October 9, 2009

Wednesday, Oct. 14-Route 90 Bridge To Close Tomorrow

Staff Reports OCEAN CITY - The Maryland Department of Transportation's State Highway Administration (SHA) will close the Route 90 Bridge into Ocean City on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. to replace an 85-foot section over the Assawoman Bay. The bridge will open to traffic by mid-December, weather permitting. The $1.1 million emergency maintenance contract has been awarded to McLean Contracting, Co. of Glen Burnie and High Steel Structures, Inc. of Lancaster, Pa. Over the next two months, crews...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

Okay, think about this for a minute before responding - what would you say if someone called your kid fat? It happened the other day, and all I did was smile, for some reason, and utter a ridiculous comment that I would take back if I could. I was pushing Beckett along the street in his stroller when a neighbor approached to get an updated look at the growing little guy. She said something along the lines of, 'hey there, fat boy, you're such a cute, fat boy.' I was kind of startled and laughed...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Jeff Thaler, a 19-year veteran of Ocean City's Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA), is moving on. Thaler informed Mayor Rick Meehan of his decision to step down from the board last month, but he was planning to hold off until the Oct. 22 BZA meeting to inform all of his colleagues on the appointed panel, of which he has been chair for seven years. Those plans changed this week. As a result of a closed session discussion reportedly being leaked to a member of the local media, Thaler went public with...READ MORE

Stay Off Route 90 Bridge Even Before Closure

Here we go again - access will be limited to Ocean City starting next week with yet another bridge project about to get underway. This time, it's the eastern most Route 90 Bridge, which stretches almost two miles over the Assawoman Bay, that's in need of emergency repairs. A routine inspection two weeks ago revealed a major deterioration of the span's support structure, specifically underneath an 85-foot section at the span's apex. Consequently, major inconveniences will be coming our way, as...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

More Tax Dollars Wasted Fighting OCPD Suit Editor: Your article titled, 'Dismissal Sought in Discrimination Case with OCPD,' is yet another example of taxpayers' money being spent unnecessarily. It is ironic this article is in the same edition as the story on the Ocean City Council cutting 45 take-home cars at an annual savings of $90,000. How much has the town spent defending yet another civil suit against the police department and its chief? Legal representation in the U.S. District Court is...READ MORE

Gun Threat In West Ocean City

WEST OCEAN CITY - A West Ocean City man was arrested on assault charges early Wednesday morning after allegedly threatening his neighbors with a handgun. Around 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Worcester County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to a residence on West Torquay Rd. in West Ocean City for a reported incident involving a gun. The investigation revealed the suspect, later identified as Jordan Barrett Kennell, 27, of West Ocean City, allegedly pointed a handgun at four of his neighbors and...READ MORE

Route 90 Bridge To Close Next Week For Reconstruction

OCEAN CITY •€' What seemed eminent last week is destined to become a reality next week: the Route 90 Bridge will be closed for repairs for at least two months. The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) announced this week that due to the substantial structural damage found last week underneath an 85-foot section of the bridge that sits over the boat channel in the Assawoman Bay during an annual inspection, the bridge will be closed until mid-December (weather permitting) while repairs...READ MORE

Friday, October 9--Enhanced Fire Protection Eyed For North OP

SNOW HILL - An increase in fire protection capacity in Ocean Pines will cost service area ratepayers more money annually to pay off up to $2.5 million in loans to make the work possible. An Ocean Pines-commissioned study conducted in 1998 identified areas of inadequate fire protection infrastructure, which did not meet municipal fire protection standards. Water lines, according to that study, were often too narrow and hydrants were spaced too widely. The analysis resulted in improvements made...READ MORE

Friday, October 9--Minors Admit To Trolley Damage

WEST OCEAN CITY - Three juveniles were arrested this week on felony malicious destruction of property, theft and burglary charges this week after allegedly damaging four Ocean City trolley buses. On Monday morning, a Maryland State Police trooper responded to a public works yard on Keyser Point in West Ocean City in reference to the malicious destruction of four town trolley buses stored there. According to police reports, the investigation revealed an unknown suspect or suspects had smashed out...READ MORE

Friday, October 9--Officials Weigh In On Advertising Agency Search

OCEAN CITY •€' Some City Council members say that at this point, there is little else to say concerning the town of Ocean City's advertising agency search until the potential candidates actually do their presentations. Yet, that didn't stop a few other members of the town's 'voting seven' from hammering home their proverbial counterpoints on Monday night. The back-and-forth banter between town officials concerning the upcoming advertising agency 'try-outs' has started to resemble the...READ MORE

Friday, October 9--Stimulus Money To Fund Pedestrian Work

OCEAN CITY - The State Highway Administration (SHA) this week began extensive pedestrian safety work along Coastal Highway in Ocean City as part of a $2.7 million federal stimulus investment in pedestrian safety projects in three counties on the Eastern Shore. This week, SHA crews began an extensive list of pedestrian safety enhancement projects in the resort along Coastal Highway from 30th Street to the Delaware line. The work includes upgrading sidewalk ramps and driveway entrances along the...READ MORE

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Every Friday: DJ BK Saturday, Oct. 10: Under The Outhouse Thursday, Oct. 15: DJ Wax Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th St. Every Thursday: DJ Rupe, 5-8 p.m. Every Friday: DJ Rupe, 1-5 p.m. Castaway's 410-524-9090 , 64th St. On The Bay Friday, Oct. 9 & Saturday, Oct. 10: DJ Deogee Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 , 10100 Coastal Hwy.  Ocean Club: Friday, Oct. 9 & Saturday,...READ MORE

Berlin Dolphins Win Thriller

BERLIN- The Berlin Dolphins Cadet team won a thriller last week, beating the Salisbury Vikings, 7-0, in a defensive struggle saved by a tackle at the one-yard line as time expired. The Berlin Cadet Dolphins of the Salvation Army League battled Salisbury all day, holding the Vikings to negative offensive yards for the entire first half that ended in a scoreless tie. Berlin fumbled the opening kick-off of the second half, setting up Salisbury with good field position at the Dolphins' 35, but again...READ MORE

Mallards Come From Behind, Extend Perfect Season

BERLIN- Worcester Prep's boys' varsity soccer team fell behind early to visiting St. Thomas More on Tuesday, tied the game, gave up the lead again early in the second half and then pulled away for a 4-2 lead to preserve their perfect season and extend their record to 10-0. After a back-and-forth start to the game against St. Thomas More on Tuesday, the Mallards surrendered an early goal and found themselves in the rare position of trailing in a game, 1-0. With just over 14 minutes left in the...READ MORE

Mallards Fall to Holly Grove

Worcester Prep's varsity field hockey team lost a tough one this week, falling to Holly Grove, 4-0, at home on Tuesday to fall back to 3-3-1 on the season. Pictured above, Mallard players scramble for a loose ball early in the second half. Photo by Shawn Soper ...READ MORE

Seahawks Drop Third in Row

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity football team got shut down by Kent Island last week, falling to the Buccaneers, 25-6, to fall to 2-3 on the season. The Seahawks scored first when quarterback Tyler Hartrim dashed 38 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter, but that was as close as they would get to the end zone the rest of the way. Decatur only amassed 60 yards of total offense the rest of the way as Kent Island pulled away for the 25-6 win. The loss was the third straight for the...READ MORE

Seahawk Golfers Stay on a Roll

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity golf team stayed on a roll this week, topping a tough field of Bayside Conference opponents in an 18-hole match at the Hyatt in Cambridge to improve to 9-1 on the season. The Seahawks shot a team low 322 to win Tuesday's match against a field of conference heavyweights to cruise to the win. Easton finished second with a team score of 351, while Queen Anne's was third at 357 and Parkside was fourth at 358. Decatur's Connor Gebhart shot the tournament's low round...READ MORE

ATP Tough Guy of the Week Honored

This week's Atlantic Physical Therapy 'Tough Guy of the Week' award went to Seahawk Josh Straley for his outstanding play in a tough loss to Kent Island. Pictured above is Straley (center) flanked by Coach Bob Knox (left) and ATP lead therapist Charles Curran (right). Submitted photo ...READ MORE

City Continues CO Inspections

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Fire Marshal's Office this week announced follow-up inspections on roughly one-third of the multi-family units that fall under the town's carbon monoxide detector law are now in compliance, although much is still to be done with the mandated element of the campaign as well as public education. Since Aug. 13, the Fire Marshal's Office has inspected 70 of the multi-family buildings, such as hotels, motels and condominiums, covered by the town's carbon monoxide detector...READ MORE

Council Debates Kayak Venture At Old Landfill

OCEAN CITY •€' There is still hopes of turning an old landfill into an essential boat launch for a coastal bays kayaking venture, but what's keeping the idea stuck in the mud at this point is liability insurance. On Monday, Maryland Coastal Bays Program Executive Director Dave Wilson asked the Mayor and City Council to use the town-owned 37-acre site that is commonly known as the Ocean City dump as an entry point for a proposed kayaking business, which would be operated by his program. 'We...READ MORE

Moore Transitions From Building Bars To Building Boats

OCEAN CITY •€' For a guy who says he's about to retire, Seacrets owner Leighton Moore is an awfully busy man. Admittedly, the local kingpin of nightclubs and recently crowned 'Restaurateur of the Year' by the Restaurant Association of Maryland has a hard time sitting still, and he always has a proverbial iron in the fire. So, when he announced that he would be retiring after the summer season, there were some that were reluctant to believe him, knowing him as a man always thinking of the...READ MORE

Probation Granted In Assault Case Linked To Murder

SNOW HILL - One young life had been taken, another seriously damaged and a third hung in the balance early Wednesday morning, but in the end, Michael Ryan, who started the fight on a tragic night in May 2008 that ultimately led to the beating death of Michael Mitchell, got a second chance at a promising life and career. Ryan, 32, now of Amarillo, Texas, appeared in Worcester County Circuit Court on Wednesday to face second-degree assault, obstructing and hindering and making a false statement to...READ MORE

Resort Police Tracked Abuse Claim To Former Priest In NC

OCEAN CITY - More details emerged this week in the decades-old alleged child sexual abuse case involving a former Catholic priest and an unidentified victim in Ocean City, dating back as early as 1977, although the accused has not yet been extradited from North Carolina to Worcester County and, subsequently, has not been indicted on the charges. Earlier this spring, the Ocean City Police Department received a complaint about the sexual abuse of minor. The alleged incidents were to have taken...READ MORE

10th Annual Osprey Sprint Triathlon Raises $43K

BERLIN - More than 400 athletes from across the region competed in the 10th Annual Osprey Sprint Triathlon at Public Landing Saturday, Oct. 3 to benefit the Maryland Coastal Bays Foundation. The $75 entrance fee and generous local sponsorships helped raise more than $43,000, which will be used for restoration, monitoring and education in the coastal bays watershed. Despite the cloudy and threatening weather, hundreds of spectators gathered to cheer on racers during the half-mile swim in...READ MORE

2nd Annual Harbor Day Celebrates Maritime Traditions

OCEAN CITY - On Saturday, Oct. 10th, the waterfront docks of West Ocean City will come alive with the sights, sounds and smells of the sea. Harbor Day at the Docks will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and is being held along the working harbor docks adjacent to Sunset Avenue. Created last year, this event will celebrate the history and heritage of local maritime traditions, including both commercial fishing and sport fishing. Harbor Day at the Docks is free and open to the public and will...READ MORE

Berlin Breaks Ground On Sewer Plant Expansion Project

BERLIN - An official gold shovel groundbreaking ceremony for the Berlin wastewater treatment plant expansion and improvements on Friday inaugurated the long-awaited project, which is intended to improve the plant's effect on the environment and make more growth in Berlin possible. The event on Friday attracted a large crowd, including U. S. Congressman Frank Kratovil and officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Program, as well as local politicians from the...READ MORE

County Commissioners Talk Rezoning

SNOW HILL - Another step has been taken toward completing Worcester County's 2006 Comprehensive Plan as the County Commissioners got their first look at revisions to the draft rezoning and subdivision code this week during a Tuesday afternoon work session with staff. Staff and the Worcester County Planning Commission have been working on amending the draft codes since the June 2 public hearing, which attracted about 350 audience members and over 62 speakers. The first item changed would require...READ MORE

County Looking To Keep Track Of Problem Properties

SNOW HILL - A smoother, faster county process for handling nuisance abatement on unkempt properties could be on its way in response to increasing complaints over abandoned properties, according to informal discussions during the Worcester County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday. 'I've noticed particularly in my district where more and more properties are beginning to look like this mainly because of foreclosures, short sales, people abandoning their property,' said Commissioner Bud...READ MORE

County Savings To Account For State's Local Aid Cut

SNOW HILL - State cuts in Worcester County's highway and police funding made in September will be absorbed through staff vacancies and departmental savings. Worcester County lost $865,000 in highway user revenues and $30,704 in police aid in the recent round of cuts handed down by the state of Maryland. The large drop in the highway user funds will be covered through the savings undertaken by the roads department in fiscal year 2009 (FY09), said Worcester County Budget Officer Kathy Whited. The...READ MORE

County Scores Partial Win In Defamation Suit

SNOW HILL - A visiting Circuit Court judge this week agreed to dismiss the Worcester County Commissioners as defendants in a $125,000 civil suit filed in June by an Ocean Pines man against the elected officials over an erroneous press release issued to local media. On July 2, 2008, the Worcester County Sheriff's Office issued a press release detailing a vehicle break-in at the Wal-Mart on Route 50 during which roughly $3,000 in personal property was stolen. According to the release, Sheriff's...READ MORE

County Social Services Honored

BERLIN - Worcester County's Department of Social Services was among nine departments around the state honored this week by Governor Martin O'Malley for the progress they have made in reforming Maryland's child welfare system. On Tuesday, O'Malley honored nine local Social Services departments around the state including Worcester for accomplishments in meeting or exceeding state mandates for child welfare reform. Nearly three years ago, state officials launched an aggressive 'Place Matters'...READ MORE

Drug Kingpin Faces 20 Years

OCEAN CITY - A New Jersey man taken down by Ocean City police in February as the kingpin of a major oxycodone distribution network covering three states pleaded guilty last week in federal court to a drug conspiracy charge and now faces as many as 20 years in jail and a fine up to $1 million. Joseph Bimonte, 45, of Freehold, N.J., pleaded guilty last Thursday to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone, also known as Oxycontin, Roxicodone and Percocet, to street-level dealers working in Ocean City for...READ MORE

Grant Aims To Help Businesses In Need Of Advice, Assistance

SNOW HILL - A grant of $20,000 will help Worcester County businesses get the help they need from the Small Business Development Center at Salisbury University, including assistance with renewable energy and energy savings. The Worcester County Economic Development Department and the Small Business Development Center have worked together for 10 years with the center stepping in when the economic development staff does not have the expertise to help a county business. 'We come in and fill that...READ MORE

Liquor Licensees Make Play It Safe Donation

OCEAN CITY •€' For two decades, the Play it Safe campaign has been encouraging graduates to enjoy an alcohol-free experience.  On Monday, the people who sell the alcohol in the state wrote the campaign a big check. It might seem ironic that the Worcester County Licensed Beverage Association (WCLBA) and the Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association (MSLBA) gave a $4,000 check to a program whose main goal is to keep booze out of the hands of young people while they are in Ocean City,...READ MORE

New Contests Highlight 28th Annual Oktoberfest

OCEAN CITY - The 28th Annual Oktoberfest will be held at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center on Oct. 9-11 featuring the laughter and fun of Bavaria. Organizers invite visitors and residents to come and sing-a-long, dance, eat, drink and be merry with schnitzels, wursts and barrels of bier for three days and two nights of continuous music, arts and crafts, contests, prizes and fun for the whole family. Featured entertainment for this year's event include TheHappyWanders,...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY •€' In 'the Brief' this week, Bob Melvin recants an earlier request concerning ADA fundraising and a vital sewer pipe underneath Coastal Highway could soon be receiving some serious attention. Melvin Miffed With Council, Recants Request Bob Melvin may have won a battle in helping to ensure that Ocean City's handicapped and elderly residents receive door-to-door Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) bus service, but his hopes of getting the town to help raise funds for the users...READ MORE

Faces in Places

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

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Diane C. DeRocher OCEAN CITY - Diane C. DeRocher, 62, died at home on Monday, Sept. 21, 2009. Born in Washington, DC, she was the daughter of the late Richard and Grace Chaddock. She is survived by her daughter Stacey DeRocher and grand-dogger Mercedes of Germantown. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Joseph DeRocher. She grew up in Kensington, Md. and married Bob in 1975. They relocated to Ocean City in 1999 and enjoyed spending their summer days by the pool. She worked for Our Place...READ MORE

Early Intervention Class Meets at OC Elementary

Deb Quilter's early intervention class at Ocean City Elementary School read "Ten Apples Up On Top" with their apples on their heads. Pictured, from left, are Lilly Paquette, Bradley Gurrola-Garcia, Katie Mitchell, and Patrick Haines ...READ MORE

BIS Students Learn About Volcanoes

As part of the reading theme, "Nature's Fury,:' students at Berlin Intermediate School read stories and learned about a variety of volcanoes. To prepare for a writing assignment comparing two types of volcanoes, the fifth graders used dramatization and music to reenact a violent volcanic eruption. Above, playing the instruments are Wyatt Church and Brody Shockley. Dancing and acting out the eruption process are Makensie Froman, Brittany Baker and Nicholas Thompson ...READ MORE

OC Elementary 4th Grade Reading Fanatics

Students in Kelly Seitzer's fourth grade class at Ocean City Elementary School love to read. Displaying some of their favorite books are, front from left, are Rachel Gillin, Dina Sbih, Zina Sbih; back, Piper Connors, Stephanie Marx and Kasey Clayland. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Fall Olympic Day

Students in the Middle and Upper Schools at Worcester Preparatory School enjoyed a variety of physical and academic challenges during their fall Olympic Day, which was hosted by the Student Government Association and the Middle/Upper School Advisory Program. Above, from left, are Laura Breslau, Carrie Hall, Theresa Ciletti, Zoe´ Kulina, Victoria Purnell and Bethany Frick. Below, front, from left, are Marisa Grimes, Lauren Price, Betsy Desmarais and Julian Greer; and, back, Casey Reiner, Gaby...READ MORE

OC Elementary Students Learn About Economics With Ice Cream

Students in Megan Cooke's third grade class at Ocean City Elementary School formed an assembly line to produce playdough ice cream cones and playdough ice cream sundaes following an economics lesson on production. Pictured are: Nicole Cohen, Halle Friedman, Faith Murray-Engh and Collin Eitel. ...READ MORE

BIS 4th Graders Make Instruments and Write Songs.

Berlin Intermediate School students in Mrs. Lovell's fourth grade homeroom created original musical compositions using homemade percussion instruments. The musical compositions helped classmates understand the concept of mood and how it related to the story they were reading. Pictured, from left, are Faith McCarty, Elaina Miller, Ian Myers and Jamie Ditzel. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep First Graders Learn About Spanish Surrealist Painter

First grade students in Rebecca Tittermary's classes at Worcester Preparatory School discussed the work of Spanish surrealist painter Joan Miró i Ferrà and then created original artwork inspired by Miró's paintings, which have been called 'poetry of color'. Above left, Anna Dashiell contemplates ideas for her painting drawing. Above right, Teague Quillin does his sketch with marker and is about ready to add all sorts of vivid color to his work. ...READ MORE

American Legion Post 166 Presents Annual Awards to First Responders

American Legion Sinepuxent Post 166 recently presented its annual awards to members of the law enforcement and first responder community. Pictured, above from left, are Ocean City Police Officer of the Year Pfc. Aaron Morgan; Thomas M. Parker, Ocean City Fire Department Firefighter of the Year; William B. Bishop, Ocean City Emergency Services Paramedic of the Year; and local Post Commander William 'Sarge' Garlitz, who presented the award. Also honored was Robert Gilbert, who won the Ocean Pines...READ MORE

SDHS Commended Students in National Merit Scholarship Program Announced

Principal Louis Taylor of Stephen Decatur High School announced last week that seniors Laura Prengaman, Austin Baker and Kelly Mulholland have been named Commended Students in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. Approximately 34,000 students nationwide are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.  Commended students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2010 competition by...READ MORE

Caine Woods Community Association Hosts Crab Feast at Higgins

The Caine Woods Community Association (CWCA) hosted a crab feast at Higgins North to benefit Believe in Tomorrow last month. Volunteering at the successful event were, from left, Mary Ann LeMay, secretary; Bob LeMay, president; and Mark Jednorski, board member and event chair. ...READ MORE

Kids Taking Action Holds Latest Fundraiser

Kids Taking Action, comprised of a group of area school children, held their latest fundraising effort for the benefit of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. The group operated a lemonade stand at the Berlin Auto Wash last month. Pictured, above front from left, are Graham McColgan, Ben Brandt, Chipper  Becker, Will Mears and Teague Quillin; back, Thomas Polk, Davis Mears and Riley Dickerson. ...READ MORE

BB&T Lighthouse Project Works Hand in Hand with Diakonia

BB&T Lighthouse Project Team members from the BB&T North Ocean City Branch, Valerie Massey, and Brandi Cirillo join Diakonia Volunteer Coordinator Susan Blaney, far right, in the Diakonia Food Pantry. Each Lighthouse Project team was given $1,000 to complete a service for the local community. The branch arranged to have the driveway and parking at Diakonia resurfaced. They came up a little short on funds to purchase the gravel needed so Rayne's Sand and Gravel cut the price to meet their...READ MORE

Smart Giving In Tough Times

OCEAN CITY - It's not surprising that the amount of charitable contributions goes down when the markets do. But as much as giving may fluctuate with changes in economic conditions, the long-term trends show that it remains within a tight range •€' usually from 2.2 percent to 2.4 percent of disposable personal income. Generally, total giving is about 2 percent of GDP, according to a June 2009 report from the GivingUSA Foundation, says David E. Ratcliffe, Director of The Merrill Lynch Center...READ MORE

People in Society

Your Neighbors Lending a Helping Hand Throughout the Community ...READ MORE

A Week In Business

OC Superintendent Retires OCEAN CITY - Town of Ocean City Public Works Maintenance Superintendent Bruce Gibbs is retiring after 35 years of employment with the town. His last day on the job will be Oct. 11. Gibbs began his employment with the town as an Ocean City Police Department patrolman on Nov. 8, 1974. In 1976, he became a K-9 officer until he transferred to the Public Works Department in 1978, where he became a foreman in the Maintenance Division. He was promoted to maintenance foreman in...READ MORE

Things I Like

A rose bush in full bloom When good things come in the mail Scrambled eggs and asparagus together A kid in a Ravens jersey Red and brown leaves starting to appear A good sweat Coming home after some time in a big city A song with a meaning That my son loves guacamole LaHa's anniversary party Sunny weekend days ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): You could be caught in a torrent of advice from well-meaning friends and colleagues this week. But remember, Lamb, you are at your best when you are your own inimitable self. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Expect strong efforts to get you to accept things as they are and not question them. But ignore all that and continue your inquiries until you're sure you have all the answers you need. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Heavier than usual family and workplace duties...READ MORE

Arts In The Area

Scenes from the Local World of Art ...READ MORE