April 24, 2009

Armed Robber Nabbed

BERLIN - Berlin Police last week arrested a Delaware man wanted in connection to an armed robbery in the town a week earlier after reacting to a tip about the sighting of the suspect's vehicle. Around 3 p.m. on April 12, Berlin Police responded to the Union Station Car Wash on Old Ocean City Blvd. for a reported armed robbery. The victim told police the suspect held a handgun under his sweatshirt and threatened to shoot the man if he didn't turn over his wallet and money. The victim complied and...READ MORE

Boardwalk Bike Hours Amended

OCEAN CITY - In the end, the decision to extend bike hours on the Boardwalk had as much to do with money as it did with safety. Upon Mayor Rick Meehan's vehement recommendation, the City Council came to a compromise Monday that will not only allow extended bike hours, but also keep almost $25,000 in revenue that could have been lost. The council voted unanimously during the ordinance's first reading, to allow bike riders on the Boardwalk during the summer months until 11 a.m. during the week,...READ MORE

Friday, April 24--City Special Events Planned To Fill Void In Calendar

OCEAN CITY - The third weekend in June is shaping up to be an epic one for the town of Ocean City, as two major events will take place showcasing some of the resort's favorite outdoor activities on a professional level. Most of the attention and excitement for the weekend of June 19-21 has been about the nationally-televised AVP Crocs Pro Volleyball Tour that's coming to Ocean City this year, but the other event that will be running simultaneously during that event is shaping up to be just as...READ MORE

Friday, April 24--County Fine With Resort Food Tax Reduction

SNOW HILL - Worcester County elected officials approved a reduction in the Ocean City food tax this week, from 1 percent to one-half percent, after very little discussion. Food tax revenue has been, and will continue to be, used to pay bonded debt related to improvements to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Ocean City recently retired its portion of the $15 million bond from 1996. 'We need to sunset that particular tax or ask that it be continued,' Ocean City's Mayor Rick Meehan told the...READ MORE

Friday, April 24--OC Moves To Dismiss Cop's Lawsuit

OCEAN CITY - Citing several earlier failed attempts at a favorable result at various different levels, the town of Ocean City last week filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed last month in federal court by a long-time Ocean City Police Department member, asserting his need to find time to eat on the job because of his diabetes resulted in his wrongful termination in July 2007 in violation of his Americans with Disabilities (ADA) rights. Former OCPD officer David Catrino, through his attorney...READ MORE

Friday, April 24--OC Police Probe Reveals Sign Language Scheme

OCEAN CITY - A Delaware woman was charged this week with fraud after a six-month Ocean City Police Department investigation revealed she had bilked the resort out of an estimated $1,300 by submitting false requests for a sign language interpreter for town events and then providing the service herself. The OCPD recently concluded a six-month fraud investigation involving a woman, later identified as Gail S. Garner, 51, of Greenwood, Del., who allegedly sent numerous fictitious requests to Ocean...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

What an unfortunate mess the situation involving the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce and former Executive Director Dan Barufaldi has become. In a case that should have never made it to the inside of a courtroom, a Worcester County Circuit Court jury last week ruled the chamber violated the terms of an employment contract outlining Barufaldi's employment, ordering the chamber to pay him $60,000, which is essentially half of what he was seeking. It's no secret the chamber made some serious...READ MORE

A Difficult Balancing Act With Budget

With little fanfare this week, City Manager Dennis Dare presented his proposed $80 million budget to his boss, the Ocean City Mayor and Council. Although little was said at this week's meeting, the budget will now go under the microscope as the town's elected officials hear the details of each department's spending plan over the next few weeks and could potentially make even deeper cuts. Budgets, particularly those involving millions of dollars spread out over multiple departments, can be...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Don't Relocate Terminal Editor: Relocating the Greyhound Bus terminal from 2nd Street in Ocean City to the Park and Ride in West Ocean City is a very bad idea. Forgive me if I'm wrong but I suspect that those in charge of this decision are people who drive cars and didn't really think things through as a person who actually uses Greyhound would. Allow me to address this proposal from the perspective of someone who does not drive. It's all well and good to proclaim that moving the Greyhound...READ MORE

See Who Was Where and When

A spotlight on the local and regional bar and restaurant scene ...READ MORE

People in Society

Snapshots of those in the community  lending a helping hand throughout the community ...READ MORE

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Back of the bag 410-250-3337 130 St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 24: TBA Saturday, April 25: TBA Every Wednesday: Open Mic Hosted By Tungsten Groove Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, April 24: DJ BK Saturday, April 25: Crowded Outhouse Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th St. Friday, April 24: DJ Rupe Castaway's 64th St. On The Bay , 410-524-9090 Friday, April 24: DJ Mike C Saturday, April 25: REMIXTD...READ MORE

Boardwalk Display Compromise Reached

OCEAN CITY - Five percent may not seem like much, but for some Boardwalk merchants, it was enough to make them feel like the town was not trying to restrict the way they do business. The City Council unanimously moved the new outdoor display guidelines through the first reading on Monday, but increased the amount of outdoor space that the merchants could display their products from 15-20 percent, and for at least the moment, stopped the public outcries from merchants who have been calling the...READ MORE

Grim Fiscal Projections Face County

SNOW HILL - Approximately $6.2 million needs to be cut from Worcester County budget requests to stay in line with projected revenue for fiscal year 2010 (FY10). After months of estimations and uncertainties, it was revealed this week that the county's revenue for FY10 is estimated to be about $175.6 million, while budget requests of $181.8 million have already been fielded. 'What we budgeted for '09 is not going to match what's coming in,' said Commissioner Bobby Cowger. Consequently, as a...READ MORE

Ocean City Council Begins Budget Review

OCEAN CITY - Before taxpayers get up in arms over the possibility of the city raising the tax rate for the FY 2010 budget, the numbers seem to show that City Manager Dennis Dare's hands were essentially tied and he was virtually left with no other choice. Dare presented the proposed budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, at Monday night's City Council meeting, and though the numbers look about as grim as the rest of the economic picture in this country, Dare said that the raise in...READ MORE

Officials Spar Over County Spending

SNOW HILL - Disagreements over spending sprang up this week among the County Commissioners during their meeting Tuesday, as the full scope of the county's fiscal problems began to be outlined in hard numbers. The first potential expenditure to sustain some heat, a grant match for Rural Legacy conservation funding, drew fire despite the strong local support for the program. For fiscal year 2009, Worcester County was awarded $500,000 in Rural Legacy funds for the Coastal Bays Rural Legacy Area and...READ MORE

Students Outline Need For Increased Recycling Efforts

SNOW HILL - A government project by three Pocomoke High School (PHS) students could turn into a county and regional effort to improve recycling efforts in the schools. Pocomoke High freshman Trey Lynch, junior Taylor Morrison and senior Jennifer Weaver presented the results of a public policy project on waste reduction to the County Commissioners Tuesday, complete with power point presentation, and garnered an enthusiastic response from the commissioners. Government teacher Meme Wells Suznavick...READ MORE

541 Turn Out For Annual Race Day

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Half-Marathon and 5K races went off without a hitch last weekend as April's dreary weather broke just long enough to provide picture-perfect weather for the two annual events. The event began as a full marathon five years ago, but was shortened to a half-marathon for the first time last year because of logistical problems related to ongoing work on the Route 50 Bridge. Work on the bridge continued this year, adding a subtle wrinkle to the half-marathon course again,...READ MORE

Carvers Flock To Ocean City

OCEAN CITY - The Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury University, will once again host the 39th Annual Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition and Art Festival at the Roland E Powell Convention Center from April 24-26. For visitors, the event offers an experience like no other. In addition to exhibitors selling their paintings, photography, ceramics, bronze sculptures, folk-art, home decorating items and jewelry, there are more than 1,500 bird carvings, many of which are carved by...READ MORE

Convicted Killer Seeking New Trial

OCEAN CITY - Convicted killer Benjamin Sifrit, who along with his wife Erika, brutally murdered and dismembered a Virginia couple vacationing in Ocean City on Memorial Day weekend in 2002, this week renewed his bid for a new trial, alleging prosecutors used inconsistent theories of the crimes in the separate trials of he and his wife. After exhausting an appeal process based on the claim his defense counsel was ineffective during his 2003 trial, Benjamin Sifrit has embarked on a different tack...READ MORE

County Opts Against Mailing Rezoning Information To Non-Residents

SNOW HILL - Elected officials pushed for another delay in considering the draft comprehensive rezoning and revamped subdivision regulations on Tuesday, citing the need to notify out-of-county property owners of potential changes.  If the hearings and approval had been put off, the three-year delay in the new rezoning and subdivision regulations would have stretched to at least three and a half years. The Worcester County Comprehensive Plan was approved in March 2006, but the rezoning and...READ MORE

Jury Rules Against Chamber

SNOW HILL - A Worcester County jury took a little under two hours last Friday to return a verdict in favor of a former Ocean City Chamber of Commerce executive director against his previous employer, but chamber officials this week said the door is still open for an appeal in the case. At the close of a three-day trial last Friday, a Worcester County Circuit Court jury awarded former Executive Director Daniel Barufaldi $60,000 in damages in the suit that alleged breach of contract and other...READ MORE

Kite World Centered On OC

OCEAN CITY - The resort will kick off the season early by painting the sky with very color under the sun at the Maryland International Kite Exposition (M.I.K.E.), set for April 24-26. The festival will be showcasing a spectacular cast of kite flyers from all over the country. Thousands of spectators will watch giant kites, as big as a city bus, fly high above the Ocean City skyline. In addition, stunt teams will perform amazing acrobatic maneuvers all in sync to the delight of the crowds. One...READ MORE

Last Suspect In Pocomoke Murder Case Sentenced

SNOW HILL - The third of three men charged in the murder of a local woman in Pocomoke in January 2007 was sentenced this month to 10 years in jail with five years suspended after entering an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter in December for his part in the beating death. David K. Justice, 21, of Pocomoke, appeared in Circuit Court last Friday for a sentencing hearing after entering an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter for his role in the beating death of Judy L. Wojcik in a rural area...READ MORE

OC Council OKs Wind Turbine Law

OCEAN CITY - Small energy turbines can officially start blowing in the wind after council passed their conditional usage through second reading and into town law on Monday. After months of talking, tweaking, and testimony, which even saw Mayor Rick Meehan veto the first draft of the ordinance, the City Council voted unanimously to allow small wind turbines in Ocean City as a conditional use in all zoning districts, including residential (R-1). In essence, after all the cautionary deliberation...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY - In the brief this week, the cops union finalizes its gracious agreement with the town, and a new advertising medium 'makes nice' with the Mayor and Council. FOP Signs Off On 'Partnership of Trust' Ocean City's Fraternal Order of Police made it official this week, signing an agreement to forgo three of the biggest ticket items in their collective bargaining agreement and in the process saved the town almost $335,000. At the request of the town's elected officials and City Manager...READ MORE

OCPD First In State To ID Suspect With Palm Print

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City Police recorded a milestone recently, becoming the first law enforcement agency in the state to use the new automated palm print database to identify a suspect in an unsolved burglary in the resort last October. On Oct. 16, 2008, Ocean City Police responded to the Coastal Inn on 26th Street for a reported commercial burglary. Once on the scene, OCPD detectives began to interview victims and determine what had been reported stolen. OCPD Forensic Services Unit Sgt. Mark...READ MORE

School Board Hears Potential Service Road Options

NEWARK - Worcester County Board of Education members this week got a first look at several options for the western terminus of the proposed Route 50 service road including two access points on Seahawk Rd. across from Stephen Decatur High School and Middle School and a new traffic signal along the highway. The proposed service road will eventually run along the south side of Route 50 with Holly Grove Rd. at its eastern end and Seahawk Rd., across from the two county schools, at its western...READ MORE

Showell Principal Retiring After 41 Years In Education

SHOWELL - After 41 years of service in Worcester County Schools, Showell Elementary School (SES) Principal Paula Jones will retire from her post in June. 'It was very tough to make the decision to retire because everything is going great,' said Jones. 'I'd rather leave when things are going great than when things are not good.' Jones was born and raised in Worcester County and is a product of the school system she has taught in for more than four decades. 'I went to Stephen Decatur High School...READ MORE

State Rejects Plea To Exclude Costs

SNOW HILL - The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) will not disallow certain costs from being factored into the Maintenance of Effort school funding figure. Worcester County had asked earlier this spring to have some capital costs, which staff and officials believe were improperly reported as operating costs, removed from the Maintenance of Effort figure, which governs how much money the county must allot to the schools each year to retain state funding. Repairs to sidewalks, curbs...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

As a parent, you have to be able to laugh at yourself. I know I sure do, more often than I should probably admit. A recent case in point was last weekend at the annual Pork in the Park event, which we figured we would try out after years of hearing about it. After getting a bite to eat and working our way through the stroller-infested crowds, we came upon the amusement rides. We had heard beforehand there would be some so-called 'kiddie rides' on hand, and we were curious what exactly...READ MORE

Four Strategies For A Government-Driven Economy

OCEAN CITY - Initiatives began to flow from the White House practically from the moment Barack Obama took office as our 44th president. So far, there have been two centerpieces of the administration's efforts. First came the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law in February, which pumps $787 billion into state and local projects with the goal of jump-starting the economy and creating or saving millions of jobs. In March, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner revealed the details...READ MORE

SHDS Students Head to DC for Conference

Stephen Decatur High School's Model United Nations Club attended the Washington Area Model United Nations Conference (WAMUNC) last month. George Washington University hosted the event that included more than 850 students. Pictured, from left, in front of the White House are students Katie Delher, Marcie Wiggins, Bonnie Eisenman, Kelsey Poloney and Victoria Bauer ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Third Grader Wins National Contest

Derowen Cutchin, a third grade student at Worcester Preparatory School, was the national winner in the Daughters of the American Colonists Create a Colonial Stamp 2009 Contest. With Derowen are, from left, Celeste Bunting, Head of the Lower School; Lenore Huffer, Daughters of the American Colonists representative; Thomas Cutchin, Derowen's father; and Rebecca Tittermary, her art teacher. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Send Out 'Flat Stanley' Projects

The second grade enrichment class at Ocean City Elementary School recently finished reading 'Flat Stanley.' Each child created their own Stanley and then he was sent to a friend or relative. Pictured, from left, are Alex Bean, Kaitlyn Peters, Kevin Beck, Kendall Whaley, Cassidy VanVonno, Collin Eitel, Lindsay Hutchins and teacher Alice Loch. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Students Give Bio Speeches

Buckingham Elementary School's third graders were all smiles after their recent biography speeches. Each child researched individuals during an extended writing project and enjoyed dressing up to share their information. Above are Alberto Alminno, Camden Arzadon, Maysell Crossland, Jaden Spence, Zoie Williams, MaKenzie Gaynor, Montrel Moore and Nathan Ewell. ...READ MORE

Most Blessed Sacrament Holds First Annual Spelling Bee

Most Blessed Sacrament School recently hosted the first annual Del-Mar Regional Spelling Bee for local private and parochial schools. Winners pictured include Alexander Batton, The Salisbury School, third place, sixth-eighth grades; Paige Rebstock, St. Francis de Sales, first place, sixth-eighth grades; Mignon Winterling, Most Blessed Sacrament School, second place, sixth-eighth grades; Allie Zitvogel, Greenwood Mennonite School, first place, fourth-fifth grades; Patrick Petrera, St. Francis de...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Students Provide Resources for PAWS 4 LIFE

Worcester Prep students in physical education teacher Carol Hartnett's Freshman Advisory Group hosted a community service project to provide resources for PAWS 4 LIFE, a no-kill animal shelter program. Showing some of the donated items are, back from left, Lynde Pepper, Sydney Langeler, Sibel Tekman and Riddhi Sanwal; and, front, Megan O'Donnell and Olivia Wilgus. Members not pictured are Hannah Esham and Peyton Dickerson. ...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Participate in Career Spirit Day

Students at Ocean City Elementary School participated in 'Career Spirit Day' during the first week of April. Students dressed up to demonstrate the career they would like to pursue when they grow up. Doctors, veterinarians, artists, police officers, teachers, rock stars and more. Pictured are students in Lisa Brady's second grade class. ...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The old guy grabbed a couple packs of Goldenberg Peanut Chews and a can of his RC Cola the other day and jumped into his old DeSoto. Once a month, the DeSoto needs to stretch its legs and Insider usually just heads south on Route 113 because it's an easy drive and he's ensured of not getting lost. That is until he took a detour due to road construction and ended up in Princess Anne. Insider had to stop and ask for directions on how to find his way back home. Next time the old guy will just head...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Lucille Ann Clayland BERLIN - Lucille Ann Clayland, age 78, of Taneytown, Maryland, died on Monday, April 20, 2009 at the Carroll Hospice Dove House in Westminster. Born Feb. 28, 1931 in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Salvator P. and Theresa C. Brocato. She was the wife of 58 years to Samuel R. Clayland. Surviving are children, Samuel R. Clayland, Jr., and wife Crystal of Ocean City, Sherrie A. Keeney of Westminster, Daniel E. Clayland of Ocean City, Gina M. Clayland of Westminster,...READ MORE

Beach Lax Tops Touring Brits

BERLIN- Beach Lacrosse's under-13 boys team won the British Challenge last weekend, sweeping three games against tough opponents including one of Great Britain's top youth programs on a tour of the mid-Atlantic area. The Beach Lacrosse under-13 boys team, coached by Brendan Hanley, traveled to Talbot County last weekend to compete in the round-robin tournament and came away with a sweep to win the tourney. Beach beat host Talbot County, Delaware and the Spencer Club, which was in the U.S. on a...READ MORE

Berlin Dolphins Sign-ups Tonight

BERLIN- The Berlin Dolphins youth football teams are gearing up for the 2009 season with early registration for players tonight, April 24, at Buckingham Elementary from 5-6:30 p.m. The Berlin Dolphins compete in the Salvation Army 'Red Shield' League against similar teams from communities all over the Eastern Shore. The Salvation Army League features two divisions with teams based on age and weight. For example, the younger divisional team is called the Berlin Dolphin Cadets and features kids...READ MORE

Decatur Tennis Dynasty Growing

BERLIN- Somewhat lost amidst the highly successful seasons being turned in by Stephen Decatur's spring sports teams is the men's varsity tennis team, which won three more matches in the last week in impressive fashion to improve to 10-0 on the season including a 8-0 record in the Bayside Conference. Lacrosse, baseball and softball typically garner the most attention around the Decatur campus each spring, but the men's varsity tennis team is quietly building a budding dynasty of sorts over on the...READ MORE

Mallards Back in Win Column

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's girls' varsity lacrosse team got back in the win column in impressive fashion last week, beating ESIAC rival Salisbury School, 15-0, to improve to 4-3 on the season. After a long layoff caused by Easter vacation, the Mallards showed no signs of rust against Salisbury School last Thursday, routing the Dragons, 15-0, at home. The win came after consecutive defeats to neighborhood rival Stephen Decatur and D.C. area powerhouse Bullis School. The Mallards had not won a game...READ MORE

OC Spring Golf Season Continues

BERLIN- The Ocean City Ladies Golf Association continued their spring season last week with a nine-hole tournament on the back nine of the Seaside Course at the Ocean City Golf Club in South Point. Jill Bower turned in the low gross score on the day, while Bonnie Houston scored the low net. In the individual handicap flights, Mary Renshaw scored the low gross and Marie Orr scored the low net in Flight A, with golfers with handicaps between 1-19. In Flight B (handicap between 20-29), Vicki...READ MORE

Seahawks Cruise Past Bennett

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's men's varsity lacrosse team continued its winning ways last week, beating host Bennett, 13-8, on Friday to improve to 5-3 on the season including a 4-1 Bayside South record. The Seahawks got scoring from a variety of sources against the Clippers last Friday with Calvin Snyder leading the way with five goals. Ben Kelleher added three goals while Nick Abbaticchio and Matt Doherty pitched in two apiece. The win completed a successful week for the Seahawks, who routed...READ MORE

OC/Berlin Optimist Oratorical Contest Winners

Fifty-five contestants took part in this year's OC-Berlin Optimist Oratorical Contest, representing the eighth grade at Stephen Decatur Middle School, the seventh grade at Snow Hill Middle, the ninthth grade at Stephen Decatur High School and the elementary and middle schools at Worcester Prep. The female winners were Claire Dorey, first place and a cash prize of $125; Elise Harmon, second place and a $75 prize; and Hannah Esham, third place and a $50 prize. On the male side, the winners were...READ MORE

Alpha Nu Omicron chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Inducts New Members

Students from Worcester County recently inducted into the Alpha Nu Omicron chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Wor-Wic Community College are, front from left, Michelle Davenport, Julie Seager and Adam Walker of Berlin; back, from left, Morgan Iacona of Bishopville, Victoria Overholt and Tiffany Sterling of Pocomoke City and Elizabeth Moyer of Snow Hill. Not pictured are Priscilla Cycyk, Anastasiya Deem and Holly Fowler of Berlin and Seneca Alvarado of Ocean City ...READ MORE

Ocean Pines Golf Community Donates to Skate Park

Skate Park Fund Raising Committee Treasurer Barbara Kissel is pictured accepting a $250 donation from the Ocean Pines Golf Community and the Board of Golf Governor's representative Ralph Menton to help fund the skate park project. ...READ MORE

OC/Berlin Leo Club Delivers Daffodils to Berlin Nursing Residents

The Ocean City-Berlin Leo Club has spread some spring 'sunshine' to the Berlin Nursing Home with its first Daffodil Delivery. The club, based out of Stephen Decatur High School, is a youth-based group sponsored by the Ocean City Lions Club. Pictured, from left, are Cate DeCicco, Alex Clagett, Leo President Lindsey Bankert and Peter Andes. ...READ MORE

Kiwanis Club of OP and OC Welcomes Guest Speaker

Rick Baldwin, manager of the Mid Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at Wallops Island, Va. is pictured with Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City President Corky Widerman after he spoke to the club at their weekly meeting at the Ocean Pines Country Club.  ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You might need to do a bit more investigating before making a career move. You do best when you come armed with the facts. A personal matter still needs tending to. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your creativity plus your good business sense once more combine to give you an important advantage in a difficult workplace situation. An ally proves his or her loyalty. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Avoid rushing into something just because it offers a break from your usual...READ MORE

Things I Like

Smell of wood after its cut A weekend with no plans Tim Russert's •€˜Big Russ and Me' My son's range of facial expressions Wii tennis Watching a kid bike in the neighborhood The local firewood honor system stops The Little League parade in Berlin A shave with a new blade Jack Nicholson in 'A Few Good Men' The 'Grow Berlin Green' shopping bags ...READ MORE

A Week in Business

Leadership Academy Graduates BERLIN - Gregg Holland of Coldwell Banker and Terry Daly of Delmarva Auctions & Asset Management were among 17 graduates from the Maryland Association of Realtors® (MAR) Leadership Academy were honored at ceremonies held recently in Annapolis. The MAR Leadership Academy was formed by Realtors® who understand the important role they play in their community and the need to enhance the leadership skills, knowledge, and competencies of colleagues interested in...READ MORE