OCEAN CITY – The town of Ocean City paid tribute to four employees who have recently retired at the Oct. 12 work session. The Mayor and City Council recognized each employee with a proclamation.
Lance E. Collins retired July 31 after 26 years of service as a Firefighter/Paramedic in the career division of the Ocean City Fire Department. He was a shift leader. Collins joined the Town full time on July 23, 1984, and prior to that served in a part-time capacity beginning in 1983. Collins was certified as a Maryland EMT, a Maryland Cardiac Rescue Technician, and a Nationally Registered Paramedic. He completed the Paramedic Certificate program at Anne Arundel Community College along with several Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute firefighter training courses.
Rosemary Sample retires on Oct. 31 after 34 years of service. She began her career with the Town as a clerk in the police department. She was promoted to records/personnel supervisor in the police department before becoming the department’s Human Resources Coordinator. She attended numerous seminars and training courses. Prior to joining the Town, Sample worked for the District Court of Maryland, the Division of Unemployment Insurance and W.T. Grant Company. During her service in the Ocean City Police Department, Sample received many awards and certificates, including the Chief’s Award of Excellence.
Linda Marie Hilliard retires on October 31 after 30 years of service in the Records Division of the Ocean City Police Department. Linda holds an associate degree in business from Wor-Wic Technical Community College. Prior to joining the Town, Hilliard worked at Candy Kitchen, several hotels and restaurants, Ames Department Store and Roses. She earned many awards and citations for office duties, including a trip for two to Williamsburg for having the most thank you letters for service mailed into the department.
Blair T. George, with 26 years of service, retires on October 31 as a Sergeant in the Ocean City Police Department. Sgt. George joined the Town’s police force in 1984. He was promoted to private first class in 1997 and sergeant in 2004. He served as an acting lieutenant in 2004 and 2006. He holds a criminal justice degree from Wor-Wic Community College. During his career he served as a field training officer, honor guard and diversity recruitment coordinator. Sgt. George has served as shift supervisor and he served on the Patrol Division, Boardwalk Section and Services Division. He received 12 Departmental Commendations for outstanding service in the line of duty.
In addition to the four employees recognized by the Mayor and Council at the Tuesday work session, 12 employees have retired in recent months or will retire soon.
John H. Fisher (Jack) retired May 31 after 25 years of service as a Firefighter/Paramedic in the career division of the Ocean City Fire Department. Fisher joined the Town on February 4, 1985. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Salisbury State College. He is both a Nationally Registered Paramedic and a Maryland Licensed Paramedic. During his career he participated in extensive firefighter training. He served four years with the United States Marine Corps and was a combat veteran in the Vietnam War.
Gerry Blake retires on November 4 after 19 years of full-time service to the Town. She was a seasonal employee for two years prior to becoming a full-time employee in the Records Division of the Ocean City Police Department. She served as a Records Technician.
Other recent retirees are George (Ken) Braniecki, Firefighter/EMT IV, with 27 years of service; Thomas Kane, Firefighter/EMS Lieutenant, 31 years; Keith Long, Firefighter/EMS 2nd Lieutenant, 31 years; David Williams, Firefighter/EMT IV, 20 years; Carol Jacobs, City Clerk, 34 years; Richard (Buzzy) Bayles, Emergency Management Planner II, 16 years; Bettie Hall, Accountant, 24 years; Rich Mason, License Inspector, 12 years; John Rigoulot, Police Lieutenant, 31 years and Woodrow Shockley, Solid Waste Manager, 39 years, Kendra Paulman, Tourism, 18 years and Gail Weldin, Information Technology, 16 years.
Combined, these employees had 459 years of service to the Town of Ocean City.