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Early Voting A Hit In County

BERLIN – If early turnout numbers are any indication, voters in Worcester County and across Maryland have embraced the concept of early voting, approved by state referendum two years ago, as significant numbers have taken advantage of the first-year opportunity. For the first time in history, Maryland voters this year have been afforded the opportunity to vote early in advance of Tuesday’s General Election at designated polling sites across the state. In Worcester, registered voters...READ MORE

Berlin Bank Repairs Lead To Road Closures

BERLIN - PNC's Berlin branch was expected to be open by today, despite continued construction repairing the damage caused by last week's accident. On Wednesday, Oct. 20, a car struck the downtown bank at the intersection of William and Bay streets, resulting in the driver's fatality and multiple injuries to a passenger in the vehicle and extensive damage to the building. Berlin Superintendent of Planning and Zoning Chuck Ward told The Dispatch that repairs were going well as of Tuesday. 'Plans...READ MORE

Berlin Police Seeking Revenue From Gun Sale

BERLIN - The Berlin Police Department (BPD) had 14 handguns declared 'surplus' at Monday's Mayor and Council meeting. In addition, a request to return the revenue from the sale of the firearms to the BPD was made to the council with the issue to come up again when department budgets are next discussed. A list of 14 surplus guns was presented to the council, all between six and seven years old. Berlin Police Chief Arnold Downing confirmed that those guns were all nearing the end of their...READ MORE

Downtown Project's Site Plan Extended

OCEAN CITY - Cropper's Landing's contract was extended an additional two years at this weeks Planning and Zoning Commission meeting. The commission initially approved the site plan for Cropper's Landing with a 6-0 vote in September of 2007. In October of 2009, the Cropper family asked the commission for an initial extension, which would have expired Nov. 16, 2010. Ocean City Zoning Administrator Blaine Smith and attorney Joe Moore, representing the property owners, were present to request a...READ MORE

Decatur Alumni Association Aims To Complete Field House

BERLIN - Stephen Decatur High School (SDHS) hosted a business breakfast in the school's cafeteria Wednesday morning. The highlight of the breakfast was the official introduction of the SDHS Alumni Association and their first special project - the construction of a new athletic field house at the school's stadium. Guests during the annual breakfast included alumni, business owners, members of Worcester County public schools and several elected officials. The Alumni Association is planning to...READ MORE

Berlin Police Geared Up For Halloween

BERLIN - Halloween weekend is almost here and Berlin is once again preparing for the annual festivities. As always, the Berlin Police Department (BPD) will be on the streets during the trick-or-treating in an effort to continue the long tradition of safety associated with the event. Berlin has been hosting a specific trick-or-treating period for more than two decades. 'I've been here 19 years,' said BPD Chief Arnold Downing, 'and it's been going on the whole time.' Downing will be joined by...READ MORE

OC Planners Approve New Downtown Water Operation

OCEAN CITY - The Planning and Zoning Commission meeting approved a new parasail and wave-runner site downtown Ocean City this week. Graham Bostic of Bishopville, Md. requested a permit to run a water-related parasail and wave-runner recreational activity operation for a period of three years at the site of 700 S. Philadelphia Avenue near the Inlet. Bostic has owned and operated the Sea Rocket for 10 years and is retired from the Coast Guard. 'I have been around this kind of business for a long...READ MORE

Ordinance Concerns Delay Decision On Wind Turbine

OCEAN CITY - Once again, Jim Motsko's attempts to install a small wind turbine on his downtown property have been extended due to the language written in the ordinance. Back in August, the Ocean City Planning and Zoning Commission elected to extend the public hearing until certain questions were answered about the plan to build a wind turbine on property owned by Motsko, a local realtor and White Marlin Open founder and tournament director. At that earlier hearing, opposition came from...READ MORE

OCDC Scores $225K In Community Legacy Grants

OCEAN CITY - Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) recently received the largest award on the Eastern Shore from the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD). According to Glenn Irwin, executive director of OCDC, the corporation has received funds for three of its application through DHCD's 2011 Community Legacy Program. The three applications include the Façade Program, which had $50,000 approved; the Green Building Initiatives Program, $50,000 approved; and Land...READ MORE

Ocean City News In Brief

OCEAN CITY - This week's Mayor and City Council meeting agenda included a few requests that were approved. The following is a recap of the items discussed. Boardwalk Decking Maintenance Extended Public Works Director Hal Adkins requested for the contract with Kade Construction to be extended to continue the Boardwalk's Decking Maintenance Project at the 2009 price. According to Adkins, this past summer numerous areas on the Boardwalk have required above-average repairs due to what appears to be...READ MORE

Gulyas, Diegelmann In Rematch For Ocean City Commissioner

BERLIN - Worcester County Commissioner Louise L. Gulyas (R) got a chance to face challenger Ellie Diegelmann (D) last Thursday in a question-and-answer forum. The Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce hosted an election candidate forum where representatives from three of the seven commissioner districts were in attendance. But the only district to have both an incumbent and opponent at the forum was District 7, which encompasses Ocean City. The forum, which concentrated on the topics of trade...READ MORE

Council To Discuss Spiking Government Committees

OCEAN CITY - Last week's Mayor and City Council organizational meeting revealed the council's division, even after many officials did their best publicly after the election to mask their diversity in opinion. Once former Councilman Joe Mitrecic gave his good-bye speech and the oaths of the new City Council had been taken, the agenda seemed to take a turn down a rocky road when Councilman Joe Hall brought forward some unexpected business. 'During the election cycle of the last two years, we have...READ MORE

Sheriff's Office, Marshals Locate Sex Offender In Ecuador

BERLIN - Apparently unhappy with the state's new stringent sex offender laws, a Worcester County registered sex offender recently flew the coop to Ecuador, but county law enforcement officials, with the help of U.S. Marshall's, were able to track the offender back to his native country. According to Worcester County Sheriff's Department Detective Lou Esposito, who oversees the county's sex offender registry program, registered offender Adrian Ricardo Reinoso, 37, whose last known local address...READ MORE

Honest Mistake Defense In Campaign Mailer Gaff

BERLIN - With the Worcester County State's Attorney race nearing the finish line, a flap this week over campaign mailers sent out to voters all over the county including pictures and names of prominent local citizens has added a late chapter to what has already been a heated battle. Voters across Worcester this week received campaign literature in their mailboxes from State's Attorney Joel Todd, who is being challenged again by Republican Beau Oglesby, including the candidate pictured with...READ MORE

Tight Vote Gives Jim Hall President's Chair

OCEAN CITY - The Mayor and City Council gathered last week for an organizational meeting to swear in the returning incumbents and welcomed Brent Ashley. Former Councilman Joe Mitrecic sat in the chair of council president one last time and called the meeting to order. He took the time to thank all those who have supported him in the last eight years, including his family, colleagues, other fallen candidates and the residents of Ocean City. 'I would like to thank my colleagues both past and...READ MORE

Council Moves To Lower Minimum Bid For Beach Scopes

OCEAN CITY - At this week's Mayor and City Council meeting, it was confirmed what many realize - the beach photography business, also known as scopes, is struggling to stay alive. Patrick McLaughlin of United Beach Photo, Inc. is the current bid holder for both beach photo franchise licenses in Ocean City. A franchise is held for a term of four years, and upon renewal the franchise fee raises 10 percent greater then the initial fee of the term before. The minimal bid to obtain the franchise is...READ MORE