By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Oct. 18, 2018) Once and future Snow Hill Mayor Stephen Mathews confirmed on Tuesday he would take over for departing Mayor Charlie Dorman, who will leave the post on Oct. 31. Mathews will be sworn in on Nov. 1 and will serve until a special election is held next May. Dorman… Read more »
News
Berlin honors baseball, softball all-stars
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Oct. 18, 2018) Along with the milestone of the 150th anniversary of the Town of Berlin’s incorporation, officials on Saturday also celebrated another historic event: a pair of state champion Little League teams. Nornie Bunting, Berlin Little League president, said the occasion of having state champions in both boys’ baseball and… Read more »
Audit details to be held until completion
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Oct. 18, 2018) Baltimore-based firm Gross Mendelsohn & Associates will move into phase two of a forensic audit of the Ocean Pines Association’s finances, the association announced last week. General Manager John Bailey said the first phase cost about $100,000, leaving around $125,000 budgeted for additional work. Phase one focused on… Read more »
Traffic concerns near high school
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Oct. 18, 2018) Several Berlin officials last week expressed concerns about new traffic patterns on Seahawk Road caused by the Oceans East apartment complex. Councilman Dean Burrell said navigating the road is confusing – and potentially dangerous. “It really needs work,” Burrell said. “The way that it is lined up and… Read more »
Town ordinances would limit location of new group homes
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Oct. 18, 2018) A new ordinance defining what a group home can be – and limiting where it can go – was unanimously endorsed by the Berlin Planning Commission last week. Planning Director Dave Engelhart said the ordinance was triggered by the new Hope4Recovery House opening in the location formerly occupied… Read more »
Burrell, Purnell and Gulyas sworn in after reelection
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Oct. 18, 2018) Three Berlin Town Council incumbents were sworn in during a public meeting last Tuesday. District 1 Councilman Troy Purnell, District 4 Councilman Dean Burrell and At-Large Councilman Thom Gulyas officially started new terms in office after each was re-elected by default as they faced no challengers. Council terms… Read more »
Turmoil in Snow Hill as mayor exits
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Oct. 15, 2018) The abrupt resignation last week of Snow Hill Mayor Charlie Dorman wasn’t as simple as the “time to move on” scenario initially outlined in Dorman’s announcement. Statements released by Dorman and the Town Council this week revealed a strong disagreement between the mayor and council about how… Read more »
Funding snub delays town bikeway
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Oct. 18, 2018) The proposed Berlin Bikeway through the town will have to wait a year or more apparently, as grant money to start construction was denied by a state agency. The Town Council in May unanimously approved the concept for a $950,000, 1.8-mile Berlin Bikeway adjacent to the old railroad… Read more »
Rt. 589 still closed, but construction time cut
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Oct. 18, 2018) Originally thought to last up to eight weeks, a State Highway Administration official confirmed last week that roadwork shutting down a portion of Route 589 would be cut in half. Meanwhile, frustrated residents were apparently inventing detours and installing makeshift signs to guide motorists along local roads. The… Read more »
Berlin Police getting body cams; videos going to cloud
By Josh Davis, Associate Editor (Oct. 18, 2018) The Berlin Town Council last Tuesday endorsed a five-year, $36,700 contract with Axon Enterprise Inc. for police body cameras and cloud-based storage of the videos they capture. Police Chief Arnold Downing said the cameras would be used by “all 10 of our road police officers.” He said the… Read more »