Readers' Forum

Editor,
Congratulations Berlin! Wednesday night, a standing-room crowd of Berliners showed up for Berlin’s future. This second well-attended comprehensive plan meeting was designed to create a shared vision for Berlin. The town’s consultants got the ball rolling with the crowd broken into smaller groups with everyone given a chance to talk about historic preservation, mixed-use development and town services. Time ran short on development issues.

This was a good start. While some important issues were handled, it’s my hope that the meat of Berlin’s future — growth policy and urban design principles — can be given full public consideration. A fleshed-out, shared vision on growth and urban design will smooth the planning process and future project reviews. We heard conflicting views in all the groups, but this process is a way to find the middle ground that we can support and use to make a better Berlin.

The people of Berlin have begun to speak. The elected and appointed officials who did attend showed their support for this important public communication. This was truly an example of government of the people and by the people. Keep up the good work, Berlin.

Editor,
I am writing this letter to you to inform you of what happened this past weekend in Ocean City. My husband and I took my 16-year-old daughter and a few friends to Ocean City for her birthday. We had a reservation for two adjoining rooms. The hotel was very full and by the time we checked in, had no adjoining rooms left. This was very upsetting to me, but we had to take what was left. The best they could do was the same floor. 

After unpacking and getting something to eat, it was still upsetting to me. I went back to the front desk and, with the manager’s approval, we moved to an adjoining room.  Somehow, there were suddenly two adjoining rooms. 

We all transferred our belongings to the new rooms. I felt much better about the situation.
The next day, at approximately 12:30 p.m., I heard voices outside our door. I opened the door and saw a man standing in the doorway of my daughter’s room. I immediately went to check this out. As I walked over, the man was walking away. I asked him what he was doing and he said that he was looking for the lobby. I told him the lobby would not be on the sixth floor.

I then started yelling at my daughter for opening the door for a stranger. My daughter and her friends said they didn’t open the door. They said [the man had] watched them at the pool while [they were] swimming and then followed them onto the elevator. They said that right when the elevator door was shutting, he put his arm in to open the doors. He did not push any buttons to any floor. He then followed them out of the elevator to their room. When they went to shut the door, he caught it with his hand, keeping it open, and asked them where the lobby is. He asked them to draw him a map. This is when I heard the talking and came out. 

I informed my husband (an off-duty police officer) of what had happened and he went after the man and reported this to the front desk. The employees of the hotel were all looking for this man. After 10 minutes, they found him leaving the hotel. The police arrived and questioned the man, who had several different stories. Come to find out, this man had an extensive record. In the man’s backpack, they found a ski mask and a beanie hat.

The man could not be arrested because no crime was committed. If the hotel had a No Trespassing sign, then maybe they could have arrested the man. 

For the rest of the weekend, we left the inner door open. Fortunately, this bad person did not get what he set out for. May this be a warning or a reminder to all families … you can never be too careful! I hate to think what could have happened if they were not in the next room. What would have happened if I didn’t look out my door? Who needs a ski mask in May?

Editor,
April 14-19 was National Library Week with the theme, “Join the circle of knowledge @ your local library.” All the libraries celebrated with special events. Here, at the Ocean Pines branch, we offered online tutorials … twice a day to encourage and assist patrons with the use of our recently enhanced library catalog.

Along with our regular scheduled events — Lap Time for children 2 and younger, computer training, foreign policy discussion group, storytime for children ages 3-6 and the Third Friday Teen Movie — our patrons enjoyed special programs: Dr. Melvin Goodman speaking on American National Security After Iraq; Cooking with Chef Dahl, which included samples for all from the delicious meals he created; Vicki Todd of the Bead Creation Station demonstrating glass bead blowing; and for children and teens, a Chocolate Festival with chocolate to eat and games to play.

A special thank you to our circle of business friends — Adkins Company of Ocean Pines, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Classic Baskets, LLC, DeNovo’s, Crab’n Cruz, Friends of the Ocean Pines Library, Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Kitty’s Flowers, Panera Bread, A Novel Idea, Pine Shore Golf, Robin Walter Salon and Day Spa and Woobie’s Pizza & Subs — for generous donations for our patron appreciation drawing.

Many thanks to all our friends for their support in helping make this a successful event, and for giving us the opportunity to promote the library as the “in” place to reward your mind.

ditor,
The last couple of weeks, I have witnessed two extraordinary events that demonstrate the kind of community that we are fortunate enough to live in.

On April 11, the Believe in Tomorrow’s House by the Sea held its 7th annual Gala by the Sea fundraiser. Even with a struggling economy, people showed their support for our program. Due to everyone’s generosity, we were able to raise a substantial amount of money to benefit some very special children.

The second act of kindness was shown to a terminally ill 4 1/2-year-old, who wanted to go to Disney World one more time. The “angels” at Hooper’s Crab House opened their doors and everyone walked in to raise more than $10,000 to benefit this wonderful family.

I usually do not write into newspapers because everything is so negative and disturbing. This is one occasion that I feel it is important to share my thoughts. I would like to say thank you to a great and generous community. It makes me proud to say I live and work in such a community.

Editor,
We’d like to thank all the individuals and businesses that supported Temple Bat Yam synagogue’s Mitzvah Day on April 27. [The annual event] benefited Diakonia, Believe in Tomorrow, Worcester County G.O.L.D., the Salisbury Zoo, Coastal Hospice, the Worcester County Humane Society and Shepherd’s Nook food pantry.

A special thanks to Casual Designs Furniture, Wal-Mart, the Carousel Hotel, Flashback Old Time Photo, Cleaning Management Services, Robin Walter Day Spa and Salon, Atlantic Dental, Dumser’s Dairyland, Phyllis Wann and Cathy Habager. Your generosity demonstrates the Mitzvah Day principle that we are all part of something larger and together we can have a positive impact on our community.

Editor,
While in Ocean City during the weekend of Springfest, I picked up a copy of Ocean City Today.

I was appalled while reading several articles of the extreme socialism that exists within the Ocean  City Council.

It’s unfathomable to believe that the city council will not allow off-duty police officers to work a second job to supplement their income without the council’s approval. How dare they dictate where police can work or how much they should be paid while on their own time.

I read another article about the owner of an electric shuttle service that was denied the request to place advertisements on his vehicles. The statement made by Council President Joe Mitrecic, “I’m worried this is a slippery slope. We can’t play favorites here,” is delusional. What is their problem? They approved advertisements on the city buses, but they refused to allow a small business owner to do the same. How absurd. Are they afraid that the advertising revenue could possibly eat into their own revenue?

Then I read about the increase in advertising funds. Obviously the tax increase imposed on hotels will only be passed on to consumers. Not only has the city council managed to pass these ridiculous laws, but [members] do it with the distorted notion that they’re looking out for our best interest.

It’s unfortunate that Ocean City has become one of the most expensive vacation destinations on the East Coast. Maryland families can vacation in New Jersey, Virginia, the Carolinas and even in the Caribbean and spend less money.

Finally, I had to stop reading about the controlling aspects of the city council so I could go out and have a fun, relaxing weekend in a beautiful beach town.

My message to the Ocean City Council is: You do not need to control every facet of society. Stop dreaming of ways to increase your budget. Is the term “decrease in spending” not in your vocabulary?

When I see a fire engine with its lights flashing and sirens blaring responding to a call, I immediately say a little prayer for the safety of the crew on board, which is exactly what I did Sunday, March 30. When I saw the smoke billowing into the sky as we crossed the Route 50 bridge, I said, “Oh my God!” and when I saw the flames shooting out of the second story, I thought thank goodness the firemen are here!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to both the OCVFC and the OC Career Fire EMS for their lightning-quick response and dedication in fighting a potentially devastating fire this past Sunday on the Boardwalk. With the assistance of numerous neighboring companies, including Berlin, Ocean Pines, Newark, Snow Hill, Pocomoke, Selbyville, Roxanna, Bethany, Georgetown, Salisbury (and I’m sure others I have forgotten), the fire was contained and an entire block of Boardwalk was not lost. 

It proves that in the heat of action, all good men and women work together for the good of all! Thank you so much for your combined efforts to contain and terminate what could very well have been a much more devastating fire. Due to your collective efforts, a huge area of the historic downtown Boardwalk area was saved!

Within 24 hours, two traffic accidents taking four lives — two mothers and two children.

This takes me back a few years, when I was chairman of the safety committee at the Kaiser Aluminum Co. in Halethrope, Md. The safety coordinator for the company visited and one phrase he used that sticks in my mind today was, “Accidents do not happen but are caused.”

Here, two mothers used poor judgment or erred in crossing the busy highway, snuffing out their lives and the two children. One will never know what was going on in their minds. In a hurry, or the automobiles will stop for them because …?

That takes me to another incident, not auto but an accident in which a crane fell off a building, killing one person because the crane was not inspected properly.

Automobile accidents happen often. Because of drivers or pedestrians not paying attention, on a cell phone or just plain taking a chance.

My feelings go out to the two drivers. It will be with them the rest of their lives. Prayers.

As chairperson of MDA’s Shamrocks Against Dystrophy, I want to take a moment to thank businesses and patrons in the Ocean City area for their generous participation in our 2008 campaign. I’m delighted to say that this year’s fundraising efforts were a great success.

Those little green and gold Shamrocks mobiles sold by local businesses help support MDA’s vital programs of research, health care services and public education right here in Ocean City and across the country.

On behalf of all the individuals and families coping with muscle-wasting diseases, I send a big warm “thank you” to Ocean City residents — you’ve certainly put a smile in these Irish eyes!

I have been keeping up with the rift between the Ocean City manager and the Volunteer Fire Company and cannot keep quiet any longer.

I am a property owner in Ocean City and a volunteer firefighter in Virginia. I am a member of a combination company (career and volunteer). I have seen a move to get rid of volunteers before, but not to the extent that Mr. Dennis Dare is proposing for Ocean City. Doesn’t he realize that by abolishing the volunteer fire company, replacing them with only paid firefighters, [that] this is subjecting the citizens of Ocean City to a tremendous expense that is unnecessary and wasteful? There is always a need for volunteer firefighters. Volunteers provide a valuable service, and guess what?  It is free! Volunteers are just what the term implies, volunteers!

I doubt that the citizens of Ocean City realize what this means in terms of additional tax dollars. It will cost many millions of dollars for salaries and benefits for a paid staff — an expense you don’t have with volunteers. The Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company has served the citizens of Ocean City very well for a very long time and it seems ludicrous to me to change all that now just because Mr. Dare either doesn’t understand how a volunteer fire company works or just plain doesn’t care about the citizens of Ocean City. 

If it isn’t broken, why fix it?