January 4, 2008

Thursday, January 10 - OC Needs Positive Online Spin, Agency Says

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City will be increasing its public relations campaign in 2008, reported advertising firm MGH in a Tourism Commission meeting last week. MAGH Public Relations Account Director Chris McMurry presented the commission with a plan for the 2008 public relations campaign, providing some new ways to generate positive buzz about Ocean City. Survey results presented to the tourism commission by MGH in November were used to guide the public relations goals of 2008. The survey results...READ MORE

Wednesday, January 9 - OC Eyes Fishing As Untapped Resource

OCEAN CITY - Members of the Ocean City Tourism Commission agreed last week that fishing has remained an untapped resource in Ocean City. In an effort to expand on fishing advertising, the commission is considering a proposal that would require $25,000 in exchange for national advertising. At a tourism commission meeting last week, producers of the local fishing show Hooked on OC, which went national last year, presented the commission with a proposal, one that they claim will be beneficial for...READ MORE

Monday, January 7- OCDC Sets Downtown Goals for 2008

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) had a successful year and is looking forward to even more success in 2008, reported OCDC officials this week. OCDC Executive Director Glenn Irwin and OCDC President Greg Shockley presented the Mayor and Council with an update on the OCDC last week, highlighting successes of 2007 and goals for 2008. Seventy members, 10 committees, and 5,282 volunteers since 2002 make up the OCDC, reported Shockley. 'We've been very fortunate that...READ MORE

OCPD Officer Hurt In Traffic Collision

OCPD Officer Hurt In Traffic Collision OCEAN CITY - A veteran Ocean City police officer was injured in a car accident last Sunday evening when his marked cruiser was struck by a vehicle that failed to yield the right-of-way. OCPD K-9 Officer Ronnie Townsend was traveling north on Baltimore Ave. near 21st Street last Sunday evening with his police dog 'Indy' in tow when his marked police cruiser was struck by a vehicle driven by Robert John Albright, 41, of York, Pa. Albright was later charged...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

In what has become an annual tradition, I venture the following predictions, some of local significance and some not so much, for the year ahead: -- Sen. Hillary Clinton will be elected president in a landslide general election victory over former New York Gov. Rudy Giuliani. -- Sixty percent of Marylanders heading to the polls will vote for slots coming to select state sites including Ocean Downs. -- After the slots referendum passes, talk will soon commence over how to help Route 589 better...READ MORE

GOP's Lawsuit A Lame Attempt At Power

Being a Republican in a liberal state like Maryland is challenging and oftentimes discouraging. That's why we understand the conservative party's attempt to overturn some key decisions made by the Maryland General Assembly in last year's special session. However, while we get the motivation behind it, filing a lawsuit to achieve those means is futile and lacks logic. The GOP leadership in the House and Senate last month filed a lawsuit in Carroll County Circuit Court seeking to invalidate...READ MORE

Live Bands And DJs

Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Entertainment Friday & Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, Jan. 4: TBA. Castaway's: 410-524-9090, 64th St. Bayfront; Closed for the season. Re-open Thursday, March 13. Clarion Hotel: 410-524-3535, 10100 Coastal Hwy; Ocean Club: Friday-Sunday, Jan. 4-6: First Class; Thursday, Jan. 10: On The Edge. Fager's Island: 410-524-5500, 60th St. in the Bay; Deck: Friday, Jan. 4: TBA, 9 p.m.;...READ MORE

County Land Value Surge Mirrors Md. Average

WEST OCEAN CITY - For the first time in at least six years, property values in a large portion of Worcester County including much of West Ocean City have stabilized to levels seen prior to the last big real estate boom and now mirror the average amount of increase in the state. The most recent reassessment notices hit mailboxes in a large portion of the county this week and many property owners were likely relieved their assessed values have leveled off after several years of soaring increases....READ MORE

City Goes Strict On Sex Shop Legislation

OCEAN CITY - The Mayor and Council settled on a course of action regarding sexually oriented businesses this week, with a unanimous vote for a scenario that outlines the limited portion of town that will allow for sexually oriented businesses. Ocean City Planning and Development Director Jesse Houston presented the Mayor and Council with six scenarios for zoning and licensing of sexually oriented businesses over the past couple of months. This week, the Mayor and Council agreed on the most...READ MORE

County Building Permits Fall Off Pace

BERLIN - The Worcester County housing market has taken a hit in the last two years, all indicators confirm, but the downward trend in building permit numbers in Worcester County tells a dramatic tale. Building permits in Worcester County, outside the towns, are down 66 percent in the last three years. In 2005, the county issued 511 building permits for 532 units, followed by a sharp decline in 2006, when 334 permits were issued for 423 units. In 2007, the county permitting department issued only...READ MORE

Friday, January 4 - OCDC Considers New Programs For Downtown Area

OCEAN CITY - In an effort to continue with the Ocean City Development Corporation's (OCDC) ongoing efforts to revitalize downtown Ocean City, two new programs are under consideration. OCDC President Greg Shockley and OCDC Executive Director Glenn Irwin presented the Mayor and Council with two potential programs for downtown Ocean City. The first, a Main Street Program, aims to build on the current efforts in downtown revitalization, while the second, a plaque program, aims to highlight the...READ MORE

Route 50 Bridge Closure Starts January 17

OCEAN CITY - The State Highway Administration (SHA) remains hopeful that the Route 50 Bridge will be open in time for Presidents Day Weekend, assuring officials the closure will not go beyond the scheduled 35 days. With the Route 50 Bridge closure approaching, SHA came before the Mayor and Council this week to update them on the progress of the bridgework and to discuss the possibility of completion before the busy President's Day Weekend. SHA District Engineer Donnie Drewer reported that...READ MORE

Annual Penguin Swim Raises $67K For Atlantic General

OCEAN CITY - Atlantic General Hospital's 14th Annual Penguin Swim raised more than $67,000 this year. Hundreds of philanthropic souls plunged into the Atlantic Ocean on a beautiful and mild New Year's Day in front of the Princess Royale on 94th Street. After the chilly dip, at a ceremony held at the beachfront hotel, teams and individuals who raised the most money in the swim were recognized with first-, second- and third-place prizes. Individual winners were 'Woody' Butch German, first place,...READ MORE

Inaugural Air Show Okayed For OC In June

OCEAN CITY - The first Ocean City Air Show will be flying into Ocean City this June, and although the event will be occurring mid-week, organizers of the event are confident that it will be a strong first year for what they hope will become a staple event for Ocean City. This week, Special Events Coordinator John Sullivan and Bryan Lilley of Bryan Lilley, Inc. presented the Mayor and Council with the preliminary plans for the OC Air Show. The Air Show will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, June...READ MORE

Mailed Assessment Questionnaire Critical For Residents

BERLIN - When reassessment notices arrived for property owners in a large section of Worcester County last week, a seemingly innocuous questionnaire regarding Homestead Tax Cap eligibility was included that might otherwise be discarded, but local property owners should not ignore the document at the risk of overspending on property taxes. The State Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT) reassesses property values in Worcester County every three years on a rotating basis and this year the...READ MORE

Sales Tax Hike A Cash Register Headache For Some

BERLIN - The sales tax in Maryland officially increased by 20 percent yesterday, from five cents on the dollar to six cents, sending many local merchants scrambling to physically implement the change at the cash register. During a rare special session in November, state lawmakers voted to increase the sales tax in Maryland as part of a larger revenue generating plan to address the anticipated $1.7 billion structural deficit. While the new sales tax rate increased by just a penny, it represents...READ MORE

162 Species Counted During Annual OC Bird Event

OCEAN CITY - More than 50 bird watchers flocked to the area last Friday to participate in the 60th Annual Ocean City Christmas Bird Count, observing a variety of avian species and coming close to breaking the areas all time record of total species observed. Each year, from Dec. 14 to Jan. 5, volunteers across North America, gather to count avian life in an effort to record data and research trends. The national count began in 1900, when ornithologist and early Audubon Society officer Frank...READ MORE

225-Plus Take Part In Renamed Assateague Walk

BERLIN - Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) hosted its 28th Annual New Years Day beach walk on Assateague Island with over 225 people joining the New Years event.  ACT renamed the event the 'Ilia Fehrer-Judy Johnson Memorial Beach Walk' in honor of Fehrer and Johnson, both of whom passed away within the past year. They were founders of the Committee To Preserve Assateague Island, which evolved into the Assateague Coastal Trust. Assateague Island National Seashore Ranger Chris Seymour welcomed...READ MORE

Coastal Bays Head Departs For Consulting Firm Position

BERLIN - The Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) yesterday announced Executive Director Dave Blazer was leaving the program after nearly a decade of shepherding the fledgling quasi-government agency through its infancy and helping raise environmental awareness in the county. Blazer is leaving the program he helped nurture to take a similar position with an environmental consulting firm in the private sector. He leaves behind a legacy of staunch advocacy for the shallow bays behind Ocean City...READ MORE

County Grants Could Lead To More Living Shorelines

SNOW HILL - Waterfront landowners in Worcester County now have a chance at state funding to create living shorelines instead of hard bulkheads along the county's creeks and bays. 'This is an opportunity for a private property owner to get some matching funds,' said Katherine Munson, a planner for Worcester County. Properties where the shoreline can be seen by the public or where the owner is willing to grant limited public access would be especially attractive to the county in awarding the...READ MORE

County Okays $34M High School Renovation Project

SNOW HILL - After wrangling over the inclusion of synthetic turf athletic fields, the Worcester County Commissioners approved the $34.4 million price tag on the Pocomoke High School (PHS) renovation and additions this week. The commissioners actually took two votes, but the first motion was withdrawn when Commissioner Judy Boggs realized the wording of her motion approved the bids for all the alternate bid items, like the synthetic turf, and not the more bare bones bid, coming in at $2 million...READ MORE

Early Service Road Costs Lower Than Initial Estimate

SNOW HILL - The first phase of the Route 50 service road project could come in under budget by as much as $260,000. Phase 1A of the eagerly anticipated service road that will run south of Route 50, eventually from Holly Grove Rd. to Seahawk Rd., and access the Wal-Mart and Home Depot stores, should be completed this spring, said Worcester County Public Works Director John Tustin, and it will likely cost less than planned. 'Our best guess at this point is there will be an underrun on this project...READ MORE

Fed Funds Another Year Of Assateague Work

BERLIN - The multi-year project to replenish the sands of northern Assateague Island will be funded for another year with $1.72 million in federal funds just awarded. 'We should be able to continue with the biannual sand bypassing project,' said Mary Dann, Army Corps of Engineers project manager for the work. Carl Zimmerman, head of resource management at Assateague Island National Seashore (AINS), said the project is scheduled to occur twice annually for the next two decades. 'This is nothing...READ MORE

Former Elected Officials Gather For Annual Open House

OCEAN CITY - It was an 'old home week' of sorts at City Hall in Ocean City this week for the annual New Year's Day open house as dozens of former elected and appointed officials of bygone eras joined their current counterparts for a celebration of the town's history and the history of the venerable old building on 3rd Street. The open house, hosted for 12 years by the mayor on New Year's Day, typically has a theme associated with it and this year was no different. This year, the theme was 'Ocean...READ MORE

Pair Charged In WOC Business Burglary Attempt

WEST OCEAN CITY - Two Ocean City residents, one of whom is a 17-year-old juvenile, face burglary and assault charges this week after attempting to break into a West Ocean City pizza parlor last Sunday. Shortly before midnight on Dec. 30, Maryland State Police troopers, assisted by county Sheriff's deputies, responded to the Ledo's Pizza in the White Marlin Mall for a reported attempted burglary in progress. The officers met with several witnesses who said they were in the store after normal...READ MORE

Shuttle Service Planned For Route 50 Bridge Closure

SNOW HILL - During the Route 50 Bridge closure beginning Jan. 17, people who need public transit into or out of Ocean City will be able to take advantage of a temporary shuttle bus run by Shore Transit. The temporary bus route, which will cost Worcester County $1,100 a day, for 35 days, will run between Ocean Pines and Ocean City via Route 90. 'I think we have an obligation to those employees to get [them] to work,' said Commissioner Bud Church, who was worried that his constituents in West...READ MORE

Decatur Girls Fall in Coleman Tourney

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity basketball team lost a tough one to visiting Arcadia last week in the John H. Coleman Christmas Tournament it hosted. The Seahawks fell to Arcadia, 42-39, last Thursday, becoming the only Worcester County school to lose to a Virginia school on the tournament's opening night. In other action, Pocomoke beat Northampton, 54-39, while Snow Hill took care of Nandua, 51-38. The annual holiday tournament, named for long-time Worcester County Public Schools...READ MORE

Decatur Wins Two In Holiday Tournament

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's men's varsity basketball team ended a six-game losing streak to start the season in impressive fashion last week, sweeping its two games at the Crisfield Holiday Tournament to break into the win column for the first time in the 2007-2008 campaign. The Seahawks were 0-6 entering the Crisfield tourney last weekend, its closest loss coming by eleven points to Cambridge-South Dorchester back on December 13. However, Decatur rallied for two big wins to jumpstart their season...READ MORE

Mallards Set To Start 2nd Half

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's men's and women's basketball teams return to action tonight after a long holiday layoff with a pair of games against Greenwood Mennonite on the road. Each Mallard basketball team enjoyed a successful first half of the season with the boys jumping out to an 8-2 record and the girls finishing with a very respectable 5-5 mark. However, neither team has played a meaningful game since December 19 and both will likely face rust and conditioning issues as they prepare to tackle...READ MORE

Seahawk Wrestlers Finish 4th at Arundel

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's men's varsity wrestling team made a strong showing at the Arundel Holiday Tournament last weekend, finishing in fourth place as a team and collecting a handful of individual titles along the way. The Seahawks came in fourth as team out of a field of some of the top high school wrestling programs in the state at the Arundel Holiday Tournament last weekend. It was the second strong finish for Decatur in a major tournament this year as the Seahawks came in second in its...READ MORE

Winterfest Soccer Camp

Dozens of young soccer enthusiasts participated in the Winterfest soccer camp at Northside Park last week. Pictured above, camp director Kevin Darcy goes over some drills with a handful of camp participants. ...READ MORE

Super Bowl Scramble on Tap

BERLIN- With the NFL playoffs set to begin this weekend, it's not too early to make plans to participate in the Super Bowl Scramble at Eagle's Landing in West Ocean City on Super Bowl Sunday, February 3. The creative tournament features a traditional four-player scramble format with a coach (the team's A player), a quarterback, a wide receiver and a running back. The scoring format is unique, however, with six points for a touchdown (eagle), three points for a field goal (birdie), and one point...READ MORE

"Vice City"

This is the perfect year to invest in Nicorette gum if you are stock market savvy and live in Maryland. Smokers have been 'doubling up' and watching the Feb. 1 Maryland smoking ban creep closer and closer and now that it is just weeks away, smokers may be forced to try to actually live up to their new years resolution and quit smoking. For the month of January, perhaps smokers should have smoke-ins in area establishments, (a 'black lung coup-de-gras' if you will) and collectively exhale their...READ MORE

My Thoughts

Happy New Year! It's perhaps the silliest greeting in the history of man. Insider was on his daily walk the other day and a neighbor shouted out across the street 'Happy New Year.' It was all Insider could do not to extend his left arm and uncoil a certain finger at his idiot neighbor. Rather than make an enemy of someone at such close quarters, he mustered a head nod akin to the type you give the stranger you are standing behind at the grocery store or the kind men give to each other as they...READ MORE

A Moving Experience For Some

BERLIN - Retirement is a time to take a fresh look at life: changing careers, pursuing new adventures and, for a substantial number of people, changing where they live. Half of all Americans aged 50 to 59 plan to buy a new home during their retirement, according to a 2005 Harris Interactive survey. When it's time for you to make a move, buffer the impact with a sound financial strategy developed in concert with your financial advisor. For homeowners, the good news is the capital gain exemption...READ MORE

Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club

Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club President Jeff Grim Sr. presents an Honorary Rotarian pin to Jamie Welch during the club's Holiday Dinner meeting. Welch received the pin for his work at the Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club Christmas Tree Sale. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

The Democratic Women's Club

The Democratic Women's Club recently held its Election of Officers of Lighthouse Sound. Pictured, from left, are JoAnn Williams, Corresponding Secretary; Diana Gross, Member at Large; Mary Ellen Gunther, Member at Large; Arlene Page, President; Debbie Resnick, Recording Secretary; Kathy Muncy, Vice President; and Sandy Miller, Treasurer. ...READ MORE

Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School

Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School students recently held a "progressive coin drive" for the Worcester County Development Center (WCDC). The WCDC is close to MBS because it provides hot lunch for the school daily. Students raised $2,361.74 from a school of 200. Father Smith of St. Luke/St. Andrew was so impressed with the students that he matched their amount. Pictured are WCDC staff standing in the MBS kitchen after receiving the check for $4,723.48 from the students. ...READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate School

Native American storytellers visited fourth Graders at Berlin Intermediate School to share several of their tribes' traditional stories. Students pictured are Alli Shumate, Becky Evans, Christy Wheeless, Sonny Furst, Matt Moore, Zainab Mirza, Elizabeth Masters, Sean Pletcher, Xander Cushwa, Evan Haas, Hillary Jarman, Tabitha Selby, Bernadette Atwood and Tiffany Bandiere ...READ MORE

Patti Hogan's Third Grade Class

Students in Patti Hogan's third grade class participated in a book exchange for the holidays. Each student in her class bought a book and exchanged them with different students in the class. Attached is a picture of Barry Henry, Patti Hogan and Elizabeth Roderick making a book exchange. ...READ MORE

Pre-School

Getting ready for the recent Christmas Candlelight service are preschoolers, from left, Teague Quillin, Ocean City; Alyssa Matzoni, Berlin; Graham McColgan, Millsboro; and Carly Young, Berlin. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary School

Santa Clause and Mrs. Clause made a surprise visit to students of Buckingham Elementary School. Students from teacher Darlene Beal class are pictured above. ...READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate School

Fifth grade students at Berlin Intermediate School used their knowledge of area and perimeter to design and build completely edible ginger bread house. Pictured, from left, are students Lauren Bodolus, Hannah Duckworth and Travis Hearn. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep

Each year Worcester Prep SGA members sponsor a Food Drive during which they encourage all students in the school to bring in canned and packaged foods as donations. The donations are then organized and given to organizations such as Diakonia, Inc., Atlantic United Methodist Church, Agape, Berlin First Baptist, Calvary Chapel Christian Center, St. Paul's United Methodist and the Joseph House. Pictured taking the lead, from left, are Student Government Association leaders Madison Dyer, Ocean View;...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Shutting people out to avoid distractions, even under a deadline, can cause hurt feelings. Instead, return calls and e-mails and explain why you need a zone of privacy for now. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Although your keen Bull's eyes can usually discern what's fact from what's faux, that upcoming decision will need really solid data before you can risk a commitment. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): As your confidence grows, you should be able to work toward your goals...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Doreathea E. "Toots" Coffey BERLIN - Doreathea E. "Toots" Coffey, died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2007, at the age of 104. Born on April 17, 1903 in Summit, N.J., she was the middle child in a family of nine of the late Paul W. and Mary Parkin. She was preceded in death by her eight brothers and sisters, Charlotte, Loretta, Helen, Martha, Bill, Frank, Leonard and Jack. She spent her formative years in Summit and the local school system. At the age of 16, she began employment with New...READ MORE

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 9-5 3BR Bayside Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bay 1 Fri-Sun 10-4 3/4BR, 3+ BA Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Mon-Fri 11-3 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Rivendell - 81st St Luxury Bayfront Condos Thurs-Mon 10-5 ReMax Premier Properties 888-574-8363 OCEAN...READ MORE

West Ocean City - Berlin - Ocean Pines - DE - VA

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Fri-Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker VIRGINIA Captains Corridor Canalfront, Interior, & Golf Course Home Sat & Sun 12-3 George Ann Way Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-5843 BERLIN Purnell Crossing Tues-Sun 11-6 3BR/2.5BA Villas w/ 2-car Garage Ryan Homes 866-776-9818 BERLIN 331 Buttercup Ct. Sat 10-4 5BR/4BA Dave Whittington ReMax Premier Properties 410-520-8121 FRUITLAND 512 Sheldon Ave Sat 10-4 Charming 3BR...READ MORE

Things I Like

White rocking chairs on a porch New Year's Day football Children (and adults) playing with their gifts on Christmas My wife's shrimp ball Selling something on ebay The optimism that comes with a new year Installing something with easy instructions Mild, dry winters That Ocean City's new library will soon be open People born on Feb. 29 Laying low on New Year's Eve  ...READ MORE