Real Estate Issues Discussed At Session
ANNAPOLIS – Nine members of the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) traveled to Annapolis this week to meet with local legislators to discuss real estate priorities in the 2015 legislative session of the General Assembly.
CAR Board President Vicki Harmon, Delegate Mary Beth Carozza and CAR President-Elect Linda Moran are pictured at the recent 2015 MAR Legislative Breakfast in Annapolis. Submitted Photos
The Maryland Association of REALTORS® (MAR) hosted a Legislative Breakfast on Jan. 27 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. Members of the Eastern Shore delegation in attendance were Delegates Carl Anderton, Mary Beth Carozza, Johnny Mautz, Charles Otto and Sheree Sample-Hughes. In addition to discussing MAR’s legislative priorities for 2015, CAR members inquired about Eastern Shore-specific issues like flood insurance rates in Somerset County, the absence of broadband in some areas, downtown revitalization in Salisbury and Berlin, and tourism in Ocean City, as well as broader issues like job loss and creation, economic growth, and more.
“This event was a wonderful opportunity for us to touch base with our local delegation so that they understand the needs of our industry as they get into the thick of the session,” said CAR Board President Vicki Harmon. “We’d like to thank MAR for hosting the event and our local delegates for attending.”
Gov. Larry Hogan, a REALTOR® and member of MAR for 32 years, spoke at the event, ensuring attendees that Maryland is now “open for business.”
“I’ve submitted a structurally balanced budget for the first time in 10 years,” Hogan said. “The budget expends $16.4 million on $16.4 million in revenue. It’s time for the government to live within its means.”
Hogan said over the past several years, 8,000 small businesses in Maryland have closed, the state has become the second in the nation in foreclosure numbers, and unemployment rates have doubled.
“We’re going to put Maryland on a new path,” he said. “Maryland is now open for business. We will focus on jobs, the economy, and families, while getting the government off our backs and out of our pockets.”
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. also addressed attendees, as did the MAR 2015 Legislative Committee Chair Paula Reeder and 2015 MAR President Janice Kirkner. MAR Vice President of Government Affairs Bill Castelli reviewed MAR’s legislative priorities for 2015 and MAR CEO Mary Antoun outlined how statistics available through MAR can assist legislators.
“We’d like to thank our members who took the time to travel to Annapolis to represent our association, as well as MAR for hosting the breakfast,” said Sheila Dodson, executive director of CAR. “We will continue to ensure the voices of our local REALTORS® are heard as legislation pertaining to the health and viability of our industry is considered at the state and local levels.”
Franchise Restaurants Eyes Salisbury Opening
SALISBURY – Brent Miller, CCIM, CPM, Senior Advisor and Managing Director of Sperry Van Ness – Miller Commercial Real Estate, and Tonney Insley, advisor, have announced that the restaurant franchise Moe’s Southwest Grill has signed a 10-year lease for a space on Route 13 North.
A new restaurant franchise, Moe’s Southwest Grill, will be opening this month in front of the Walmart on Route 13.
The 3,000 square foot space at 2640 North Salisbury Blvd shares a building with Dunkin’ Donuts and is anchored by Sam’s Club and Walmart.
“Brent and his team attracted interest from a variety of national tenants for this location,” said landlord Nick Nistazos. “We are excited to have Moe’s join us in this center and are looking forward to their grand opening in late February.”
Moe’s Southwest Grill was founded in December 2000 in Atlanta, Ga., and is a fun and engaging fast-casual restaurant franchise that serves a wide variety of fresh, made-to-order Southwest fare.
“Salisbury is a great location for us and we are excited to open our newest Moe’s Southwest Grill restaurant here in late February,” said Larry Wilson, franchisee of Moe’s Southwest Grill. “We are in the process of planning some great grand opening activities and fundraisers and we look forward to giving back and getting involved in the community.”
Wilson owns 25 Moe’s and Hoopla! Restaurants throughout New York and Pennsylvania.
New Officer Named
Carolyn Reinke
SALISBURY — Thomas DeMarco, Vice President of the Peninsula Regional Medical Group of Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC), announced that Carolyn Reinke, recently joined PRMC as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Peninsula Regional Medical Group.
Reinke, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master’s in Business Administration in Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix, was most recently the executive director of the Carroll Health Group, the physician network of Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster, Maryland. She has a nearly 30-year career in healthcare holding leadership positons at both hospitals and in the private practice setting.
Reinke will be responsible for implementing standard operating processes and procedures in all offices as well as setting and executing a strategic direction for the Peninsula Regional Medical Group, which is PRMC’s physician network.
Business Conference Set
SALISBURY — The Women’s Business Center at Maryland Capital Enterprises, Inc. (MCE) is hosting its second annual Women’s Business Conference to allow women entrepreneurs the opportunity to network and learn to start and/or grow their businesses. Mitzi Perdue will headline the impressive list of speakers to participate.
Mitzi Perdue
The conference will be held on Friday, Feb. 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hampton Inn in Salisbury. Registration is available at www.marylandcapital,org.
“We know women are looking for ways to either start or grow their own business, and we’ve put together an excellent group of speakers who cover a variety of topics from marketing to legal tips that are practical for any future or current business owner looking to learn,” said Jennifer Currie, Director of the Women’s Business Center located at MCE in Salisbury.
The event will feature a keynote address by Perdue, who just released her latest book “Tough Man, Tender Chicken: Business and Life Lessons from Frank Perdue.” A successful entrepreneur in her own right, she holds degrees from Harvard University and George Washington University, and is an author, artist, philanthropist and wife of the late poultry magnate Frank Perdue.