Berlin, Ocean Pines News Worcester County Bayside Gazette
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (Oct. 6, 2022) One week later, nothing has changed. The Ocean Pines Association’s hand recount of ballots and votes in the 2022 board of directors election yielded plenty of drama in recent weeks but in the end, directors Stephen Jacobs, Stuart Lakernick and Monica Rakowski retained their seats. The recount… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (Oct. 6, 2022) On the recommendation of the Ocean Pines Communications Committee, the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors last Saturday began discussing the installation of an electronic sign at North Gate. Committee liaison Steve Jacobs said that the committee has fielded two similar bids that differ only on some… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (Oct. 6, 2022) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors last Saturday grappled with the fallout from a misplaced rake head at the Ocean Pines Wastewater Treatment Plant that caused the county hundreds of thousands of dollars. Earlier this year, a county employee at the plant neglected to report that the… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (Sept. 29, 2022) Barely a month into the 2022-23 term of the Ocean Pines Association Board of Directors, questions of election integrity and accusations of a clandestine rendezvous of association officials, both employed and elected, are dogging the new administration. On Tuesday, the OPA announced a formal audit of the… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (Sept. 29, 2022) The Berlin Town Council elections are just five days away. Candidates have long been settled, though they were officially confirmed only recently. No write-in candidates filed before the Sept. 27 deadline, leaving only District 4 up for grabs, where incumbent Dean Burrell looks to fend off a… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (Sept. 26, 2022) Saturday meetings of the Ocean Pines Board of Directors are back and here to stay for the foreseeable future. About 30 people in person and another 50 online attended the 9 a.m. meeting in the Assateague Room in the Ocean Pines Community Center, a healthy-sized turnout that… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (Sept. 29, 2022) Numerous projects are completed, nearing completion, or ready to get underway, according to the latest report from Ocean Pines Association General Manager John Viola. Viola gave his monthly general manager’s report during Saturday’s Ocean Pines Board of Directors meeting and highlighted several projects. The $46,391 North Gate… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (Sept. 29, 2022) The Ocean Pines Board of Directors discussed the following at its Sept. 24 meeting: Treasurer’s report As of Aug. 31, the association had $18 million in cash: $15.1 million in Bank of Ocean City insured cash sweep (ICS account); $1.1 invested in Certificate of Deposit Account Registry… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (Sept. 29, 2022) Berlin is finally making moves to solve its police staffing issues. During the Monday meeting of the mayor and Town Council, Berlin’s elected leaders unanimously agreed to pursue a plan that addresses myriad concerns including salary increases, shift differentials, FICA and retirement, pay for field training officers… Read more »
By Jack Chavez, Staff Writer (Sept. 29, 2022) It could soon be that a $50 or $100 donation to the Berlin Fire Department will mean a cheaper ambulance ride for residents. After the regular council meeting on Monday, officials from the Berlin Fire Department briefed the mayor and Town Council on their new emergency response… Read more »