March 30, 2007

Things I Like

People who like the things I like The smell of a great Italian restaurant A bookcase with leather-bound books The drive of a politician with a cause Thick pork chops cooked just right Leaving a gas station with a full tank Crispy, soft crab sandwiches Freshly brewed iced tea Smelling and hearing the ocean but not seeing it Strangers who wave to each other for no reason Having a swimming pool all to yourself ...READ MORE

Sex Offender Located

OCEAN CITY - A known sex offender wanted for failing to comply with mandatory registration requirements was located in Ocean City this week and was arrested without incident. The Worcester County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit announced on Monday the arrest of Michael Allen Woroniecki, 49, of no fixed address, in Ocean City. Woroniecki was being sought for failing to comply with mandated sex offender registry requirements. Woroniecki, formerly of Stevenson Lane in Berlin, who had at...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Pasted

Terry Lee Gallo Sr. OCEAN CITY - Terry Lee Gallo Sr., 58, died Sunday, March 24, 2007 at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Born in Towson, he is survived by his parents, Vincent Gallo and Virginia Smith Gallo. He is also survived by his wife, Mary Camille Gallo; two sons, Terry Lee Gallo, Jr. and James Samuel Gallo of Ocean City; a brother, Ronald and his wife Kendra Gallo of Pennsylvania; and a sister, Toni Gallo of Towson. Gallo was a member of St. Luke Catholic Church in...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Terror In Resort? Editor: Terror in Ocean City. This will be the future of Ocean City if the SexStyle store is allowed to keep open in this beautiful ocean resort. This store will attract every sex predator and our children and adults will be subject to rape and sodomizing. In June, thousands of high school seniors, most of who are over 18 will be legally allowed to enter this store and purchase their products. These kids are only human and curious and it will be possible that many...READ MORE

State Fulfilling Obligation To Protect Children

Maryland legislators will likely leave Annapolis with a strange feeling next month. It should be one of uncertainty over what lies ahead next year. They will have the rest of 2006 to wonder how the state will tackle a huge structural deficit that will most likely lead to higher taxes for Marylanders and slot machines at a handful of locations. Despite the unfinished work on that critical financial business, legislators can head home with their heads held high for at least one reason -...READ MORE

Between The Lines

A hip trend expected to soon sweep the country is vaporized alcohol dispensers, also known as Alcohol Without Liquid (AWOL) machines. Legislation has been submitted in Annapolis that would ban them in Maryland. Some states, including Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Arizona and Michigan, have already passed measures prohibiting them. There are lots of concerns here, particularly those related to health issues and social abuse. The device allows the user to inhale the alcohol by a fine mist,...READ MORE

Senate Supports Stoltzfus, Rejects Dredging Ban

ANNAPOLIS - A bill that would prohibit hydraulic dredging for clams and oysters in the coastal bays, which appeared on its way to almost certain approval just a week ago, apparently died this week in the Maryland General Assembly when a veteran local senator exerted his political clout to get the votes to kill it. House Bill 964, introduced by Delegates James Mathias and Norman Conway, both of District 38B, which includes all of Worcester and part of Wicomico counties, was approved by the...READ MORE

Students In The Community

A. Students in Mrs. Lisa Brady's second grade class at Ocean City Elementary School recently presented biographies to their class. Above, Wyatt Davy, dressed like Teddy Roosevelt, shared the information he learned about the 26th president while displaying Roosevelt's picture and the "teddy bear" named after him. Submitted Photos B. Jr. Scouts Troop 279, which meets at Worcester Prep, recently visited La Casita, an extension of First State Community Action Center in...READ MORE

Community Remembers One Of Hospital's Pioneers

BERLIN - The local medical community and the entire lower shore lost a giant recently when Dr. Andrew Forgash, a pioneer in the effort to establish Atlantic General Hospital (AGH), died unexpectedly from a cardiac condition on March 15 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. Forgash, 67, died in the hospital where he served as chief of surgery for many years before devoting his energies to the creation of Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. He was the first Chief of Surgery...READ MORE

Moratorium On Adult Shops OK’d As City Studies Zoning

OCEAN CITY - It has been two weeks since Ocean City's newest retail shop, SexStyle, opened up its doors and began doing business in the Bayside Shopping Plaza on 137th Street and city officials are still looking at ways to regulate the current business and any others that may try to come to the resort. SexStyle, owned by Ofir Bouzaglo and Moshe Bitton, opened shop despite the whirlwind of controversy surrounding their adult-oriented store specializing in DVDs, toys and lingerie for...READ MORE

Council Moves Ahead With CO Detectors For Homes

OCEAN CITY - Just two weeks after Councilman Jim Hall made a request to set aside some time in an upcoming work session to discuss the idea of mandating the use of carbon monoxide detectors in all single-family homes in the resort, the code was added to the books and unanimously approved at the council's work session this week. Recently, legislation was introduced at the Maryland General Assembly that would look to have a similar effect to that of an ordinance passed a few months ago by...READ MORE

Town's Expenses On Pending Utility Sale To Exceed $300K

BERLIN - The town of Berlin has racked up nearly $300,000 in expenses on the electric utility sale. That amount will be higher when the contracts are signed. Negotiations are still incomplete, and the above figure includes only the amount of deferred legal fees to Thompson Coburn available through January. Berlin has paid $34,266 to Thompson Coburn to date. According to Linda Bambary, town administrative director, the deferred fees were up to roughly $180,000 two months ago. Payment...READ MORE

Berlin Approves Road Map For EDU Allocation

BERLIN - Half of Berlin's remaining equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) will be released for use as soon as the state approves the new capacity management plan, with the second half released the year after. The Berlin Mayor and Council approved the capacity management plan at the Monday night meeting. This type of plan is required by the state of Maryland whenever a wastewater system is at 80 percent capacity. 'It's required. It does explain how we're going to manage out existing...READ MORE

Berlin Sees Need For Master Plan Along With Comp. Plan

BERLIN - Berlin needs a master plan, not just a comprehensive plan, was the message on Wednesday night at the public hearing on Berlin's new comprehensive plan. Municipal master plans are far more detailed than comprehensive plans, offering a street-by-street design of how a town plans to look in the future, from future parks to streets and schools. At the public hearing, Planning and Zoning Superintendent Stacey Weisner revealed a $250,000 proposal by planning consultants Ayers...READ MORE

City Eyes Ways To Increase Skate Park Revenue

OCEAN CITY - With almost a year to go until expansion of Ocean City's skate park is expected to be complete, members of the Recreation and Park Committee sat down Tuesday morning to look at where the park stands currently and what can be done in the coming months to prepare it for the busy summer season. According to Kate Gaddis, superintendent of recreation, attendance at the park reached 9,383 visitors in 2006, a couple hundred shy of 2005's attendance. Even though the attendance...READ MORE

Compromises Needed For State Smoking Ban

ANNAPOLIS - It now appears a statewide smoking ban in Maryland will become a reality after both the full House and Senate approved their own versions of a bill this week, but there are some differences to iron out before the measures are passed along to the governor for approval. The House approved its version of a smoking ban bill for Maryland with a 98-40 vote during a special session last Saturday, and the Senate followed suit with the passage of its bill on Monday by a 33-13...READ MORE

County's Ethnic Changes Spill Over To Schools

NEWARK - Further evidence of the changing face of Worcester County was revealed last week during the Worcester County Board of Education monthly meeting when it was reported the number of students enrolled in the school system's English Language Learner (ELL) program has increased by 215 percent since 2000. Worcester County Schools ELL Coordinator Diane Stulz told school board members the current number of students in grades Pre-K through 12 enrolled in the program is 202, although the...READ MORE

Funding Issues Surround Affordable Housing Project

BERLIN - Questions and suspicions over the Cannery Village workforce housing project arose Monday night during what appeared to be a routine meeting over a block grant. At this week's meeting, the Berlin Mayor and Council questioned Don Bibb, executive director of project co-developer Housing Authority of Talbot County (HCTC), closely over the apparently diminished role of the New Beginning Covenant Ministries Church in the workforce housing effort and his own compensation....READ MORE

New GIS System Provides Berlin With New Tool

BERLIN - Berlin can now count updated geographic information among its planning and infrastructure tools, with the delivery of a new geographic information system (GIS). The Mayor and Council authorized the geographic information project to map the town's tax information, and sewer and water systems, last April, asking Dr. Mike Scott of Salisbury University's Eastern Shore GIS Cooperative to undertake the project. Scott presented the maps to the town council during the Monday meeting....READ MORE

Proposal Launches Dialogue On Fencing Parking Lots

OCEAN CITY - Superintendent of Public Works Maintenance Bruce Gibbs gave a presentation to the Mayor and City Council Tuesday concerning a fencing project that would add white, vinyl picket fences to the municipal parking lots downtown. Gibbs reported that the project is doable but did have a few concerns regarding the idea. 'For one, you would be limiting foot traffic,' he said. 'For now they can park their cars and walk where they want to walk. We put the fence up and they won't be...READ MORE

Local Teacher Cleared Of Child Abuse, Assault

SNOW HILL - A longtime Ocean City Elementary School teacher accused of child abuse and assault after allegedly throwing a problem student to the floor during a summer school session last July was cleared of all charges this week in an emotionally charged trial in Worcester County Circuit Court. Sheridan Hurley Brueckner, 64, a teacher at OCES for several decades, was charged with child abuse and second-degree assault for allegedly lifting a 6-year-old student from her desk and throwing...READ MORE

State OKs New Child Shield Laws

ANNAPOLIS - Maryland sex offender laws got much stronger this week when both the House and Senate passed the so-called Jessica's Law, which includes among other things no possibility of parole for convicted offenders serving minimum mandatory sentences. The full House approved House Bill 930 with a unanimous 138-0 vote, while the Senate approved the companion bill, Senate Bill 413, by an overwhelming 43-3 vote. The bill, now headed to Gov. Martin O'Malley for approval, adds some teeth...READ MORE

Ocean City Dog Park Details Surface

OCEAN CITY - A proposed park aimed at keeping residents' four-legged friends in shape and offering a place for their owners to share their love of their furry companions continues to be developed as early plans for a dog park were revealed this week. At the Recreation and Parks Committee meeting Tuesday at Northside Park, Recreation and Parks Director Tom Shuster presented fellow members with a rough blueprint of the park along with some other information currently being developed such...READ MORE

Del. Lawmaker Leaves Position Amid Controversy

OCEAN CITY - The final chapter in the ongoing saga of Delaware Representative John C. Atkins, who caused a stir over the last several months for his actions during and after a traffic stop in Ocean City last October, was likely written this week when the lawmaker officially resigned his position. Atkins resigned on Tuesday just before the Delaware House Ethics Committee was preparing to debate a censure resolution which, if approved, would have resulted in sanctions and penalties against...READ MORE

Council News In Brief

New Hangar Being Priced OCEAN CITY - During the Mayor and City Council work session Tuesday, Public Works Director Hal Adkins asked permission to solicit bids for the construction of a new hangar for the Ocean City Airport. According to Adkins, out of the 63-unit capacity the airport currently has only two units left, pending their lease, and they are for smaller aircraft such as a Cessna 172. However, the city has a growing list of individuals desiring to base their larger aircraft,...READ MORE

City Hoping To Bring More Visitors To Sunset Park

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City's newest addition, Sunset Park, located on South Division Street between Philadelphia Avenue and the bay and completed in August of 2006, continues to evolve as future plans for the downtown spot were discussed Tuesday morning at a Recreation and Parks Committee meeting. John Sullivan, Director of Special Events, came before committee members to toss around a concept of his that he hoped would attract more visitors to Sunset Park. 'What we are looking at is to...READ MORE

Berlin To Add Concerts For Second Fridays

BERLIN - Organizers are seeking to add new life to Berlin's Second Friday late openings with a bid to attract music lovers to the center of the town. Main Street coordinator Michael Day asked the Berlin Mayor and Council on Monday night for permission to hold concerts on Pitt St., between Williams St. and Main St., from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every second Friday. The street would be blocked off for a stage and space for spectators. The concerts were originally set to be staged in front...READ MORE

Live Music and DJs

Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Every Friday & Saturday: Patrick McAllorum. Bahama Mamas: 410-289-0291, Call for entertainment. Big Tuna Grill: 410-250-1001, 128th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Call for entertainment. Blue Ox & Babe's Lounge: 410-250-6440, 127th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Call for entertainment. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, March 30: DJ BK; Saturday, March 31: Opposite Directions. Castaway's: 410-524-9090, 64th St....READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Be careful about doing someone a favor when you don't know the full story behind the request. Don't rely on someone's unsubstantiated assurances. Insist on all the facts before you act. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): That workplace problem still needs your attention before you can finally close the book on it. Meanwhile, a long-anticipated reunion gets closer to becoming a happy reality. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): You might be demanding more from others...READ MORE

Outside The Bubble

'We don't care, we don't have to' I honestly thought that the total was in pesos. I opened my gas bill and was astonished to see that the cost for a month of natural gas had doubled. Now, I realize that it was awfully chilly in the last month for the Eastern Shore. Heck, it even snowed a little bit, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that in the winter, the gas bill is going be higher. This I get. However, the amount of gas that my household had used was just slightly...READ MORE

My Thoughts

Insider is one of those types who asks for a Senior Citizen discount wherever he goes. It's just a habit and everyone once in a while it happens. It's one of the perks of old age. One place that does not discount is the doctor's office. When the old guy went to the doctor the other day to find out why his foot had been bothering him, Insider was told he had to pay $20 before he was allowed to be graced by the doctor's presence and wisdom. It's called a 'co pay' or something like that....READ MORE

A Week In Business

L&F Honors Team BERLIN - Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., recently honored sales associates from the company's Eastern Shore region at a ceremony held at the Dover Downs Hotel & Convention Center in Dover. Mark Holloway, vice president and regional manager of Long & Foster's Eastern Shore region, presented the top producers with their awards. Linda Moran and her team member Claudia Gausepohl, sales associates with Long & Foster's West Ocean City office, received the...READ MORE

Restaurateur Aims To Keep It Simple In Resort

OCEAN CITY - Nestled along the streets in downtown in Ocean City are all kinds eateries where someone, with enough perseverance, is bound to eventually come across something that will strike their fancy. Some establishments work hard in an attempt to be different and offer only the most exotic of items where as others take the opposite approach and offer the most basic of meals with a taste of home to give off that feeling of familiarity. Such is the basis for Kathy's Olympia Country...READ MORE

P&Z Approves Upper Downtown Height Restrictions

OCEAN CITY - Over two months have passed since the Planning and Zoning Commission decided to re-advertise a public hearing concerning comprehensive rezoning and amendments to zoning regulations for properties zoned R-2 and R-3a. That meeting finally came to be Tuesday night and after a brief hearing commissioners discussed the issues regarding height restrictions in those zones and what they thought would be best, ultimately ending in two motions that set separate height limits for...READ MORE