BERLIN MD BLOG

Around Town…a busy week backwards and forwards

Above and below our usually placid surface (excepting Town Hall), the town of Berlin Maryland has been exhibiting some unusual activity recently. For three days over the weekend our Historic Main Street Commercial District became host to an estimated 9,000 visitors during the ever-popular Annual Fiddlers Convention with acoustic concerts and competitions providing the entertainment. Steve Frene, along with his band of merry citizen volunteers is to be highly commended for his expertise in producing this glorious showcase event for Berlin. Thank you Steve! Next up on our calendar of events is our always-magical Victorian Christmas holiday activity beginning with Arts Night on Friday, November 28th.
On Monday evening, with barely time to exhale, many concerned town citizens showed up at the Town government sponsored presentation by electrical engineering firm Booth and Associates, Inc. to examine on-going issues within the Town’s electric utility. This renewed focus has been caused by our recent increasingly, high electric rates. In my opinion, the guys from Booth along with a Maryland State Energy Administration representative gave us a strong basis of fact upon which the second public presentation, October 7th will build. At that time, we will hear a professional assessment outlining our options going forward. Several folks seemed disappointed that immediate resolutions were not already available.
On Wednesday morning, an out of area friend stopped by and commented on the political signs blooming all over town – overwhelming even the numerous For Sale signs – a phenomena which began late last week. It’s election time in Berlin and we currently have a couple of contests that may only be resolved with YOUR vote on October 14th. Primary of course there is the somewhat heated race for Mayor between acting Mayor Gee Williams and former Mayor Rex Hailey. Personally having spoken with both yet unable to define specifics from either my vote is still up in the air. No matter, it is apparent that both candidates have the best interests of Berlin citizens as a top priority.  Perhaps I’m expecting too much? Mr. Hailey did hand out a flyer to some (obtained a copy from a friend) stating his interests and intents however, for most of us, especially this year it will be vote by pocketbook. As for Mr. Williams, judging by his recent activities – he’s been too busy “doing” as interim Mayor to be “saying” much. However, I personally am disappointed that he has not found the time to fill the recent openings on two important Town Commissions. This is the Mayor’s duty.
The vote by pocketbook will again hold true for the three-way race in Council District II. To his credit, newcomer Jason Walter has lengthy professional technical expertise in the utility/energy industry that could benefit us greatly once a final determination is made relating to the Town owned electric company. He also makes claim to being a conservative – stating his goal as ensuring high quality services while trimming out excess expense. Another short term resident, but long-time local business owner, Thom Gulyas has also sent out a campaign letter to district II residents – the message contained therein is somewhat ambiguous, while not clearly stating specific goals he does offer a lengthy personal biography. The final applicant for our Council job is Lisa Hall, a long-term resident who yesterday took the time to visit personally. After a pretty intensive questioning by both my husband and me it’s apparent that Ms. Hall knows well the issues but perhaps not all of the specifics. In fairness to Ms. Hall, Mike and I attend most all of the major Town meetings regularly and would be hard to please by any of our current candidates!
Ultimately though, no matter the good intents put forth by any of our candidates they will certainly be held to the tough, realistic (OK, pretty cruel in today’s economy) standards of COST, VALUE and BENEFIT! What can we really afford? What is the overall value? What is the real benefit going forward?
Yes, it’s been an extraordinarily busy week here in town for everyone – even if the ongoing financial and political saga running concurrently on the national level had not demanded even more attention. It is only to be hoped that with a little time off for reflection we can meet our obligations and make some wise choices for our Town on October 14th and then again on November 4 for our Nation!
Please remember to VOTE (and then we can take down some of those signs!) New polling place – Buckingham Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Main Street. Polling hours – 7 am until 7 pm.
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Seriously “Green” and filled with ideas!

The time for chiding our more conservation minded friends is over…its now time for some serious “green” thinking. Attending the 7th annual “Assateague Coast Day” celebration sponsored by organizations such as The Assateague Coastal Trust and Maryland Coastal Bays at the State Park on Saturday got me to thinking. I thoroughly appreciate and applaud what these folks are working to do – helping to save our coastal environment!
Fact is, unless born here most of us relocate to this area because we enjoy the proximity to the water. Many come envisioning a more relaxed lifestyle that offers boating, fishing or other water related activities. For some, the natural scenery provided by the ocean, the area bays and rivers is the attraction. No matter what the reason, moving here requires that we purchase or build a home. These days, this too requires that we become seriously “green”…finding a place to live in which we can sustain those dreams within current economic realities.
Recently, my curiosity was piqued by a sign along Rt. 50 stating “Ask about our green home”. Currently living in Berlin MD where the electric rates have gone off the charts – and after having replaced every light bulb with a “twirley” thing, lowered or raised the thermostat accordingly and added new faucets everywhere, I was ready to learn more about this energy saving, “green” home, right away!
Contacting the builder, Resort Homes Inc., I was told that there would be an Open House presentation very soon. But being impatient, we drove over to 128 South Ocean Drive in Montego Bay off 130th Street last week for a “sneak peek”. Happily we found the cottage model open – door ajar, music playing and lights on, ready to view. Throughout the house were little, green, leaf shaped signs touting numerous “green” economies and benefits. From the smart energy conserving materials used in construction to the new tank-less hot water system to the double tap faucets – this house definitely appeared to have had much thought put into its design. Serious “green” thoughts! My companion and I, although being long time homeowners – learned much and liked it a lot! Perhaps you will too! The official Open House will begin Saturday, September 20th from 11:30 until 1 pm – although, you may phone 410-213-7721 anytime and ask for Darryl Greer.
Now, we just have to find a lot upon which to put it!
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The “Bloviators” have arrived…!

It’s an uncertain time here in the wonderful town of Berlin MD – for the next 5 weeks, until the Town elections are past, bloviators will roam our streets and occupy our shops, run our meetings, clog our telephone lines and jam our emails.

What is a bloviator?  They look just like you and me but they sound like something else.  According to the online encyclopedia – Wikipedia – “To bloviate means “to speak pompously and excessively,” or “to expound ridiculously.” A colloquial verb coined in the United States, it is commonly used with contempt to describe the behavior of politicians, academics, pundits or media “experts,” sometimes called bloviators, who hold forth on subjects in an arrogant, tiresome way.”
Last night’s meeting of the Berlin Mayor & Council was a perfect example…during a standing room only gathering, Interim Mayor Gee Williams by his lengthy speech and actions, became that very definition.  With many in attendance for the singular purpose of finding relief from their current shockingly high electric bills, Mr. Williams took the opportunity, after stating current Council actions, to bloviate.  Citing past history of the Berlin Electric Company, the remaining time was used (over an hour) to expound on his opinions.  When queried by Second District Candidate, Lisa Hall on the meaning of an especially inflammatory (and in my opinion totally unnecessary) sentence* in his recent, lengthy letter to the town, Williams claimed innocent intent.  That’s OK, yet continued with even more pointed statements proving his displeasure and frustration.  Too, there were several inaccurate statements, misrepresentations made, pertaining to the amount of input from the Berlin Utility Commission addressing electric company and other important current utility issues faced by town citizens…  To all who regularly attend these meetings it is widely known that despite best efforts most all recommendations have fallen upon deaf ears – and that NO August work session on the Town’s Sewer Capacity Ordinance – Public Works was held between the BUC, the Berlin Planning Commission and the Mayor and Council as reported yesterday in a local newspaper.
Where am I going with this…I suppose it’s nearly time to get off the fence?  In a few short weeks the folks of Berlin will have to decide which man wins the sometimes questionable, but seemingly coveted title of Mayor of Berlin Maryland.  I don’t know about you but I’m not certain that I want to listen to one of those scary bloviators for the next 4 years!  I’ll keep listening though, trying to discern reason and intent right up until election day.

*”We are not waiting for a chorus of homegrown advice from individual citizens, as well intentioned as it may be.”

Berlin’s FIDDLERS’ CONVENTION – Coming soon!

With the advent of September here on the lovely Eastern Shore, the countdown to the annual Berlin FIDDLERS CONVENTION begins in earnest.  For 16 years the Town of Berlin and the Berlin Chamber of Commerce along with many area businesses have proudly sponsored this “Very Best of Berlin” event.  Beginning as an idea picked up by one of our leading citizens, the late Mr. Jim Barrett while traveling, this event has gone on to become a chock-full, three-day celebration of live Bluegrass concerts, competitions and jams within the capable hands of Mr. Steve Frene.  This year, beginning at 7 pm on Friday, September 19th through 3 pm Sunday, September 21st the streets of Historic Berlin Maryland will resound with the finest fiddlin’, pickin’, pluckin’ and strummin’ imaginable!  With its backdrop of unique shops and great eateries, the usually quiet little town of Historic Berlin becomes a visitor’s delight!  And, it’s free to all! Mark your calendar and come on down!
For a specific schedule visit our website at – www.BerlinFiddlersConvention.com where Competition and Sponsorship forms are also available.
Direct contact, phone Steve Frene at 410-219-3500, xtn 13 or email: sfrene@dbc1.com
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