JUNE 22, 2023
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
FREE
Verizon will update OPA on upgrades Terrible cell phone service could improve ... some day
CINDY HOFFMAN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
HOOKED
Justine and Jackson Shepard learn how to tie knots during the Teach a Kid to Fish Day, hosted by the Ocean Pines Anglers Club on Saturday. More photos on page 11.
By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (June 22, 2023) During a board of directors meeting a few months ago, a resident challenged Ocean Pines Association President Doug Parks to address the poor cell service in certain areas of Ocean Pines. That challenge was accepted and now Verizon will be providing the OPA with periodic updates on what might be done and when. As reported by General Manager John Viola at Saturday’s directors meeting, he and Josh Davis, the director of public relations and marketing, reached out to Verizon, which confirmed there is an issue of poor reception in the community. Viola said he has significant issue with cell service here himself. Because the problem seems worse in the summer, Verizon representatives suggested the problem might be the abundance of trees, but Viola countered it could be the larger number of people in the community. Viola has given Verizon examples of certain problem spots and people to call to track the issue. In the meantime, Viola said Saturday the association should receive regular updates See VERIZON Page 3
OPA continues to beat budget projections April numbers get boost from golf play, while year exceeds forecast by $1M By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (June 22, 2023) The Ocean Pines Association recorded another positive month financially, as General
Manager John Viola reported Saturday that April’s revenue and expenditures beat the budget by $36,000. “Golf is driving this place right now,” said Viola. Golf favorability to budget was $52,000, he said at Saturday’s board of directors meeting. Public Works posted $59,000 better than projected, while Administration and
Recreation came in unfavorably by $31,000 and $29,000. Altogether, the association came in at $1.150 million favorable for the year, he said, although he cautioned that “These are unaudited numbers.” The numbers could change with the audit, but he believes they will not. “Over 90 percent of this is driven
by revenue growth. It’s not revenue that grew by price increases. So, when I say organic growth, I am talking about new revenue we did not have before. Because across the board, we have a very good product,” Viola said. He also pointed out that because weather is the ultimate driver, good See OPA Page 3
The Area’s Premier Physical Therapy Clinic
NOW 2 Great Locations to Serve You! Spelled Different Because We Are Different® FYZICAL-DELMARVA.COM
Fyzical of Ocean Pines 11204 Racetrack Rd, Suite 101 • Ocean Pines, MD, 21811 410-208-1525
Fyzical of West Ocean City 12472 Sea Oaks Ln, Unit 1 • Berlin, MD 21811 410-747-3522