Page 44 FROM PAGE 43 Cruisin really is. I paid the ticket. I could have gone to court but should I take off a day of work for $15? It's October and I was just trying to support our local businesses. You cannot convince me that the person that wrote that ticket was not watching from a dry, wind-free spot and got me two minutes after I parked there. Really? I know they were doing their job, but the rudeness at 65th Street and the discrepancies of the sign on the machine and the paper at Public Works and the lack of dates on it. Not everyone knows when Cruisin is especially in a horrible storm when none of the Cruisers are out and about. Thanks for reading. Jean Keagle Ocean City The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch October 18, 2013 In 2011, the OCVFC completed construction of our much-needed replacement of Station 5 on Keyser Point Road in West Ocean City. From that station, we service both Ocean City and Worcester County. No Worcester County funds were used for this construction, and the OCVFC is burdened with the 30year mortgage. Obviously, as part of construction, we desired domestic water for station functions and to replace water used by our fire apparatus during operations. To obtain this needed water, the OCVFC agreed to pay to extend the existing waterline from the north entrance of Oyster Harbour to Station 5 to provide for the domestic water service. We understood that this would be at our expense and have already paid the cost of $192,171. At that time, we also paid the additional cost of $59,134 to add the tees, fire hydrants and gate valves, with the expectation that we would be reimbursed by Worcester County because of this increased infrastructure – mostly for Worcester County. Since that time, to our dismay, Worcester County has decided to classify the OCVFC as a “contractor” and that the additional cost for the infrastructure was no different than if a developer was adding homes or new roads. We disagree with this decision. Unlike a contractor or developer, we will never have the opportunity to recoup any of the monies spent to provide the additional infrastructure. After all, a developer or contractor would pass such an expense onto the homeowner when they tied SEE NEXT PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR coverage. The article in this past issue of The Dispatch mentioned that I voted against the project again. I would like to give you more information regarding my concerns for this project. First, I would love to see this site redeveloped as much as anyone. This area is not a good first impression for people coming to Berlin for the first time. It is a major entrance into our town. It is depressing to see the empty Tyson plant and this shabby parking lot sitting unused. Redeveloping this area is greatly needed. My concerns lie not only with the large building size for the site, but more importantly, with locating a daycare facility in such an industrialized area. The site is next to railroad tracks, next to the grainery and on the busy Old Ocean City Blvd. The grainery towers are not only a ugly visual element but are considered a high hazardous use due to grain dust explosions. The Eastern Shore is a great place to raise kids and Berlin is a fantastic town. Carmella has a good reputation for doing great stuff with the kids. I think that the project would be a great improvement for the site, but I have a hard time with putting daycare in this location. The play area is next to the railroad and the grainery will loom over the facility. If I were a parent with small children, I would prefer to have a daycare facility located in a nicer and greener location for my kids. Barbara J. Stack Berlin (The writer is a member of the Berlin Planning Commision.) Berlin Commissioner Explains No Vote Editor: The Berlin Activities Depot project was submitted to the Berlin Planning Commission this month with an improved building design and slightly reduced building size/lot Volunteers Disapppointed With County’s Position Editor: We write to clarify a long-stand misunderstanding between the Worcester County Commissioners and the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company (OCVFC). HUMANE SOCIETY DINNER NOV. 1 Ocean City-Worcester County Humane Society 6 p.m.-10 p.m. Adolfo’s On The Ocean 13th Street And The Boardwalk In The Beach Plaza Hotel Appetizers From 6-7 p.m. Pasta Bar Buffet From 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. includes salad, fresh-baked rolls, three types of pasta, four homemade sauces, baked Italian spinach, fresh vegetable medley and homemade desserts Music By Full Circle Happy Hour Prices 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Silent Auction • Live Auction Raffle Tickets Pet Photo Contest TICKETS $30 PER PERSON Includes Everything For More Information Or To Purchase Tickets, Call 410-202-6769, 410-524-9177 Or Adolfo’s, 410-289-4001