AUGUST 13, 2026
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
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Latham, Lehnerd reelected; Peck wins Activist Peck finishes third to win unfinished two-years of term vacated by Jacobs By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) The Ocean Pines Association’s governing body will look different this year after challenger Amy Peck ousted incumbent Elaine Brady in the summer’s board
of directors election. In the OPA’s 2026 board election, five homeowners campaigned three open seats. The winners were announced Friday afternoon. Incumbent John Latham, returning director Patrick Lehnerd, and challenger Amy Peck secured the most votes, each earning a place as an Ocean Pines director. Incumbent Elaine Brady and Bill Pickett failed to win a spot on the community board.
Latham, who served as the board’s president this past year, earned 1,503 votes to maintain his seat. Lehnerd, who was appointed in March to fill the seat left by the early resignation of director Steve Jacobs, received 1,473, and Peck garnered 1,421. Brady fell short of holding her position, securing 1,116 ballots, while Pickett received 1,021. Per a press release issued by the association Latham and Lehnerd will
receive three-year terms. Peck will finish the last two years of the term previously filled by Jacobs, who was reelected last summer but stepped down from the board this past spring. The successful candidates expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to lead OPA. “I’d like to thank the homeowners of the OPA for supporting my re-elecSee LATHAM Page 6
Berlin trims its furniture acquisition Officials knock thousands off initially proposed price, but bill still tops $230M
STEVE GREEN/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
CHAMPION OF BREAKFASTS Joe Porr of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, (foreground) powers through a massive “Pipeline” breakfast from Decatur Diner at the Worcester County Fair Saturday in Snow Hill. For more, go to page 22.
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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (Aug. 13, 2026) Following a lengthy discussion Monday night, the Berlin Town Council approved a $230,000 furniture package to outfit Town Hall once its extensive renovations have been completed. The council unanimously approved a furniture package from the Canadian company Teknion for an amount not to exceed $230,951.39. An art and design portion of the package for the preservation and mounting of historic pieces found in Town Hall ahead of renovations,was reduced from $16,500 to a maximum of $10,000. The decision followed the council’s July vote to table the original furniture proposal, which carried a price See TOWN Page 10
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