By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) In a trio of unanimous votes, the Ocean Pines Board on Tuesday agreed to expedite plans to expand the community police station, while also further complicating a convoluted situation at the golf and country club. For the police station, Director Frank Daly proposed directing General Manager John Bailey… Read more »
News
Latest budget draft shows assessment hike
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) General Manager John Bailey on Saturday introduced a proposed fiscal 2020 budget that would raise the basic annual assessment $31, or about 3.3 percent, to $982. Last Monday, Bailey proposed a budget that would have kept assessments flat, but that was changed after three days of public hearings… Read more »
Mailing announces closing of Bay Club golf course
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) A letter emailed to Bay Club golf course members last Friday and sent via regular mail Monday announced the course would close at the end of the month. It is unknown at this time what will become of the property. Michelle DiFebo Freeman, president of the Carl M…. Read more »
Gazette Editorial: If you build it, they will come … to Berlin
The Town of Berlin has its hands full … of ideas … again. This time they involve the possibility of two projects that, if the town can pull them off, would make Berlin’s continuing reinvention of itself even more remarkable. If Berlin were to land a YMCA facility at Berlin Falls park, that would, in… Read more »
Bratten named Berlin’s 2018 top cop; others also honored
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) Berlin Police Department Pfc. Gary Bratten was named Police Officer of the Year and several members of the department were recognized recently for their service, according to Police Chief Arnold Downing. Speaking during a Town Council meeting Monday, Downing said Bratten led the Berlin Police Department in warnings,… Read more »
Board of director application gets slight modification
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) Ocean Pines Board of Directors candidates this year will see a slightly modified version of the application form each is required to complete. Director Colette Horn, who, as the association secretary, verifies candidate eligibility, said many of the alterations were made for ease of use and because she’s… Read more »
Declarations and country club in referendum mix
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) A few eyebrows were raised last Monday, when General Manager John Bailey publicly said the proposed 2020 general administration budget included a $10,000 increase for a potential referendum. “That remains to be seen whether or not that would take place, but there certainly has been a lot… Read more »
Election committee seeks fifth member
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) The Ocean Pines Elections Committee is seeking a fifth member following the recent departure of committee member Rick Turner. Chairman Steve Habeger on Friday said Turner had to leave the committee because he moved out of Ocean Pines. Up to five members are permitted in the committee. The… Read more »
Board wants bulkhead, road, drainage plans
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Jan. 17, 2019) A reoccurring topic of discussion emerged during the start of Ocean Pines Board budget hearings Monday, as several directors said they wanted to see five-year plans when considering how much to spend and how much to set aside for bulkhead, drainage and road repair programs. Board members also… Read more »
Extra fish pieces? Time to make fish bites
By Paul Suplee Few things can be more therapeutic to a chef than cleaning fish. Granted, a week in Costa Rica may indeed be a close second, but you get the idea. No, wait; a week in Costa Rica is a much better option, improved greatly by cleaning some fish that you just caught. Alright,… Read more »