The continuing conflict between volunteer fire companies and local governments is not unlike an inextinguishable coal-seam fire — they smolder below the surface for years before the general pop- ulation becomes aware of it. In both cases, friction can be the cause, as, in the case of these sub-surface coal fires, subterranean rocks grind back… Read more »
News
Viola: ‘lessons learned’ from historic losses
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Aug. 23, 2018) The numbers themselves were far from encouraging, but Ocean Pines Treasurer and Budget and Finance Committee Chairman John Viola was well received following a thorough financial presentation given at the association’s Aug. 11 annual meeting. Viola said total operating losses in fiscal 2018 were $1.247 million. He said… Read more »
Statement from BFC President David Fitzgerald
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Aug. 23, 2018) Berlin Fire Company President David Fitzgerald on Tuesday evening emailed a statement to the press on behalf of the organization. Fitzgerald was responding to an earlier statement from Mayor Gee Williams, which said talks on a new contract had stalled because the town was waiting for specific… Read more »
‘SEARCH’ assists developmentally disabled
By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer (Aug. 23, 2018) Project SEARCH has been established at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin for students with disabilities to receive job experience while completing high school courses. Project SEARCH is a high school transition program, with more than 500 locations in the U.S. and in 10 countries, whose primary objective is… Read more »
Berlin briefs
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Aug. 23, 2018) The Berlin Mayor and Council discussed the following items last Monday during a public meeting at Town Hall: Appointments The council unanimously accepted several appointments to town boards, commissions and committees as proposed by Mayor Gee Williams. Bob Palladino, a new appointment, joins the board of zoning appeals…. Read more »
Peters receives fond farewell from town staff
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Aug. 23, 2018) For 45 years, Geneva Peters worked as the utility billing supervisor in the finance department for the Town of Berlin. Last Wednesday afternoon, dozens of town workers and elected officials gathered to toast her retirement with a massive banana walnut cake – her favorite – gifts from several… Read more »
Parks, Bailey give annual reports
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Aug. 23, 2018) Wrapping up about 90 minutes of presentations during the Aug. 11 Ocean Pines annual meeting in the community center were overviews of the previous fiscal year from Association President Doug Parks and General Manager John Bailey. Parks, in his opening remarks, said the board this year “had the… Read more »
Ocean Pines elects new officers
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Aug. 23, 2018) Doug Parks will remain president of the Ocean Pines Association, following a 5-2 vote Sunday during the board of directors’ organizational meeting held annually after each election. It is the first time since 2013 an association president was elected during two consecutive organizational meetings. “Just wanted to share… Read more »
Pines Board orientation mtg to include tours of facilities
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Aug. 23, 2018) The newly formed Ocean Pines Board of Directors appears to favor early starts, with two upcoming meetings scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. They include an Aug. 24 orientation meeting and a Sept. 1 work session, both scheduled to occur at the Ocean Pines Community Center on 235… Read more »
Berlin’s Timmons to migrate south, to Florida
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Aug. 23, 2018) Sharon Timmons, administrative assistant in the Town of Berlin Economic Development Department, is leaving her position on Oct. 19 and heading south, to Myrtle Beach, Florida. Timmons, 58, is originally from Salisbury. She moved to Berlin with her husband, Steve, 25 years ago and started working for the… Read more »