March 5, 2010

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan was on the money when he pointed out the County Commissioners should consider televising their meetings. It's long overdue and a philosophical shift on this issue is necessary. The county needs to make the small investment it takes to air its meetings on local access or at the very least make the meeting video and audio available online. There needs to be a formal record of the proceedings. Currently, the commissioners' meeting minutes are posted online but they are...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Support For Strong Stance On Guns, Booze Editor: (The following is a copy of a letter forward to Ocean City Council members.) I am writing to voice my concerns over the debate of whether Ocean City police officers should be allowed to carry their weapons when off duty. I may be too late (I don't know if a final decision has been made), but I am writing to you from personal experience. I worked with the Baltimore County Police Department for 25 years and my father was shot by an intoxicated...READ MORE

Council Guilty Of Inconsistent Approaches

Parking has and will always be a hot issue in Ocean City, but last week's discussion of a potential elected group being appointed to review relevant issues was an example of hypocrisy. A legitimate idea, worthy of debate, was simply lost in an informal proposal to add paid parking in other areas of town besides the downtown core. The idea of a Parking Commission came from Ocean City Councilman Joe Hall, who mentioned this desire two years ago during his successful campaign bid. At last week's...READ MORE

Ocean City Taxi Medallions Sell Out

OCEAN CITY •€' Despite being something that seemingly no one in the industry wanted, all the taxi medallions sold out on Monday at City Hall. The town of Ocean City sold all 175 available taxi medallions at $1,500 a pop on Monday, thus solidifying the notion that medallions are now the rule of the road, and in the process, added $262,500 to this year's proverbial bottom line. The taxi industry admittedly has mixed feelings as the two-month saga to transform the cab business in the resort...READ MORE

Friday, March 5--County Okays One-Time Subsidy For Discovery Center

SNOW HILL - The Discovery Center in Pocomoke City, opened this past year, needs extra funding to stay open through June, the Worcester County Commissioners heard Tuesday. 'The Discovery Center has not really gotten off to quite as good a step as they would like or have planned,' said county administrator Gerry Mason. Without help, the museum would need to layoff all staff, except for a position to maintain the new aquarium, and close until enough funding is found to re-open, according to...READ MORE

Friday, March 5--Missing Mom's Body Identified

SNOW HILL - The State Medical Examiner's Office last week confirmed the human remains found on the grounds of a Snow Hill bed-and-breakfast were the remains of Christine Sheddy, a mother of three reported missing in Pocomoke in November 2007. Last Friday, the Office of the Medical Examiner for Maryland advised the Worcester County Bureau of Investigation (WCBI) the human remains unearthed on the property of the River House Inn, a bed and breakfast on East Market Street in Snow Hill were the...READ MORE

Friday, March 5--OC Condo Auctions Called Successful

OCEAN CITY - What was characterized a few weeks ago as an 'auction war' was mutually beneficial to everybody involved last weekend as all 20 units offered for sale in the upscale Bahia Vista development were sold in separate auctions. Marshall Auctions offered 11 condominiums owned by local developer Spiro Buas, a partner in the project, while Max Spann Auctioneers auctioned nine different units on behalf of a different group, Atlantic Planning and Development, Inc. The Marshall Auctions event...READ MORE

Friday, March 5--Restaurant Operator Eyes Outside Seating

OCEAN CITY •€' After a long and arduous winter in Ocean City, La Hacienda owner Bill Herbst knows that people are longing to be outdoors. Now he wants to offer them a new place to sit. During Tuesday's Planning and Zoning Commission meeting at City Hall, Herbst gained approval from the commission for his plans to transform the patio walkway in between his 81st Street restaurant and South Moon Under into an outside seating area for his restaurant. 'I've wanted to use that space for quite...READ MORE

Seven Arrested In Drug Raid

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City police early Wednesday morning concluded a long-term drug distribution investigation with the execution of eight search and seizure warrants at a downtown apartment complex, resulting in seven arrests. Around 4:15 a.m. on Wednesday, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) narcotics unit served search and seizure warrants on eight separate units in the Parrot Lagoon apartment complex in a multi-agency, simultaneous raid. The OCPD was supported by law enforcement personnel...READ MORE

Fatherhood Adventures

Ever try and cut a toddler's nails? I like a challenge, but this can get a little ridiculous. Consequently, it's something I try to delay as long as possible, but there comes a time when procrastination can be troublesome (hence the current scratch on the side of my face from a recent roughhousing session). Short of resorting to an over-the-counter sedative, I have tried everything when it comes to trimming Beckett's fingernails and toenails. Despite some fairly creative attempts at making the...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Mary Anne Birch BISHOPVILLE - Mary Anne Birch, age 68, died Monday, March 1, 2010 at Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C. Born in Salisbury, she was the daughter of the late Milton M. Birch and Mary Hester Tubbs Birch. She is survived by her sons, Steve Kaeufer and his wife Diane of Ocean Pines and Erick Kaeufer and his wife Marina of Bishopville; two grandchildren, Kirby and Kiley Kaeufer of Ocean Pines; a sister, Gloria Birch of Cambridge; and several nieces and nephews. She was...READ MORE

Who's Playing When and Where Musically Speaking

Buxy's Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, March 5: Bond & Bently Carousel Resort Hotel & Condominiums 410-524-1000 On the beach, 118th St. Every Friday: DJ Rupe, 7-9 p.m. Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.  Ocean Club: Friday, March 5 & Saturday, March 6: New Censation Dr.Unks Bar & Grille 410-213-7775 , 9636 Stephen Decatur Hwy., West Ocean City Friday, March 5: Blake Haley Fager's Island 410-524-5500 60th St. in the Bay Deck: Friday,...READ MORE

Clean Water Act Lawsuit Filed

BERLIN - The Waterkeeper Alliance officially filed a lawsuit against a local chicken farm this week after seeing little improvement in pollution emanating from the property over the two-month waiting period. Defendants Alan and Kristin Hudson Farm and Perdue face penalties of up to $3,500 per day, according to the lawsuit filed by the Waterkeeper Alliance and Assateague Coastal Trust Coastkeeper Kathy Phillips, under the Clean Water Act. The plaintiffs said this week they have seen little...READ MORE

House OKs Service Club Slots

BERLIN - A bill adding Worcester to the list of shore counties permitting slot machines in non-profit service clubs and fraternal organizations breezed through the House on second reading this week and could pass over to the Senate as early as this afternoon, putting the legislation far ahead of last year's schedule. House Bill 56, introduced by local Delegates Norman Conway and James Mathias, would allow limited slot machine gambling in service clubs and fraternal organizations in Worcester...READ MORE

Local Restaurants Nominated For Top State Awards

OCEAN CITY - After practically sweeping the annual Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) awards last year, the resort area will once again have a strong presence in the annual event with a handful of popular establishments nominated in some of the top categories. The Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) will hold its 56th Annual Stars of the Industry awards gala in April showcasing some of the top restaurants in the state in several categories. Once again, the Ocean City area will be well...READ MORE

Schools Win Lawsuit Appeal

BERLIN - The Worcester County Board of Education is claiming victory this week after the Maryland Court of Special Appeals ruled favorably on its appeal to reverse a $1.1 million judgment, which was awarded to a private contractor replaced mid-way through the construction of the new Ocean City Elementary School (OCES). Last Friday, the state's Court of Special Appeals issued an opinion essentially ruling in favor of the county's Board of Education in its ongoing battle with Beka Industries, a...READ MORE

Scoper Joins Resort Cab Industry

OCEAN CITY •€' Patrick McLaughlin might seem like the most unlikely person to have a taxi fleet in Ocean City, but if you look at his resume, he might just be the perfect fit. McLaughlin might be the newest face to the cab industry in Ocean City, but he knows perhaps more than anyone how to succeed in the niche market of town franchises, as he owns Telescope Pictures, a little less than half of the town's beach franchises with his 85 and Sunny beach stand company and has a small stake in...READ MORE

Commissioners Hear Annual Budget Requests

SNOW HILL - The Worcester County budget season has officially begun with the submission of major funding requests from the Worcester County Board of Education and the four county municipalities on Tuesday morning. A reduction in state funds, including police and highway money, and continuing reductions in tax revenue, put Worcester County's towns and Ocean Pines in a difficult position similar to the county's, all the speakers acknowledged. Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan took the podium before the...READ MORE

Commissioners Weigh In On Beach Funds, Wind Farm

SNOW HILL - Offshore wind farms should be kept well out to sea and beach replenishment money should be preserved, the Worcester County Commissioners said this week, in agreement with Ocean City's stance on those issues. On Tuesday, county elected officials voted to support Ocean City's position on proposed state laws covering offshore wind farms and the removal of money from the beach replenishment fund to balance the state budget. The town of Ocean City is concerned that the visual impact of...READ MORE

Councilman Cleared Of Ethics Charge In Closed Meeting

BERLIN - The ethics complaint against Berlin Councilman Troy Purnell fizzled out last week when complainant Marge Coyman refused to participate in the Ethics Commission hearing. While the complaint will no longer be pursued, the matter never got a full public airing. 'I certainly would have liked to have gone through the process so everyone could have had all the story, not just her allegations,' Purnell said later. Purnell said he had not been worried about the outcome of the hearing.  'I...READ MORE

County Against School Labor Relations Board

SNOW HILL - A law that would give a state board power over teacher salary negotiations would reduce local authority over the schools budget, the Worcester County Commissioners concluded this week, deciding they could not support it. The proposed legislation, called the Fairness in Negotiations Act, would establish a public school state labor relations board to handle issues between teachers unions and county school boards, taking over the function of the county agency in some case, when a...READ MORE

Hangar Tenant Claims Lease Dispute Violates Free Speech

OCEAN CITY - Less than flattering remarks about the management of the Ocean City Municipal Airport along with the creation of some T-shirts allegedly illustrating the same has apparently led to the resort not renewing the lease of a hangar at the facility, according to a local man who filed a federal suit in January, claiming his constitutional right to free speech has been violated. A series of seemingly tongue-in-cheek barbs directed at airport management has caused the town to not renew the...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY •€' In the brief this week, the 30th Annual St. Patty's Day Parade got the final nod of approval, the airport got the go-ahead to build a new hangar, the paperwork for a new kayak venture at Ayres Creek was presented and a new discussion on taxi licenses got tabled. Green Light For Parade In may have been simply part of the process, but the Mayor and City Council, as expected, unanimously approved the special event permit request for the Delmarva Irish-American Club to hold its...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Change is still dominant for Rams and Ewes, both in the workplace and their private lives. This is also a good time to look at a possible relocation if that has been one of your goals. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Doing things for others is what you do well. But don't forget that Bovines thrive on the arts, so make some time for yourself to indulge your passion for music and artistic expressions. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): While the Romantic Twin considers where to...READ MORE

Starting Against All Odds

OCEAN CITY - Credit is still tight. Consumers remain skittish. And you've decided now is the perfect time to start your small business. Some of the world's most successful businesses were established in the early stages of an economic recovery. Start-up costs, be they for materials or talent, are often lower at times like these than during economic booms. And competition is frequently less fierce. Still, you don't want to lose sight of your financial stability •€' so you'll want to make...READ MORE

Things I Like

Being in court for a good thing 'The Tudors' Pizza and salad for dinner How my kid reacts to the word 'snack' An oyster fritter sandwich on white bread A basketball hoop in a driveway Teenagers who enjoy reading Travel articles The sounds of a violin A workday that goes by fast Catching typos in other newspapers ...READ MORE

A Week In Business

National Certification Earned OCEAN CITY - Joy Snyder with Prudential Carruthers, Ocean City, has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure certification. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) offers the certification to Realtors who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows. According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were...READ MORE

AGH and Health System Donate More Than $20K to United Way

The associates of Atlantic General Hospital and Health System recently donated $22,399 to the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore as part of the agency's annual fund drive. Pictured, from left, are Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital; Terri Mohr and Billy Booth, captains of the United Way Campaign at Atlantic General Hospital; and Elaine Brady and Kathleen Momme of the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

OC/Berlin Rotary Club Welcomes Guest Speakers

Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club President Margo Jones, far right, introduces National Autism Association Of Maryland-Eastern Shore President Jaime L. Langdon, far left, speaker for the evening, and Director of Development Manning Lee, to Ocean City/Berlin Rotary Club members during the regular Wednesday night meeting at Seasons Restaurant in the Carousel Hotel. ...READ MORE

United Way of Lower Eastern Shore Gets $16K in donation

The United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore recently received $16,542 from First Shore Federal for the bank's 2009 United Way employee campaign and corporate gift. The total is an 8-percent increase over last year. Above, Gus LeBois, Wicomico County Chair, and Kathleen Mommé, Executive Director of United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore, receive a check for $16,542 from First Shore Federal's Skip Johnson, Debbie Tingle, Marty Neat and Cheryl Young. ...READ MORE

Local Counseling Service Holds "Party With a Purpose" Event

Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, Inc. held a Party with a Purpose last month at The Ray community room in the agency's downtown Berlin office. The party featured Mary Kay cosmetics with all proceeds going to benefit the agency's community based programs. Pictured, from left, are Ester Harrell, Paula Ross and Carolyn Cordial.  ...READ MORE

Ocean Pines Family Donates $3K for new Sports Core Pool Equipment

The family of David Kretschmar of Ocean Pines asked the Ocean Pines Association to accept a personal donation of $3,000 to purchase two automated external defibrillators. Pictured, from left, are Bill Bounds, Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department (OPVFD) captain; Ron Thorwart, OPVFD president; and Gail Kretschmar. The donation allows for an AED devices to be installed at the Community Center and at the Sports Core Pool. ...READ MORE

Twilley Honored at Red Cross Fashion Emergency

Assisted by her daughter June Dashiell, Beula Twilley was an honoree at the Red Cross Fashion Emergency last Wednesday. Twilley was honored in recognition of her and her late husband's contribution to the population of returning soldiers after World War II. The Twilleys developed Princeton Homes, a neighborhood of entry level 'starter homes' in Salisbury. These affordable homes, which rented for $7 a week, offered young military families a fresh start in their own home. ...READ MORE

Local Gives Generous Donation For Third Straight Year

For the third year in a row, Eunice Sorin has made a generous contribution of $15,000 to help defray the costs of maintaining The Eunice Sorin Worcester chapter office of Women Supporting Women. Above, Emily Karnbauer, chapter coordinator, is pictured with Sorin. ...READ MORE

Brothers From Showell Elementary Win Ribbons at County Technology Festival

Showell Elementary brothers, first grader Jaiden Denk and pre-k student Corbin Denk, show the ribbons they won in the Worcester County Technology Festival this week. Both boys created graphic designs using Paint. Jaiden created an image that he named "Swamp Monster Attack" while his younger brother created a more docile image called "Panda." Both boys created their submissions on their home computer. ...READ MORE

Mini-Cheerleaders Help Out at Worcester Prep B-Ball Game

Worcester Prep's mini cheerleaders Molly Pugh, Carly Hoffman, varsity cheerleader Betsy Desmarais, Madison Van Orden, Quinn McColgan and Abby Miller are pictured at a recent varsity basketball game. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary Students of the Month Honored

Students at Buckingham Elementary School were honored for the trait of helpfulness at this month's Student of the Month luncheon. Above are fourth grade honorees Diamond Rounds, Alyssa Webb, MarQue Waters, Kaya Purnell and Ma'Nyah Banks. Other winners not pictured were first graders Ly'Resha Sturgis, Shyeasha Purnell, Jaelyn Bowden, Jordan Milbourne and Ricardo Nava-Gusman; second graders Kendra Carrier, Mandi McCready, Meghan Hall and Joshua Layfield; and third graders Janiah Johnson, Mahreen...READ MORE

Worcester Prep to Perform Hello! Dolly

Connor Douglass, as Horace Vandergelder, and Maura Burton, as Mrs. Dolly Levi, practice for Worcester Prep's production of Hello! Dolly to be presented in the Athletic & Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday evenings, March 5 and 6, at 7 p.m. Presale ticket are: $10 or $12 at the door. Call the school at 410-641-3575 for tickets. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Students Raise $3100 for American Heart Association

Students at Buckingham Elementary school raised $3,100 for the American Heart Association during their annual Jump Rope for Heart fundraiser. Above, Third grade students Di'Mond Lockwood and De'ija Bowen are pictured. ...READ MORE

Showell 2nd Graders Face-off in Tic-Tac-Toe

Showell second grader Sam Rakowski faces off against Hunter Grunewald in a strategic game of tic tac toe. The boys learn manners, patience, strategy and rules while playing the game. ...READ MORE

Cedar Chapel Students Participate in Read Across America

In celebration of Read Across America, Cedar Chapel Special School students Travis Williams and Chase Baker enjoyed a story by the Cat in the Hat. The students are in Vickie Radford's class. ...READ MORE

People in Society

Snapshots of those who lend a helping hand throughout the community ...READ MORE

Faces in Places

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