By Brian Gilliland, Associate Editor (June 8, 2018) While the Worcester County Commissioners govern the entire county, the candidates’ forum last Thursday at the Ocean Pines library had a decidedly Ocean Pines feel to it, as the county’s largest population center took center stage from the seven incumbents and hopefuls in attendance. Almost all of the… Read more »
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Berlin briefs
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (June 7, 2018) The Berlin mayor and council discussed the following items during a public meeting at Town Hall last Tuesday: Special events The council unanimously approved a new event, the Trinity Church Walk for Health on July 28 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Stephen Decatur Park, and the… Read more »
Pines schedules reserve study mtg on Friday, June 22
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (June 7, 2018) “This will be an open meeting for everybody’s brother – and we’ll publicize the heck out of it,” Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Bailey said last Thursday, as he described a newly scheduled session about the long-dormant reserve study. The association in 2015 approved a $31,800 contract… Read more »
Ocean Pines candidate draw will determine ballot order
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (June 7, 2018) Ocean Pines voters can get their first look at candidates for the 2018 board of directors’ election during the annual candidate draw on Friday. Nine eligible candidates were announced in a May 16 Ocean Pines press release: Frank Daly, Esther Diller, Paula Gray, Arie Klapholz, Mark Mitchell, Ted… Read more »
Outsourcing talk takes over Pines software meeting
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (June 7, 2018) An Ocean Pines meeting Tuesday took about an hour to get to the point that new software systems probably would not save money, but could vastly improve management processes and boost productivity. Before that point could be made, however, the meeting, hosted by the budget and finance committee,… Read more »
Patients caught in Medicare gap
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (May 31, 2018) Thousands of Medicare patients nationwide taking certain drugs at infusion therapy outpatient centers are finding themselves in a difficult position. As these centers refer patients to less costly home-based therapy, Medicare patients are being left out because Medicare, unlike other major insurers, won’t cover it. Locally, the policy… Read more »
Berlin Bikeways proposal backed by council
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (May 31, 2018) A proposed new $950,000, 1.8-mile Berlin Bikeway adjacent to the old railroad tracks was peddled successfully to the Berlin Town Council Monday, as concept of the bike path received its unanimous support. The council also voted 5-0 to approve an application for a grant from the Maryland Department… Read more »
Trendic questions new OPA ethics resolution
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (May 31, 2018) Ocean Pines Director Colette Horn presented a first reading of a new document on “Director Ethics and Conduct” at last Thursday’s board meeting. Formally known as Resolution B-08, the new policy was developed by an ethics work group created last year in the aftermath of an unusually contentious… Read more »
New pup ‘Josiah’ joins Cricket Center team in Berlin
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (May 31, 2018) Josiah, a 2-year-old Labrador retriever raised and professionally trained by nonprofit Canine Companions for Independence, was introduced this month by the Cricket Center in Berlin. The dog will assist patients at the Cricket Center, which is the only child advocacy in Worcester County for sexually and physically abused… Read more »
Pines projected losses still $1.6M
UPDATE: During an Ocean Pines Association Budget and Finance Committee meeting Thursday, Finance Director Steve Phillips said with the release of April financials the year-end deficit for fiscal 2018 stood at about $1.2 million. He said the two-year deficit was now $1.6 million. Phillips credited austerity measures put into place by General Manager John Bailey… Read more »