September 6, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 7 BFCRallying For Funding Support By TRAVIS BROWN STAFF WRITER Open 7 Days BERLIN – After more than a year in limbo, town funding to the Berlin Fire Company (BFC) is expected to soon be restored but at what level is the question. The BFC is asking residents to turn out in force as a show of support. However, a display of solidarity will not affect the level of funding that the Town Council decides to restore, said Mayor Gee Williams, who confirmed that the number will be lower than years past. The BFC sent out a letter to residents requesting their presence at the upcoming Sept. 9 town meeting when a vote on funding is expected. “The current financial situation caused by the Mayor and Council’s defunding of the fire company and emergency medical services effective July 1, 2012 has left the fire company reviewing its ability to continue to perform safely, effectively, and efficiently its fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to the residents of the town of Berlin,” the letter read. “Of paramount importance is the protection of your life and property, but also the safety of the volunteer members. The fire company is unable to plan its future public safety and business operations due to the uncertainty of the financial support from the Town of Berlin.” The town yanked roughly $600,000 in funding from the BFC last summer, due to a dispute over scheduling issues and claims of employee harassment, allegations the company has denied. It’s been a difficult year without that funding, according to the BFC. The agency responded to 614 fire calls since 2012, with 41 percent being in town as well as 2,603 EMS calls with 58 percent in town. Volunteer members have contributed roughly 15,108 hours without compensation in 2012 and the BFC has maintained a host of emergency vehicles. All of these services require funding, noted the BFC letter, warning that if the council restores less than the approximately $600,000 withdrawn last year it could impact service. “If our requested level of funding is not restored, the Mayor and Council will force us to consider which items to sacrifice. Is it the safety of our members? Is it the 24-hour paramedic level ambulance crew?” the letter read. “It is our plea to the Mayor and Council that we not have to make these hard decisions due to their funding reductions.” But the company will likely need to make some sacrifices with their budget, said Williams, as the council anticipates restoring a lower funding amount. “It’ll be less than full funding and we’ve informed the fire company of that,” said the mayor. No matter how many residents respond to the fire company’s letter SEE PAGE 22 410-524-1111 • OCJIVE.COM OPEN 7 DAYS AT 4 P.M. Entertainment Friday, Saturday & Sunday 8 p.m.-Midnight Friday Introducing: Coletta Renee First OC Performance Saturday: Raucous Brothers Tuesday: Jive Closed For Private Function OPEN EVERY DAY AT 4 P.M. RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED CALL 410-524-8202 OR BOOK ONLINE: WWW.OCFRESCOS.COM 82ND ST. & COASTAL HWY., OCEAN CITY FOOTBALL READY? We Are, so make us your Football Headquarters! ☛✬✧✤✺ 10pm-2am JJ THE DJ $6 Jager Bomb Try our JAGER SHOT SKI! $2.50 22oz. Keep The Cup Miller Lt., Bud Lt., Coors Lt. $6 3 Olives Bombs & $5 3 Olives RAVEN 75¢ Wings (min. 8) $6 each Jerk Chicken Tenders OR 4 Cheeseburger OR 4 Pulled Pork Sliders APPAREL SHOPS 20% Up To 60% OFF! 10pm-2am DJ WOOD $4 Smirnoff Flavors $2 Miller Lt. Drafts ✬✯✵¤✠✤✱✦5¤✔✤✶✺ ✗✤✶✷✧✤✺ ✛5✧✱5✵✧✤✺✵¤✛✬✶✫¤✛✝✜q 10pm-2am $3 Fireballs & $1.50 Natural Light Cans ALL Day Specials $5 Crushes Orange, Grapefruit & Lemon + FOOTBALL SPECIALS ✗✷✱✧✤✺ ❁✼ ✘✚✵¤ ✽❂¤✠✤✩✶¤✞55✵ ✟✤✺❆✷✶ ¤ ✏✬✧✵¤✑5✱✷¤ ✑✠¤❚✲✶✶5✺❉¤✏5✱✲¤x¤✑✲5 ✘✫✷✵✧✤✺✵ 10pm-2am “ ✍✱¤✲✷¤✍✱✧✷✵✶✺“ $3.50 Fireballs + FOOTBALL SPECIALS! 116th St. & Coastal Hwy., OC, MD 21842 10pm-2am DJ SIREN ✑✲✱✧✤✺ 10pm-2am $8 Malibu Buckets + FOOTBALL SPECIALS Golfers, Baseball Fans & All Sports Fanatics The Turtle! HAPPY HOUR MONDAY-FRIDAY 4-7PM $1.85 Domestic Drafts $2.15 Domestic Bottles $2.25 Rail Drinks $5 Crushes ✘✷5✵✧✤✺ 410-723-2120 thegreeneturtle.com gtoc@thegreeneturtle.com facebook.com/originalgreeneturtle