Roland E. "Fish" Powell

In the record (62)

1. 1972 · 1972-06-19

   Every councilman went on record against an evangelistic concert on the beach north of the pier, then voted the Navigators half a block of beach east of the parking lot on condition the amplifiers faced the ocean

   At the regular meeting of 19 June 1972 (meeting 32; the document is filed in the index under 17 June), item 4, John Robertson of the Navigators, "[an inter]denominational Christian Organization working primarily with students and servicemen", asked to repeat the previous year's evangelistic concert at the Santa Maria Motel "on the beach or some other area", Friday 18 August, 8:30 to 10:00, amplified, "just north of the pier on the beach as this seems to be the center of activity." The poll: Purnell "I'm opposed to it on the beach"; Showell "I'm against this too"; Frame "I'm against the beach"; Trimper "I've already said I'm not"; Powell "I guess I go along with - beach"; Cropper "I'm against the beach." Mayor Kelley: "Let's establish something, is the Council in agreement that we're going to get them a place?" Everybody concurred. Councilman Powell moved "that we allow them to use the first half-a-block on the beach, east of the parking lot", with Attorney Cathell's stipulations "as far as a precedent is concerned": "no handbills, no collections, no admission charges, amplifiers turned towards the ocean, and that the beach be policed by the Police Department. This will not run past 10:00 PM."

   Harry W. Kelley

   Source · checked 2026-09-10

2. 1972 · 1972-07-17

   After a newspaper headline called it a rock concert, the council president reversed the Navigators' concert permit by telephone and the council then refused them the Little League field three votes to four, over the mayor's plea that he could not in good conscience turn them down

   On 3 July 1972 the Navigators had been granted Art Davis's parking lot at Baltimore Avenue and 7th Street for Friday 18 August. At the 17 July regular meeting, item 6, John Robertson "was advised the President of the Council had telephoned all but two of the members of the Council and obtained enough votes to reverse the decision", after he had failed to canvass the neighbours. He proposed the Little League football field on 3rd Street instead, with six neighbours' names in support. Councilman Powell: "Did you ever refer to this as a Rock Concert?" Robertson: "No sir, never did, it is not a Rock Concert." Powell: "That is what the headlines said." Councilman Frame: "That is what killed you, the paper blasted you as a Rock Concert." The poll: Powell, Trimper and Showell for; Purnell, Cropper, Frame and President Trimper against; motion defeated. Mayor Kelley: "here is something of a religious nature, here are people that are trying to save other people's lives and I wish it was within the power of the Mayor because I would certainly grant it; I cannot in good conscience turn these people down on this request, I cannot do it." There was "some discussion regarding a veto which cannot be completely discerned"; asked whether any member wanted to change his vote, none did.

   Harry W. Kelley

   Source · checked 2026-09-10

3. 1972 · 1972-09-20

   Roland Powell was elected council president five votes to one at the swearing-in of the new council, with Joshua Richardson back after four years and the council agreeing to resume saluting the flag

   At the organisational meeting of 20 September 1972 Frank Hales, Clerk of the Circuit Court, swore in Mayor Harry W. Kelley and Councilmen Granville Trimper, Roland E. Powell, William Purnell Jr. and Joshua Richardson. "Councilman Cropper nominated Roland Powell; this required no second. The vote was then taken. For - Councilmen Richardson, Trimper, Cropper, Frame and Powell; against, Councilman Purnell; 5 yea votes, 1 no, 1 councilman absent (Showell)." Powell: "I have got to depend very heavily on the Mayor, it is a new job." Richardson: "if I told anybody I didn't miss it the last two years, it would be a lie." Kelley: "I guarantee you I ran it for two years that way and there is not a man in this room who can say there was any back door policy going on. I never badgered one Councilman for a vote." Purnell asked that the opening prayer rotate among councilmen rather than always fall to Councilman Frame, "and the Council return to the practice of saluting the flag during the opening ceremonies. The latter accepted graciously." A letter from former councilman Robert B. Jackson congratulating the retiring president, Daniel Trimper IV, on two terms was read into the record.

   Harry W. KelleyGranville Trimper

   Source · checked 2026-09-10

4. 1973 · 1973-01-23

   The Nordica Hotel at Talbot Street burned before dawn on 23 January, the sixth boardwalk fire in two months, and the arson chain that had already taken the Roosevelt and Colonial hotels passed $1 million in damage

   "Another major fire, called the work of an arsonist, according to fire officials at Ocean City, hit this resort town early Tuesday. This blaze which destroyed the Nordica Hotel at Talbot St. on the Boardwalk, brings total damage to $1 million, in an outbreak of suspected fires which has plagued Ocean City since early December. The blaze is the sixth boardwalk fire in two months and city officials have already moved to get state assistance in probing the oceanfront fires, all of which have been positively attributed to arson." The earlier chain, put at $750,000, "destroyed the Roosevelt and Colonial Hotels and included other fires at the Stowaway Motel, an apartment building at 4th St., a small cottage at 83rd St. and a garage fire at the Atlantic Hotel at Wicomico St." Fire Chief Roland Powell said the Nordica blaze "was set from the interior of the building"; three floors of the four-storey, 23-room hotel were destroyed, some 200 firemen fought it until after 3:20 a.m., and authorities put replacement of the pre-1900 building, "believed to be one of the oldest buildings in the resort city," at $250,000. One of the owners, Mrs. Dorothy Swindler, could not estimate the loss. Front page, 24 January 1973.

   Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department

   Source · checked 2026-09-10

5. 1974 · 1974-07-01

   A Washington promoter staging a Bo Diddley concert at Convention Hall on 6 July was refused a permit to drive a loudspeaker car through town, after a day of police pulling his posters off the poles

   On 1 July 1974 (item 7) Raymond Lacraw of R&L Productions, 1825 M Street N.W., Washington, told the council: "We're giving a concert July 6th at Convention Hall. And I made an application to Mr. Dietert for a permit to operate a PA System on top of a motor vehicle in the City limits during a respectable time at a respectable volume without verbage, this is music, with signs on the automobile. The music to be presented is not rock, it is jazz." Mayor Kelley: "Are you the one that's responsible for all these things on these poles?" ... "Is it your concert?" Lacraw: "It's my concert." President Powell: "What is the name of your concert?" Lacraw: "DioDada, BoDiddley." Kelley: "We've been picking them up all day long, there's no telling how much you cost us." Powell: "If we find the man who's been nailing them up, we're going to nail him." Attorney Cathell: "You can't get a permit unless the Mayor and City Council expressly grants the permit." Councilman Purnell moved to turn down the request for a public address system on a motor vehicle; Cropper seconded; unanimous by show of hands.

   Harry W. Kelley

   Source · checked 2026-09-10

6. 1985 · 1985-03-18

   A couple who wanted to marry on the beach at 3rd Street had to come before the Mayor and Council for permission, and in August a second bride's request was carried by the mayor, who asked whether he could perform the ceremony himself

   Regular meeting of 18 March 1985. Laurie LeBrien: "My fiancee is Drew Hall and we would like permission from the Mayor and City Council to be married on the beach on June 15th at 3rd Street, not 18th Street. It will be a 20 minute ceremony. It's at 6 P.M. in the evening and Father Barton's marrying us and if it rains we'll be married in the Episcopal Church on 3rd Street." Councilman Moore: "I would certainly move that we allow this wedding to take place at 6 o'clock on June 15th at any street this young lady would like." President Hurley: "He's not running for office either." Feehley seconded, "and if we could we'd guarantee you a beautiful day." On 5 August Mayor Powell brought a request for Misty Hernandez, in town for a convention, to marry on the beach in front of the Plim Plaza at 2 p.m. on 7 September: "In fact she asked me if I'd perform the ceremony; can I do that?" Council President Trimper: "If you feel like a Judge, it's alright with me." Approved on Trumpower's motion, "but not to include a reception."

   Source · checked 2026-09-10

7. 1985 · 1985-05-20

   A Pittsburgh mobile-home dealer who had bought the Capitol Theatre building told the council his son was opening it as the Nite Lite, an under-21 video night club with a 25-foot screen 'similar to MTV'

   Regular meeting of 20 May 1985. Jack Rehak: "My wife, Mary Lou and I purchased the Capitol Theatre building from Cliff Jarrett. I'm a mobile home, modular home manufacturer and retailer from the Pittsburgh area. We've been coming to Ocean City for 27 years." His son John "has decided not to go into my business but rather he wants to become... a member of the Ocean City business community" and would run "an under 21 video night club" on Worcester Street, seven days a week; brochures with a ticket had gone "to every high school, the junior high schools in Delaware, Maryland and D.C." Mayor Powell: "What is a Under 21 Video Night Club?" "It's a place for kids, under 21... to come and dance and to listen to excellent, excellent sound equipment. The music is projected on the screen. We've kept the same screen on the stage." John Rehak: "We incorporated a 25 ft. music video screen... It's similar to MTV but it's more in an exclusive range." Admission charged; "sodas, potato chips, hot dogs"; hours 7:30 to 1, "and rain days at noon." Councilman Trumpower: "I guess I'm the only one here that can go, right?"

   Source · checked 2026-09-10

8. 1985 · 1985-06-17

   Asked by the state Secretary of Transportation what to name for Harry Kelley, the council chose the Route 50 bridge over Route 90 by four votes to two, and told Annapolis to use his middle initial and spell Kelley his way

   Regular meeting of 17 June 1985, comments from the Mayor. Mayor Powell: "I got a call from the Secretary of Transportation; they'd like some input on what we'd like to name for Harry Kelley." Councilman Moore: "I still think it should be Route 50 Bridge." Council President Trimper: "if they're going to do one, do any highway or anything that it be the Route 90 Bridge." Powell counted: "One 50 and one 90." Hurley, Route 50. "Two 50s." Ellis, "Three 50s." Trumpower: "Make it an even two hundred." Meehan: "It's really immaterial to me but I did favor 90." Powell: "It sounds like 50; do you want to go ahead and send it in?" Hurley: "I've read a hundred letters about the man or more and his initial was always in there. I would suggest that the initial be put in." Ellis: "Harry W. Kelley." Trimper: "And make sure they spell Kelley the way he did." The synopsis, item 23: "Vote was 4 for Rte. 50 and 2 for Rte. 90. Letter will be forwarded." The Route 50 bridge is the Harry W. Kelley Memorial Bridge.

   Harry W. KelleyGranville TrimperRick Meehan

   Source · checked 2026-09-10

9. 1985 · 1985-08-19

   Six inches of rain fell on Ocean City overnight in August 1985, put the town on CNN, and drew from the city manager the observation that in a beach community the water goes away an hour later

   Regular meeting of 19 August 1985. City Manager Barrett: "I would like to publicly compliment our City Engineer and Public Works staff and the public safety entities that were involved in the six inches of rain that we had. They did a very good job of keeping things together and answering all the calls; we had a lot of calls. Thank goodness we live in a beach community where an hour later the water goes away." Councilman Hurley: "Not now, they're going to put hot mix on all of them." Councilman Ellis: "It just gets to the bay quicker, George." Council President Trimper: "I understand we made national news on CNN with the six inches of rain overnight." Mayor Powell: "You have the National Park Service that says we'll take eleven inches." Barrett: "Eight over a twenty-four-hour period." Trimper: "I would think it was more than six inches; it sure seemed like it." Ellis: "how full was the bay with water?" Powell: "Before they dredged it out it didn't bother us as much." The index heads the item "City Manager compliments City for work during heavy rainfall."

   Anthony W. Barrett

   Source · checked 2026-09-10

10. 1985 · 1985-10-07

    Hurricane Gloria enters the 1985 council record only at the first meeting after it, as a round of public thanks and a newspaper line about a steady hand on the helm

    Gloria passed the coast on 27 September 1985; the next council meeting was 7 October. City Manager Barrett: "as the City Manager I want to again publicly thank our staff people for their response to Gloria (hurricane), also the City employees, the Police and Fire Companies, Ladies Auxiliary, all the utility companies... the State Highway Patrol, State Highway Department, everyone did a fine job and pitched in at our time of need." Mayor Powell: "I'd like to join with Tony in commending all the City employees for their fine work during the storm... but I think the people that really deserve some credit are the people of Ocean City and the visitors who adhered to any request that the Mayor and City Council asked for. They performed very well. There was not any confusion." Councilman Ellis: "one of the most succinct comments about the whole thing with the storm was done by I think it was Linda Kanamine in the paper. I think the comment was about the steady hand on the helm of the ship of State." A visiting speaker from the state firemen's convention said he "heard nothing but compliments and no criticisms of the actions taken by the City officials." Councilman Hurley was not sent to a conference on "Post Storm Restoration" ("$15.00 Registration Fee and a tank of gas"); the mayor said he was needed at home. What the storm did to the town is not described; the boardwalk engineer's assessment came on 18 November and the bill in January 1986.

    Anthony W. Barrett

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

11. 1985 · 1985-12-16

    After a tenant woke to smoke at 300 Judlee Avenue on 6 December 1985 and roused the building, the mayor read proclamations to him, to three volunteer firemen and to a police officer, one of whom had carried out a victim overcome by smoke

    Regular meeting of 16 December 1985. Mayor Powell called up firemen Delbert Baker, Tim Price and Michael Todd and Police Officer Ronald W. Haslam: "These are some Ocean City heros and I know the public will like to look at you." The proclamation: "the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department responded in the early morning hours of December 6, 1985 to a fire at an occupied apartment building at 300 Judlee Avenue... Mr. Price did at great personal risk to his own safety, successfully execute the rescue of a victim trapped and overcome by smoke in a burning building... such courage as to enter a building engulfed in flames is above and beyond the call of duty." Then the tenant. City Manager Barrett: "he was somewhat embarrassed... He was concerned about what he would have to do." Powell: "Well, I think he did the most important thing." The second proclamation: "Mr. Robert Hanson awoke in the early morning to smell smoke did notify the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department and begin to awake tenants from the burning building... this private citizen's bravery and clear thinking saved the lives of all those residing in the building." Each carried the Great Seal, "this sixteenth day of December." The index spells him Handson; the proclamation, Hanson.

    Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

12. 1986 · 1986-06-16

    WWTR radio was allowed to broadcast patriotic music on the beach during the Fourth of July fireworks, no commercials, and three weeks later the mayor rated the music "lousy" and a councilman moved to stop the practice

    Regular meeting of 16 June 1986. Gil Dunn, general manager of WWTR and WETT, first invited the council to the station's Best Body on the Beach contest ("We appreciate the attendance at last year's competition by the Mayor of Ocean City"), then offered "a musical accompaniment and patriotic messages to enliven and add to the Town of Ocean City's 4th of July fireworks in the spirit of perhaps a 4th of July celebration which is going to be taking place this year at the Statue of Liberty." Mayor Powell, before he began: "I think we ought to have a hymn sing instead of all that hard rock up there." Councilman Ellis raised "a few complaints last year about the volume"; Dunn answered that "By the end of the show we played the National Anthem ... people got up off the beach and stood while we played it." The motion allowed "a remote broadcast from the beach during the fireworks display and to play patriotic music and messages with no commercial content allowed at any time", unanimous, with the City Manager to keep "a more scientific notation" of complaints. On 7 July Powell asked, "How was the music?" Barrett: "Lousy." Councilman Hurley: "we should entertain a motion or possibly a thought at least to just discontinue that practice henceforth."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

13. 1986 · 1986-08-18

    Hurricane Charley passed Ocean City on the night of 17 August 1986 with shelters open and the television out, and the council's verdict the next evening was a successful preparation for a minor storm

    The regular meeting of 18 August 1986 was held the evening after the storm. City Manager Barrett: "I'd just like to extend my appreciation and thanks to the Volunteer Fire Company, the Ladies' Auxiliary and of course our own City employees and to you for the work that was done over the hurricane period." Council President Trimper: "I also think the State Police, the State agencies, the County agencies deserve a great deal of credit and I think it's fortunate that the storm was as mild ... The School Board opened the shelters, the Social Services Department ... I too would like to compliment everybody who took part in what turned out to be a successful preparation for a minor storm." Councilman Hurley asked that the town "publicly thank the media for helping us last night. Especially the radio stations. I know that I've talked to two or three people on the phone last night and apparently it is a very lonely situation in some buildings with the wind howling outside and they're down here strange and the TV's out and they don't know anything and had it not been for some of the radio stations they would have been lost." Mayor Powell: "The news media was excellent." On 1 September Trimper reported a plaque from the Hotel-Motel Association "in their appreciation of the work of the Mayor and Council during the hurricane", announced over WBAL Radio, and the mayor said the beach "has grown fifty to sixty feet and more than that since the storm, Charley, already."

    Ocean City Volunteer Fire DepartmentGranville Trimper

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

14. 1986 · 1986-08-18

    The Harry W. Kelley Scholarship Award for 1986 went to Brook Rogers, presented by a hoarse Mayor Powell, who was told it was still the Mayor's scholarship even though it carried Kelley's name

    Regular meeting of 18 August 1986, first item. Glenn Steckman for the committee: the recipient "is a young man by the name of Brook Rogers and his father is here, Pastor Jim Rogers, and we have asked the Mayor because basically this still, even though it's named after Mayor Kelley, this is the Mayor's scholarship and we'd like to ask the Mayor tonight to present it to Brook Rogers." Mayor Powell: "Brook on behalf of this very active committee and let's say all the people of Ocean City, it's a pleasure to present to you this award. I would like to read it but I'm just a little bit hoarse. It has the Ocean City logo up top, Harry W. Kelley Scholarship Award presented to Brook Rogers in recognition of his overall achievements as a student and citizen of the Ocean City-Berlin Scholastic Community, 1986."

    Harry W. Kelley

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

15. 1986 · 1986-09-01

    The Maryland Disability Law Center told the council most of its curb ramps had poles and hydrants in the middle of them and asked for concrete ramps into the surf; the mayor said no ramp would stay in a beach that had grown sixty feet since Charley

    Loretta Sinclair, paralegal with the Maryland Disability Law Center, at the regular meeting of 1 September 1986, with photographs: "You've built ramps up to the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk ... is fully acceptable ... The Majority of the ramps are not in compliance with the law in that they have telephone poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants and so forth in the center of them and in addition to that the width of them are not in compliance." Trimper said the power and telephone companies had been in that Wednesday about it. She then asked, with the Department of the Interior's help, for "two or three ramps developed to allow the handicapped access to the ocean ... In to the ocean itself ... concrete into the water." Mayor Powell: "if a person is that bad that they can't get down to the ocean, at least those last few feet, what are they going to do in the ocean once they get in there?" Sinclair: "Many of them were injured in swimming accidents and I'm certain would like to have access to the ocean." Trimper: "each wave would undermine the concrete." Powell: "No way it would stay. That beach has grown fifty to sixty feet and more than that since the storm, Charley, already."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

16. 1986 · 1986-09-01

    A year after Hurricane Gloria took the boardwalk, two entrepreneurs presented the council with a plaque made from its salvaged boards and pledged $3 from each of about 200 pieces to the Lifesaving Station Museum

    Cheryl Bady and Mark Sims of Creative Momento's opened the 1 September 1986 meeting: "As we all remember, this month marks the one year anniversary of Hurricane Gloria's visit to Ocean City and with her went the acclaimed Boardwalk ... It is with this thought in mind that we created our momento made from the precious pieces of the original Boardwalk ... The boards are all different sizes and most do carry the white train mark." Selected by the Sunfest Committee to sell at Sunfest '86, they presented plaques to Mayor Powell, to Mr. and Mrs. Hurley for the Ocean City Lifesaving Station Museum - "for each piece of Boardwalk sold, $3.00 will be donated to the Ocean City Museum. As we have a supply of approximately 200 pieces" - and to Sunfest chairman Pete Richardson. Powell: "it's the people that really almost demanded that the Boardwalk be built back out of wood ... The contractors worked many cold days and our City Engineer was up there many days." Councilman Duggan: "wherever you hang that at make sure you and I can reach it."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

17. 1987 · 1987-04-27

    Governor Schaefer came to Ocean City for a full day with at least five cabinet members, starting with breakfast at the Beach Plaza Hotel, and was back on the beach with the council in June

    At the regular meeting of 20 April 1987 Mayor Powell announced that "next Monday morning at 8 o'clock the Governor will be in town to meet with us and we'll start with a breakfast at 8 o'clock at the Beach Plaza Hotel. He has assured me that he has all day to listen to any problems that we have. He wants to work with us and that's what he's coming down for. He'll have at least five cabinet members with him and their staff so it'll be quite a contingent." The visit had been promised at the 1 April work session, where the City Manager reported from Annapolis that "Governor Schaefer advised as soon as the Legislative Session is over he will be visiting Ocean City for a personal look at our problem," and the council suggested he stay at the Dunes Manor Hotel "where the beach is in bad shape." On 15 June the minutes record a second visit: "The Governor gave a good report today," and the mayor said "all these people were up on the beach today and took part in it. They all know the Governor was there and everything went along fine."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

18. 1987 · 1987-07-06

    Captain Robert S. Craig retired from the Ocean City Beach Patrol after fifty-three years and was given a resolution of appreciation and a picture of the town by daylight so he could see the beach

    On 6 July 1987 Mayor Powell read a Resolution of Appreciation: "WHEREAS, Robert S. Craig has served the citizens of Ocean City for the past fifty-three years on the Ocean City Beach Patrol... has rendered capable, conscientious and distinguished service to our citizens in the administration of the affairs of the beach... BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be spread upon the minutes of the Town's governmental proceedings and that a framed copy be given to Robert S. Craig as a lasting token of our sincere respect and regard." The council also gave him a daytime picture of Ocean City "because they knew that you'd want to be able to see the beach." Craig: "Well Fish and I have been friends and buddies for many, many a year... I'm especially grateful to my wife for putting up with doing without me seven days a week during the summertime for many, many years and now I can have some time at home. Maybe next year she'll wish she could go back to the old system." George Schoepf had been appointed Captain of the Beach Patrol at the meeting of 20 April 1987.

    Ocean City Beach PatrolRobert S. Craig

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

19. 1987 · 1987-09-21

    The Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Allan Gotlieb, came to a council meeting to receive a proclamation making September and October Canadian Tourism Months

    The regular meeting of 21 September 1987 delayed its minutes because, as President Trimper put it, "we have some very special guests this evening." Mayor Powell: "You know you just don't get a full-fledged Ambassador to come to a Town like Ocean City, and there's nothing the matter with Ocean City (Laughter) but I think it's just great that he has taken his time and Lord knows he's a busy man in Washington... to come to Ocean City and take a look at us." He introduced "the Honorable Allan E. Gotlieb, Ambassador" and Mrs. Gotlieb and read the proclamation: the Chamber of Commerce and the Maryland State Office of Tourism had "once again extended an invitation to our Canadian neighbors," last year's promotion had "netted a 24% increase statewide in Canadian visitors," and the mayor proclaimed "September and October, 1987, to be Canadian Tourism Months in Ocean City." Gotlieb replied that "about half a million Canadians come to Maryland or visit it each year," that the two countries had "about a billion dollars worth of trade," and that he was "very pleased to see that this is one part of the country that takes Canada very seriously." Councilman Steckman told the press the ambassador "has had a long day and he's requested not to meet with the press this evening."

    Ocean City Chamber of Commerce

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

20. 1987 · 1987-12-21

    Chadwick Hopkins, twelve, won the Menehune division of the 1987 national surfing championships at Padre Island, and the mayor proclaimed a day in his honour

    At the regular meeting of 21 December 1987 Mayor Powell left the chamber to fetch the proclamation ("he's kind of the absent-minded Mayor," said President Trimper) and read it in full: "Whereas: Chadwick D. Hopkins, a local surfer, travelled to Padre Island, Texas; and Whereas, he competed in the Menehune Division of the 1987 National Surfing Competition; and Whereas, Mr. Hopkins won in his division, becoming a U.S. Surfing Champion at the age of 12... I Roland E. Powell, Mayor of Ocean City, Maryland do hereby proclaim this day in honor of Chadwick D. Hopkins for his national success." He was also handed "the very first one" of a new pen set with the City seal. Councilman Feehley: "when you say United States Champion... he's competing against Hawaiians and Californians who have a lot longer surfing season than we do so that really makes it a special accomplishment."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

21. 1988 · 1988-01-18

    A Miss Nadine Simpson telephoned the mayor to ask to be married in the City Hall gazebo on 14 June, and the council, told the gazebo "gets used about once every ten years", did not dare object

    Under the Mayor's items at the regular meeting of 18 January 1988: "I had a telephone call from a Miss Nadine Simpson. She'd like to be married in the City Hall gazebo on June the 14th from 4 to 6 P.M." Councilman Hurley: "It gets used about once every ten years, down here in the yard." City Manager Barrett: "The City employees use it a lot." President Trimper: "Would there be anyone who would dare to object to someone getting married in the gazebo?" Councilman Meehan: "Well, it's a 2-hour wedding." No one objected. Trimper: "If you can't talk her out of it any other way, tell her she can use the gazebo." The index records "Permission granted."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

22. 1988 · 1988-01-18

    The mayor announced that Congressman Roy Dyson would land by helicopter at the Coast Guard Station that Wednesday to tour the beach with the council and lunch at B.J.'s, the day after the State opened the beach replenishment bids

    Mayor Powell, under his items at the regular meeting of 18 January 1988, the night the council passed the seven emergency beach ordinances: "I had a call from Congressman Dyson's office. He'd like to come down this coming Wednesday. He should arrive around lunch time by helicopter with his group, probably landing at the Coast Guard Station. He would like to make a tour of the beach with as many of you as can possibly be there. He'd also like to have lunch at 1:30 at B.J.'s. That was his request so that has been set up." Trimper: "That's this Wednesday? The day after tomorrow?" Later the same night Meehan's proposed 9:30 meeting was moved so that "you'll be here for the Dyson trip." The synopsis: "Mayor Powell discussed a visit by Congressman Dyson and a beach tour he wishes to make." Dyson's office was the town's route again in August, when the council asked the mayor to call him about the Navy's indemnity for the submarine Blenny.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

23. 1988 · 1988-07-19

    The state NAACP brought the council a study called "Strangers in Paradise: Black Tourism in Ocean City, Maryland" and asked for about 300 non-menial jobs, and the Hotel-Motel president called that "totally impossible"

    A special session of 19 July 1988 was given over to the NAACP, two years after its 1986 boardwalk march. David Honig, General Counsel of the Maryland State NAACP, handed the council a study "just concluded" and titled "Strangers in Paradise: Black Tourism in Ocean City, Maryland", compared the town to Atlanta under Ivan Allen, Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young, and said "only two things really" stood between Ocean City and Atlanta's convention business: "we need a decent airport" and "we need to move past its history of workforce segregation." His page 4 catalogued complaints, including a black doctor arriving at a hotel with her daughter to be told "we're not hiring any maids today." Councilman Hall asked what the NAACP would do "if tomorrow we opened up 300 jobs"; Honig said 300 people "would be easy to find" and that the figure was "about 6% or so, of non-menial jobs." Bill Gibbs, president of the Hotel/Motel/Restaurant Association: "I think it's unfair for any organization to ask the governing body of Ocean City ... to train, place and find jobs for 300 people here... non-menial jobs. They are not here ... It is not going to happen." Troy Purnell of the Spinnaker Motel offered ten jobs on the spot: "the way I look at it there's only one non-menial job and that's mine." Gabriel Purnell described the collapse of the Opportunity Council's Pocomoke recruiting and a bus that could not be insured. Mayor Powell, to James Purnell: "I just hope that the ship didn't sink so damn deep that we can't get her back up"; Purnell: "I think the ship just half-sunk ... we're going to raise the ship back up."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

24. 1988 · 1988-10-20

    Council President Granville Trimper finished fifth in the October 1988 election with 913 votes, tied with Hank Westfall, and George Hurley was elected president over Rick Meehan by four votes to three

    At the organizational special session of 20 October 1988 Lucy Gaffney of the Board of Election Supervisors read the results of the Tuesday election: "Roland E. Powell for Mayor - Total 1,495; for Council: Brent Ashley - 254; Vincent Gisriel, Jr. - 1,146; Sally S. Hacking - 1,132; James S. Hall - 1,262; Richard W. Meehan - 1,217; Granville Trimper - 913; Henry B. Westfall - 913." Four seats were filled; Trimper, president through the whole beach-replenishment fight, was out. Councilman Steckman: "We had a virtual 60% turnout." Steckman nominated Meehan for president; the vote was four to three for Hurley, who said he hoped "to fill the seat of a big man who sat here before who certainly had my respect. I sort of hate to see him go." Meehan was elected secretary unanimously. Mayor Powell: "Most of all I guess we've all got to thank God that we have made it through this election ... no name-calling or anything of that nature." On 7 November Councilman Feehley, noting that the Charter leaves a tied election to the new Council, moved for a run-off election instead; the Solicitor agreed the Council deciding was "an almost untenable situation".

    Granville TrimperRick MeehanVincent Gisriel Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

25. 1990 · 1990-04-10

    When the Beach Patrol asked for red lights and sirens on its ATVs, Mayor Powell said the town 'was becoming known as Siren City', and two motions to strip the lights off the Beach Patrol and Fire Marshal vehicles died for want of a second

    Item 9 of the work session of 10 April 1990, "Use of lights and sirens on the Beach Patrol and other city vehicles": "This item also came as a result of the budget hearings in that the Beach Patrol would like red lights and sirens on their ATV's. Mayor Powell felt these vehicles did not need lights and sirens nor did the Fire Marshal vehicles. He stated the Town was becoming known as 'Siren City.'" Councilman Steckman moved to have the equipment removed from both departments' vehicles - "This motion died for lack of a second" - then from the Beach Patrol vehicles alone, which also died. Councilman Hall's motion to leave things as they were and add no more "was 3-4, Hurley, Meehan, Hacking, and Steckman against." City Engineer Dare asked whether either department had a written policy "or if it was just verbal understanding" and had the matter held to 1 May so one could be written; "President Hurley questioned that even with written policy, how do you teach common sense. Mr. Dare responded that a penalty, such as removal of a vacation day, could be enforced." On 1 May Recreation Director Perlozzo brought a draft policy and Clay Stamp explained that Blazers carried beach patients on the tailgate to the top of the street, and "lights/sirens are necessary because the beaches are so crowded."

    Ocean City Beach PatrolDennis W. Dare

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

26. 1990 · 1990-04-16

    Ocean City and its fire company gave a 1959 pumper and equipment to St. Stephen, South Carolina, after Hurricane Hugo, and the South Carolina town made every citizen of Ocean City an honorary citizen of St. Stephen by resolution

    At the regular meeting of 16 April 1990 Mayor Powell read a letter from Mayor Robert B. Hoffman of St. Stephen, South Carolina - "we were humbled by an unexpected but extremely generous gift from Ocean City, Maryland, Fire Department ... Hugo's destructive forces have placed a financial burden on the town which will result in budget cuts" - and the resolution enclosed with it, passed 26 February 1990: "WHEREAS, The Town of St. Stephen was devastated by Hurricane Hugo on September 21st and 22nd of 1989 ... WHEREAS, The people of St. Stephen want to show their appreciation for the kind gift, a fire truck, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the citizens of Ocean City, Maryland, and members of their Fire Department, be adopted as honorary citizens of the Town of St. Stephen, South Carolina, and that a bond of kinship forever be established between our cities." Powell: "some of the very first help that left the State of Maryland was from the Town of Ocean City and Ocean City manpower. And most all that went to the Charleston area ... the Town of Ocean City with the fire company did donate a fire truck and a lot of equipment that went with it." He asked that the plaque hang in the Fire Department. President Hurley: "For the record it was the first truck I was ever assigned to in the Fire Department ... that was a 1959 pumper." Councilman Hall: "No wonder they had to get rid of it."

    Ocean City Volunteer Fire Department

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

27. 1990 · 1990-10-15

    Mayor Powell publicly thanked everyone for their support 'in the event Hurricane Lili would have struck the Town', and the police, firemen and private citizens for recent surf rescues - the only trace of the October 1990 hurricane in the minutes

    Item 19 of the regular meeting of 15 October 1990: "Mayor Powell publicly thanked everyone for their support in the event Hurricane Lili would have struck the Town. He also thanked the police and fire department and private citizens for recent surf rescues." Lili had tracked up the Atlantic seaboard the previous week and turned out to sea. The minutes for the 9 October work session and the 15 October regular meeting carry no other mention of the storm, no emergency declaration and no damage report.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

28. 1990 · 1990-10-18

    Roland Powell was re-elected mayor 1,598 to 511 over Steve Johansen, Jim Mathias led the council poll with 1,283, Buck Mann and Hank Westfall took the other two seats, and incumbents George Feehley and Glenn Steckman lost; Rick Meehan became council president

    At the organizational meeting of 18 October 1990 Catherine Smith, secretary of the Board of Supervisors of Elections, read the results: "For Mayor, the totals were Steve Johansen: 511. Roland E. Powell: 1598. For Council, Brent Ashley: 161. James Dembeck: 738. Rudy DiDio: 165. George W. Feehley: 815. Charney L. Harris, Senior: 339. Walter Buck Mann: 1,090. James N. Mathias: 1283. Glenn Steckman: 810. And Henry Hank Westfall: 864." The agenda carried the oaths of office for Mayor Roland E. Powell and "Councilmembers A. James N. Mathias, Jr. B. Walter C. Mann C. Henry B. Westfall", then the election of a Council President and Secretary; the 5 November minutes are headed by "President Meehan" with Councilmen Mann, Mathias and Westfall sitting. Council President George Hurley had not stood - on 15 October Steckman "wished him well in his bid for county election" - and on 24 July Hurley had said "I won't be here to worry about the budget next year." Steckman on 15 October "took this opportunity to thank everyone on the staff and Council for his past four years."

    James N. "Jim" Mathias Jr.Rick Meehan

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

29. 1991 · 1991-02-04

    Jack and Jill Ice Cream took the town's four-year vehicle vending franchise with a bid of $25,651 a year - more than the other three bidders combined

    Four sealed bids for the Vehicle Vending Franchise were opened at the regular meeting of 4 February 1991 (item 5). Councilman Hall read them: "The first bid is from Frank S. Budnick. Total price is $15,005 a year for a total of $60,020 for the four-year term of the franchise ... The second bid is from Remo Ferrante. It is for 3,000 per year for a total of 12,000 ... The next is from James R. Pond: $7,100 per year for a total of $28,400 ... The bid price is $25,651 per year for a total of $102,604." Mayor Powell: "Who's that from?" Hall: "And the envelope says Jack and Jill Ice Cream, Mr. Alan S. Drazen." Councilman Mann: "What was that again? Read that again, Jim." The council accepted the high bid unanimously, remanding it to the Clerk-Treasurer "for review and compliance with Chapter 100 of our Code and particularly meeting the necessary insurance requirements" - the same night it passed Ordinance 1991-1 raising the franchise's insurance minimums. On 20 February City Manager Dare announced the bid was in order and awarded, clarifying "that Mr. Drazen is a single entity and not a corporation." The synopsis gives the bidders' home towns: Budnick of Middletown, Rhode Island; Ferrante and Pond of Ocean City; Drazen of Federalsburg, Maryland.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

30. 1991 · 1991-03-26

    A motion to ban dogs from the beach year round, prompted by a Century I complaint about droppings, failed 2-3 after Mayor Powell said seagulls and Boardwalk splinters were the bigger problem

    Work session of 26 March 1991, synopsis item 11: "Councilman Westfall read a letter of complaint into the record from property owners in Century 1 concerning dogs and dog droppings. Councilman Westfall then moved to not allow dogs, leashed or unleased, on the beach year round. Councilman Gisriel seconded the motion. Mayor Powell stated this would take an ordinance to enact into law. President Meehan felt this was more of a nuisance problem and should be resolved in some other manner than to just disallow them on the beach. Councilman Mann reiterated it was an enforcement problem. Mayor Powell agreed and felt there were more problems with seagulls and splinters from the Boardwalk. President Meehan suggested tabling the motion and having the Police Commission review this for action. More discussion followed and the vote was 2-3 and did not carry." Dogs were already barred from the beach in season; the motion would have extended the ban through the winter.

    Rick MeehanVincent Gisriel Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

31. 1991 · 1991-04-15

    The mayor presented a proclamation to Robert Loock, who had pulled several members of his family out of the surf the previous October

    Regular meeting of 15 April 1991, item 4 on the index ("Proclamation to commend Robert Loock for a beach rescue") and synopsis item 4: "A Proclamation was presented to Mr. Robert Loock who rescued several family members from the surf the previous October." It was one of three proclamations that night - Louise Gulyas accepted Arbor Day (29 April) and "invited everyone to Northside Park to help plant trees," and C. Gregory Truitt accepted May as Senior Citizen Month. The transcript pages carrying the presentation itself did not survive in the text layer. An October 1990 surf rescue had already been honoured once that spring: the 4 March agenda lists the "Presentation of Silver Star and Certificate to Officer Joe Brown for Surf Rescue in October," though whether the two rescues were the same incident the minutes do not say.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

32. 1991 · 1991-05-20

    To give the June graduates something to do besides drink, the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee put the 16-foot walk-on piano from the film 'Big' on the beach north of the pier for a play-Chopsticks-with-your-feet contest

    Regular meeting of 20 May 1991, item 15. Eleanor Kelley, for the Ocean City Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee and Marty Pusey of the health department: "We have been assigned to organize some activities during the Junebug period that would be healthy activities for the young people who are coming to town so that perhaps we can do away with some of the problems that are created while they are here ... the Super Star Studios offered to bring in a piano which they rent around the country for $4,000. And they offered to give it to us to use ... on the Boardwalk or the beach in front of the Boardwalk or whatever for a night. So we set the date up, June the 5th, with a rain date of June the 6th ... so that the kids can have a contest either dancing on the piano or trying to play 'Chopsticks' with their feet." Councilman Westfall: "Are we going to be up there to see this piano go up on the beach?" Kelley: "It's the same piano that was in the movie, 'Big.' And it is big. As you can see in the specifications, it's five feet wide and 16 feet long. And you don't play it with your hands. You play it with your feet." Mayor Powell suggested a supervisor who "can play the piano with his feet." The committee had no liability insurance; Councilman Gisriel wanted it carried under the town's own risk-retention programme as "a City-sponsored committee," Acting Solicitor Almand called it "a rather low-level of risk" ("Climbing up on the piano"), and the motion passed unanimously with the insurance to come from the studio or the piano's provider. The request had first reached the council through the City Manager on 14 May, when it was for the Inlet parking lot and "just an idea to keep the 'Junebugs' interested in some constructed activities."

    Vincent Gisriel Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

33. 1991 · 1991-08-05

    Ocean City hosted the 1991 World Tournament Karate Championships on 16-17 August, with some 2,500 competitors from more than a dozen countries, a Ninja Turtle and a Police Academy actor as guests, and a Karate Week proclamation from the mayor

    At the regular meeting of 17 June 1991 (synopsis item 14), "Ms. Bonnie Gallagher, representing Shore Hospitality, made an appearance to give an update on the International Karate Championships being held in the Town August 16th and 17th. The response for participation has been overwhelming with over 2500 competitors from 19 international countries. Guest appearances will be Raphael from 'Ninja Turtle II' and John Frenette of 'Police Academy 3' and '4' and possibly some martial arts' artists. It is hoped this competition will be held here for many years to come." On 5 August Mayor Powell presented "a proclamation designating the week of August the 12th to the 18th, 1991, as Karate Week" to Brenda Miller ("Two out of three, that's good," the mayor said of the absent recipients), and Amy Geppi told the council: "The 1991 World Tournament Karate Championships will be held in Ocean City, Maryland. They will be August 16th and 17th. There will be around 14 countries competing." The two counts of countries, 19 in June and 14 in August, are the minutes' own.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

34. 1991 · 1991-08-19

    Hurricane Bob races past 90-100 miles offshore; 3,000 evacuated from Assateague, and Mayor 'Fish' Powell reopens the surf by mid-morning: 'It's vacation time.'

    Hurricane Bob — the year's most feared East Coast storm, which went on to batter New England with 115-mph winds — passed Maryland's coast a safe 90-100 miles out on August 19, 1991. Ocean City got hard rain and ~50 mph gusts; tides ran only about a foot above normal with minor beach erosion. About 3,000 campers and day-trippers were evacuated from Assateague Island, and roughly 1,000 people from flood-prone campgrounds and trailer parks spent the night in shelters in Ocean City and Worcester County. Total reported damage in town: a blown-out glass door and a man knocked off his moped. By mid-morning Mayor Roland E. 'Fish' Powell declared 'the storm is passed' and urged lifeguards to let vacationers back into the still-violent surf.

    The Beach

    Source · checked 2026-08-05

35. 1991 · 1991-10-07

    Twice in 1991 the council refused residents permission to keep pet snakes - two pythons in June, and in October a pair their owner had kept for nine years and said were hibernating - and gave the second owner two weeks to get them out of town

    Regular meeting of 17 June 1991, synopsis item 11: "Mr. Jalyn Owens made an appearance to request permission to house his two pet python snakes in Ocean City which are not allowed per City code. He informed the Council that they are in a lock-proof cage and he would be responsible for them. Councilman Gisriel moved to deny the request with a second from Councilman Mathias. The vote was unanimous." President Meehan: "Many people would have just gone ahead and, and moved their snake into town and I thoroughly respect you for coming forward and asking. I'm sorry we couldn't accommodate you." (The next speaker, the chairman of the election board, opened with "I'm wondering if our position on the agenda means the election board is a snake pit.") On 7 October (item 8, "Request to keep two snakes in Ocean City") Anthony Kolb of 128th Street asked again. Councilwoman Hacking: "I do believe that we turned down a request maybe three months ago for a young man that came up and asked the very same question. So I certainly would not, you know, in all fairness be able to say yes tonight." Kolb: "I've had 'em for over nine years and they've never been loose. They're caged right now. They're in hibernation ... the cage won't even be opened for nine months at which time I will probably not even be in Ocean City." Gisriel: "my instincts say the majority of the community is opposed to that just out of maybe a perceived fear that they might get loose and wander." Councilman Hall, on the realtor who had no objection: "They're all nuts." Mayor Powell: "I'm opposed to it." The denial was unanimous; Kolb asked for "a couple weeks to get 'em out of town" and was given two. Don Hastings, next up to present Sportsfest '91, said he was "glad I'm presenting Sportsfest and not Snakefest."

    Rick MeehanVincent Gisriel Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

36. 1991 · 1991-12-10

    Mayor Powell interrupted a budget discussion at the 10 December work session to introduce Congressman Tom McMillen, who 'may be running for the Eastern Shore district in the next election'

    Work session of 10 December 1991, synopsis item 15, between the departmental status reports: "At this time, Mayor Powell interrupted the meeting to introduce Congressman Tom McMillen who may be running for the Eastern Shore district in the next election." McMillen, the former Maryland and NBA basketball player, then represented Maryland's 4th district; the 1992 redistricting was about to put him into the Eastern Shore's 1st district against Wayne Gilchrest, the race the minutes anticipate. The council had just been told the town's downtown-revitalization grant had been "initially denied by the state" and that the Corps of Engineers' Phase I beach repair would cost $165,000.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

37. 1992 · 1992-03-16

    Mayor Powell told the council that Mrs. Catherine Smith of the Board of Elections had died, and her seat was filled in May by Amy Rothermel

    Under appointments at the 16 March 1992 regular session Mayor Powell said: "as you know, Mrs. Catherine Smith passed away a short time ago. She was a member of the election board. So we need a person for the election board. Any of you have any recommendations, I'd like to hear from you." The synopsis records "a vacancy on the elections board due to the death of a member." On 18 May the mayor reappointed the whole board for two-year terms - Mary Adeline Bradford, Carol Alfonsi, Mary Dean Thompson, Lucy Gaffney, Harry Harrison, Stan Buddenbohn - "and Amy Rothermel who will fill the spot vacated by the death of Catherine Smith sometime ago"; the vote was unanimous.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

38. 1992 · 1992-07-06

    Leighton Moore, "Chicken Man", brought a 555-signature petition to keep his rooster Jerk and hens Honey and Mustard at Seacrets, and the council granted the permit unanimously amid rooster noises from the floor

    At the 6 July 1992 regular session the item was "a Request for Permission to Keep Undomesticated Animals as Pets, one rooster and two hens, presented by the chicken man himself, Leighton Moore. (Various voices imitating chickens.)" Moore, of 117 W. 49th Street: "I would respectfully request that I be allowed to keep Jerk, my rooster, that I've had for approximately two years and his two girlfriends, Honey and Mustard." The petition, "circulated just over the weekend", asked that the birds "be allowed to stay on the premises of O.C. Seacrets, Incorporated, at West End 49th Street", with "555 little children that probably can't vote yet, people that don't live here, some people that do live here". The birds had a heated winter "condominium", feed from Showell Farms and a veterinarian, Dr. Don Ritter. Councilman Mann moved to permit; Hall seconded, citing Fager's peacocks; Westfall asked "Are these purebred chickens?" ("Purebred Rhode Island Red and two of the ugliest hens you ever want to see"). Mayor Powell drew the line at snakes - "we've barred people with their snakes" - and Gisriel, worried about "laying hens" as precedent, was "talked into it". The vote was unanimous.

    Vincent Gisriel Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

39. 1992 · 1992-09-08

    Mayor Powell read a proclamation commending Beach Patrol member John H. Strohsacker for giving CPR to a local citizen, on the same night a cancer-walk day was proclaimed in honour of Mike Sacca

    Synopsis of the 8 September 1992 regular session, items 6 and 7: "A proclamation designating September 13th as Making Strides Against Cancer Day in honor of Mike Sacca was read into the record by Councilman Mathias and accepted by Nancy Howard. A proclamation to commend John H. Strohsacker, a member of the Beach Patrol who had administered CPR to a local citizen, was read by Mayor Powell." The Making Strides walk on the Boardwalk had been approved as a special event at the 6 April session.

    Ocean City Beach Patrol

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

40. 1992 · 1992-10-05

    After Hurricane Andrew the town's Disaster Relief Committee adopted the small town of Franklin, Louisiana, whose last working police car had died, and the council pulled cruisers 872 and 875 from the surplus sale to give them away

    Pat Anthony of the Ocean City Disaster Relief Committee told the 8 September 1992 session that "Several employees including Mayor Powell were to leave the following day with various pieces of equipment, money, and donations" for Hurricane Andrew victims. On 5 October, "Clay Stamp apprised the Council of what the Disaster Relief Committee has accomplished to date. He stated that the committee has been in touch with the small town of Franklin, Louisiana, whom they have designated as the target of future efforts. At the last work session Mayor Powell reported that Franklin's last working police car had expired and requested that a vehicle or two from the surplus sale list be removed and donated. Councilman Gisriel moved to accept the recommendation of the committee and adopt Franklin, LA, for future concentrated relief ... The vote was unanimous." Ordinance 1992-28 to sell surplus property then passed "subject to the deletion of police cruisers 872 and 875 which are being donated to Franklin, LA." Committee members were "flying to Franklin next week, at their own expense, to present a check and any accumulated building materials."

    Ocean City Police DepartmentVincent Gisriel Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

41. 1992 · 1992-10-20

    In the 20 October 1992 election 2,626 voters returned Mayor Powell 2,015 to 457 over Mr. Harris and put George Feehley and Lee Duggan on the council, while sitting members Vince Gisriel (915) and Sally Hacking (1,049) lost their seats

    Mary Adeline Bradford, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Elections, certified the result at the special organizational session of 22 October 1992: "We had 2626 voters. For Mayor: Mr. Harris, 457; Mr. Powell, 2015. Mr. Powell is elected Mayor. For City Council: Lee Duggan, 1238; George Feehley, 1319; Vince Gisriel, 915; Sally Hacking, 1049; Jim Hall, 1530; Richard Meehan, 1616; Glenn Steckman, 1205. The four Councilmen elected: Rick Meehan, Jim Hall, George Feehley, Lee Duggan." Councilman Mathias moved to accept the results. Duggan had left the council by 1987 and Feehley had lost his seat in 1982; both returned. Gisriel, the citizen critic of the beach programme who had won a seat in 1989, finished last of seven. The December work sessions list the new council as Meehan, Westfall, Mathias, Hall, Duggan, Feehley and Mann.

    Rick MeehanVincent Gisriel Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

42. 1993 · 1993-04-05

    A West Ocean City resident told the council the beach and Boardwalk were "a disgrace" of unpoliced dog droppings under a $250-fine ordinance, and the mayor answered that enforcing it would take another hundred men

    Jim Pescetto, "a full-time resident for the last three years," came before the council on 5 April 1993 about Ordinance 23-5.2.K. The one sign he had found, at 41st Street by the Convention Center, read "Curb and clean up after your dog. It's the law. Maximum $250 fine." Elsewhere, he said, "dogs are running rampant on your beach. And it's a crime. It really is. I put my towel down - 'cause the owner's think by putting a little sand over top of it, it's taking care of the problem, but it's not so. And the Boardwalk, you're stepping in it. You're riding your bikes in it. It is a disgrace." Mayor Powell: "You put a towel down this time of year?" and then, "Just give us another 100 men and we'll enforce it. ... But you got to catch the dog in the act to arrest somebody, right?" Councilman Mann: "You got to catch the owner walking away from it." The mayor said he walked the Boardwalk "quite a bit" and had "yet to step in any of it"; Councilman Duggan said the offence was "really far down in the enforcement factor," like hitchhiking, and the matter was sent to the Police Commission for "a little refresher course."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

43. 1993 · 1993-04-05

    Ocean City took the National Arbor Day Society's Tree City award for the fifth year running in 1993, the only barrier island to hold it, on plantings the beautification chairwoman priced at $75,000 a year

    Presenting the Arbor Day proclamation on 5 April 1993, Mayor Powell handed it to Louise Gulyas, who told the council: "I just want to tell you that this is the fifth year we have received the Tree City award from the National Arbor Day Society. And it's very unusual because we are a barrier island. In fact we are the only barrier island that receives this award." The town had also won a growth award because "when they are diseased or vandalized, we replace them. Ocean City spends a great deal of money on plantings, $75,000 a year. So our award is well earned," and the Maryland Plant Award from DNR, to be presented in Annapolis. Arbor Day itself was set for 26 April at Northside Park at 10 a.m., with the third graders of Ocean City Elementary putting on a programme. She asked that the Tree City flag fly outside City Hall for the month of April; the mayor answered that he could no longer get it on the pole himself - "They got a key" - and gave it to the city manager.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

44. 1993 · 1993-09-07

    Hurricane Emily at the end of August 1993 kept the council and staff up all night at a command centre, and the mayor reported that the storm "turned out maybe to be a drill" for which strangers stopped him on the Boardwalk to say thanks

    Mayor Powell, 7 September 1993: "The other thing that I'd like to say a few words on is about the storm Emily. And here again I think all seven of you, as well as Dennis and his staff, and you name it, the State Police, State Highway Administration, so many, many different organizations that took part in, in a - it turned out maybe to be a drill; call it what you want. But they turned out and they worked. Most of you stayed up all night, all the next day. You made some tough decisions. In my mind you made the decisions that were absolutely correct. ... there has been many, many people who has stopped me on the Boardwalk, that has called, people that I don't know ... they have all complemented the City on the way and the manner that the Command Center was ... and the decisions that were made at the Command Center." Councilman Mann said the Beach Boys debriefing scheduled for the previous Wednesday had been pushed aside because "Emily took the precedent there"; Pat Taylor, from the floor, "also thanked the Town for the efforts during the hurricane." Whether an evacuation was ordered is not stated in the searchable minutes.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

45. 1993 · 1993-09-07

    The Beach Boys played a Sunday-afternoon concert on the Ocean City beach in late August 1993 before a crowd the council put at 10,000 - "the first time anything like that has ever been held on the beach"

    At the regular meeting of 7 September 1993 Nancy Howard came to the microphone: "the Beach Boys concert was only what? two weekends ago ... I've only lived here 18 years, but it was one of the most spectacular days I've ever seen in Ocean City." Mayor Powell: "you're the ones that really made the decision to bring the Beach Boys to Ocean City. I think it was a very wise decision. I don't know whether we actually made any money as far as the City coffers are concerned. But as I sat there that afternoon and enjoyed the music ... there were many, many people on the beach that Sunday afternoon, local people, I mean from Cape Charles to Wilmington, Delaware, to the Bay Bridge ... It's the first time anything like that has ever been held on the beach. You really didn't know whether it was gonna be a great show or a flop." Councilman Mann, chairman of the Tourism Commission: "we put 10,000 people there in an enclosed area and we had absolutely no problems with control, disorderliness ... To me it's an indication that we have a new venue for a big production here in Ocean City." Councilman Feehley reported that downtown businesses had been apprehensive beforehand, "but after it was over, everything was positive." Councilman Mathias, during the bid awards: "Of course, Ford paid for the Beach Boys, too." A Columbia Cellular representative had told the council on 21 June that "this year you guys are having two concerts on the beach." The Beach Boys are otherwise absent from the 1993 text: no booking, contract or date appears in the searchable minutes.

    James N. "Jim" Mathias Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

46. 1993 · 1993-10-04

    The owner of the Alaska Stand won leave to put "Please do not feed the birds" cards on his Boardwalk picnic tables over the mayor's objection that feeding the gulls was part of a vacationer's enjoyment

    Synopsis of 4 October 1993, item 6: "Rob Cole, owner of the Alaska Stand at Wicomico Street and the Boardwalk, made an appearance to request allowance of table tent signs on his picnic tables that would say 'Please do not feed the birds.' Mr. Cole's tables are on City property at the head of Wicomico Street and he pays the City a per-table fee for that area with the agreement that he is to maintain the area and keep it clean. He voiced concern that people feeding the seagulls primarily in that area attract them in droves and some occasionally become nasty. ... Councilman Feehley moved to allow the request only on the subject tables; seconded by Councilman Mann. Councilman Mathias took the position that the tables are on City property and felt this would set a standard for the Town. Mayor Powell agreed and stated feeding the gulls are part of the vacationers' enjoyment. Lengthy discussion followed and most members of the Council agreed a problem exists. The vote was 6-1 with Councilman Mathias opposed."

    James N. "Jim" Mathias Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

47. 1994 · 1994-02-07

    The Caine Woods Association booked its third annual Fiesta Park clean-up for 16 April with about forty residents, a city truck for bulk pick-ups and a warning about the mayor's chain saw

    Glenn Steckman, president of the Caine Woods Association, came to the regular session of 7 February 1994 to fix the date so he could print it in the newsletter he was temporarily editing: "We would like to schedule our third annual cleanup of Fiesta Park in the Caine Woods area for April the 16th, which is Saturday. It's two weeks after Easter ... Typically we have had close to 40 residents getting out there and helping to clean up the park, cut down some of the poison sumac. Dennis wasn't there last year. He got a good case of poison sumac the first year." He asked for the city truck and crew that had done bulk pick-ups in past years and promised lunch - "better hotdogs than we serve at the picnic." Mayor Powell: "Can I bring my chain saw?" Steckman: "We have arranged to make sure there are no lawnmowers in the park while you're there with a chain saw ... Fish took out a City lawnmower, almost killed a City employee, too." The mayor observed that 16 April was "the day after income tax"; Councilman Mann moved to grant the request.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

48. 1994 · 1994-04-04

    Asked what special events he already handled without the council, the mayor answered "marriages on the beach - got one today", and the council voted to let him approve the routine ones from then on

    At the regular session of 4 April 1994, under council comments, Councilman Feehley proposed that the annual, trouble-free special-event requests stop coming before the full council: "Some of these people come up year after year. And I thought we could save them some time ... He already handles certain special events. Mayor, what do you handle? Marriages on the beach..." Mayor Powell: "Marriages on the beach. Got one today." Feehley's example was Frank Holloway, who "has been coming up here for how many years and asking if the American Legion can have a parade and we're not about to turn him down." Councilman Hall seconded after asking that the delegation apply only after a first request had gone through the council; the mayor added "But they'd still have to go through the process", and Feehley agreed that anything "a little bit different" would still be put on the agenda.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

49. 1994 · 1994-07-05

    With Alan Jackson and Frankie Valli lost, the council booked Three Dog Night with the Beach Boys and the Everly Brothers for a beach concert on Sunday 4 September, and the mayor asked whether that was "three dogs doing some kind of..."

    Regular session of 5 July 1994, continued discussion of beach concerts and fireworks. Councilman Mann for the Convention Center Commission: "we've lost the opportunity to have the Alan Jackson concert. And that means only the Beach Boys, the Everly Brothers, and - we lost the Frankie Valli part of it. We've filled it with - who's the group, Rick?" President Meehan: "Three Dog Night." Mann: "And we can have 'em on Sunday night instead of Monday night. And we feel that that would be a better attraction 'cause people would still be in town." Councilman Westfall asked "Is that the same costs?" - "Yes... within a couple dollars" - and the motion carried for "a late afternoon concert on Sunday, September 4th, on the beach." Later that evening Russell Maykrantz thanked the commission for bringing back the Beach Boys, who "put Ocean City on the map last year", and Mayor Powell asked: "Is that, is that three dogs... Is that three dogs doing some kind of...?" Laughter; Maykrantz: "The Mayor knows 'em, doesn't he?" Mann: "Quote of the week." Powell: "Mr. Maykrantz, I'm not up on all that stuff." Maykrantz: "All right, there's no room for Lawrence Welk here."

    Rick Meehan

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

50. 1994 · 1994-08-01

    The town handed Atlantic General Hospital the final $575,823 of its $2.5 million pledge, and the hospital reported 13,000 emergency-room patients in its first year and a transfer rate down from 6% to 1%

    Regular session of 1 August 1994. Mayor Powell, presenting the cheque to William Donatelli: "a few years ago we had assembled the members of the Board of Directors of the new AGH hospital up here before the Council and requested that the Town of Ocean City would make a donation for a pledge for $2.5 million. Well, at that time that was a lot of money and it's still a lot of money ... I don't think our ambulances could ever get to Salisbury and back in time to do what they're doing this day and time ... this is the final payment on that $2.5 million. And it's in the amount of $575,823. And, Rick, get your hand on this check too 'cause I get shaky with that kind of money." Donatelli: "without that support since 1989, we wouldn't be here ... The first year we treated over 13,000 in the emergency room. This month of July which is into our second fiscal year, we saw about a 5% increase and saw over 2,000 people in the month that just ended. Nearly 1100 of those were admitted and for the year we averaged 28 in-patients. Today was the highest census we've had since we were open. We had 44 patients in the hospital this morning ... we've seen the transfer rate drop for around 6% of those emergency room visits during our first month to where it's running about 1%." First-year revenue was within half a per cent of projection; he named the new physicians, including an orthopaedic surgeon and a board-certified emergency physician who would liaise with the town's EMS.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

51. 1994 · 1994-10-03

    Bad weather tore up the twentieth Sunfest's tents on the same weekend as an extensive fire at 9th Street, and the mayor told the council the employees and firemen had made "something out of something that could have been a real catastrophe"

    Regular session of 3 October 1994. Councilman Feehley, on the Sunfest statistics: "Would the solid waste include those beat-up tents?" City Manager Dare: "They're still down there." Mayor Powell: "I think a few words of praise should be said for the City employees ... they went far beyond what they had to do this past week during the Sunfest ... Public Works was just terrific. And all others that took a part, you know, the employees of the Convention Hall. Everybody pitched in. And I think they made something out of something that could have been a real catastrophe ... And also of course the fire at 9th Street, I think once again the firemen proved to us that when the chips are really down, they can stand up and be counted ... And they were doing it when the call came in that many of 'em were down trying to help secure the Sunfest and save what they could." The synopsis records Sunfest solid waste up 18% over 1993, water 2% less, bus and train ridership down; Feehley "commended Mayor Powell for his role during the Sunfest/fire calamities." The Tourism Commission minutes of 11 October, reported on 1 November, followed up: the chairs were "taking a beating from the salt air" and moving the site farther north was discussed. The 27 September packet had billed the festival as the "20th Anniversary Edition" with a commemorative poster "signed by Mr. Sunfest himself."

    Dennis W. Dare

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

52. 1995 · 1995-03-20

    The Ocean City Ministerial Association applied for a special-event permit to walk up Baltimore Avenue on Good Friday, stopping to pray at each church, and the city solicitor told them a procession of churchgoers needed no permit at all

    At the regular meeting of 20 March 1995 (item 5B) Jim McGinnis, for the Ocean City Ministerial Association, presented "a new request for a gathering of people on Worcester Street at the Sunspot Ministry and to march up Baltimore to the Atlantic Union Methodist Church in honor of Good Friday ... stopping at each church. And we'll be there for approximately 15 or 20 minutes each place. The pastors of each church will offer a small sermon, and the people will move on." Councilman Gisriel offered to waive the $25 application fee but not the insurance rider. City Solicitor Ayres: "Well, I'm not even so sure this requires a special event permit." Mayor Powell: "For a group of people walk along the sidewalk and stop at a church and do some praying." Ayres: "To my knowledge, just about every church in town on Palm Sunday people get out and walk around with palms ... I don't think church members going from one church to another requires a special event permit in this town." McGinnis said they had been sent to the Convention Center for the form; the council counted the group at 150 people; the trolley they had asked for was not handicapped-accessible and the City Manager offered a van instead. Gisriel withdrew his motion and no permit was issued.

    Guy R. Ayres IIIVincent Gisriel Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

53. 1995 · 1995-03-20

    The council sanctioned a Sister City courtship with Finale Ligure, Italy: twelve Ocean City residents paying their own way for two weeks in September, with the Italians to be hosted in return the following year

    Jim Pescetto ("In Italian it's Pe-shetto") appeared at the regular meeting of 20 March 1995 for the Ocean City Sister City Committee: "I'm pleased to say that we have 12 people who are paying their own way to visit Finale Liguro, who has requested to be our sister city. We're departing on September 15th. And we're being hosted there for two weeks ... And the reason I'm here is that because we wish for the City of Ocean City to sanction this project. It won't be complete til they in '96 visit us here in Ocean City ... So it's a reciprocal agreement. And after both parties agree that we're meant for each other and both Mayors would meet each other." Mayor Powell had meant to go with his wife Jeannie but could not because of Sunfest. Councilman Hall volunteered: "If the Mayor's paying for it, I'll go to Glen Burnie. (LAUGHTER) To get a dollar out of him, I'll go." The motion to sanction the project passed unanimously; Pescetto was back on 16 October with a report on the trip (agenda item 5).

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

54. 1995 · 1995-04-17

    During Municipal Government Week two students, Matt and Mike Giardina, made and seconded the council's motion on the First Street tennis-court bids, and it carried unanimously

    Regular meeting of 17 April 1995: "5. Students participating in Municipal Government Week were introduced. 6. Mayor Powell presented a proclamation designating April 24 to 28 as Municipal Government Week." Then, item 8: "Bids for the First Street tennis courts were as follows: P&A Engineering, Delmar, DE - $15,694; Tilcon Delaware, Inc 20,870. Students Matt and Mike Giardina motioned and seconded to acknowledge the low bid from P&A and remand to staff for review. The vote was unanimous." The same evening the council heard the local crabbers on the collapse of the crab population and approved the Fourth Annual Marine Corps Challenge, whose new addition was "to have sky divers land in the ocean and swim ashore."

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

55. 1995 · 1995-06-05

    The town rejected two $14,000-a-show bids for its Fourth of July fireworks and then paid Pyrotecnico $40,000 against a $28,000 budget, because the recent shows had been lacklustre

    At the work session of 11 April 1995 (item 4) the fireworks bids were opened: "Zambelli Internationale, New Castle, PA - no bid; Pyrotechnics, Lancaster, PA - $14,000 per show; Pyrotecnico, New Castle, PA 14,000 per show." Bob Rothermel explained that Fire Art, which had put on a show at the Princess Royale the previous Wednesday, "doesn't bid the Town of Ocean City because of the cost-per-shell requirement; they prefer to submit a program with a cost attached." Councilman Meehan "suggested rejecting these bids and rebidding it with a $40K allocation, which is the budgeted amount for FY-96," and the bids were rejected unanimously. At the regular meeting of 5 June (item 24): "RFP's for 4th of July fireworks had been reviewed with recommendation to Pyrotechnico for $40,000. As the budgeted amount was $28,000, Mayor Powell asked from where the additional funds would be tapped. Comments followed that the recent fireworks have been lackluster and that more money should be spent with funds coming from the General Fund. Councilman Hall moved to award to Pyrotechnico; seconded by Councilman Mathias. The vote was unanimous."

    Rick Meehan

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

56. 1995 · 1995-06-13

    Two young men were permitted to keep two boa constrictors, two royal pythons, two iguanas, two geckos, two dragons and two horned frogs in an Ocean City apartment, by a 5-2 vote, after a supporter pointed out that a steakhouse had been allowed two crocodiles as marketing objects

    At the work session of 13 June 1995 (item 4) "Steve Kasper and Steve Clark made an appearance to request permission to house their non-domesticated pets which are snakes, reptiles and frogs. The animals are kept caged and are well cared for. They have even been used by several schools for educational purposes." Their filed list: 2 Red Tail Boas, 2 Green Iguanas, 2 Royal Pythons, 2 Leopard Geckos, 1 Bearded Dragon, 1 Chinese Water Dragon, 2 Chacoan Albino Horned Frogs. Their letter: "Some people have the same passion for dogs, cats, and horses. Ours just happens to be for reptiles ... The reptiles we own have never been responsible for any death or serious injury to a human. Tragically we cannot say the same thing about dogs, horses, or in all honesty, some household appliances." A neighbour, Vikki Johnson, wrote: "If the Mayor and City Council can give permission to Croc's Sports Steakhouse to keep two Caymen Crocodiles as marketing objects, then certainly Mr. Clark ... should be given the same consideration ... if I had a choice between meeting an intoxicated June Bug in a dark alley or a Boa Constrictor, I would choose Mr. Clark's snakes in a heartbeat." Councilman Mathias moved to allow the pets; "Mayor Powell asked what his role was if this motion passed as he did not favor it; that is if he could veto it." The permission was limited to these animals at this address, revocable at once on any problem, with sticker notices at the doors. "The vote was 5-2 with Councilmen Gisriel and Duggan opposed."

    James N. "Jim" Mathias Jr.

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

57. 1995 · 1995-08-21

    A Seaweed Lane resident who had kept a Burmese python for years was given retroactive permission for it, on condition of warning signs front and back, and the mayor complained the council was becoming lenient about exotic animals

    Regular meeting of 21 August 1995, item 7: "Laura Sanders of 602A Seaweed Lane requested permission to house a Burmese python. Ms. Sanders has had the snake for a number of years with no problems but it had recently come to pass that no formal permission had been requested. Councilman Mathias moved to permit the snake with certain conditions; those being that a sign be posted on the front and back of the house alerting outsiders that the snake was on the premises and that if any complaints arose, the Mayor and Council would review this immediately." Councilman Meehan had the permit limited to this one snake at these premises; "Mayor Powell voiced concern that the Council was becoming lenient on this topic and that Animal Control should be reminded about code restrictions." A further amendment required the owner to report at once if the snake got loose. "The vote was 4-2 with Councilmen Gisriel and Duggan opposed and Councilman Mann absent." Two weeks earlier (7 August, item 8) the council had approved a potbellied pig for a Delaware Association of Realtors fundraiser at the Princess Royale, the special-event permit being unnecessary on private property but the non-domesticated animal needing the council's leave.

    James N. "Jim" Mathias Jr.Rick Meehan

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

58. 1995 · 1995-08-21

    The mayor told the council that live models in thongs were posing as mannequins in a volleyball shop, that the off-colour T-shirts had come back, and asked "where is our public image?" - and was told the models were on private property

    At the regular meeting of 21 August 1995 Mayor Powell broke into a discussion of a police picnic: "They have live models and they're beautiful girls, no doubt about it. And they - they're the kind of people that stand there and they don't move, you know ... But while the lady was parked there with all her kids in the car, the model turned, backside to the public, and managed to bend over and do that. And guess what she had on? A bong." Councilman Hall: "A thong." The mayor: "Now this lady - a gong or thong, a bong, a string ... You know, where is our public image? ... I don't know what's starting to take place in this town, but there's been a change this year. The T-shirts have come back. I've had two people today. And they named the places. And I constantly ask the Police Department to look at it." Councilman Gisriel recalled that "several years ago we wrote to the state's attorney in this county about the thong issue. And he wrote back to us and told us he would not prosecute that." City Solicitor Ayres: the town's ordinance "wouldn't apply to that situation anyway ... because it's not public property." The synopsis (item 17) records "a local volleyball shop where live models dressed only in thongs pose as mannequins" and that "it was agreed that more police enforcement was needed."

    Guy R. Ayres III

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

59. 1996 · 1996-03-18

    The council refused both a drafted body-piercing ordinance and a motion to regulate piercing like tattooing, and voted instead to ask the State to write the rules, after the shop owner told them "the last time I checked my ears are connected to my body"

    A draft ordinance negotiated since February between the City Solicitor, shop owner Melissa Adams and the Health Department came to the regular meeting of 18 March 1996 (item 17). Councilman Duggan moved instead "to see body piercing on the same regulations and guidelines as tattoo ordinance that we have locally", which would have required a physician on the premises. Adams: "I started this business last year ... spent $40-50,000 getting my shop opened, started; spent $11,000 in advertising. And simply because I came to you instead of going to the state, you're now gonna put me out of business ... The Health Department sat in here last week and said ... it will make it more dangerous ... because it will put it underground. It will put it in backrooms. It will put it in kitchens ... Body piercing is body piercing. And the last time I checked my ears are connected to my body." President Feehley: "a high school dropout could put themselves in business." Duggan's motion failed 3-4 (Gisriel, Duggan and Feehley for; Mann, Hall, Mathias and Meehan against). Mayor Powell said he would support neither the motion nor the ordinance: "We are not a medical board of review. I don't think we have the expertise to put this ordinance together" and that passing it "will give a feeling of security to the people who may go to these ... body piercing shops." Councilman Mathias then moved to ask the State to regulate; the City Solicitor advised that a moratorium on new licences "would create a monopoly for the two known businesses and would be illegal"; the vote was unanimous.

    James N. "Jim" Mathias Jr.Guy R. Ayres III

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

60. 1996 · 1996-05-20

    A tenant asked to keep a five-foot iguana that relieved itself in his bathtub, and the mayor, who wanted nothing to do with "a damned snake", asked the solicitor whether a permit holder could walk one down the Boardwalk

    Regular meeting of 20 May 1996, item 15, request to house an iguana, with Council Secretary Hall in the chair. Mayor Powell: "Five foot long. Where does it go to the bathroom and how is this maintained?" Bob Noonan: "I put it in the bathtub is where he usually goes." Councilman Meehan: "Is this what we want to promote in Ocean City? I mean why not get a flock of chickens ... and put 'em in your spare bedroom?" Powell: "Where does this thing stop? ... You've got a five-foot animal living in a cage in a - probably a small unit, multi-unit place, that does his business in the bathroom in the bathtub ... Move across the bridge and get yourself an acre of land ... the majority of people including myself don't want anything to do with a damned snake." Noonan explained the police had seen an empty aquarium through his porch window, Animal Control had asked whether he housed a snake, and he had since sent the snake to his brother in Baltimore; he was a renter in a second-floor unit and needed a sign on his door. Powell: "Guy, can - are they able to take these animals and walk 'em down the Boardwalk or down the beach? ... How about the snake? Can you walk down the Boardwalk with a snake around your neck? ... It's not a damned bit funny to me." City Solicitor Ayres: "I think the ordinance deals with housing one. I don't think it deals with someone who drives into town and wants to walk down the Boardwalk and back. I'm not aware of any law that prohibits that." The permit was approved unanimously with Hall abstaining and Feehley absent. It was the year's second exotic-animal permit; Diana Peterson's two-foot ball python in a 500-gallon aquarium had been approved on 3 January, and the black rat snake followed in August.

    Guy R. Ayres IIIRick Meehan

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

61. 1996 · 1996-07-15

    The Beach Patrol's women guards, who had never been sent to the all-women's lifeguard tournament at Riis Park, New York, asked the council for $1,200 and the mayor said he would find it himself if the city could not

    Regular meeting of 15 July 1996, item 8. President Feehley introduced Colby Nelson as "the young lady that was working as a waitress at the Carousel ... The season was over. The guards were not on the beach. The weather was cold ... there were some people who were in distress, and Colby went out in her waitress uniform and rescued them." Nelson, a third-year guard, with second-year guard Jen Harrison and the women guards standing at the back: "every year there is an all-women's lifeguard tournament in Riis Park, New York ... since I've been on the Beach Patrol, we have sent no teams due to lack of interest and financial support. However, this year we have the most female guards at one time than we've ever had, and we've all been working together in workouts three days a week." Recreation Director Tom Perlozzo: "in my past five or six years, every year that they've requested an opportunity to participate at Riis Park, they have been denied." Feehley argued at length that the money should not come from the $2,000 budgeted for the USLA regional competitions and that the women were "excluding 90% of the Beach Patrol, the male members"; Councilman Mann: "These girls are here." Mayor Powell: "Dennis, do we have $1200 someplace? I know you're using overtime during the storm and everything. If you don't have $1200, I'll find $1200 ... I see enough people in the audience right now." (Applause.) Councilman Hall moved "that we find the funding to appropriate the money for these girls to go to this particular competition ... The $1200." The page carrying the vote is not in the text layer of the document; the minutes were approved as presented on 5 August.

    Ocean City Beach Patrol

    Source · checked 2026-09-10

62. 1996 · 1996-08-05

    With Powell not seeking re-election and the signs and plaques for the enlarged building already being made, the council voted 6-0 on 5 August to name the whole Convention Center the Roland E. Powell Convention Center

    Councilman Hall at the regular meeting of 5 August 1996 (item 5): "as everybody knows, the Convention Center is under a major overhaul and gonna be ... about tripled in size. And I thought with the retirement of the great Mayor Powell, that you all might consider naming the Convention Center the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Ordinarily I guess we would wait until Fish retired in fact; however, they are doing construction. They're building signs; they're building plaques; they're having brochures printed ... for Fish's work up there, the time he's spent, the great funding mechanism he got for us in Annapolis ... I think it'd be a great honor." Seconded by Councilman Duggan. Mayor Powell: "Sounds a little bit like you're trying to get rid of me." Hall: "Either that or I'm gonna file for mayor tomorrow, one or the other." Powell: "This is not a bribe now, is it?" President Feehley: "Is this the addition or the whole...?" Hall: "The whole, the whole center." Feehley: "And he has a lifetime pass to everything there?" The synopsis: "With Mayor Powell having decided not to seek reelection this fall, as a deserving tribute Councilman Hall moved to have the renovated Convention Center named in his honor ... Mayor Powell briefly summarized his political career both in the county and the Town and noted that he felt very honored with this request. The vote was unanimous with Councilman Meehan absent." The next speaker, car-show promoter Jack Hennen, was already "looking forward to be called the Roland E. Powell Convention Center".

    Source · checked 2026-09-10