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5/7/2025 12:56:39 PM
 
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Section 18: Worcester County Subject: County Hearing Msg# 1224913
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Check out the video below of the end of the regular County Commissioners' meeting on the morning of May 6 during a period for "County Commissioner's Remarks."
Use link below and scroll down to near end for County Commissioner Remarks.
Commissioners Joe Mitrecic and Eric Fiore go completely over the edge, accusing fellow Commissioner Chip Bertino of making "inflammatory" public comments; of making a "flat out lie" and "falsehood." Mitrecic said Bertino made these "lies" during his presentation at a recent Town Hall meeting at the Ocean Pines library. Both Mitrecic and Fiori acted unhinged. Fiori accused Bertino of trying to "ruin" his businesses. Fiore demanded an apology. Fiore yet again tried to act like a prosecuting attorney in a criminal case, angrily demanding Bertino answer his questions - to no avail. Bertino remained calm. The issue is apparently over whether the commissioners voted on some motion or not and what was included. Bertino's written presentation at the Town Hall meeting contained the following statement that is the core of the outrage expressed by Mitrecic and Fiori. "To make up the entire deficit, a majority of Commissioners(Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic and Purnell) vote to require ALL SERVICE AREAS - regardless of debt contribution - to repay the shortage amount in equal shares. This equates to about $32 per ratepayer per quarter on top of any other rate adjustments that are necessary within a service area." Prior to the Bertino/Bunting Town Hall, Bertino made it very clear the Commissioners had not voted on any specific rate structure. His comment, quoted above, reflects his accurate view that by voting to propose only a single option for the then upcoming public hearing, the net effect was what he told attendees at the Town Hall meeting. Any semantics aside, any reasonable person listening to what Elder, Fiori, Mitrecic and Purnell had to say in the past could only conclude their clear intent was to produce a budget that would see Ocean Pines ratepayers foot the bill for much of the losses in other districts like Glen Riddle. The loss of composure by Mitrecic and Fiori was rather disgraceful. |
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For reference, the above message is a reply to a message where: Chip, many thanks to you and Jim Bunting for spearheading opposition to what would have been a very unfair solution to funding financial losses in other sewer and water districts. Over the next month, there will be discussion among the Commissioners and staff on how best to move forward in the FY 2026 budget cycle. Stay Tuned. A skirmish is won, but the war is far from over. The $6 million or more in losses will not even be debated until next year at this time. Meantime, those Commissioners looking at Ocean Pines as a cash cow to support other districts will have an entire year to examine ways to integrate the systems into one. The OPA Board of Directors also needs to keep counsel looking into how to oppose any County move to consolidate 11 or so districts into one. Perhaps even more importantly, have counsel examine the issue of financial fairness as the County:
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| Calendar |
OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhpuse
6/28/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
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OPA Board Meeting - Golf Clubhouse
7/26/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |
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Annual Meeting - Assateague Room
8/9/2025 - 9:00 A.M. |