October 21, 2011

Worcester Prep Wins Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference Championship

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Flag Football Standings Tighten

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department’s Fall Flag Football League tightened up this week with five teams now within a game of the lead in the standings. After six weeks, Kirby’s Red Onion and the FOP Lodge 10 are tied for first with 4-1 records. Lurking close behind is Buxy’s at 4-2, while the Eastside Mafia and Kirby’s/NAS are just a game back in the standings at 3-2. The following are some of the highlights of this week’s featured...READ MORE

Berlin Football Turning Pink

BERLIN- As part of the ongoing list of similar events throughout the area this month, the Berlin Seahawks and Pop Warner youth football teams are helping to promote breast cancer awareness and raise funds for Women Supporting Women during an all-day event tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 22. The county football field in Berlin will be turned pink for games beginning at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The field will be decorated with a huge pink ribbon and balloons and players and cheerleaders...READ MORE

Decatur Golfers Prep for State Semis

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity golf team will head to the University of Maryland next week to compete in the state semifinals with a chance to advance to the state championship round on the line. Last week, the Seahawks finished second in the state quarterfinals at the Hyatt in Cambridge to qualify as a team for the state semifinal tournament at College Park next week. Decatur shot a team-low 326 at Cambridge, just two strokes behind Kent Island, which on the tournament with a...READ MORE

Mallards Snuff Dragons on Senior Day

BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s boys’ varsity soccer team thrashed visiting Salisbury School, 6-1, on Senior Day on Monday to improve to 10-2-1 on the season. The Mallards built a 3-0 lead by halftime and coasted the rest of the way, adding three more goals in the second half to extend its lead to 6-0. Salisbury School got on the board with a late goal to spoil the Mallards’ chance for a shutout, but the tally did little to tarnish a near-perfect performance for Worcester. Alex...READ MORE

Tough Guy Of The Week

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Bennett Ends Decatur’s Perfect Season Bid

BERLIN- Visiting James M. Bennett ended Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity soccer teams dream of a perfect season with a 2-1 upset on Tuesday, but the loss could be just a pothole on the road to a remarkable season. In the span of less than a minute on Tuesday, the Stephen Decatur varsity soccer team’s dream of a perfect season slipped away as Bennett scored two goals and then held on to hand the Seahawks their first loss of the year in the regular season finale. Despite the...READ MORE

Flora Stays on a Roll in Atlantic City

OCEAN CITY- Ocean City surfer Brad Flora, the current Maryland State Champion, stayed on a major roll last week, winning one major contest in Atlantic City and qualifying for a second, in which he finished in the top five among the 100-plus competitors in the field. Flora, who won the men’s open division in the Maryland State Championships in Ocean City in September, competed in two major events with national implications last weekend in Atlantic City. In the inaugural Atlantic Surfing...READ MORE

Some Berlin Citizens Seeking More Transparency

BERLIN -- Upset over current affairs in Berlin, a group of citizens, led by Councilwoman Lisa Hall, are looking to encourage other residents to get more involved in the town. Mayor Gee Williams, while agreeing that more residents need to become involved in government, called the group’s criticisms “frivolous” and believes Lisa Hall is motivated by personal reasons. Lisa Hall and her husband, Bill Hall, and citizen Donald Bunting issued a public call this week to Berlin...READ MORE

Poll Supports Turbines Off OC

OCEAN CITY -- A new poll released last week reveals a strong majority of Marylanders want to see offshore wind power developed off the coast of Ocean City, even if it means paying more on their monthly electric bill to develop the resource. During the last General Assembly session, Gov. Martin O’Malley introduced his Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2011, a plan that includes the development of a vast offshore wind turbine roughly 10 miles off the coast of Ocean City. Currently, as...READ MORE

Salisbury Councilwoman Begins Petition Drive

SALISBURY -- After a controversial change to the city’s charter last week, Councilwoman Laura Mitchell has taken it upon herself to open the matter up to public opinion. Mitchell is starting a petition to referendum, which would challenge last week’s charter change. The council majority voted 5-2 to amend the city’s charter, placing access to legal counsel directly under the council’s authority instead of the mayor’s, where it traditionally has resided. Mitchell,...READ MORE

Wicomico School Board Request Resent To Delegation

OCEAN CITY – Wicomico County Council members decided this week to re-send their initial request to the state delegation concerning an elected school board. On Tuesday morning, the council debated whether they should suggest the delegation include the option of a fully elected school board or hybrid on the ballot. Several public comment sessions have been held to collect a consensus on the county’s opinion of whether the school board should be elected or remain appointed by the...READ MORE

County Schools Superintendent Andes Will Retire Next Year

SNOW HILL -- After he completes his 16th year serving as Worcester County’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jon Andes will retire next June. “Jon Andes has been a tremendous asset for our school system,” said Board of Education President Bob Hulburd. “He understands that we shouldn’t be defined by who we are today. Instead, as students and educators, we should be defined by what we will become tomorrow.” Andes announced his retirement during the board...READ MORE

State’s Approval Of Snow Hill School Plan Could Be In Jeopardy

SNOW HILL -- Under pressure from the state level, the Worcester County Board of Education vented fears Tuesday that delaying renovation on Snow Hill High School (SHHS) might mean big setbacks when funding for the project eventually becomes available from the county. “It is unique to have a project this long,” said Assistant Superintendent for Administration Edward Barber. Renovating SHHS has been on the table for years but was delayed in favor of renovating Pocomoke High School...READ MORE

Zoning Amortization, Other Changes Sought In Salisbury

SALISBURY -- Fearing stagnation, Mayor Jim Ireton is calling for strong measures in addressing the city’s ongoing non-conforming use issues. “Amortization is the only way we’re going to say this issue doesn’t exist anymore,” he told the City Council Monday. “… But if we don’t take the big step then I think we’re always going to be mired down.” Ireton’s plan for amortization would mean gradually giving properties found to be...READ MORE

Congressional Redistricting Plan Leaves Shore Intact

BERLIN -- State lawmakers this week approved Gov. Martin O’Malley’s submitted redistricting map for congressional districts in Maryland, but already there appear to be challenges to the plan forthcoming that could settle the issue in the court system. Based on the population changes that came out of the 2010 U.S. Census, the state of Maryland is in the process of redrawing the boundaries of its eight congressional election districts. Because the state’s primary election has...READ MORE

Company Nixes Explosive Testing On County Land

SNOW HILL -- Deterred by public outcry, Hardwire CEO George Tunis decided Tuesday to withdraw his company’s request to use county-owned property in Newark to test explosives. However, Tunis criticized those members of the community who he believes overreacted and exaggerated the issue. “During this process, I have been surprised by a few specific individual’s public display of sensationalism and engineering ignorance,” wrote Tunis in a letter to the Worcester County...READ MORE

Three Wind Turbines Approved For Boardwalk House

OCEAN CITY – For the first time, the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission has approved the installation of wind turbines in a residential district following a public hearing this week. Mario Villa Santa has applied for a permit to install three small roof-mounted wind turbines on his residence located on the west side of the Boardwalk. “This is one of the first applications being proceeded with,” Zoning Administrator Blaine Smith in reference to wind turbines. “We...READ MORE

Ethics Changes Worry Wicomico

SALISBURY – Wicomico County Council members are concerned that new state requirements on county ethic laws are too intrusive. County Attorney Edward Baker explained that a revision of the county’s ethics law comes as a result of state legislation requiring all counties and municipalities to revamp their ethics law to make it consistent with the state law. “Some of the counties are beginning to express concern because of the additional requirements,” he said. As Baker...READ MORE

707 Owner’s Death Probe Continues

WEST OCEAN CITY -- The investigation into the death of a West Ocean City bar owner following an altercation outside his establishment earlier this month remains open while law enforcement and prosecutors await the final report from the state Medical Examiner’s Office. Around 2:23 a.m. on Oct. 6, a Worcester County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to the 707 Sports Bar and Grille in reference to a disturbance complaint. The deputy arrived and met with a Maryland State Police trooper,...READ MORE

Restitution Totals Ordered For Area Condo Associations

SNOW HILL -- In what will likely bring some measure of closure in the case against a Berlin businessman convicted in August of a theft scheme during which he bilked several area condo associations out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, a restitution hearing was held this week resulting in a plan to pay the victims back. In April, a Worcester County grand jury indicted William W. Scott, president of Scott and Associates, a local accounting and property management firm, on six counts of theft...READ MORE

OC Discrimination Suit Settled; Training Ordered For Employees

OCEAN CITY -- An agreement has been reached in the civil suit filed last September against the town of Ocean City alleging age bias and discrimination in its hiring practices, resulting in a payment of $38,000 in lost wages to the offended party and hours of training for some of the town’s upper level management. Last September, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the Mayor and Council for allegedly violating the Age...READ MORE

Adventures Of Fatherhood

A family vacation is a memorable experience for a number of reasons, including the fact it’s absolutely exhausting. When we left for our favorite little piece of paradise on the Bogue Banks in North Carolina last weekend, I was desperately in need of some rest and relaxation. When we returned, I was even more exhausted and am still searching today for some rest and relaxation. No, this was not a vacation full of endless hours with little on the mind to recharge the batteries. Nope. That...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Vote For A Change Editor: Over the past few months, we have witnessed much moaning, whining, complaining and protest regarding the majority council’s outrageous and arrogant abuse of power as elected members of the Ocean City Council. We have attended the City Council meetings and voiced our displeasure, frustration and anger over the highhanded but legal workings of the majority council. A committee has been formed and there have been meetings and discussions via the social media,...READ MORE

Some Views On This Week’s Headlines

It was a significant news week around these parts, and here are a few opinions on news making headlines today. In announcing the company was scrapping its plan to test its armor with explosives at a site in Newark, Hardwire CEO George Tunis III took a few shots at his detractors. Tunis had said during this process that if community sentiment rejected the company’s intentions that he would consider other sites. He stuck to his word this week, but did have a few pointed words for opponents...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

It’s amazing to me how much political business is done on cell phones these days. Some may not have a problem with that and simply believe it’s indicative of the times, but the frequency and the timing of the calls raises some flags with me. In future weeks, I will be examining government officials’ cell phone records to see if this is just standard political business these days, but in the meantime I started this project by reviewing all Ocean City elected officials’...READ MORE

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 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 410-603-2205 WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Sat&Sun 10-4 3BR/3.5BA New Construction Luxury Townhouses Only 3 Left Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN...READ MORE

Three Nabbed For Crack

OCEAN CITY -- Three Berlin residents were arrested on various drug distribution charges last week after allegedly making transactions with undercover Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) officers taking advantage of their expanded jurisdiction outside city limits. Earlier this year, OCPD narcotics officers were sworn in as fully vested law enforcement officers, giving them full police powers throughout Worcester County. In September, the OCPD began to take advantage of those newly expanded powers...READ MORE

Beach Horseback Riding Concept Discussed

OCEAN CITY – At this week’s Mayor and Council meeting, officials discussed providing horseback riding on the beach during the off-season. Councilman Brent Ashley said “this is going to sound a little different” but brought up a tip he picked up from Wildwood, N.J. He suggested Ocean City begin offering horseback riding on the beach during the off-season as a way to increase revenue. From speaking with Mayor Ernie Troiano of Wildwood, N.J., Ashley said the resort is...READ MORE

Music Fest Aims To Bring Big Names To Ocean City

OCEAN CITY – Ocean City could receive its own Woodstock of sorts as the Mayor and City Council approved Founders Entertainment’s High Tide Music Festival for next summer. The event proposed is a two-day music and arts festival with three stages on the beach from Dorchester Street moving north to 2nd street. The target days for the event are Saturday, June 2 through Sunday, June 3, 2012. “This date we have been told is a lighter time in the year and we are hoping this event will...READ MORE

Worcester Judge Denies Killer’s Bid For New Trial

SNOW HILL -- A Pennsylvania man sentenced to 25 years in prison for repeatedly running over his elderly mother on a rural road in northern Worcester County in August 2010 will remain behind bars after a Circuit Court judge this week denied his motion for a new trial and a motion to modify or reduce his sentence. Last March, a Worcester County jury found Steven Frederick Molin, 59, of Darby, Pa., guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his elderly mother, Emily Belle Molin, 85. In June,...READ MORE

Manager Search Estimated To Take At Least 4 Months

OCEAN CITY – The city is expecting at least a four-month wait before a new city manager comes on board, as the selection process was reviewed during this week’s Mayor and City Council meeting. Human Resources Director Wayne Evans presented the Mayor and City Council with a document outlining the search process for a new city manager. It was broken up into two different components, an internal search and accomplishing an agreement with an executive search firm for a national...READ MORE

Guardrail Project Will Cause Route 90 Closures

OCEAN CITY -- Motorists accessing Route 90 heading into Ocean City over the next two months or so can expect detours and delays as State Highway Administration (SHA) officials this week announced a significant two-phase guardrail replacement project is set to get underway. SHA officials this week announced the first of two phases of guardrail replacement along Route 90 from Route 113 to Coastal Highway is expected to begin Sunday. The first phase includes removing and replacing all existing...READ MORE

Berlin Opts To Repave Washington St.

BERLIN -- Due to the condition of the sewer line underneath it, Washington St. will only be getting a mild facelift this fall instead of the extensive reworking town officials considered earlier this month. “We can’t guarantee the sewer [under Washington St.] won’t have a failure tomorrow,” Water Resource Director Jane Kreiter told the Berlin Mayor and Council last Tuesday. During a council meeting earlier this month, Kreiter was asked to send a camera through the sewer...READ MORE

Worcester County Approves Substance Ban

SNOW HILL -- Following in the steps of Ocean City, the Worcester County Commissioners decided Tuesday to ban several “cannabimimetic agents and hallucinogenic chemical substances” including the controversial K-2. With innocuous aliases like “Mr. Nice Guy” and “Spice,” large amounts of K-2 began popping up on the Boardwalk and in Ocean City stores last summer. “The worst part of all is that it’s being marketed to our kids,” said county...READ MORE

Berlin Council Rejects Tax Abatement Request

BERLIN -- A local business owner had his request for a tax abetment denied by the Berlin Mayor and Council last week after they decided it would set a precedent they don’t want to follow. The council did, however, offer to attempt to come up with more creative solutions to the applicant’s problem. John Derrickson, owner of Derrickson Enterprises, came before the council hoping to have taxes he agreed on earlier, when his economic outlook wasn’t as bleak, loosened. “Things...READ MORE

Dear Prudence Benefit A Success

BERLIN -- Earlier this month, the “Dear Prudence” benefit brought in hundreds of guests and thousands of dollars in donations, according to organizers. “It was a full house all night long,” said organizer Jacki Johnson. Taking place Saturday, Oct. 8, “Dear Prudence” included dinner, entertainment and auctions. “It was a crazy busy day,” said Johnson. Prudence Sanders, whom the event was held for, agreed with Johnson. “It turned out...READ MORE

Salisbury Eyes Transition To Purchase Cards

SALISBURY -- With big savings expected, Salisbury is looking to transition from traditional paper-based purchase orders to an electronic format. The City Council is considering replacing some paper checks with Purchase cards (P-cards), which are a kind of charge card for city employees. As of now, the plan is to use the cards only for orders of $999.99 or less. According to Salisbury Assistant Director of Internal Services-Procurement Division Catrice Parsons, roughly $9 million worth of city...READ MORE

Vote Makes ALOC 50-Year Lease Official

OCEAN CITY – The Mayor and City Council wrapped up some business this week as they voted to approve a few ordinances that have been in the works for the last month or so, including the final vote to move forward in Ocean City’s new Art League of Ocean City building. The ordinance on second reading this week has been on the wish list for the Art League of Ocean City (ALOC) for 20 years now and it passed in a vote of 5-2, with Council members Brent Ashley and Margaret Pillas in...READ MORE

Worcester Ranks Fifth In Irene Damage

BERLIN -- Verisk Analytics, a leading national risk assessor, this week released a report on the preliminary estimate of insured property damage by county for Hurricane Irene in late August, and somewhat surprisingly, Worcester County was ranked fifth in the country. The Verisk Catastrophe Index supplies highly detailed insured property loss estimates, by county and line of business, after catastrophes. The Verisk Catastrophe Index estimate for Hurricane Irene was prepared for the District of...READ MORE

Resort Jeweler Closing OC Store After Three Decades

OCEAN CITY – After 33 years of service, Liljenquist and Beckstead Jewelers located in the Gold Coast Mall regretfully announced this month it’s closing. The family business began in 1979 when it was founded by college buddies and business partners Tom Liljenquist and Sid Beckstead. Before Liljenquist and Beckstead came along, they opened their first store on the Ocean City Boardwalk, the Jewel Box. At one time, the two ran five businesses in Ocean City at one time. “They were...READ MORE

We Remember Those We Have Lost

Charlotte Claypool BERLIN -- Charlotte “Charlie” Claypool left this life on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 after battling cancer for more than a year. Born in Aberdeen, she was the daughter of Floyd Wadsworth and the late Charlotte Whitkee Wadsworth. A young Charlotte loved theater and the performing arts, often accompanying her mother to enjoy a show or musical. As she grew older, “Charlie” could be seen performing during the Baltimore Colts half-time shows. In the early 70s,...READ MORE

Things To Do Around Town

Oct. 21: Pot Luck Dinner & A Movie 6 p.m., Stevenson United Methodist Church, 123 N. Main St., Berlin. Bring a casserole and come and watch Soul Surfer on the big screen in the Fellowship Hall. All ages are welcome. Room will be open for children to play. For more information, 410-235-6761 or 410-251-7234 or email: nanci.savage@mchsi.com. Oct. 22: Building Materials Sale 8 a.m.-noon, Habitat for Humanity, Worcester Co., 301 E. Market St., Snow Hill. Building materials, appliances, doors,...READ MORE

Who's Playing When And Where

Burger’s Surf’s Up Cafe 410-723-2007 5401 Coastal Hwy. Every Thursday: Big Ass 80’s Party With The Bigler Buxy’s Salty Dog 410-289-0973 28th St. & Coastal Hwy. Sunday, Oct. 23: Gates Open 11 a.m. Charlie’s Bayside Restaurant 302-539-3526 Rte. 1 & Maryland Ave., Fenwick Island   Friday, Oct. 21: TBA Clarion Hotel 410-524-3535 10100 Coastal Hwy.   Ocean Club: Friday, Oct. 21 & Saturday, Oct. 22: Rhondels De Lazy lizard 410-289-1122 1st Street In...READ MORE

Best Eats On The Beach

West Ocean City- Berlin Ocean Pines-Fruitland Breakfast Cafe Of Ocean City 12736 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City 410-213-1804 Open seven days a week between Sunsations & Starbucks, across from Outback, come join us at the “Breakfast Cafe” (formerly Rambler Coffee Shop) we are a family-friendly restaurant that’s been family owned for 30 years passed from mother to son in 2001. We believe that fair pricing, putting out quality food as fresh as we can make it and a nice...READ MORE

Bank Program Honored

BERLIN -- Raymond M. Thompson, President and CEO of Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company in Berlin, MD has announced that the bank was recently recognized by the Maryland Banker’s Association for its financial education initiatives for school age children.  The bank received second place in the category of banks with less than $1 billion in assets, in a statewide competition. “We are pleased that our efforts to provide meaningful financial education in our local schools has been...READ MORE

Berlin Intermediate And Beyond Ceramics Academy Mold Ceramic Soup Bowls For Fundraiser

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SU Students Intern At Buckingham Elementary School

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Parents Join Children In National School Lunch Week

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Savage & Rejsheka Worcester Prep's Top Summer Readers

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Berlin Intermediate School Girls Take Part In The "Just For Girls" After School Program

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Buckingham ES Students Create Peanut Butter Caterpillar

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Enthusiastic HS Students Turn Out For Red Cross Rams Meeting

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Students Experiment Concept Of Surface Tension

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Showell Elementary Students Wear Lucky Hats

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OC Elementary School Honored September Students Of The Month

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OC Development Corp. Held Its Annual Golf Tournament

The Ocean City Development Corporation held its 11th Annual Golf Tournament last week at Ocean City Golf Club. This year’s tournament consisted of 31 teams. Above, Comcast Spotlight team members Fred Wise, Adam Sanders, Mark Illcuk and Ray Toranto are pictured. ...READ MORE

Kiwanis Annual Fall Pancake Breakfast Held

The Key Club at Stephen Decatur High School is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines-Ocean City. At the Kiwanis Annual Fall Pancake Breakfast held October 8th in the Ocean Pines Community Center are, from left, Katelynn Knowles, Peg Morton, Amanda Parsons, Stella Harrington, Kelly Cosgriss and Mary Lee Jansen.  ...READ MORE

Village Of Hope Received $60,000 From The United Way

Village of Hope recently received $60,000 from the United Way to support its Medical Clinic and Steps to Success transitional living program for women and children. Since 1996, the organization has received over $672,000 in United Way Funding. Pictured, from left, are United Way Donor Relations Director Dina Scarpino with Village of Hope’s Executive Director Jessica Smith-Harper, Administrative Assistant Rita Kormann and Board President T.J. Maloney.  ...READ MORE

$10,000 Leadership Gift Given By OC Lions To Steaphen Decatur HS

A leadership gift of $10,000 has been made by the Ocean City Lions Club to the capital campaign of a new athletic field house at Seahawk Stadium. The fund-raising campaign is a project of the Stephen Decatur High School Alumni Association. SDHS Principal Lou Taylor, left, is pictured accepting the donation from OC Lions Club President Chris Takacs, right, and OC Lions Club Secretary Chip Gordy. ...READ MORE

Star Charities Presents Girl Scouts $2,500 Check

Star Charities President Anna Foultz is shown presenting a check for $2,500 to the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council at Stephen Decatur High School this month. The money was raised at Star Charities' Extravaganza on Oct. 1 at the Stephen Decatur High School auditorium. Pictured, from left, are Donna Smith, Girl Scouts Director of Membership, Volunteerism and Programs; Barbara Entwistle, Girl Scouts Unit 7 Service Team Member; Lou Taylor, principal of Stephen Decatur High School; Foultz;...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): The pitter-patter of all those Sheep feet means that you're out and about, rushing to get more done. That's fine, but slow down by the weekend so you can heed some important advice. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You're in charge of your own destiny these days, and, no doubt, you'll have that Bull's-eye of yours right on target. But don't forget to make time for family events. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Be prepared for a power struggle that you don't want. Look to...READ MORE

Things I Like

Observing a good lawyer in court Spotting a rainbow People who lead by example The cases in the “Good Wife” Watching my kids run on the beach Learning something new Days in the 70s in October Being first at something A well-organized attic A black-and-white business card North Carolina ...READ MORE

Fixer Upper

Owner will carry Short Term Private Loan for $ 219,900.  3 BR  2.5 BA in Ocean Pines. Owner/Broker Ed Smith RE. Open Mon-Fri.  Call for times and directions.  410-251-3266   Or Click Here for more information. ...READ MORE