Articles

Legislation Keeps Flush Tax Money At Intended Source

BERLIN -- With a proposal on the table to double, or even triple, the state’s “flush tax,” a tax on septic systems put in place several years ago to preserve and protect the coastal bays and the Chesapeake Bay, a handful of bills have been introduced in the General Assembly to ensure the revenue collected remains dedicated to its intended purpose. In 2004, state lawmakers enacted the flush tax, essentially a monthly fee on Maryland residents’ water and sewer bills, for...READ MORE

Bill Hopes To Address Court’s Public Defender Opinion

BERLIN -- A recent Maryland Court of Appeals opinion guaranteeing legal representation for defendants at the earliest stages of criminal proceedings, including initial bail reviews, could cost state and local governments millions of dollars to implement, but an emergency bill introduced by Delegate Mike McDermott (R-38B) may provide a remedy. In early January, the Court of Appeals ruled indigent individuals charged with crimes were entitled to public defender representation at all stages of...READ MORE

Local Motorist Dies In Accident

BERLIN -- A local woman was killed in a single-vehicle accident early yesterday morning when her SUV overturned on a windy, rural road in Berlin. Around 6:30 a.m. on Thursday, Worcester County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash on Cedar Lane Rd. just west of Evans Rd. in Berlin. The preliminary investigation revealed the driver of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, later identified as Laura Widgeon, 55, of Berlin, was heading west on Cedar Lane Rd. when she crossed the center...READ MORE

Legislators Attend Delmarva Poultry Summit

BERLIN -- The future of one of Delmarva’s backbone economic engines was debated by federal lawmakers and a coalition of stakeholders and industry leaders with a Poultry Summit in Delmar on Monday. Hosted by U.S. Senator Tom Carper, the poultry summit brought together the region’s congressional leaders, including Maryland Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski, and a similar contingent from Delaware, along with legislators from both states and representatives from the...READ MORE

Snow Hill Schools Wins $100K Target Grant

SNOW HILL -- A local elementary school was stunned this week when it learned it would be one of only 50 schools in the country to receive an unrestricted $100,000 grant offered by Target. “It’s kind of an exciting place to be,” said Snow Hill Elementary School (SHES) Principal Denise Shorts. The funding for SHES comes as part of a larger $5 million grant Target will be distributing to 48 schools and two school districts in 31 states nationwide. The grants were first announced...READ MORE

Salisbury Selects New Attorney Amid Much Controversy

OCEAN CITY – Accusations were thrown around council chambers this week as attempts were made to stop the majority of the City Council from appointing a new city solicitor. On Jan. 13, a meeting was held where the council majority -- Council President Terry Cohen, Councilwoman Deborah Campbell and Councilman Tim Spies -- decided to relieve City Solicitor Paul Wilber of his duties and place him in a secondary advisory role. This week the resolution to appoint a new primary city attorney was...READ MORE

Berlin Planners Give Approval To Activities Depot

BERLIN -- Support from neighboring residents helped sway the Berlin Planning Commission’s decision to approve a final site plan for a proposed Berlin Activities Depot. “This kind of thing could really do a lot for the town,” said Commissioner Pete Cosby. The plans were first reviewed by the commission two weeks ago. The 30,000-square-foot facility is set to include a gymnasium, laser tag, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf and daycare facilities. The proposed location is off Route...READ MORE

Berlin Seeking Improvements To Decrepit Property

BERLIN -- Continuing with a crackdown on derelict or neglected properties that picked up steam last summer, the town of Berlin has fined a local property owner $600, with the potential for further repercussions in the future if issues continue unaddressed. “If they do not take this seriously, we do,” said Mayor Gee Williams. The guarantee came Monday when resident Susan Moore approached the council with complaints regarding the former Neon Moon building located at the intersection of...READ MORE

Governor Taking Another Shot At Offshore Wind

OCEAN CITY -- Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley this week introduced a renewed effort to develop an offshore wind farm off the coast of Ocean City with a decidedly softer potential impact on the ratepayers. The intent of the legislation is to harness an untapped renewable energy source that could move Maryland closer to its long-term goal of diversifying its energy portfolio. In 2008, the General Assembly doubled the state’s renewable portfolio standard, requiring electricity suppliers...READ MORE

Annual Blood Drive Attracts 642 Donors

OCEAN CITY – Community members turned out to save lives this week as 642 people turned out for this week’s annual blood drive in the resort. The Blood Bank of Delmarva returned to Ocean City this week for the 14th Annual Beach Blanket Blood Drive. This year’s event was themed around “OC Saves!”, recognizing the thousands of units of blood that has been donated during the past 14 years. “We try to push the importance of people donating and giving blood and that...READ MORE

Park-And-Ride Fare Hike Hearing Set

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing at its Monday, March 5 meeting to seek public comment on a proposal to raise the fare for the shuttle that operates between the West Ocean City Park & Ride and the South Transit Station in downtown Ocean City. A fare increase from the current $1 ride-all-day to a $3 ride-all-day or $1 per boarding, which is the current fare structure of the Coastal Highway bus service, is being considered due to decreases in bus fare...READ MORE

OC Police Officer Of The Year Recognized At Dinner

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Neighborhood Watch Association gathered this month at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center for its annual “Officer of the Year” recognition dinner. Nearly 150 guests attended the event, including Mayor Rick Meehan, Council members Mary Knight, Margaret Pillas, Brent Ashley and Doug Cymek as well as several Ocean City police employees, residents and members of the eight Neighborhood Watch Associations in Ocean City, the Boardwalk Group, Bayshore Drive,...READ MORE

Salisbury Seeks Consultant For Comcast Audit

SALISBURY -- Looking to move forward with a city audit of Comcast, the Salisbury City Council agreed last week to send out a Request for Proposal (RFP) to find a consultant willing to help conduct the audit and possibly negotiate a franchise agreement. The decision was made in part because an informal consultant contacted by the city was easily able to point out problems with past Comcast arrangements, said officials. “There were a [number of] ways in which he displayed the mistakes made...READ MORE

Court Upholds Hurricane Insurance Decision

OCEAN CITY -- Maryland’s highest court this week ruled a major insurance carrier was well within its rights to stop writing new homeowner policies in coastal areas of the state, pointing out the company’s decision was based on sound business practices and was not discriminatory. The Maryland Court of Appeals on Wednesday issued a majority opinion upholding an earlier opinion by the lower Court of Special Appeals essentially ruling Allstate acted legally and according to state law...READ MORE

Chemo Bill Named For Kathy Mathias

OCEAN CITY -- In a fitting tribute to a beloved Ocean City resident who lost her battle with cancer last August, a bill introduced in the Maryland General Assembly last week in her name would level the playing field for insurance coverage for both the intravenous and oral forms of chemotherapy. Last Friday, State Senator Catherine Pugh (D-40), with co-sponsorship by 25 other state senators including Sen. Jim Mathias (D-38), introduced the Kathleen A. Mathias Chemotherapy Parity Act of 2012,...READ MORE

Poplar Hill Mansion Wins Award

SALISBURY -- The Poplar Hill Mansion, the oldest registered house in Salisbury, had a couple of significant announcements this week including a Heritage Award and the appointment of a new curator. On Wednesday, Salisbury officials announced the Popular Hill Mansion was honored with a Heritage Award by the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council, an organization dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting the cultural, natural and historical heritage of the three counties on Maryland’s...READ MORE

Casino Revenue Exceeded Berlin’s Expectations

BERLIN -- Revenue received from the slots at Ocean Downs Casino is more than 10 percent over what was projected in the budget this year, according to Berlin officials. If the pattern holds, Mayor Gee Williams explained that the town may reach its goal of purchasing land for a new police station or community center earlier than expected or it could channel the excess funds into other projects. “It’s nice to have that discussion,” he said. Williams revealed during a meeting of...READ MORE

Berlin Sewer Rate Hike Ahead

BERLIN -- In order to qualify for funding from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Berlin will be raising sewer rates for residents next year. “If we want $5 millionm we have to raise the rates 5 percent,” said Town Administrator Tony Carson at a meeting earlier this month. The rate change will amount to about an extra $25 a year for current customers and will go into effect on July 1, 2013. The increase comes on top of pre-approved rate raises that the council green...READ MORE

Wicomico Council Decides To Support New Bennett

SALISBURY -- After listening to new financial data and hearing from members of the public, the Wicomico County Council voted 4-3 Tuesday to send a letter supporting progressing with building a new James M. Bennett Middle School (BMS). “I can’t justify kicking this can down the road further,” said Councilman Matt Holloway. The decision by the council to endorse a “Letter of Intent” is a reversal of its previous position on the matter. Last week, again with a 4-3...READ MORE

Alcohol Sales Eyed At Four Berlin Chamber Special Events

BERLIN -- Despite success with the town’s recently added provisions for alcohol sales during events, there was still some hesitation by the Berlin Council this week to approve sales during the May 5 Jazz and Blues Bash. After finally being approved, the discussion then touched on which events in Berlin would be acceptable venues for alcohol sales and which would not. Last October, the council voted to allow the chamber to host a beer garden during Berlin’s first Octoberfest. Soon...READ MORE

Marshall Finds Expansion Suitable In Current Economic Times

SALISBURY – Preparation is the key in today’s economy and a local business, Marshall Real Estate Auctions, has taken the steps to not only survive but expand. “I see people keep holding on for the market to come back while we are in a slump,” owner Doug Marshall said. “My argument is get your business to where you are making money now and you will become much more successful than to wait and wait and wait.” Marshall refers to his core business model as a...READ MORE

WOC’s Monkey’s Trunk Relocates To Larger Store

WEST OCEAN CITY -- The Monkey’s Trunk furnishings and gifts store has moved to a new, bigger location and will be having a grand opening Feb. 11. “We started with a small store … we’ve grown,” said owner John Meyers. Originally located on eastbound Route 50 not far from the bridge into Ocean City, the Monkey’s Trunk moved across the highway earlier this month. Now situated on westbound Route 50, the Monkey’s Trunk boasts a larger showroom and additional...READ MORE