-zoning prompted the Berlin Planning Commission to set goals for how it will look to affect zoning in the future, including a desire to be more flexible with legal non-conforming use properties. However, the commission expressed a “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” attitude toward a majority of the zoning code, which Planning and Zoning Director Chuck Ward defended as still relevant, despite...READ MORE