JUNE 6, 2024
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BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
Candidates to face off next Thurs. Hopefuls to describe vision for community at forum
CHARLENE SHARPE/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
CYCLING TO SCHOOL Buckingham Elementary School’s annual bike-to-school event was held last Thursday with more than 100 students taking part and joined by teachers, administrators and parents.
Heron park tract up for sale? After last attempt became mired in indecision, council thinking about another try By Charlene Sharpe Associate Editor (June 6, 2024) Berlin officials are expected to once again discuss the potential sale of a portion of Heron Park in July. Members of the Berlin Town Council agreed this week to talk once again about selling parcel 57, the portion of Heron Park with the old processing plant, in the near future. While they shared their initial views during Tuesday’s meeting, Council-
man Dean Burrell advocated for a specific discussion item to be set for a future meeting. “I think this topic is of such importance to the well-being of the Town of Berlin it deserves to be included on our agenda,” Burrell said. At the close of the May 28 meeting, Councilman Jack Orris brought up the issue of Heron Park. He said now that the council had adopted a budget for the coming year he felt there was time to talk about parcel 57, where a portion of the old processing plant is currently being demolished. Councilman Steve Green said he wanted the town to sell it but didn’t want to go through the entire RFP
(request for proposals) process again, as the town had already gone through an extensive process and had opted not to sell after much dialogue. Councilman Jay Knerr agreed he would like to sell the parcel with some sort of abridged process. Burrell questioned what that process would be. “One of the things that came out of our previous discussion is you don’t know what you want,” Burrell said. “I wonder if we’re there yet.” He said the town purchased the former Tyson plant so it would have control over what would go there. “The original tenants of that facility, it caused a lot of strife with the See HERON Page 4
GOLD RECORD HIGH!
IS AT AN ALL TIME
By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (June 6, 2024) The Ocean Pines Elections Committee determined questions and ballot order for the candidates running for the association’s Board of Directors. Five contestants are vying for the two available seats on the community’s governing body. Incumbents Jeff Heavner and the current board president, Rick Farr, are campaigning for reelection. Residents Sherrie Clifford, Amy Peck, and Jerry Murphy are challenging the reigning members. At the Tuesday, May 28 election committee meeting, Tom Piatti, the group’s chair, laid out the three questions for the candidates to include with their biographies. Contestants will describe their vision for the community’s future, what they will bring to the office that differentiates them from their opponents, and which amenity fees they believe need rebalancing to increase homeowner participation. The inquiries are to be answered in 200 words or less. The committee held the candidate draw to determine the ballot order for the election on Friday, May 31. Clifford will be listed first, followed by Heavner, Farr, Peck, and Murphy. Piatti also announced on Friday that the candidate forum is scheduled for Thursday, June 13, at 6 p.m. The event will be hosted in the Ocean Pines Golf Course Clubhouse Meeting Room. The contestants will draw questions randomly, and residents are encouraged to submit their inquiries for the runners to elections@oceanpines.org. See BALLOTS Page 3
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