Articles

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Council Green Lights Off-Season Carriage Rides

OCEAN CITY – Horse and carriage rides are in the clear to be provided downtown during the off-season. Public Works Director Hal Adkins updated the Mayor and City Council on the proposed horse and carriage rides on the Boardwalk that was brought up back in May by Randy Davis of R and B Ranch located in Salisbury. At that time, the council voiced several concerns and Adkins and Davis returned this week with responses. Davis has proposed to provide horse and carriage rides downtown during the...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Skateboarding On Boardwalk Coming Soon In OC

OCEAN CITY – In just a couple of weeks, the Mayor and City Council will vote to pass an emergency ordinance to allow skateboarding on the Boardwalk. At the conclusion of Monday’s Mayor and City Council meeting, Councilman Doug Cymek brought up the topic of legalizing skateboarding on the Boardwalk in Ocean City that hadn’t been publically spoken of by city officials in a couple of months. The idea to legalize skateboarding came up in July when a brief ban took place on the use...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: Dare Stresses Progress In Election Bid

OCEAN CITY – Former City Manager Dennis Dare filed to run for City Council on Monday morning, taking the opportunity to look back on the improvements he has helped make in Ocean City over the last 30 years and what he intends to accomplish into the future as a councilman. As Dare walked out of the front entrance of City Hall after filling out the council paperwork, Dare was overwhelmed by the amount of supporters who greeted him, including council members Doug Cymek and Mary Knight, who...READ MORE

NEW FOR FRIDAY: OC Police Chief In Running For Sarasota, Fla. Post

OCEAN CITY -- The resort’s police chief was named today one of the five finalists for the top cop job in Sarasota, Fla. On the short list, released today by Sarasota City Manager Tom Barwin, were Ocean City Police Chief Bernadette DiPino, Oak Forest, Ill. Chief Gregory J. Anderson, former Tampa, Fla. Major/Division Commander Salvatore Ruggiero and Richmond, Va. Deputy Chief of Police Tonya D. Vincent. DiPino, who has been chief since 2003, said this afternoon she alerted the Mayor and...READ MORE

NEW FOR FRIDAY: Former City Manager To Hold Press Conference Monday

OCEAN CITY -- Former City Manager Dennis Dare will hold a press conference on Monday at City Hall to discuss Ocean City’s future, including what is expected to be an announcement of his intentions to seek a council seat. So far, incumbents Doug Cymek and Mary Knight have filed to retain their seats and are being challenged by hopefuls Robert Baker, Sean Rox, John Franklin Adkins and Joe Mitrecic, a former two-term councilman. Although they have not filed yet, incumbents Jim Hall and Joe...READ MORE

Teamwork Leads To Inlet Rescue

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP), with the help of a parasail boat, rescued a man in trouble in a dicey situation just north of the Inlet jetty on Tuesday afternoon. Around 1 p.m., the OCBP lifeguard at the Inlet went into the ocean to rescue a man clearly in trouble near the north rock jetty at the Ocean City Inlet. When the guard reached the unidentified man, the victim was having difficulty breathing and was in danger of going under. Earlier accounts reported the man was...READ MORE

Salisbury Police Raises Move Ahead

SALISBURY – There was not a chair to be found in council chambers this week as bright yellow shirts of public works employees filled the room who voiced that they are in need of a pay increase just as much as the police department. Last week, Salisbury Police Chief Barbara Duncan told the council how the city is struggling to retain officers who once they have a few years of experience are often lured by other, better paying agencies. In an attempt to keep Salisbury competitive in...READ MORE

New Northside Park Exercise Area Eyed In OC

OCEAN CITY – A new outdoor exercise area is in the works for Northside Park, as a final recommendation of a provider will come to the Mayor and City Council in the near future. This week a large number of bid openings occurred for the construction of an outdoor exercise area, complete with fitness equipment, at Northside Park. According to bid documents, the Town of Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department requested proposals from contractors for the outdoor exercise equipment at...READ MORE

Council Frowns On Halloween Event Plan

BERLIN -- An ambitious idea by a local non-profit wasn’t able to get off the ground this week. The Berlin Mayor and Council, while supportive of what the group was trying to do, cited practical concerns as their justification for denying the application. “I think the plan is flawed,” Mayor Gee Williams told Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services (WYFCS) Director of Development and Donor Relations Stefanie Gordy. Gordy appeared before the council Monday to pitch her...READ MORE

Unions Protest West OC Hiring

WEST OCEAN CITY -- Protestors carrying large signs and handing out pamphlets and other literature sprouted up around a West Ocean City outlet center this week objecting to some new tenants using non-union contractors during construction. Throughout mid-week, protestors set up shop at key access points near the Tanger Outlets in West Ocean City displaying large signs to passing motorists and pedestrians criticizing the use of non-union workers on build-outs and other construction projects...READ MORE

5th County School Earns National Blue Ribbon

POCOMOKE -- Pocomoke Elementary School (PES) became the fifth school in Worcester County last week to receive a National Blue Ribbon designation. “When everyone works together for the same goal, the barriers to learning disappear and everyone benefits. Shared responsibility gets results. Our motto states it best: ‘Every child achieving; every adult contributing’,” said PES Principal Michael Browne. PES was previously a Maryland Blue Ribbon School but was upgraded by U.S....READ MORE

Lawsuit Alleges Pay Discrimination Within Liquor Department

BERLIN -- A lawsuit was filed against the Worcester County Commissioners in late August alleging the county’s Department of Liquor Control (DLC) violated the federal Equal Pay Act by paying female employees at retail outlets less than their male counterparts. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on August 29. The complaint outlines an alleged pattern by the county of undercompensating female retail clerks at county owned and...READ MORE

More Boardwalk Cameras Approved

OCEAN CITY – The police department will have extra eyes on the Boardwalk next summer as additional cameras will be installed during the final phase of the Boardwalk’s reconstruction, which will begin this fall. Ocean City Engineer Terry McGean explained that the funding for a fiber optic network to run the length of the Boardwalk was included in the budget for the Boardwalk Renovation Project. The network will allow for the installation of 10 additional cameras, as well as Variable...READ MORE

Resort Businessman Eyes Council Seat, Hopes To Reverse Recent Trends

OCEAN CITY – Robert Baker is a new face to the list of candidates running for the City Council this year, but he feels his experience in bringing enemies closer together to benefit each other will reflect positively on the operation of the town. “I am not running with anyone or against anyone. I am just running for the town of Ocean City,” Baker said. “I am a big believer in moving forward. Here’s where we are, let’s look to the future.” Before moving to...READ MORE

Scenic Film Festival Eyes Return Oct. 11

OCEAN CITY -- The public is invited to join the Assateague Coastkeeper and the Assateague Coastal Trust when they host the Wild and Scenic Film Festival On Tour at Seacrets in Ocean City on Thursday, Oct. 11. The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is a collection of films from the annual festival held in Nevada City, Calif. Now in its 10th year, the festival focuses on films that speak to the environmental concerns and celebrations of our planet. “Films featured at Wild & Scenic give...READ MORE

Questions Raised Over Ocean City’s Golf Pass Policies

OCEAN CITY – Mayor Rick Meehan stood strong this week while accusations were made that the town is wasting taxpayers money in issuing golf passes to the town-owned Eagle’s Landing. In late August, Councilman Brent Ashley requested City Manager David Recor examine the records of town employees and guest play at the municipal golf course, Eagle’s Landing, including the use of Gold and Silver passes. This week Ashley asked for a discussion to be scheduled over the matter asserting...READ MORE

Lack Of Trust Led To Union Effort, OC Employee Says

OCEAN CITY -- In an exclusive interview on Saturday, Greg DeMarco, an Ocean City property owner since 2001 and a seven-year town employee in the parks department, said the public needs to know the reasons the city’s general employees want to unionize. Earlier this year, the town’s general employees -- essentially all those not linked to public safety -- expressed to the Mayor and Council their desires to organize. Rather than vote outright on the matter, the council advised the...READ MORE

OC BikeFest Eyes Bigger Second Year

OCEAN CITY – The highly anticipated OC BikeFest, presented by Rommel Harley-Davidson of Annapolis and Rommel Harley-Davidson of New Castle and Smyrna, Del. rolled into Ocean City yesterday for its second year. According to organizers, this year’s OC BikeFest will treat Delmarva motorcycle enthusiasts to a weekend of fantastic music and thrilling entertainment at the Inlet, Convention Center and Jolly Roger Amusement Park. OC BikeFest will take place on the same grounds and setup as...READ MORE

Fiery Two-Car Crash Closed Route 113 Monday

SNOW HILL -- A fiery two-vehicle crash on Route 113 near Snow Hill on Monday afternoon caused by a driver who failed to break in time to avoid traffic stopped for a school bus shut down the highway for about two hours. Around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, a 2002 Chevrolet Impala collided with a 1997 Chevy cargo van on Route 113 just south of Porters Crossing Rd. near Snow Hill. The investigation revealed the Impala’s 16-year-old driver failed to notice traffic stopped in the highway behind a...READ MORE

County Digs Deeper Into State’s Septic Changes

SNOW HILL -- The Worcester County Planning Commission got an in-depth look last week at what Senate Bill 236, also known as the “septic bill,” will mean for the county. While no action was taken, the commission will only have until Jan. 1 to decide whether to recommend accepting the plan, which would divide Worcester up into a series of tiers. “I believe it’s more of a land use bill than anything else,” said County Development Review and Permitting Director Ed...READ MORE

OC Chips In Funds For Red Cross Disaster Trailer

OCEAN CITY – A disaster trailer will be positioned in Ocean City by the Lower Shore chapter of the American Red Cross fully prepared to set up a shelter and assist others in case of an emergency. American Red Cross Lower Shore Chapter Executive Director John Culp and Vice Chair of the Board of Directors Madalaine How came before the Mayor and City Council Tuesday to ask the town to participate in the chapter’s effort to match a grant from the Perdue Foundation for the purpose of...READ MORE

Fatal Hit-And-Run Suspect Guilty

SNOW HILL -- A Virginia man who struck and killed a pedestrian on Coastal Highway on Memorial Day while driving drunk pleaded guilty last week in Worcester County Circuit Court to negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence. Early in the morning last Memorial Day, Ocean City Police responded to the area of 54th Street and Coastal Highway for a reported hit-and-run accident involving a pedestrian. The investigation revealed the pedestrian, later identified as Matthew Jude...READ MORE

Former Councilman Running To Get OC Back On Track

OCEAN CITY -- A familiar face in local political circles wants back the seat at City Hall he lost two years ago.Former two-term Councilman Joe Mitrecic, first elected in 2002 and re-elected in 2006, was blunt this week on why he feels it’s imperative he get back into elected office and secure one of the four open City Council posts, which are currently held by Council members Doug Cymek, Jim Hall, Joe Hall and Mary Knight. He filed at City Hall on Monday to have his name on the ballot Nov....READ MORE

Berlin’s Damage Not Bad Enough For Fed Aid

BERLIN -- After learning Berlin failed to exceed the county “threshold” for property damage during a storm last month and thus won’t qualify for disaster relief, town officials advised residents to be patient while a long-term stormwater fix is developed. In the meantime, Mayor Gee Williams also urged residents to invest in flood insurance. “I think that flood insurance is a basic requirement for living in the Town of Berlin,” he said Monday, adding that those who...READ MORE

Berlin’s Newest Restaurant Hits Ground Running

BERLIN -- Tex-Mex and Beyond hit the ground running late last month when after a number of unexpected delays it opened and it’s busy ever since. According to General Manager Tara Wancowicz, huge crowds welcomed the eatery to Berlin and if the business they are doing now is any indication of what’s to come, she predicts Tex-Mex and Beyond, owned by Ernest Gerardi, will quickly become a town tradition. “It was like we had been open for six months, said Wancowicz of the...READ MORE

Berlin Mayor, Long-Time Councilman Re-Elected

BERLIN -- Of the three available positions on the Berlin Mayor and Council, only one is being challenged in the upcoming election. Consequently, Berlin Mayor Gee Williams has been re-elected as has long-time Berlin Councilman Elroy Brittingham. Councilwoman Lisa Hall, who represents District II, will have to defend her seat on the council come Oct. 9. Hall is being challenged by 24-year-old Ronald Marney, a Washington Street resident who was the only non-incumbent candidate to file for the...READ MORE

Berlin Brewery Launches Bottling Initiative

BERLIN -- Smaller than a growler, bigger than a pint glass, the new Burley Oak Brewery bottles will be just the right size for about 400 lucky customers. “This is our first bottle run,” said Burley Oak owner Bryan Brushmiller. Starting Monday, a series of 420 individually labeled 750-ml “champagne-style” bottles became available at the brewery. For the first run, Burley decided to release a barrel-aged version of their popular Bunker-C porter. “We aged it in bourbon...READ MORE