Slots Stance Solidified
BERLIN – Dozens of Ocean City businesses and associations gathered this week to discuss slot machine gambling in Maryland.
According to a press release from the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association, the message from all was loud and clear – “No Slots in Maryland.”
Slots’ gambling is simply a transfer of wealth, leaders said.
“Today’s family is under extreme pressure from rising energy, food and interest rate increases that have reduced their amount of disposable income. There is no question that the State of Maryland’s only ocean family resort would suffer immensely. Gambling is redirected spending, people only have so much disposable income,” said Buddy Jenkins, owner of Bayshore Development.
Others commented that once slots got in the door, there is no turning back and that proliferation would occur.
Most importantly to all in attendance was the protection of Ocean City’s image.
“Ocean City was built on family tradition and gambling would tarnish that image. We’d like to maintain the integrity of Ocean City,” said Leonard Berger, chairman of Ocean City’s Economic Development Committee.
A committee of associations and businesses was formed to continue exploration of the issues.
Program Completed
BERLIN – Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies has announced the completion of Advanced Occlusal and Restorative Principles by Dr. Lawrence Michnick.
The three-day, hands-on treatment program equips doctors with the skills and knowledge needed to treat their patients predictably and conservatively through neuromuscular physiology.
Michnick completed the Advanced Occlusal Restorative Principles program under the world-renowned Dr. Norman Thomas, PhD, DDS. While at LVI, Michnick underwent intensive training on how to evaluate, diagnose, and treat restorative cases so that they will not only make patients look good, but feel good as well.
Top July Performers
BERLIN – Debbie Hileman, broker of Hileman Real Estate, announced July’s top agents at a recent sales meeting.
Cindy Dorcak has been named top listing agent for July. Dorcak has over 17 years of real estate experience and handles all types of properties on the lower shore.
Sharon Curtiss, ABR, was the top sales agent for July. She is licensed in Maryland and Virginia and is versed in all aspects of buying, building or selling.
Shamrock Announcements
BERLIN – Shamrock Realty Group recently welcomed Ginger McGovern to its office in the Grays Corner Professional Center.
A four-year resident of Ocean Pines, McGovern knows Ocean Pines and the surrounding areas of Ocean City.
In other company news, Shamrock Realty Group named Karen Kriege as top producer for the month of July for top sales and top listings. Kriege joined Shamrock Realty group in July and exceeded expectations becoming the top performer during her first month with the company.
Top CBRB Producers
BETHANY BEACH – Rick Allamong, branch vice president of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage’s Bethany Beach offices, recently announced the top producers for July.
For the Sunrise Court office, Virgil Bullis was the top individual listing associate and Peggy Mullen was the top individual sales associate.
For the Ocean View Parkway office, Lois Dolby was the top individual listing and sales associate.
For the Salt Pond office, Rupert Smith was the top individual listing associate and Joanne Young was the top individual sales associate.
Top Insurance Agents
BERLIN – Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley Insurance Brokers has announced Don Fentress as the top producer for July.
With more than 25 years of insurance experience, Fentress has been with the agency since 1980 and specializes in writing property and casualty insurance for local and regional business customers. He holds the Accredited Advisor of Insurance designation.
Nicole Matheu-Brushmiller and Ray Matheu, both account executives, also received special recognition for their July production.
Banker Graduates
BERLIN – Mercantile Peninsula Bank President and CEO Jeffrey F. Turner announced this week that Gail Foltz, Assistant Vice President and Business Development Officer for the Ocean City Region, recently graduated from Maryland Bankers School.
Foltz began her career with The Bank of Fruitland in 1990. In 2001, following the merger with The Bank of Fruitland, she joined Mercantile Peninsula Bank as a Credit Analyst. She was named Management Trainee for the Ocean City Region in 2003, was promoted to Business Development Representative in 2004, and Business Development Officer in 2005. Foltz is responsible for business development efforts in Ocean City and surrounding areas.
Foltz chairs the bank’s Quality Council, and is a past member of both the Customer Culture Task Force and the Credit Processes Task Force. In 2001, she earned the bank’s Quarterly Communication Award.
The Maryland Banking School provides educational opportunities and offers perspectives on forces that shape the financial services industry. Through an emphasis on developing leadership, managerial and technical skills, and creating a resource network, students enhance their individual and corporate performance to thrive in the evolving financial services marketplace.
In addition to her degree from Maryland Bankers School, Foltz earned an Associates degree in Banking and is currently attending Wilmington College for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management.
Firm Tops In Study
BERLIN – For the third year in a row, the financial services firm Edward Jones ranks highest in investor satisfaction with full service brokerage firms, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2007 Full Service Investor Satisfaction Study, announced Carrie Dupuie, a financial advisor in Ocean Pines.
The study measures overall investor satisfaction with full-service investment firms based on six factors (in order of importance): financial advisor/broker; account setup/account offerings; investment performance; commissions and fees; account statements; and convenience.
The J.D. Power and Associates study found that Edward Jones performed particularly well in financial advisor/broker and investment performance.
“To be ranked highest in investor satisfaction is a great honor and ranking highest three years in a row is quite an accomplishment,” said Dupuie. “We are especially proud of this achievement because it is the result of how our clients view Edward Jones. Our clients are the true judges of our service.”
Mini Grants Awarded
BERLIN – The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore recently awarded $10,882 in Technical Mini Grants to 11 local nonprofit organizations through the Foundation’s Nonprofit Support Program.
The purpose of awarding Technical Mini Grants is to provide up to $1,000 for individual nonprofit agencies in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester Counties for the purchase of equipment, attendance at training opportunities, or for other resources necessary to enhance their respective missions.
Nonprofit organizations awarded Technical Mini Grants by the Community Foundation during the current grant cycle were:
-Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council: Awarded $1,000 to develop a new website that will serve as a “one-stop shop” for local artists.
-Atlantic General Hospital: Awarded $1,000 to purchase two security cameras and monitor to enhance the safety of employees and patients in the emergency department.
-4STEPS Therapeutic Riding Program: Awarded $1,000 to purchase an LCD projector to enhance outreach and communications efforts for the organization.
-Coastal Hospice: Awarded $1,000 to support training for the Development Director to attend a planned giving conference at the Center for Philanthropy at Indiana University.
-Humane Society of Somerset County: Awarded $1,000 for volunteers to attend “The Fix-It Forum” offered by PetSmart Charities that will provide information on effectively managing and implementing spay/neuter clinics.
-Kids of Honor: Awarded $1,000 to purchase a laptop computer to serve as the workstation for a new full-time staff person.
-Holly Community: Awarded $1,000 to support staff training to implement new web-based data collection software and for staff attendance at the Governor’s Grants Conference.
-Shore Up!: Awarded $1,000 to support a Professional Day Workshop for Shore Up staff members.
-McCready Foundation: Awarded $1,000 to purchase equipment that will provide the capacity for the organization to complete a full backup for all electronic files within the organization’s computer network.
-Worcester County Developmental Center: Awarded $956.46 for a technology upgrade to enable the WCDC staff to be fully integrated into the organization’s network and provide for back up of the system.
-Somerset County Historical Society: Awarded $926 to purchase a laptop computer and laminating machine.
New Staff Appointed
SALISBURY – The Architectural / Engineering firm of Becker Morgan Group, Inc. recently welcomed various new staff members to their team.
Melissa J. Adams joins the Salisbury office as a Marketing Coordinator. She recently graduated from Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing as well as a minor in Art. Adams will provide marketing support for the firm’s four offices.
Terrell Carey-Jackson joins the form as an Information Technology Technician. He attended Delaware State University for Mechanical Engineering and brings six years of experience to the company’s four offices.
Elaine R. Eby joins the firm as an Administrative Assistant in the Salisbury office. She has an Associates Degree in Office Technology from Wor-Wic Community College.