(July 23, 2015) Berlin Mayor Gee Williams and Pocomoke Mayor Bruce Morrison relived their recent High Heel Race rivalry, exchanging several playful jibes – and challenging another local leader – during the July meeting of the Lower Eastern Shore Mayor’s Association, held at Leaky Pete’s in Berlin last Thursday.
In June, the pair faced off in the streets of Berlin for the annual fundraiser for Women Supporting Women. Williams wore his usual black and pink ensemble, complete with a Monopoly Man-style top hat, while Morrison marked the occasion with a bright orange tutu.
Morrison earned early bragging rights, raising more money for the nonprofit before the race, although Williams eventually won the actual footrace.
At least, at first glance.
“After reviewing all the films … I have filed a complaint with the International Track and Field Association, and I feel that I won the race because it says clearly, ‘you must wear high heels,’” Morrison said during the meeting. “I examined this very closely and [Williams] clearly wore wedges that night.”
Williams quipped that Morrison’s tutu provided “a lot of drag.”
“I don’t think the problem was the shoes,” he said.
The Berlin mayor then presented Morrison with a large two-panel framed photographic representation of the race, and the outlandish outfits, originally printed in the June 11 issue of the Bayside Gazette.
“There’s no hard feelings,” Williams said. “Mayor Morrison brought a contingency of folks from Pocomoke who wonderfully, generously supported Women Supporting Women, and that’s what this is all about. We believe in this cause and if we have to be damned fools to make it work, it won’t be the first time.”
Williams publically challenged Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan to participate in next year’s race.
“He’s taller than both of us put together, but we’ll find a way to beat him,” Williams said.
Meehan confirmed that he would take part in the 2016 event.
“I will be in that race next year, and I still have my high heels from when I won the Vanna White look-alike contest in Ocean City,” he said, adding that Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic would also participate.
Morrison joked that he looked forward to seeing Meehan in a tutu.
“You don’t understand – he enjoys that too much,” Mitrecic said.
President of the Sharptown Commissioners Douglas Gosnell was the host of the event before turning over his duties as LESMA president to Morrison.
The meeting saw a brief discussion of a bylaw change that would allow area councilmembers to serve in the organization and would rename it the Lower Eastern Shore Municipal Association, although that measure was eventually tabled until the August meeting in Crisfield.
Members of the Salisbury and Pocomoke city councils attended, along with Berlin councilmembers Lisa Hall, Elroy Brittingham and Dean Burrell.
Berlin Mayor’s Assistant JoAnn Unger, Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen, Electric Utility Director Tim Lawrence, Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter, Planning Director Dave Engelhart, Managing Director Jeffrey Fleetwood, Senior Accountant Rondell Wise, Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells, Police Chief Arnold Downing and administrative assistants Vicki Magin and Sharon Timmons were also on hand.
In June, the pair faced off in the streets of Berlin for the annual fundraiser for Women Supporting Women. Williams wore his usual black and pink ensemble, complete with a Monopoly Man-style top hat, while Morrison marked the occasion with a bright orange tutu.
Morrison earned early bragging rights, raising more money for the nonprofit before the race, although Williams eventually won the actual footrace.
At least, at first glance.
“After reviewing all the films … I have filed a complaint with the International Track and Field Association, and I feel that I won the race because it says clearly, ‘you must wear high heels,’” Morrison said during the meeting. “I examined this very closely and [Williams] clearly wore wedges that night.”
Williams quipped that Morrison’s tutu provided “a lot of drag.”
“I don’t think the problem was the shoes,” he said.
The Berlin mayor then presented Morrison with a large two-panel framed photographic representation of the race, and the outlandish outfits, originally printed in the June 11 issue of the Bayside Gazette.
“There’s no hard feelings,” Williams said. “Mayor Morrison brought a contingency of folks from Pocomoke who wonderfully, generously supported Women Supporting Women, and that’s what this is all about. We believe in this cause and if we have to be damned fools to make it work, it won’t be the first time.”
Williams publically challenged Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan to participate in next year’s race.
“He’s taller than both of us put together, but we’ll find a way to beat him,” Williams said.
Meehan confirmed that he would take part in the 2016 event.
“I will be in that race next year, and I still have my high heels from when I won the Vanna White look-alike contest in Ocean City,” he said, adding that Worcester County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic would also participate.
Morrison joked that he looked forward to seeing Meehan in a tutu.
“You don’t understand – he enjoys that too much,” Mitrecic said.
President of the Sharptown Commissioners Douglas Gosnell was the host of the event before turning over his duties as LESMA president to Morrison.
The meeting saw a brief discussion of a bylaw change that would allow area councilmembers to serve in the organization and would rename it the Lower Eastern Shore Municipal Association, although that measure was eventually tabled until the August meeting in Crisfield.
Members of the Salisbury and Pocomoke city councils attended, along with Berlin councilmembers Lisa Hall, Elroy Brittingham and Dean Burrell.
Berlin Mayor’s Assistant JoAnn Unger, Administrative Services Director Mary Bohlen, Electric Utility Director Tim Lawrence, Water Resources Director Jane Kreiter, Planning Director Dave Engelhart, Managing Director Jeffrey Fleetwood, Senior Accountant Rondell Wise, Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells, Police Chief Arnold Downing and administrative assistants Vicki Magin and Sharon Timmons were also on hand.