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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch
September 27, 2013
The Dispatch
Forever In Memory Of Our Founder, Dick Lohmeyer (May 25, 1927-May 5, 2005) The Dispatch, Serving Greater Ocean City Since 1984, Is Published By Maryland Coast Dispatch Inc. Weekly On Friday Mornings MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 467 Berlin, Md. 21811 PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd. Berlin, Md. 21811 PHONE: 410-641-4561 FAX: 410-641-0966 WEBSITES: www.mdcoastdispatch.com www.facebook.com/thedispatchoc J. STEVEN GREEN Publisher/Editor editor@mdcoastdispatch.com
HOW WE SEE IT
Big Picture Approach Helps With Comfort Station
City Engineer Terry McGean must be tired of talking about the new Caroline Street Comfort Station project and saying the same thing over and over again. The project has been a black eye for the town. There is no question about that. Because the project got off to a rough start and was never able to catch up to the agreed upon schedule, the city had no other choice but to bring in portable restrooms this summer. At one point, during the summer, Boardwalk merchants as well as pedestrians had to deal with a tremendous stench because the usage simply overwhelmed the portables. It was a debacle. Some changes in mid-summer were made that resulted in the situation becoming acceptable for the rest of the peak season, but the fact remains a resort like Ocean City should never have to utilize port-opotties of any kind on the Boardwalk. That was embarrassing to see within steps of the beach. The problem is the construction project quickly morphed into a nowin situation for all parties involved. The city looked incompetent and unable to enhance its infrastructure within a suitable time frame. The contractor also has been shamed by this job and failure to meet a deadline, but the city is the one ultimately held responsible. Visitors surely have the right to expect no major inconveniences in the summer, and businesses paying top dollar rents should also not have to deal with constant construction in the peak season as well as the negatives associated with the temporary restroom facilities. While the sting of this embarrassment is still fresh, McGean is right when he maintains the project has been difficult but quality cannot be sacrificed in the face of what everyone wants – the project to be completed in a timely fashion and for the infrastructure to be enhanced. “They [contractor] are working as fast as they can,” McGean said in August. “I don’t want to sacrifice the quality of the building to rush it. The famous philosophy is everyone may be upset right now with it opening late but three years from now nobody will remember it opened late but if the quality is bad that will still show. We want to make sure it is done as quickly as possible but we also want to make sure it is done right.” Unquestionably, this project will result in an improvement on the Caroline Street site. The old, sunken restrooms had to go and the new mixed-use capability of its replacement will be a nice addition to the Boardwalk. Come next summer, when the new building is erected and residents and visitors get to see the tremendous enhancement, the project delays and headaches will be forgotten. It’s just a shame it took so long and was a nightmare project that influenced business and visitor experiences this summer.
NEWS DEPARTMENT
SHAWN J. SOPER News Editor Sports Editor
ssoper@mdcoastdispatch.com
JOANNE SHRINER Staff Writer
joanne@mdcoastdispatch.com
TRAVIS BROWN Staff Writer
travis@mdcoastdispatch.com
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Educational Article On Bats A Better Course
Editor: I am writing in regard to the Worcester County Health Department’s article alerting readers of the danger of bats in their homes. While the intentions of the article mean well, the misrepresentation of the information will most likely conjure negative results. Bats seek different places for shelter and warmth during breeding and migration, which is why it is not uncommon or alarming to find one in an attic, barn, or other human structure. Bats, like many other mammals, such as raccoons and cats may be rabid. But a study by University of Calgary researchers has confirmed that bats “are not as disease-ridden as the stigma suggests.” Researchers sent 217 carcasses to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) and reviewed literature on reported rabies in bats in North America covering the past 56 years (totaling 65,096 bats). Test results and research determined the rate of rabies in bats is less than one percent. While the most common source of rabies in humans is generated from bats, the CDCP states that the disease is rare in the United States, with only one-two cases per year (as of 2011). In fact, the Worcester County Health Department website states that since 2009, only one bat was confirmed as having tested positive for rabies. As a general rule, the human populace should refrain from interaction with estranged animals of any sort, for their own personal protection. However, most people are unaware of the critical role bats play in our ecosystem. Over 300 species of fruit depend on them for pollination and some bats consume half their weight in insects each day, thus keeping flies out of YOUR Cheerios. Other bat species eat small animals, such as rodents, and ones not found locally, eat fruit and nectar. The infamous blood-sucking vampire bats, glorified by cinema, are found in South America, not on the Eastern Shore. Harsh human reactions, habitat destruction and white-nose syndrome, a disease caused by fungus in caves, have caused bat populations to decline at an alarming rate. Similar to snakes, bats have been given a poor reputation and my personal experience confirms this mistaken perception often results in unnecessary deaths of these species. Not to discredit the Worcester County Health Department’s “alert” for informing people to take precautions when exposed to potentially dangerous animals, but if an article is published to the general public, information needs to be conveyed in a way where it provides education rather than instilling a false fear. Hopefully, the information provided will help locals proceed rationally if encountering a bat in their daily routine. If this occurs, a private animal control business may be contacted to humanely remove the animal. Tracy Marie Ocean Pines made me feel like a part of the family. Granville Trimper was not only a stern businessman, but a compassionate family man, and I have the utmost respect for him and I'm very fortunate to have known him and although saying "thank you" will never show my gratitude, I need to say "thank you" to him and his family. I also want to thank everyone I worked with and met at the Ocean City Recreation Department, the Ocean Pines Camera Club, all the surfers and high school athletes who allowed me to "practice" sports photography with them as my subjects and anyone else whose path may have crossed mine over the years. Not everyone can say they've had nothing but great memories in a place they are leaving, but I can say that and for that I say "Thank you, Ocean City" and farewell. Bernie Walls Ocean City
SALES DEPARTMENT
TERRI FRENCH Account Executive Entertainment Editor
terri@mdcoastdispatch.com
JEANETTE DESKIEWICZ Account Executive
jeanette@mdcoastdispatch.com
MANETTE CRAMER Account Executive
manette@mdcoastdispatch.com
ART DEPARTMENT
CINDY WARD Art Director
art@mdcoastdispatch.com
JENNIFER T. O’BRIEN Graphic Artist COLE GIBSON Graphic Artist Webmaster
BUSINESS OFFICE
PAMELA GREEN Bookkeeper Classifieds Manager
classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com
Bat Story Alarming
Editor: I was a little haunted in regard to the Worcester County bat alert posted last week. The statistics stated were far more alarming than it needed to be. Bats, like many other species are migrating this time of year. Since Ocean City offer’s little in the way of natural habitat, bats tend to find a daytime resting spots in the eaves of a home, condo or hotel unit. And sometimes, unfortunately, they wind up inside, not by choice. Yes, bats like many other mammals can carry rabies. But let’s just point out some facts here. In Worcester County, from 2009 to 2012, we had no rabid bats. This year there was one. The county has a great website which documents that SEE NEXT PAGE
The Maryland Coast Dispatch (USPS #015125) is an official and legal newspaper for Worcester County. Periodical postage paid at Berlin, Maryland, and additional mailing offices.. The Maryland Coast Dispatch, 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin, Md. 21811, is published weekly on Friday mornings, 52 weeks a year. Subscription rates are $75 per year, $55 for six months. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Maryland Coast Dispatch, P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Maryland 21811. Maryland Coast Dispatch offices are located at Route 346 and Graham Avenue, Berlin, Maryland.
Local Moving On
Editor: I've lived in Ocean City for nearly half my life and it's hard to believe it's time to move on, but it is. I've had the pleasure of working in an iconic family-owned Ocean City business and that being Trimper’s. The Trimper family has always treated me with respect and
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