Page 42 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch January 3, 2014 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 2013 A Period Full Of Tragedy For Local Area Any sort of look back at 2013 would be incomplete without touching on the fact this year was arguably the most shockingly tragic on the local front in recent history. Of course, this is largely subjective and depends on the person or group recapping the year, but we believe this year certainly goes down as one of the most heartbreaking years we can recall. The year got off to an inauspicious start when two friends got into an argument inside an Ocean City bar and one man ended up dead and another facing manslaughter charges. The court process is still playing out, but the facts seem to confirm the death was simply a result of inebriation among good friends. From there, the year continued on a tragic turn with a number of unspeakable occurrences that will not soon be forgotten. There was the plane crash that killed two off-duty Ocean City police officers that occurred days before the city’s new police chief was to be sworn in. While the loss of the two officers left many in the department and community grieving, it was the unusual manner in which it occurred that will be remembered for some time. It happened on a warm and sunny June weekend afternoon and was witnessed by thousands of beach-goers. Video and photos of the crash were released online immediately and within an hour it was determined the occupants were well-known and admired off-duty police officers. There was the hit-and-run accident in Ocean City that forever changed the life of a young girl who was injured in the accident. The driver was apprehended quickly, but the girl and her family continue to struggle with recovery from the accident. There was the fatal accident on Route 113 that claimed the life of a local student, leading to a community group being formed and advocating for safety enhancement. Finally, there was the tragic church fire, which was intentionally orchestrated by a suicidal man. The fire killed the church’s beloved pastor and destroyed its rectory, which was home to a needy pantry. Along with these specific incidents, there was the major uptick in highprofile crimes that dominated the early part of the summer in Ocean City, including a shooting; the federal shutdown that impacted the area to a large degree; the rollout of the massive federal health care initiative that helped few and caused innumerable headaches for citizens; and an outraged Ocean City group that overturned a paid parking expansion. As we flip the calendar to 2014, it’s with hope that the area is spared the bad news that dominated the headlines in 2013 and that peace and good fortune come to this community. Between The Lines By Publisher/Editor Steve Green It’s that time of year to look into the crystal ball and make some predictions about the year ahead for the area. •After edging out Attorney General Doug Gansler in the June primary, Anthony Brown will be elected Maryland’s next governor in November. •Martin O’Malley will by year’s end have announced his intention to run for president in 2016. •Atlantic General Hospital’s bid for an exemption from the town’s stormwater fees by the court will be denied initially before being appealed to a higher court. •Former Ocean City Councilman Vince Gisriel will replace Louise Gulyas as Ocean City’s representative on the County Commission. •Incumbent Ocean City Council member Margaret Pillas will not seek re-election. •After flirting with a run at County Commissioner, Councilman Brent Ashley will seek re-election to the City Council. •Big political waves between the Town of Ocean City and the Worcester County Commission will be made when an effort is launched to create a separate West Ocean City Fire/EMS division. Ocean City officials will want it, while the county will not support it due to funding concerns. •A major snow storm will dump a foot of snow on the lower shore in February. •Three new faces will join the Worcester County Commission after the November election. •Ocean City will stop holding its annual Mayor and Council Open House every year and instead opt for every other year to encourage higher attendance. •One incumbent Worcester County Commissioner seeking re-election will be unseated. •The cost of a gallon of unleaded gasoline will stay above $3 all year but below $4. •News will break that a new Worcester County Humane Society shelter will be built on West Ocean City land donated by a local couple. The building will be constructed after a major fundraising campaign spearheaded by a sizable donation from local benefactors. •The Town of Berlin and the Berlin Fire Company will reach an agreement that will significantly increase current funding levels for the town’s EMS operation. •Salisbury will institute a new stormwater utility fee, and Wicomico County will seek an exemption for its schools located within municipal limits. •Despite a heavy outpouring of criticism online, Ocean City will use the same $50 fee approach for parking at the Inlet on the 4th of July. As was the case in 2013, the lot will again fill up before noon. •Three national chain restaurants will announce intentions to open on Route 50 in front of the Wal-Mart and Home Depot. •Once signs announcing the restaurants are erected, “Buy Local” supporters will stage a casual protest along Route 50. •Steven Taylor, former executive director of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and co-owner of Ayers Creek Adventures, will officially be named the new executive director of Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services. •For the second year in a row, there will be no tropical activity impacting Ocean City. •The Dew Tour will return to Ocean City the same weekend as 2013 – the third weekend in June. •The speed limit on the portion of Route 113 that runs through Berlin will not be reduced. •Crosswalks featuring countdown clocks will be added at two Berlin intersections – Route 113 and Old Ocean City Boulevard and Route 113 and Bay Street. •Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation will make news after an internal investigation finds a major uptick in unemployment fraud cases. The probe discovers that many people collecting unemployment are working “under the table” jobs while collecting jobless benefits. As a result, the state vows to add more investigators to the unemployment division to evaluate current claims. •A new iPhone 6 will be unveiled by Apple that can remotely start your car with a certain permission code. •After the county again rejects tax differential, Ocean City will discuss publicly the possibility of annexing a large portion of West Ocean City, including Route 50 west to Herring Creek and Route 611 south to Assateague Road. •A new tractor supply store will move into the old Ames storefront that has been vacant for years in the shopping center off Old Ocean City Boulevard. •Legislation will be introduced in Annapolis allowing Berlin to have a “to-go” liquor retail operation. •Maryland will add another dollar to the state’s cigarette tax. •The Casino at Ocean Downs will celebrate the opening of its expanded operation, including table games, in the middle of the summer. •An effort will be launched in Berlin to build a skate park on the old Tyson plant. No significant movement on the initiative will take place, but the Mayor and Council expresses support for it in general. •The Orioles will win the World Series next October in a seven-game series over the Dodgers. •In an odd low-scoring affair impacted heavily by gusting winds and freezing rain, the Seahawks will defeat the Patriots in the Super Bowl. 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 CHRIS PARYPA Photographer 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 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.