June 29, 2007

Thursday, July 5 - Ocean City Fireworks Displays Postponed

OCEAN CITY - High wind forced Ocean City officials to pull the plug on the town's traditional fireworks displays last night. Early yesterday morning, a heavy rain surprised residents and visitors in the region. Throughout the day, clouds lingered behind but the main culprit was a heavy wind out of the south. Sustained winds of more than 20 mph and gusts reaching in the upper-30 mph range were just too much for the decision makers in Ocean City. Although the fireworks did not take place at...READ MORE

Wednesday, July 4 - OC Airport Expansion Opposed By Most At Hearing

OCEAN CITY - At a public hearing and workshop last Thursday, over 100 citizens gathered to garner further information and voice their opinions on the future of the Ocean City Municipal Airport in West Ocean City. The public workshop gave concerned citizens a chance to ask questions and review the proposals for the airport expansion and the recently completed environmental assessment. The public hearing gave citizens a chance to voice their opinions and concerns. The public hearing was the next...READ MORE

Mondy, July 2 - Ocean City Offers Fourth Of July Festivities

OCEAN CITY - The Fourth of July will be filled with family fun in Ocean City with two great ways to celebrate this special day - Jamboree in the Park at Northside Park and Fourth of July concert and fireworks on the beach at North Division St. Jamboree in the Park offers action-packed activities the whole family will enjoy.  Beginning at 5 p.m. and continuing on until the evening's fireworks display, an exciting slate of activities, including arts and crafts, children's games, live music...READ MORE

Sunglass Theft Leads to Drug Bust

OCEAN CITY - A Pennsylvania man was arrested on drug charges late Saturday night after a Boardwalk T-shirt store clerk observed him stealing an $8 pair on sunglasses. On Saturday night, June 23, a clerk at the T-Shirt Factory on the Boardwalk contacted the OCPD about a shoplifter being observed in the store. The police responded and later arrested Randall Snyder, 19, of Nottingham, Pa., for allegedly stealing a pair of $8 sunglasses. A search of Snyder subsequent to his arrest on the shoplifting...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publisher's Desk

As if it were not clear already, Gov. Martin O'Malley proved this week how different he is than his predecessor. It's become an annual tradition in recent years for the state's governor to take a boat tour of the coastal bays during the week of the Maryland Municipal League convention. It's a casual event, one that's usually long on fluff and compliments and short on substance and policy. Over the past few years, Bob Ehrlich, who O'Malley defeated handily in last November's election, was the man...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

It's Too Little Too Late Editor: I got a real chuckle when I read about members of the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA) coming before the City Council a week after the Ocean City Council approved a $75 million budget for 2008 to ask for more money from the city for tourism marketing and advertising. The OCHMRA wants to have the city budget for tourism marketing and advertising raised from $1.7 million to about $3 to $4 million. Where was the OCHMRA members when the City...READ MORE

Ocean City

OCEAN CITY Seaside Retreat Daily 10-4 3BR, 2.5BA Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Somerset at Second Daily 10 - 3 3BR Boardwalk Condos Eric Cropper ReMax Premier Properties 443-373-9409 OCEAN CITY The Quay Saturday 2 & 3BR Condos Mary McCracken Long & Foster 410-430-7302 OCEAN CITY Pelican Perch Weekends 11-3 4BR, 4.5BA, & Loft Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista Daily 12-4 3 & 4 BR Bayfront Condos Della & Joe Wilson ReMax Premier...READ MORE

West Ocean City - Berlin - Ocean Pines - Fenwick Island

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Daily 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker  GLEN RIDDLE Golf Course Comm. Daily 10 - 6 Condos, Townhomes, & Single Family HOmes Centex Homes 866-493-7898 OCEAN PINES Points Reach Sat & Sun 10 - 4 3BR Luxury Condos Patty Cummings ReMax Premier Properties 410-520-8134 FENWICK ISLAND, DE Bayside Open Daily Condos, Townhomes & Single Family Homes Carl M. Freeman 877-436-9998 BERLIN 9709 Buckingham Lane Sat 10 -...READ MORE

High Hopes For 'Double Hit' Holiday In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY - The Fourth of July is always a busy time for local businesses as they prepare their staff for large crowds, but this year, with the holiday falling on a Wednesday, businesses are hoping to see a significant surge from the two-weekend split. The lure of having Independence Day fall on a weekend is certainly enticing as it promises a blowout weekend full of vacationing tourists. However, the mid-week Fourth of July has its own appeal for local businesses, offering the possibility of...READ MORE

Live Band and DJs

Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Every Friday & Saturday: Patrick McAllorum; Sunday, July 1: 33 1/3; Every Wednesday: Jon Pheasant; Every Thursday: Katie Bragg. Bahama Mamas: 410-289-0291, Call for entertainment. Blue Ox & Babe's Lounge: 410-250-6440, 127th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Call for entertainment. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Every Friday: DJ Wood; Saturday, June 30: Crowded Outhouse; Every Sunday: DJ BK; Every Tuesday: Pirate Radio;...READ MORE

Businessman's 'Boathenge' Proposing Gaining Support

OCEAN CITY - Months before the recent requests by the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant-Association (OCHMRA) for increased advertising dollars to bring tourists to the town, business owner Joe Kroart presented a unique idea that aims to attract people to Ocean City Joe Kroart, owner of Ocean Gallery World Center on 2nd Street and the Boardwalk, has proposed that the town build a 'Boathenge,' an attraction that would resemble the world famous Stonehenge. Stonehenge, a famous pre-historic site,...READ MORE

Federal, State Funds Boost Shore High-Speed Initiative

BERLIN - The ongoing effort to connect Worcester County and much of the Eastern Shore to seamless, high-speed Internet access got a major shot in the arm this week when a pair of major injections of state and federal funding were announced from two separate sources. On Monday, Maryland Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin announced they had secured $3.2 million in federal funding for the Maryland Broadband Cooperative from the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration...READ MORE

Council Inks Wholesale Power Accord

BERLIN - Some small measure of order was restored to Berlin's electricity issues this week when the Town Council on Wednesday night agreed to enter into a one-year wholesale power agreement with Conectiv. Following a recommendation from the Berlin Utility Commission, which met in a work session prior to the regularly scheduled council meeting on Wednesday, the town's elected officials voted unanimously to accept the bid from Conectiv to continue to supply wholesale electric power to Berlin. The...READ MORE

Friday, June 29 - Network Picks Up Resort Fishing Show

OCEAN CITY - The popular locally-produced fishing show 'Hooked on OC' will make its national network debut next week, but the town of Ocean City will not be riding along on its coat tails. The producers of Hooked on OC, locals Scott Lennox and Dave Messick, this week reached an agreement with the nationally televised Sportsman Network to air 13 episodes of the popular fishing show featuring Ocean City over the next 26 weeks during a prime time program called the Friday Fish Fry. The program will...READ MORE

25th Canyon Kick-off on Tap Next Week

OCEAN CITY- The Ocean City Marlin Club's 25th Annual Canyon Kick-off tournament gets underway next week with late registration and a captain's meeting on Thursday before the first of three official fishing beginning next Friday. With the tuna bite staying hot all through the early summer season and sharks and billfish starting to show up in decent numbers, there should be plenty of action in this year's Canyon Kick-off. Captains must choose to fish two of the three fishing days of the event, the...READ MORE

The Maryland Supremes Under-16 AAU Basketball Team

The Maryland Supremes, an under-16 AAU team made up of local high school players won another tournament last week, the Tri-County Tournament held in Princess Anne. Pictured above, showing off their championship hardware, are, front row, right to left: Coach Bryon Johnson, Darryle Dennis (Pocomoke High School), Timmy Davis (Stephen Decatur), Trevon Johnson (Snow Hill High School), Josh Duncan (Snow Hill High School). Pictured back row, right to left: Terrence Snowden (Pocomoke High School), Kevin...READ MORE

Birdies on the Beach

The first annual 'Birdies on the Beach' charitable golf tournament benefiting the Best Buddies Maryland program, which was held on Monday at the Ocean City Golf Club, was hosted by Miss USA Rachel Smith, of Tennessee, and Miss USA delegates from eight other states including Miss Maryland Michae Holloman. The Miss USA girls caddied for some teams and served as hostesses for the event, which will likely become a staple in the resort in the future. Best Buddies Maryland is a chapter of the larger...READ MORE

Robinson Stays Red Hot At Ocean Downs

BERLIN- Local harness race driver Raymond 'Shorty' Robinson, Jr. continued his assault on the record books at historic Ocean Downs last week with his sixth straight night of multiple wins and now has 14 wins on the young season after only six nights of the 2007 live meet. Robinson started the 57th live meet at Ocean Downs red hot with multiple wins in his first three nights. In week two, he continued his remarkable streak with three more multiple win nights including his third driving-triple of...READ MORE

Holiday Basketball Camp Opens Next Week

OCEAN CITY- With Independence Day right around the corner, the Fourth of July festivities won't be the only fireworks going on at Northside Park in the resort next week as the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Department's All-Star basketball camp returns for another year. The camp, which will be held next week from Monday to Friday, is open to boys and girls ages 7-16. It will provide an opportunity for young players to hone their basketball skills while enjoying the holiday festivities around...READ MORE

Plenty of Action in Small Boat Tourney

OCEAN CITY- Several large fish, caught both inshore and offshore, highlighted the Ocean City Marlin Club's 27th Annual Small Boat tournament in the waters in and around the resort area. The Marlin Club's annual Small Boat Tournament provides an opportunity for smaller boats to compete in a tournament before the bigger events such as the Ocean City Tuna Tournament and the White Marlin Open arrive on the summer fishing calendar. The annual tournament was held last Saturday and Sunday and was open...READ MORE

Berlin's Proposed Ordinance Gets Tough On Dogs

BERLIN - Two weeks after a concerned citizen raised the issue of dogs running at-large in the town of Berlin, creating safety and noise problems, elected officials this week got a look at a fairly restrictive ordinance to curtail the four-legged citizens' behavior. At the last Mayor and Council meeting, local attorney and long-time West Street resident Pete Cosby urged the elected officials to put more teeth in the town's current municipal ordinance concerning the control of dogs in Berlin. An...READ MORE

One Year Later, Efforts Underway To Avert Future Tragedy

OCEAN CITY - Wednesday, June 27 evoked somber feelings for many this week as people remembered the carbon monoxide tragedy that occurred in Ocean City just one year ago. On June 27, 2006, Patrick Boughter, 40, and his daughter Kelly, 10, perished in their hotel room at the Days Inn on the Boardwalk at 22nd Street after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Mother and wife Yvonne Boughter and 7-year-old daughter Morgan, survived after being rushed to the Atlantic General Hospital (AGH) and...READ MORE

Body Found On Assateague Confirmed As Missing Man

ASSATEAGUE - One week after a Lanham, Md. man drowned after getting caught in a rip current near 31st Street, his body washed ashore on Assateague Island. The Maryland State Medical Examiner's Office in Baltimore on Wednesday confirmed the body found in the surf at Assateague Island last Sunday evening was that of Lij-Paul Headley, 19, who drowned in Ocean City near 31st Street on Sunday, June 17. The body was discovered by national park law enforcement officials around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday in...READ MORE

State Unlikely To Increase Tourism Dollars In Near Future

OCEAN CITY - After going to Ocean City officials and the Worcester County Commissioners seeking more funding for tourism marketing, the resort business community went straight to the top with its request this week during a meeting with Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, but they did not exactly walk away with the answer they were looking for. O'Malley was in town this week for the annual Maryland Municipal League (MML) Convention and took time out of his schedule for several stops in the resort...READ MORE

Affirmative Action Plan OK'd For Local Projects

BERLIN - Berlin officials this week approved a resolution ensuring local residents of low income will have the opportunity for employment on two major improvement projects going on in the town. The Mayor and Council on Wednesday unanimously approved an affirmative action resolution that will require private contractors hired for the Flower Street sidewalk construction project and the ongoing Cannery affordable housing project to at least offer employment opportunities to local residents at...READ MORE

Businesses Have No Complaints With Crabs

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City has always played a role in maintaining the Eastern Shore's tradition for great crabs by having local businesses that sell the top crabs for a good price. Although a cold spring brought a slow start and an increase in price to the crab business, local businesses are still optimistic about this year's crab season. Although they have seen an increase in crab prices so far this season, Scotty Laird, manager of Belly Busters on 45th Street, said the operation has kept the...READ MORE

Coastal Bays' Water Quality Stressed On Boat Tour

OCEAN CITY - During a boat tour of the Maryland coastal bays on Tuesday, Governor Martin O'Malley was able to see the watershed first-hand and gain a better understanding of the efforts being undertaken to improve all facets of it. Joining O'Malley on the tour were Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John Griffin, Planning Chair Richard Hall, Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson and Environment Secretary Shari Wilson along with local elected officials and members of the Maryland...READ MORE

Governor Wants Amusement Park Protected As Historic Site

OCEAN CITY - An eerie calm and quiet pervaded the typically bustling Trimper's Amusement Park early Wednesday morning as Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley toured the historic landmark at the foot of the Boardwalk hours before it opened as part of an effort to ensure the park doesn't go quiet permanently in the near future. When O'Malley toured Trimper's Amusement Park with members of the family and a host of local elected officials among others, what he did not see and hear were the usual bustling...READ MORE

Man Threatens To Kill Troopers, Self

BERLIN - A mentally disturbed local man on Monday summoned Maryland State Police troopers to his Gum Point Rd. residence for a harassment complaint before threatening to kill the officers and take his own life. The bizarre situation unfolded last Sunday when Robert Sturgeoner Phillips, 50, of Berlin, called the Maryland State Police to make a harassment complaint. Phillips provided information in his initial call indicating he was mentally disturbed. Troopers responded to his residence on Gum...READ MORE

New Building Code Hits The Books In Berlin

BERLIN - Town officials this week voted to formally adopt the 2000 edition of the International Building Code, the new standard for building practices around the country, which will replace the antiquated building code in place in Berlin since 1993. For 14 years, Berlin has followed the 1993 Building Officials and Code Administrators Inc., or BOCA, Code when approving a wide variety of construction projects, but much has changed in the construction field over the years and a new, widely accepted...READ MORE

Organizers Say Attendance Up At Play It Safe Events

OCEAN CITY - Over the past month, Ocean City has seen an influx of June Bugs swarming the town, and in keeping tradition with the past, the recent high school graduates exhibited both positive and negative behaviors. One positive outcome this year was the continued success of the Play It Safe Program. The Play It Safe Program occurs every year during the month of June, providing fun, alcohol-free events for the senior week celebrants to participate in. The mission of Play It Safe has remained...READ MORE

Pines Incident Highlights Underage Drinking Debate

BERLIN - An incident last week where the Ocean Pines Police Department issued 62 citations for underage drinking at a single residence, coupled by several cases reported recently involving parents providing alcohol to underage children and their friends, both locally and nationally, has sparked an ethical debate about teen drinking and adult supervision, but one issue that is not debatable is the criminal liability of the action. Last week, Ocean Pines police issued 62 citations for underage...READ MORE

Sewer Deal Likely To Lead To Berlin Land Annexation

BERLIN - A tentative agreement reached this week between the town of Berlin and the developer of the old Tyson plant on Route 346 to construct a second wastewater treatment plant on the site will pave the way for the annexation of the property. The Town Council on Wednesday approved a memorandum of understanding forged by the Berlin Utility Commission (BUC) and Troy Purnell, developer of the proposed Crossroads project on the site of the old Tyson chicken plant on Route 346. According to the...READ MORE

Town Nixes Strict New Water Regulations

BERLIN - Town officials this week nixed a proposal that would have prohibited all outside water use activities by residents except for between the hours of 4-6 a.m. each day after realizing the proposed resolution went far beyond the intent of the original ordinance. Two years ago, faced with drought conditions and continued water pressure problems, the Mayor and Council passed a resolution restricting the use of in-ground lawn irrigation systems to just two hours each day from 4-6 a.m. The...READ MORE

Things I Like

Old Bay sprinkled on corn on the cob A small crab with a surprising amount of meat Seeing Ron on his bike in Berlin The crab cake at the Captain's Galley Ocean City after the June Bugs are gone Swimming in the ocean during the powerboat races When the high school graduates behave The relief of the shade on a hot day A couple biking in the bus lane Young artists at work Watching kids at play on the beach  ...READ MORE

Students In The News

BERLIN - The General Levin Winder Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution recently presented Good Citizenship awards at four Worcester County high schools.   Intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship, the DAR Good Citizen program is open to all senior class students enrolled in accredited public or private secondary schools that are in good standing with their State Boards of Education.  United States citizenship is not...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Personnel Changes BERLIN - State's Attorney Joel J. Todd has announced the recent promotions/new hires for the Circuit and District Court Division's for the State's Attorney's Office. In the Circuit Court Office, Jennifer M. Rothschild was recently promoted from Assistant State's Attorney to Deputy State's Attorney. Paul T. Haskell was hired to fill the position of Assistant State's Attorney created by Rothschild's promotion. In the District Court Office, Michael W. Farlow was recently...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The old guy hates funerals and almost never attends them, but he made an exception last week with the passing of a dear friend named Kitty. Like most old-timers, Kitty said it like she saw it. She had no problem saying what she wanted when she wanted and how she wanted. Sure, it ruffled some feathers of the sensitive types, but Insider always admired that. What else should you even ask of a person than simple honesty, even if it's a bit cruel at times. You see a common bond shared between us...READ MORE

"Has Been's" vs. "Show Me's"

You can't help but notice that things are generally costing more these days. If you can't notice that things are more expensive than ever, then you aren't paying attention, and therefore, I must deduce that you are either too rich to care, or are using someone else's credit card. Everything has become itemized, upgraded, and marketed for one single daily task, rather than having one standard household item to multitask with. Example: I have those Clorox wipes, of which I am a big fan. For the...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Katherine Townsend Layfield PARSONSBURG - Katherine Townsend Layfield, 86, of Parsonsburg died Friday, June 22, 2007, at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. Born in Siloam, she was a daughter of the late Murray E. and Alice (Adams) Townsend. She worked as a cashier at Acme for more than 30 years and was an avid bingo player at McDonalds. Her memberships included Women of the Moose, Golden Senior of Moose, the retirement group of Acme, AARP, Happy Timers and United Methodist Women....READ MORE

Preparing For Financial Challenges Of Senior Care

BERLIN - Few families talk about senior care, let alone plan for it ahead of time. Unlike buying a house, paying for college or even saving for retirement, senior care is a subject that leaves many families feeling anxious and uncomfortable. Yet people are concerned about how they are going to care for aging parent or relatives. In our latest annual retirement and financial planning survey, we found that Americans are increasingly concerned about their ability to care for aging parents. If you...READ MORE

Friends Continue Good Times With New Ventures

OCEAN CITY - The neighborhood tavern has become increasingly scarce of late, becoming overrun by nightclubs and chain restaurants, but Bill Sharp and Alex Laird have brought back that friendly, relaxed environment. Scotty's Bayside Tavern, located on Route 54 in Fenwick, just 3.8 miles from Coastal Highway, has been operating as a local, neighborhood tavern since Halloween of 2005. With over 40 selections of beer, four pool tables, two shuffle bowls and nine TV's, Scotty's provides an ideal...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Be prepared to face some challenges stirred up by an envious colleague. Your best defense is the Arian's innate honesty. Stick with the truth, and you'll come out ahead. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): Your sensitivity to the needs of others is admirable. But be careful to avoid those who would take unfair advantage of your good nature, especially where money is involved. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Having an optimistic attitude is fine, as far as it goes. But don't be...READ MORE