by OC Today/Dispatch on April 22, 2024 at 12:59 pm

Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann Ocean City north of 15th Street was mostly undeveloped from there to the Delaware line in the late 1940s. There was, however, a small community known to locals as “Maryland Fenwick” in the area of today’s 141st Street (known at that time as Lea Avenue). There were approximately 50 cottages and a general store, which centered around the old Methodist campground that had begun in the late 1890s. The area suffered extensive damage in the March Storm of 1962 with several of the small houses washed away and totally destroyed. In this photo from 1949 a young Blaine Bunting poses with his mother Delia in front of their cottage in Maryland Fenwick. The roads were unpaved at that time hence the World War II surplus Jeep. To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com. Photo courtesy Blaine Bunting Sr.

by OC Today/Dispatch on April 19, 2024 at 3:34 pm

Health insurance savings could help Berlin with emergency services funding Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor Unexpected insurance savings are expected to help Berlin address needs within the municipality’s proposed budget. In a work session this week, staff presented the council with updated cost estimates for health care and workers compensation. With those figures significantly lower than expected, the town should have savings of more than $300,000 that can be used elsewhere. Officials agreed to use some of it to address the funding requested by the Berlin Fire Company for fire and EMS services. “Everybody here, we’ve got a lot of different levers we need to pull. I think we’ve done a pretty good job of doing that,” Mayor Zack Tyndall said. At the start of a utility fund budget work session this week, staff updated Tyndall and the council regarding projected insurance costs for the coming fiscal year. While staff projected a 10% increase in health insurance costs as a budget placeholder, they said Monday the cost was actually only going to increase about 2%. Workers compensation costs, which were projected to increase 8%, actually decreased, meaning the town’s workers comp costs will drop from a budgeted $273,000 to $180,000. Later in the work session, council members said they wanted to use some of the unexpected savings to increase funding to the Berlin Fire Company for fire and EMS. The department requested $200,000 for fire operating expenses and $150,000 for fire capital. The department is seeking about $605,000 for EMS from the town. Councilman Jack Orris said he felt increasing the town’s proposed fire operations allocations from about $117,000 to the requested $200,000 was a good goal to reach. Councilman Steve Green agreed. More: Unexpected insurance savings are expected to help Berlin address needs within the municipality’s proposed budget, namely within the fire and EMS departments.

by OC Today/Dispatch on April 19, 2024 at 3:20 pm

Fiori's request shot down to have county staff, school system talk budget more Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor A request for Worcester County staff to meet with board of education staff to start a dialogue on the budget failed this week with the support of just two commissioners. On April 16, Commissioner Eric Fiori told the Worcester County Commissioners he’d met with Worcester County Board of Education leadership and they wanted the two sides to find a way to work collaboratively. Fiori’s motion to set up a staff meeting, however, failed, with the majority of the commissioners indicating enough staff time has been spent on the education budget. “We are not here to micromanage their budget,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said. “It is their budget. They’re an elected board they’re there to take care of their budget. We either fund it or not. You just gotta put on your big boy pants and vote yes or no on their budget. We’ve wasted enough time with county staff with this going on this long. I think it’s time we move on. We either fund it or we don’t. Let’s get on with the business of running the county.” Fiori told the commissioners that he’d met with members of the school system’s leadership team and they wanted their budget staff to meet with the county’s budget staff to come up with a way to work collaboratively. He said they wanted more of an open dialogue where staff could come up with some ideas to bring back to elected officials. He said maybe small changes could yield additional dollars for the school system. “We want all our teachers, support staff and bus drivers to receive their raises,” he said More: A request for county staff to meet with board of education staff to start a dialogue on the budget failed this week with the support of just two commissioners.

by OC Today/Dispatch on April 19, 2024 at 3:03 pm

OC tourism department working on outside-the-box concepts Bethany Hooper Associate Editor Bridge uplighting, branded beach umbrellas and standardized Boardwalk signage are just some of the ideas being explored within Ocean City’s tourism department. On Tuesday, Tourism and Business Development Director Tom Perlozzo presented the Ocean City Tourism Commission with a handful of ideas aimed at promoting the town and its offerings. He said the ideas ranged from uplighting on the Route 50 and Route 90 bridges and standardizing the town’s Boardwalk signs to Winterfest improvements and modified events. “These are all brainstorming ideas,” he said. “They have not been funded, there’s no right or wrong, but we’re just trying to think out of the box.” Perlozzo told commission members this week one idea being discussed is uplighting on both the north and south bridges. He said a proposal from a lighting company set a cost estimate between $300,000 and $5 million. “I think it will make a giant impact,” he said. Another idea, he said, would be to purchase marsh matting, which would be placed in front of the Caroline Street stage. He said the matting would provide an alternative location for events. “We have talked about how we could get some of these events off the Inlet parking lot and use some space that’s not really used for sunbathing and put it in front of the Caroline Street stage,” he said, “getting 30,000 to 50,000 square feet of marsh matting and having it up from the spring to the fall.” Bridge uplighting, branded beach umbrellas and standardized Boardwalk signage are just some of the ideas being explored within Ocean City’s tourism department.

by OC Today/Dispatch on April 19, 2024 at 1:40 pm

School board discusses next steps after Buckingham's bad news Tara Fischer Staff Writer On the heels of a meeting with the county commissioners and Interagency Commission on School Construction, members of the Worcester County Board of Education discussed financial roadblocks to Buckingham Elementary School’s replacement project and new planned safety implementations. At the April 4 meeting between the groups, Executive Director of the Interagency Commission on School Construction Alex Donahue said that to uphold equity in the distribution of school construction support, the group could not provide Worcester County with additional funds to build larger schools to maintain small class sizes. The policy leaves no state money for the Buckingham Elementary replacement project. At the board of ed’s April 16 meeting, Worcester County Public Schools Facilities Planner Joe Price displayed charts detailing the construction of Ocean City Elementary School and Showell Elementary School to provide context for the dilemma. The presentation examined state and local funding participation, school sizes, and regional and state-rated capacities. Price’s breakdown showed that the state approved constructing a 47,080-square-foot SES, completed in 2020. The finalized building exceeded 102,000 square feet to avoid the implementation of portable classrooms. Local funds accounted for 78.3% of the total cost, which was $48,518,782. WCPS Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert maintained that based on enrollment projections and capacity estimations, the IAC has determined there are open seats at the other elementary schools, which they call “adjacent” facilities. The state will not fund a new Buckingham Elementary School given the extra room. “They are penalizing us twice,” Tolbert said. “Once, by not giving us enough money to build increased square footage, and then the second time by not giving us any money for Buckingham because of the adjacent seats…Buckingham Elementary, our highest poverty school at the northern end with the highest minority population, is getting treated inequitably by the state through their funding formula.” Board of Education members recently discussed financial roadblocks to Buckingham Elementary School’s replacement project and new planned safety implementations.

by OC Today/Dispatch on April 19, 2024 at 12:22 pm

Residents share ideas for new Berlin community center Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor Dozens of residents shared a wish list of items they’d like to see in a community center on Flower Street in Berlin at a kickoff meeting April 10. A pool, exercise equipment, office space and a community kitchen were among the numerous ideas voiced by members of the public at the meeting. Mayor Zack Tyndall said that while the town would have to be realistic with its plans, at this phase officials are still brainstorming for what the new facility will include. “We really want to make sure that this is a place that everyone feels welcome,” he said. Close to 50 community members gathered at the Berlin library at the invitation of Tyndall and the Berlin Community Center Advisory Committee to kick off the planning process for the new facility. For years, the town has been working toward building a new facility on Flower Street to replace the decrepit multi-purpose building. Last year, the committee was formed and the consolidation of the four parcels making up the six-acre site was completed. Now, the committee is asking the public to weigh in on programming and amenities for the future center. More: Dozens of residents shared a wish list of items they’d like to see in a community center on Flower Street in the Town of Berlin at a kickoff meeting April

by OC Today/Dispatch on April 19, 2024 at 12:13 pm

Ocean City to take another look at 'Third Street Park' name Bethany Hooper Associate Editor Ocean City officials have agreed to revisit the naming and branding for the downtown recreation complex, currently known as Third Street Park. The Mayor and Council on Monday voted 6-1, with Council President Matt James opposed, to schedule a future work session to discuss branding, naming and exploring all options for naming rights at the downtown recreation complex. The decision comes less than a week after a 4-3 vote of the council to rename the complex the Third Street Park. “I don't think the name is very creative,” said Council Secretary Tony DeLuca. “We can do better.” Last week, the elected body voted 4-3, with DeLuca and Councilmen Frank Knight and John Gehrig opposed, to approve Third Street Park as the new name of the bayside complex currently under renovation between 3rd and 4th streets. While several names were initially presented to the town’s recreation and parks committee, members failed to reach a consensus and the decision was ultimately brought to the public in an online survey. City officials have agreed to revisit the naming and branding for the downtown recreation complex currently known as Third Street Park between 3rd and 4th streets.

by OC Today/Dispatch on April 19, 2024 at 9:35 am

Today’s page one Digital flip edition link (provided free of charge thanks to a sponsorship by Sea Grace at North Beach, Realtors): https://issuu.com/oceancitytoday/docs/04.19.2024_oc_today-dispatch?ff&experiment=new-bff-dynamic

by OC Today/Dispatch on April 15, 2024 at 12:17 pm

Vanishing Ocean City With Bunk Mann Ocean City has had its share of colorful characters over the years. The blind musicians Tex, with his 10-gallon hat, and Shorty, with his banjo and dog Mandy; “Pop” Wendling with over 200 Popeye tattoos and his novelty joke shop; and the late Boardwalk Elvis (who passed away in 2018) were just a few of the folks who made memories for all those who love Ocean City. One of the most popular characters in the 1970s was Roy Beckett whose claim to fame was playing a kazoo while standing on his head. Roy lived with his sister in Snow Hill and would catch a daily ride to Ocean City where in addition to performing his act on the Boardwalk he worked for Hall’s Restaurant. Roy Beckett has not been seen for many years but his legend lives on as part of “Vanishing Ocean City.” It is a certainty that other unique and interesting characters will always be around to entertain future Boardwalk visitors. To purchase one of Bunk Mann’s books, click over to www.vanishingoc.com. Photo by John “Wonder” Wright

by OC Today/Dispatch on April 12, 2024 at 2:16 pm

'Third Street Park' name made official at Ocean City's downtown rec complex Bethany Hooper Associate Editor Known as Third Street Park for decades, Ocean City's downtown recreation complex has now officially taken on the moniker following a split vote by council members. The Mayor and Council on April 9 voted 4-3, with Council Secretary Tony DeLuca and Councilmen Frank Knight and John Gehrig opposed, to approve Third Street Park as the new name of the complex under renovation between Third and Fourth streets on the bayside downtown. Deputy City Manager JR Harmon said a recent online survey showed 99 out of the 300 respondents favored the name, making it the top vote-getter. “Third Street Park will remain Third Street Park,” Council President Matt James said. In an effort to give the redeveloped downtown recreation complex a new name to match its new appearance, town staff came to the Ocean City Recreation and Parks Committee with several options. Harmon told the council this week that when the committee failed to reach a consensus, the proposed names were brought to the community for input. “Councilman [Will] Savage made the suggestion that we poll the students that are in the schools to try and get a name at that time,” Harmon said. “Director [Susan] Petitio was kind of under a time restraint at that point, and she was hoping for a quick naming decision in order to get the park signs up and ready for opening here in another month. With that, we put it out in a social media poll at that point.” Harmon said the poll included several naming options – including Bayside Park, South Bay Park, Bayfront Park and Southside Recreation Complex. He noted, however, that respondents favored Third Street Park, an informal name used by community members for decades. More: Known as Third Street Park for decades, Ocean City's downtown recreation complex has now officially taken on the moniker following a split vote by council members.