December 13, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 43 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM PAGE 42 spirit to all those observing the parades. I would like to thank everyone from the Public Works Department, who provides us with the judge’s stand, bleachers and the P.A. system. A special thanks to the Ocean City Police Department for its work in seeing that the traffic runs smoothly on Coastal Highway when the parade is taking place. A special thanks goes out to Doug Cymek and his volunteers who coordinate the line-up, start the parade and see that it flows smoothly. This is no easy task, believe me. Thanks to Milton Warren at Delmarva Two-Way Radio who has graciously provided us with use of his radios during the parade. Thanks go out to Hitman for being our MC this year. The Christmas parade is a professionally judged parade. Thank you to the National Judges Association for sending three talented professional judges. I thank the Gold Coast Mall Merchants Association for its continued support and for providing all the funds for this parade. I thank the community and news media for its interest and involvement. All this blends together into an enjoyable first Saturday in December in the resort when all enjoy the Ocean City Christmas Parade. Elaine V. Jarvis Ocean City (The writer is the parade coordinator.) with their grandchildren, and wanted to know about certain battles where they had lost loved ones. Since Bob had been in every battle in Europe, he could tell then in detail what had happened. Before long both Bob and the person who asked would be crying. Afterwards, they would shake his hand and thank him for his service and information. Those who had a grandchild with them the grandchild would also shake his hand and thank him for his service. You could see the joy in Bob's eyes. Bob, you'll be surely missed but never forgotten. Those of us who have known you knew we were in the presence of a patriot and good person who served our country with honor and continued to serve thoughout his life worthy causes. Surely if there is a God and a Heaven you will be rewarded with a very special place of honor. I know you'll always hold a special place in my heart. Rest in peace, my friend. Paul St. Andre Ocean City Between The Lines By Publisher/Editor Steve Green The political winds are blowing and it’s official election season is upon us. It’s actually been in full swing for some time, but once the holidays are over and the calendar flips to 2014, it’s going to be a mad sprint to the June 24 primary for many candidates. The biggest news this week was not unexpected. Senator Jim Mathias expressed his intention to seek his third term in the State Senate. He will be looking to extend his undefeated election streak that dates back to his start on the Ocean City Council in 1990. Although there may be other entries in the race, Mathias at present will square off with Delegate Republican Mike McDermott, who was obviously targeted by the state’s Democratic leadership when legislative boundaries were redrawn earlier this year, pitting him against an ally in the new district. Mathias and McDermott are a study in contrast, and it will be interesting to see how the lower shore weighs in. Mathias, a Democrat, leans toward the moderate status, while McDermott does not mix words about his hard right, conservative beliefs On the Worcester County Commissioner front, Commission President Bud Church has already announced at events he will be seeking re-election in District 3, which includes West Ocean City and parts of Berlin. Church ran unopposed in the 2010 election. Word he will seek re-election squelches earlier rumors that he was mulling a House of Delegates run, although he has repeatedly said in the past he has no higher elected office aspirations. Commission Vice President Merrill Lockfaw has filed for his second term in District 1 (Pocomoke area). District 2 is expected to be open to newcomers for the first time ever, as long-time Commissioner Jim Purnell is reportedly leaning toward stepping away from politics after more than 16 years as the county’s minority-designated representative. In the western District 4, incumbent Virgil Shockley will probably run for his seat again, but the reliable word is he is being wooed for potential state agriculture posts by gubernatorial candidates. I expect to see him file for re-election, but his future might be more dependent on the governor’s election than what takes place on the micro-local front. District 5 (South Ocean Pines) will see a large field due to incumbent Judy Boggs retiring. Two candidates have already come forward, but early indications are this will be a crowded field with the primary being pivotal in sorting out who will advance to the November General Election. District 6 will see a Republican primary rematch in June involving incumbent Jim Bunting against former Commissioner Linda Busick. I hear at least one other well-known Republican might enter the fray. If that happens, it could be tight, but time will tell here. Besides District 5, the most compelling race will be in District 7, which includes all of Ocean City. Commissioner Louise Gulyas, who has been in office since 1998, has privately confirmed she will not be running again, sources maintain. I expect a few well-known resort residents to vie for this seat as a result. Based off the Facebook goof a couple months ago when his Ocean City page was inadvertently altered to a County Commission reference for a short time, Councilman Joe Mitrecic seems like a certainty to seek the seat. Even in saying he had nothing to do with his election page being changed, he made it clear he is at least considering a run at the county post. It would make sense because he would have a free shot at the seat. Even if he lost, he could stay on the City Council because he will be in the middle of his term. He will not be alone in seeking the seat, and I expect familiar names on both party sides to get in the mix. It’s going to be a fun election season to follow on several fronts. Questions about the motive behind the suicidal man who set himself ablaze and walked into the rectory of the St. Paul’s by the Sea Episcopal Church were cleared up somewhat this week. It appears he wanted to inflict damage on the rectory and kill those within. That’s not a shocking conclusion, but it just underscores how mentally ill the man was and how his well-documented addiction issues made matters even worse. Speaking to News Editor Shawn Soper from her hospital bed, Dana Truitt, who came into contact with the man inside the rectory and was able to escape with major injuries, was able to provide some insight into how it all went down back on Nov. 26. “When I looked outside, I saw the guy set himself on fire. He came in and said to me ‘you’re not getting outside’ and ‘you’re not leaving and you’re not getting out of here alive.’ I said ‘yes, I am’ and I fought my way by him. I got outside and that’s how I survived it,” Truitt said. “He was able to grab my right side. He grabbed me and said ‘you’re not going anywhere’ and I said ‘you watch me.’ That’s what I did. I pushed by him and I got back outside and the first thing I did was start to take my clothes off because I knew I wouldn’t live and I didn’t have any choice but to take my clothes off.” Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. That’s how Berlin should take word that Salisbury is introducing a free New Year’s Eve ball drop celebration, featuring live music as well as a disc jockey and off-site alcohol sales. Three years ago, Berlin held its first ball drop celebration and it has grown each year since. “For the community to have a chance to celebrate a New Year’s Eve in Downtown Salisbury is an incredible leap forward. A new generation of leaders is emerging that will take the downtown to even greater heights. I plan to be there for the ball drop, and will take every opportunity to invite the public to be a part of NYE Salisbury,” said Mayor Jim Ireton in a press release. “I encourage our community to send a clear message with this event: The ’Bury is the Place to Be on NYE.” Winterfest Support Editor: I would like to respond to the letter from Marie Fisher in last Friday's publication. While, on balance, she seemed to appreciate our city's Winterfest of Lights festival, she expressed her displeasure over the religious displays included in the festival. She cites the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment Establishment Clause as the reason those displays should not be included and suggests that their inclusion is the Mayor and City Council's as well as the Ocean City Department of Parks and Recreation's attempt to favor particular religious beliefs (translated Christian) over any other religious belief. In her mind, all Winterfest displays should be secular in nature. Fair enough, as Ms. Fisher is certainly entitled to her opinion. However, there is another part to the Establishment Clause – the right to free exercise of one's religious beliefs. The clause in its totality forbade Congress to establish a "national" religion and also forbade it from excluding the practice of any particular religion. I would suggest to Ms. Fisher and those who share her feelings to not go to Winterfest if any one of its displays may insult them in any way or if they absolutely must go, but don't like the religious displays, ignore them. To our Mayor, City Council and the Ocean City Department of Parks and Recreation, keep all the displays as they are, period. From someone who grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and spent a 30year career there, I suggest the "inside the Beltway mentality" be kept inside the Beltway and not brought to Ocean City. Gail Schuler Ocean City Saluting The Colonel Editor: On Sunday, Dec. 8, there was a memorial service at the First Presbyterian Church to honor a World War II veteran and good friend: Colonel Robert Brenner Jr. Many people in this town probably have met Bob at some time in their lives. I met him at the Post Office one day when he was getting his wheelchair out of his car. I offered to help and from that first meeting we met often at the Post Office and spent a lot of time talking and over time became close friends. I told Bob about our "Tea Party" trips to Washington to have our voices heard. He was interested but was concerned because he needed his wheelchair to get around. I let him know that I would push him around wherever we went.It turned out to be a benefit for me because every rally we went to we got right up to the front row. All I needed to do was call out "make way for the Colonel." Everyone would step aside and let us through. All the speakers, after finishing their presentation, would come over to Bob and shake his hand. I, of course, had the good fortune to get up close to some very special people. The best event, however, was our rally on Sept. 12, 2009. There were over two million people in attendance. By the time our bus arrived, there was already over one million people present. We were some distance from the center stage and Bob, with his World War II Veterans cap on and my sign in his lap, had the opportunity to meet many people. Many came up to him, Ministry Needs Help Editor: On Nov. 26, 2013, the tragic fire SEE PAGE 45