(April 28, 2016) Berlin capped a busy week of high-profile Republican visits, with a brief stopover Friday by Gov. Larry Hogan.
Berlin was one of several Eastern Shore sojourns for the governor, who also visited Salisbury, Princess Anne, Crisfield, Ocean City, Newark, Snow Hill and Pocomoke last week.
On Friday, he met with Mayor Gee Williams and Sen. Jim Mathias in Town Hall, and was joined for a quick walking tour of several small businesses with an entourage that included his wife, Yumi, Delegates Mary Beth Carozza and Charles Otto, County Commissioners Bud Church and Jim Bunting, and town Councilmember Elroy Brittingham.
At A Little Bit Sheepish, a yarn shop on Main Street, Hogan shook hands with owner Brenda Trice, walked through the historic two-story building, and cracked wise about signing up for knitting classes.
He stopped for a few photos with lunch guests at the Atlantic Hotel, and presented a proclamation at Rayne’s Reef, which he called, “a well-deserved tribute to celebrate and honor more than 100 years of success here in Berlin.”
Owner Michael Queen said the framed citation would be hung on the wall of the popular restaurant.
Outside, Hogan looked over the future site of Fathom, a new clothing store next door to Rayne’s Reef, still under construction. Queen, who owns the building, said he was having issues with state highway, securing a right of way.
“We’ll try to see if we can’t get that fixed,” Hogan said, sipping a milkshake.
After posing for pictures with employees outside Calvin B. Taylor Bank, Hogan strolled north down Main Street and ended his visit at Sea La Vie, talking with owners Devin Bostic and Hunter Smith while his wife did a little shopping. Bostic and Smith also own Fathom.
Williams, on behalf of Berlin residents and businesses owners, thanked Hogan for his visit.
“It means a lot,” he said. “We know that you’re not just here when you’re here – you have us in mind, and you care about the Shore.”
“Thank you so much. Thank you, everybody. We’re going to come back next time and spend money,” Hogan said, with a laugh.
Hogan, led by security detail, climbed into a car and headed for his next scheduled appearance, in Newark, while Williams and others returned to work at town hall.
Walking back to his office, Williams said the governor’s visit helped to reinforce all the work business owners have done to revitalize Berlin.
“His recognition noted that this town has come a long ways,” he said. “It’s taken multiple generations, and I think today’s visit was a perfect sort of analogy for that.
“He and his wife have been visitor’s here for years, so he’s not a stranger to Berlin,” Williams added. “Now, instead of being a guest, he’s our governor too. That’s cool.”
Berlin was one of several Eastern Shore sojourns for the governor, who also visited Salisbury, Princess Anne, Crisfield, Ocean City, Newark, Snow Hill and Pocomoke last week.
On Friday, he met with Mayor Gee Williams and Sen. Jim Mathias in Town Hall, and was joined for a quick walking tour of several small businesses with an entourage that included his wife, Yumi, Delegates Mary Beth Carozza and Charles Otto, County Commissioners Bud Church and Jim Bunting, and town Councilmember Elroy Brittingham.
At A Little Bit Sheepish, a yarn shop on Main Street, Hogan shook hands with owner Brenda Trice, walked through the historic two-story building, and cracked wise about signing up for knitting classes.
He stopped for a few photos with lunch guests at the Atlantic Hotel, and presented a proclamation at Rayne’s Reef, which he called, “a well-deserved tribute to celebrate and honor more than 100 years of success here in Berlin.”
Owner Michael Queen said the framed citation would be hung on the wall of the popular restaurant.
Outside, Hogan looked over the future site of Fathom, a new clothing store next door to Rayne’s Reef, still under construction. Queen, who owns the building, said he was having issues with state highway, securing a right of way.
“We’ll try to see if we can’t get that fixed,” Hogan said, sipping a milkshake.
After posing for pictures with employees outside Calvin B. Taylor Bank, Hogan strolled north down Main Street and ended his visit at Sea La Vie, talking with owners Devin Bostic and Hunter Smith while his wife did a little shopping. Bostic and Smith also own Fathom.
Williams, on behalf of Berlin residents and businesses owners, thanked Hogan for his visit.
“It means a lot,” he said. “We know that you’re not just here when you’re here – you have us in mind, and you care about the Shore.”
“Thank you so much. Thank you, everybody. We’re going to come back next time and spend money,” Hogan said, with a laugh.
Hogan, led by security detail, climbed into a car and headed for his next scheduled appearance, in Newark, while Williams and others returned to work at town hall.
Walking back to his office, Williams said the governor’s visit helped to reinforce all the work business owners have done to revitalize Berlin.
“His recognition noted that this town has come a long ways,” he said. “It’s taken multiple generations, and I think today’s visit was a perfect sort of analogy for that.
“He and his wife have been visitor’s here for years, so he’s not a stranger to Berlin,” Williams added. “Now, instead of being a guest, he’s our governor too. That’s cool.”