Voices From The Readers – July 1, 2016

Voices From The Readers – July 1, 2016
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Saddened By Chief’s Actions

Editor:

I was saddened to learn about the recent controversy within the OCBP and the actions of Captain Butch Arbin. I have been a longtime supporter and advocate of the OCBP. I have contributed financially to the organization and I never stop raving about the members of the squad and the service that they provide. While many things have changed in Ocean City over the years, one of the constant things we can always count on is the professionalism of the Beach Patrol.

Captain Arbin’s attempt at humor to address an issue within the Beach Patrol facilities really fell flat. While proclaiming “We are not Target” and ordering each member of the OCBP to use the bathroom of their birth DNA, he brought a black eye upon the department and the entire Town of Ocean City.

What is even more troubling to me is the way Captain Arbin responded to the controversy. By proclaiming “That Political Correctness is the problem in Society today”, and the fact that he was aggravated that the OCBP member(s) that made his comments public did not come to him first, just shows that he does not get it. His comments were offensive and out of line but I do not think that he should be disciplined, as Patrick Paschall of FreeState Equality Maryland has demanded. Perhaps some diversity training is more in order.

As a middle aged, white, heterosexual male from the burbs, I have witnessed a lot of changes in these last few years. Some of the changes I view as positive. Some I view as negative. Some I view as just weird, but I have made a concerted effort to always be respectful of others and to keep up with the times. At a recent function I attended, all of the attendees were to state their name and line of work, as is often the case. However this meeting was a tad different. There was an additional item that they wanted you to state and that was what your personal pronoun of choice would be. In other words, do you wish to be referred to as he/him or she/her. I will be honest, my first reaction was to roll the eyeballs and think it is a bunch of silliness. But I went along with the program and said I preferred to be referred to as he/him. The meeting went well but afterwards I thought about the introductions for quite some time.

To me, my gender is obvious and I saw no reason to address it. But it took no extra time to state my preference and my participation in the introduction made others feel comfortable. I have learned a great deal throughout my years from Captain Arbin’s crews on the beach. Perhaps Captain Arbin should take a step back and reflect and maybe he can learn about things by opening up his mind to diversity. It is simply not acceptable to write off things we do not understand or accept as Political Correctness gone astray.

Scott Chismar

Crofton and Ocean City

Solar Proposal Off Base

Editor:

Why do county taxpayers have to subsidize a commercial solar panel business? This results in lower funds available for schools, etc. which have to made up by other tax payers.

Never mentioned is the fact that these schemes do not reduce the need for power plants which must supply power to subscribers when there is no sunlight or wind to spin generators.

Oleg Dudkin

Ocean Pines

Support Makes A Difference

Editor:

On behalf of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Town of Selbyville and Chamber team, I would like to thank everyone who supported the 59th Annual Old Timer’s Day to make it a memorable occasion.

Over 130 classic cars and trucks lined Church Street and with perfect weather, all in attendance enjoyed viewing the vehicles and chatting with the owners. Town Hall was full of energy with live music from The Glass Onion Band, vendors lining the lot, and a Children’s Corner complete with pony rides and fire truck rides. Presented by Bunting and Murray Construction Company, the day was highlighted with the award ceremony announcing the best of decade awards for best interior, exterior and engine compartment. Congratulations to winners Bob Kendall (1967 Dodge Charger) for the People’s Choice Award and Gene Esham (1965 Chevy Impala) for the Best in Show Award.  Darvis Hitchens won the Tractor Best in Show.

As the classic cars arrived in the early morning, a gentleman drove up in his vintage tractor with his young grandson in tow driving a smaller model of the same piece of machinery. Watching the grandfather teach his grandson how to park the tractor was a reminder that special events, whether in Selbyville, on the beach and everywhere in between, are important to the growth and prosperity of our towns. They promote community, commerce and fellowship.

Thank you to everyone who made the day possible including our volunteers, town employees, the first responders of Selbyville, local dignitaries and our sponsors who supported Old Timer’s Day and gave us all a day to remember.

Kristie Maravalli

(The writer is the executive director of the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce.)
Where’s Abe?

Editor:
Now that Great Britain has voted to leave the European Union where is the EU’s Abraham Lincoln?

Where is the “leader” who will raise an army, invade England, lay waste to a few cities, kill tens of thousands, disrupt their commerce, and occupy them for a few years until England learns the errors of their ways and succumbs to the forces of good and rejoins the EU?

Such an individual would probably receive a Nobel Peace Prize.

William L. Danek

Ocean City