September 2, 2011

BREAKING NEWS: Council Poised To Lay Off City Manager, Others?

OCEAN CITY -- City Manager Dennis Dare’s future is in doubt tonight (Thursday, Sept. 8), as a result of an unprecedented closed session held this afternoon at City Hall. Although nothing is official and neither Mayor Rick Meehan nor any of the City Council members would comment after the one-hour meeting concluded today, all indications from on-site observations and a half dozen knowledgeable sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, are Dare’s 21-year stint as the...READ MORE

Council Approves Changes Aimed At Tightening Building Measures

OCEAN CITY – The city is cracking down on building, housing and property violations as the Mayor and City Council approved this week the hiring additional housing enforcement and making building codes stricter. City Engineer Terry McGean explained that the building department’s building inspectors do not only work with new construction but also enforce the town’s housing and property maintenance code. He added that currently the town allows for one full-time and one part-time...READ MORE

Police Seek Help With Robbery Investigation

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City Police this week are asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating two suspects wanted in connection with an armed robbery and assault in the resort two weeks ago. Around 11 a.m. on Aug. 21, two individuals walked into the Public Safety Building in Ocean City to report an armed robbery that had occurred earlier in the morning. The victims told police around 4 a.m., they were sitting in a vehicle on the bayside near the south side of 44th Street with the...READ MORE

Cardiologist Seeks New Trial

SALISBURY -- A Salisbury cardiologist convicted by a federal jury in July on six counts of health care fraud after he allegedly performed over 100 unnecessary stent procedures on heart patients from all over the Lower Shore this week filed a motion for acquittal along with a motion for a new trial. In July, a federal jury convicted Salisbury cardiologist John R. McLean, 59, on six health care fraud offenses in connection with a scheme during which he submitted insurance claims for inserting...READ MORE

OC Beach Patrol Scales Back Coverage

OCEAN CITY -- With the onset of Labor Day weekend, Ocean City Beach Patrol (OCBP) is in the process preparing for the fall season and coping with reduced manpower. “We’re changing the way we do our coverage,” said OCBP Captain Butch Arbin. During the peak beach season from May until August, OCBP uses 92 lifeguard stands, stretching them across the 10 miles of beach that make up Ocean City’s shore. Manning those stands are Surf Rescue Technicians (SRTs), some full-time,...READ MORE

New Liquor Department Making A Difference In Worcester

OCEAN CITY -- Sales are up and relations are at an all-time high, but the recently christened Worcester County Department of Liquor Control (DLC) admits that there are still a few areas it will be working on heading into the winter months and next summer. Even with the improvements, however, some licensees are still eagerly awaiting the chance to leave the DLC, a monopoly that all Worcester County licenses must be purchase their spirits through, and join the free market in 2016. “Things...READ MORE

Farmer Convicted In Chicken House Burning

SALISBURY -- A Wicomico County farmer was found guilty of unlawful burning this week in District Court after a Maryland Attorney General’s Office investigative team discovered he had set fire to a demolished chicken house last January after he was denied a permit. On Monday, Randolph Swift, 59, of Pittsville, was found guilty of unlawful burning under the Environmental Article of the Maryland Annotated Code for violating restrictions on open burning. Swift had applied to the Wicomico...READ MORE

Berlin Offers Storm Debris Collection Day

BERLIN -- In the aftermath of Irene, Berlin plans on finishing clean-up efforts with a public yard debris collection next Wednesday, Sept. 7. “We haven’t had a storm this intense in a decade,” said Mayor Gee Williams. Crawling up the coast last weekend, Irene brought flooding, hurricane winds and frequent power outages to the area. While Irene was the first major storm to strike Berlin in years, town officials all agreed that the community dodged a bullet. “Most of it was...READ MORE

Ocean City To Help Fund Event’s Expansion

OCEAN CITY – The annual Harbor Day at the Docks will be expanding into a multi-day festival in the near future, as the resort looks to draw more out-of-towners to the area in October. Chair of the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) Melanie Pursel explained to the Mayor and City Council Tuesday that it is time for the Harbor Day at the Docks event to expand. Harbor Day has been in the works for the past three years and has become a successful and strong event for the Ocean City area. This...READ MORE

Police Seek Dangerous WOC Sex Offender

WEST OCEAN CITY -- Police are looking for a known West Ocean City sex offender wanted for failing to re-register after moving and for failing to appear for trial in August on multiple charges related to an incident last fall when he allegedly assaulted a Maryland State Police trooper and pulled a replica handgun during the altercation. The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office announced yesterday it was actively seeking Joshua Aaron Baker, 32, whose last known address was on Swordfish Drive in...READ MORE

OC Budget Amended To Recognize Revenue Increases

OCEAN CITY – Good news for the taxpayers of Ocean City as this year’s budget was amended this week to recognize an increase in revenue and significant savings. “We had some really good revenue,” Budget Manager Jennie Knapp said. Knapp said one of the most important things to recognize is that room tax is up an additional $385,000 above the estimate for this year, which goes toward the advertising fund. Through the additional revenue, the town has been able to reduce the...READ MORE

Pryor Appointed Acting City Clerk

OCEAN CITY – On Tuesday afternoon, a dependable Ocean City staff member stepped up to the plate to temporarily stand in as City Clerk. Mayor Rick Meehan started out by stating the appointment is not something that the town has been looking forward to since the passing of former City Clerk Kathy Mathias, who recently lost her battle to cancer. “It is an item of business that we do need to take care of today,” the mayor said. “I don’t have to tell you how everybody...READ MORE

Council Bans Synthetic Drugs, Related Paraphernalia

OCEAN CITY – Those businesses who choose to sell synthetic drugs or drug paraphernalia in Ocean City can take a hike as two ordinances are passed to prohibit the sale of K2 or any substance close to it. The two ordinances voted on prohibit the sale, possession, manufacture and distribution of any substance that contains cannabimimetic or hallucinogenic agents as well as any type of drug paraphernalia. It all began with a substance called Salvia, which was banned from Ocean City last summer...READ MORE

Post-Storm Scam, Fraud Warnings Issued

BERLIN -- With residents throughout the region dealing with damaged homes, downed trees and submerged property this week, top law enforcement officials in Maryland and Delaware this week were warning citizens of a rash of scams and consumer fraud that has surfaced in the wake of last weekend’s storm. Many residents throughout Maryland and Delaware are facing major repairs to their homes and businesses as a result of damages incurred during Hurricane Irene, but the Attorney Generals in both...READ MORE

Agencies To Watch Waters From Above

OCEAN CITY -- When thousands of boats and vessels of all shapes and sizes take to the waters around Ocean City for the last big holiday weekend of the summer season, they will likely have eyes in the sky watching their behavior. In an effort to increase boating safety and enforcement in and around the resort area, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command and the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) are partnering on a new initiative this Labor Day weekend that will put as many as 14...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY – Due to a cancelation and a “skip week” the Mayor and City Council have not met in a couple of weeks. In order to catch up, their agenda was a bit lengthy this week. The following items were discussed: Additional Motorcycle Parking OK’d For Event Permission was granted for a street closure at the De Lazy Lizard on 1st Street from Thursday, Sept. 15 through Sunday, Sept. 18, for motorcycle parking. Parking meter regulations will remain in effect. According to...READ MORE

Scott Plans To Appeal Conviction

SNOW HILL -- Just one week after being convicted on three counts of theft scheme after bilking several resort area condo associations out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, Bill Scott, who was sentenced to 10 years in jail last month, filed a notice to appeal his case with the state’s Court of Special Appeals. Scott, through his attorney Public Defender Chastity Simpson, filed a notice of appeal of his conviction and subsequent sentence with the Court of Special Appeals last Wednesday,...READ MORE

Hammond Perishes In Route 50 Crash

BERLIN -- A tragic accident on Route 50 near Whaleyville yesterday morning claimed the life of Edward Hammond, Jr., a former attorney for Worcester County often fondly regarded as the “eighth county commissioner” and a member of the community’s old guard of legal eagles. Around 11:30 a.m., Hammond’s vehicle traveling eastbound on Route 50 just east of Route 610 and west of Hall Rd. collided with a State Highway Administration (SHA) dump truck on the shoulder of the...READ MORE

Berlin Dolphins Seeking New Players

BERLIN- The Berlin Dolphins highly successful Cadet and Junior football teams are still looking to fill out roster spots and are inviting interested players to come out and join the teams for the upcoming 2011 campaigns. The Salvation Army Red Shield League defending champion Berlin Cadet Dolphins, which ran the table last year with a 10-0 record and a league title, are poised to make a similar run this year, but are looking for a few key players to round out its roster. Meanwhile, the Berlin...READ MORE

Seahawks Open on the Road Tonight

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity football team hits the road tonight for the season opener against Washington High in Princess Anne, hoping to build on the momentum of a late season run to the state playoffs last year. The Seahawks, led by running back D.J. Kee, along with a strong core of returning players on both sides of the ball, open tonight on the road against Washington in what should be a good early test for the 2011 campaign. Hurricane Irene washed out the Seahawks’ last...READ MORE

Ocean City Marlin Club’s 53rd Annual Labor Day Tourney Underway

OCEAN CITY- With Hurricane Irene now a fading memory, the Ocean City Marlin Club’s 53rd Annual Labor Day White Marlin Tournament officially got underway today with the first of three official fishing days. While it may lack the glamour and high payouts of the White Marlin Open, the Ocean City Marlin Club’s 53rd Annual Labor Day White Marlin Tournament, which gets underway next weekend, trumps all others in terms of history and prestige. Called the “granddaddy” of the...READ MORE

Weekly Tough Guy Awards Return

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s football “Tough Guy” award is returning to the sports pages of the Dispatch this fall as the Seahawks head to Somerset County tonight for the season opener against Washington High. Most of the accolades in football at any level are reserved for the glamour guys, the golden-armed quarterbacks and fleet running backs who put points on the board and thrill the crowds, but the weekly “Tough Guy” award is handed out to the Decatur player who...READ MORE

Parkside Takes Season’s First Golf Match

BERLIN- The area high school golf season officially got underway this week with a Bayside South match on Tuesday at the Newport Bay course at the Ocean City Golf Club. Eight teams from the Bayside South conference along with Worcester Prep competed in the first official match of the year on Tuesday. Parkside High took top honors with a team score of 158, led by an impressive 38 from Brendan McAllister. Worcester Prep was second with a team score of 172, led by Patrick Dowling, who finished with...READ MORE

Storm Cuts Short Mid-Atlantic $500K

OCEAN CITY- The arrival of Hurricane Irene late last week put a sudden end to the 19th Annual Mid-Atlantic $500,000, but not before a local boat, the “Lady Luck V,” hung an 82-pound white marlin to take first place in the tournament’s glamour division and a check for $380,700. For several years now, the MA500 has been one of the highlights of the resort area’s summer tournament season, second only perhaps to the White Marlin Open, but Mother Nature did not exactly...READ MORE

Fall Sports Underway

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Open Houses Of The Week

WEST OCEAN CITY Bay Point Plantation Rt589/Gum Point Rd Daily 10-5 Waterfront Estate Lots in 142 Acre Preserve Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 WEST OCEAN CITY Sunset Square 12703 Sunset Avenue Sat 10-11:30/Wed 4-530 Auction Preview 2 Office Condos New Building Pete Richardson Auction Sales 410-546-2425 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Resort Commended For Hurricane Decisions Editor: Being in Ocean City while Hurricane Irene was creeping north up the coast was an unforgettable experience. I heeded the mayor’s request to evacuate early Friday morning and I am glad that I did so. It was a very intense time, and upon reflecting back on the events of the natural disaster, there will be three main things I will take away from the experience. They are: Troubling times bring out the best in people. It was heart-warming to know...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

When more and more school systems around the mid-Atlantic region began ending their summer breaks prior to Labor Day weekend, there were concerns about business taking a hit locally. The idea was visitors would be less inclined to pack up the family and come to the beach once schools were back in session, leading many to say Labor Day weekend in recent years was not what it once was and that the peak season was actually ending earlier than ever before. I’m not so sure that is true and...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

It was a long couple of days, but we survived. The best part was I didn’t have a major meltdown, just a few small emotional breakdowns here and there. In the days leading up to Hurricane Irene, a lot of mental and physical preparations were made. Sure, all the standard outdoor measures were taken to secure our belongings and protect our property, but even more prep work was done when it came to our kids and how we were going to handle a serious dose of cabin fever. Even in the shortest...READ MORE

Guilty Plea In Child Sex Abuse Case

SALISBURY -- A Mardela man arrested this spring after several minors came forward and accused him of sexual abuse while in his care pleaded guilty this week to multiple charges and now faces as many as 125 years in jail. On Tuesday, Stephen James Merritt, 39, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual abuse of a minor and five counts of third-degree sex offense against eight minors who were in his care and custody. Merritt was arrested in March after several male teens came forward and told police...READ MORE

Tourism Board Frustrated Over Current Role

OCEAN CITY – This week the town’s Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) expressed its frustration with the lack of communication from the Mayor and City Council. TAB was formed last November after a vote initiated by Councilman Joe Hall dissolved the city’s sub-committees, including the tourism commission. At the time, Hall felt all city business should be conducted in front of the entire council and not just those assigned to sit on the different committees. In response, the Ocean City...READ MORE

Pines GM Contract Renewed

OCEAN PINES -- The Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors announced this week General Manager Bob Thompson has accepted a three-year contract renewal at a fixed salary including a performance bonus. The OPA Board announced on Wednesday Thompson has successfully completed his initial year contract and has accepted a new services contract to continue his efforts for our community. Under Thompson’s leadership, the employees of the OPA team have effectively transitioned to the new...READ MORE

LaHa Finally Secures 2nd Location, To Open In Ocean Pines

OCEAN CITY – After years of trying to broaden its horizons, La Hacienda confirmed this week it has a deal in place to open a second location in Ocean Pines later this year. The Mexican restaurant has been in operation on 80th Street for 32-plus years, and owner Bill Herbst said for the last eight years he has been looking for a property to open his second establishment. “After years of business at the beach, the time had come for us to find another location,” Herbst said on...READ MORE

Summer Youth Camp Program Earns High Marks

BERLIN -- The Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services (WYFCS) wrapped up their Berlin summer camp season with a cookout and school supply giveaway last week. Though the camp is officially over, both WYFCS and town representatives are predicting that this is just the beginning of a long-term relationship between the agencies. “It went very well,” said WYFCS President Teresa Fields of the giveaway. The event ran from 5-7 p.m. and included music and food. Fields estimated that...READ MORE

Irene Revenue Damage Estimated At $2 Million

ANNAPOLIS -- Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot this week announced the estimated revenue impact on state coffers due to Hurricane Irene’s wrath on Ocean City came in at around $2 million. According to analysis from the Comptroller’s Bureau of Revenue Estimates, Maryland lost more than $2 million in direct revenue last weekend, including an estimated $1.75 million in sales tax revenue and another $150,000 in withholding taxes due to the evacuation of Ocean City. State officials also...READ MORE

New Decatur Field House Fulfills Principal’s Vision

OCEAN CITY – A vision that has been in the works for over a decade nears completion as the new Stephen Decatur High School new field house has opened in time for football season. Lou Taylor has served as the principal of Stephen Decatur High School for the past 17 years and about five years into his position he had a vision. “I had a vision that I would like to see us have a field house on the end of our football field but as time went on we got busy and it never really got off the...READ MORE

Fed Grants Help Farmers With Conservation

BERLIN -- The federal government last week announced nearly $2 million in grants to help farmers in the Chesapeake Bay watershed conserve the estuary under the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program. Maryland Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin announced last week the U.S. Department of Agriculture had awarded grants totaling $1.9 million for innovative agriculture initiatives aimed at preserving and protecting the Chesapeake. Among the grants is an $848,000 allocation to the National...READ MORE

Resort’s Making Strides Event Off To Solid Start

OCEAN CITY --  Beverly Furst had a good feeling about combining her already successful "Pink Ribbon Classic 5K Run" with the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" event, but the support and interest she's received since the kickoff breakfast three weeks ago has been nothing short of extraordinary. "The energy behind 'Making Strides' is simply contagious," said Furst.  "Our committee knows how vital an event like 'Strides' is...READ MORE

Berlin Farmers Market A Growing Tradition

BERLIN -- The Berlin Farmers Market, a decades old tradition that brings together local growers and consumers, is larger this year than ever and still looking to expand. At an all-time high of vendors, with 18 showing up on most Fridays, the market has grown past offering only vegetables and produce. Seafood vendors sell clams and oysters next to florists and bakers, among others. On-site Market Master Terry Jordan explained that it’s not a place just for produce any longer, as much as it...READ MORE

Berlin Wants Time Restrictions On Boarding Up Properties

BERLIN -- The boards will be coming down in Berlin or property owners will face serious fines. The Berlin Mayor and Council decided Monday to propose changes to the town’s building codes, which will put a 30-day time limit on how long a property can remain boarded over. The limit is designed to still allow temporary boarding for repairs or emergency situations, such as last week’s Hurricane Irene. “I think 30 days is sufficient,” said Planning and Zoning Director Chuck...READ MORE

Cargo Module Arrives At Wallops Island

WALLOPS -- NASA and the private sector Orbital Sciences Corporation last week delivered the Cygnus spacecraft’s cargo module to the Wallops Island Flight Facility, marking another major milestone in the effort to develop transportation to the International Space Station. The Cygnus spacecraft will launch on Orbital’s Taurus II space launch vehicle from Wallops later this year and will be used to resupply the International Space Station. During the next several months, Orbital’s...READ MORE

Coast Guard Beacon Missing After Hurricane

OCEAN CITY -- Perhaps one of the most visual reminders of Ocean City’s brush with Hurricane Irene last weekend is the absence of the U.S. Coast Guard beacon at the end of the north jetty at the Inlet. Town crews worked all week removing piles of sand from the Inlet lot and the Boardwalk, but missing from the downtown landscape was the omnipresent beacon at the Inlet. The familiar beacon, which for years alerted boat traffic to the presence of the rock jetty and the entrance to the Inlet,...READ MORE

Freeman Stage Eyes Big Weekend With Finale Near

SELBYVILLE – This Labor Day weekend will begin the Freeman Stage 2011 season conclusion with a spectacular line-up and a big bang. The Freeman Stage is an outdoor venue located in the Bayside community off Route 54. It was created by the Joshua Freeman Foundation in 2008 and this weekend wraps up the stage’s 2011 season with a Saturday evening performance by the Mid-Atlantic Symphony and the Morgan State University Choir and ending with a fireworks display. “The weekend really...READ MORE

One Armed Robber Caught, Another Sought

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) this week arrested one Berlin man wanted in connection with an armed robbery in the resort last month, while another, considered possibly armed and dangerous, remained at large as of mid-week. On Aug. 17, OCPD was flagged down by the victim of an assault in the area of Jamestown Rd. OCPD officers observed the victim was bleeding from an open wound on the right side of his face. During the on-scene investigation, detectives learned earlier in...READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Sept. 2: KC Bingo Doors open 5 p.m.; games begin, 6:30 p.m.; 9901 Coastal Hwy., O.C. Refreshments will be on sale. For more information, 410-524-7994. Sept. 2-4: 18th Annual Labor Day Art & Craft Festival Friday: Noon-5 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 40th St., O.C. Excellent quality show featuring both local and Mid-Atlantic artists and crafters, all of whom handcraft their wares. Free admission. Sept. 3: Outdoor Flea Market 8 a.m.-1 p.m.,...READ MORE

Who's Playing When & Where

Burger’s Surf’s Up Cafe 410-723-2007 • 5401 Coastal Hwy. Friday, Sept. 2: Catfish Bernie Neise, 5-8 p.m.; Lime Green Band, 8 p.m.-midnight. Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 • 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Friday, Sept. 2: TBA Saturday, Sept. 3: Electric Co. Sunday, Sept. 4: DJ Wax, 10 p.m. Caribbean bar & grill 410-289-0837 • Just Off The Boards On 2nd Street Friday, Sept. 2: Dave Sherman, 1-5 p.m.; Pompous Pie, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3: Moodswingers, 1-5...READ MORE

Best Eats On The Beach

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Assateague crab house & Carryout Rte. 611, Assateague Island • 410-641-4330 On the way to visit the ponies of Assateague, stop by this rustic crab house. Enjoy Maryland crabs by the dozen or try the all-you-can-eat specials including snow crab legs. Their extensive menu features various appetizers, fresh fish, seafood, steaks, chicken and ribs. The kids can enjoy their own menu along with the great game room. Great for casual dining or...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Jean M. Roseman OCEAN PINES -- Jean M. Roseman, 84, of Warrenton, Va. and Ocean Pines, passed away Aug. 19, 2011 in Warrenton. She was the wife of James F. Roseman with whom she shared 61 years of marriage prior to his death in 2010. She was born in Williamsport, Pa., the daughter of Charles J. and Margaret D. McGrady. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and went on to work for the University of Pennsylvania Hospital and Harrisburg Hospital as a clinical...READ MORE

Weekly Fishing Report

Welcome back to “Fish ‘N OC!” Believe it or not, in spite of Mother Nature’s best efforts, we are still here. If you live anywhere near the East Coast of the United States, I am sure you are well aware that we experienced some anxious moments this past week as Hurricane Irene blasted our coastline. In fact, some of you readers may have experienced a few of your own “white-knuckle” moments this past week as well. Still, Hurricane Irene came and she went, as...READ MORE

A Week In Bussiness

New Coordinator Appointed BERLIN -- Rota L. Knott has joined Women Supporting Women as its new Worcester County coordinator. Women Supporting Women is a nonprofit organization that provides support and services for local women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and their families, and promotes education and awareness about breast cancer. “I am excited about the opportunity to help Women Supporting Women expand its reach in Worcester County and to help more women and their families...READ MORE

What To Know About Taxes And Your Social Security

OCEAN CITY -- After years of planning for that perfect retirement -- diligently investing your money, drawing up detailed budgets and investing assets wisely -- many investors continue to miss one important detail. As much as 85% of your Social Security income could be subject to federal (and possibly state) income taxes. "That can be a real shock when people collect their first check," says Bill Hunter, a Merrill Lynch director of IRA product management. How much...READ MORE

Things I Like

When storms aren't as bad as expected A great Ocean City sunset (for example, see the front page) Hitting the trampoline with my kids September around here A bunch of appetizers for dinner The couch after a long day Fresh-squeezed orange juice When good news comes in the mail Big, blue eyes The tuna dip at Smoker’s Larry David’s weirdness ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): As tensions ease on the home front, you can once more focus on changes in the workplace. Early difficulties are soon worked out. Stability returns as adjustments are made. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): A new romance tests the unattached Bovine's patience to the limit. But Venus still rules the Taurean heart, so expect to find yourself trying hard to make this relationship work. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): It's a good time to consider home-related purchases. But shop...READ MORE