Ocean View News

Town of Ocean View, Delaware

Population:

  • 1882 (2010 Census)

Town council meetings:

  • Second Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m.; town hall meeting room

Planning & Zoning meets:

  • Third Thursday of the month, 7 p.m., town hall meeting room

Elections:

  • Second Saturday in April; mayor is elected separately from council members, at the same time; council members run by district, but voters can vote for candidates in any district; two-term limits on mayor and council

Town office:

  • 201 Central Avenue, Ocean View, DE 19970; (302) 539-9797

Web site

General e-mail inquiries

Town Council:

  • Gordon Wood, Mayor
  • Thomas Sheeran, Council Member
  • Michele Steffens, Council Member
  • Bob Lawless, Council Member
  • Geoff Christ, Council Member

Town Manager:

  • Dianne Vogel

Town Clerk:

  • Donna Schwartz

Finance Director:

  • Lee Brubaker

Administrative Official:

  • Charles McMullen

Standing committees:

  • Planning Commission
  • Board of Adjustments
  • Board of Elections

Police:

  • Ken McLaughlin, Chief

Town Solicitor:

  • Dennis Schrader

Emergency:

  • 911

Non-emergency police contact:

  • (302) 539-1111

Water service:

  • Central water service is active and connection is mandatory.

Trash pick-up:

  • No municipal trash service; private haulers, with varied collection days

Recycling:

  • No townwide recycling; curbside recycling offered in conjunction with trash pick-up by haulers (statewide)

Gallery One’s new show ‘Games People Play’ opens March 8

Gallery One in Ocean View this week announced their new theme show, called “Games People Play,” which will run from March 8 through March 26.

“Games can stimulate the brain of the participants to image, problem solve and interact with other people. The artists of Gallery One each responded to this theme with their own personal experiences,” representatives noted.

AG's Office: OV citizens' complaints are 'without merit'

Date Published: 
February 24, 2012

Last month, a group of Ocean View citizens wrote a letter of complaint to the Delaware Attorney General’s Office. The complaint, which was signed by 65 citizens, petitioned to have the AG’s Office give its legal opinion in an effort to reverse town council actions that the “concerned citizens” said they felt were “illegal,” “contrary” to the town charter, “wasteful” and “constitute an abuse of power.”

Changes to OV map pending as procedure reviewed

Date Published: 
February 17, 2012

This week, the Ocean View Town Council held a second public hearing on the proposed repeal of the town’s existing zoning map, making way for the Town to enact a new map, in accordance with the town’s 2010 Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).

Valor awards highlight selfless acts of heroism

Date Published: 
February 17, 2012

Each and every day, members of local law enforcement agencies, fire departments and EMS services put their own lives on the line to ensure welfare of members of the community. Oftentimes their deeds go unnoticed except by those who experience their courageous and selfless acts firsthand. But once a year, the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce takes time to recognize the outstanding individuals from local departments and companies who make local residents’ and visitors’ lives safer.

Local dentist to educate students

Date Published: 
February 10, 2012

The American Dental Association has marks the month of February as National Children’s Dental Health Month, and to help spread the word about the importance of good dental health, Dr. Lois James and five staff members from her Ocean View practice will be volunteering their time to speak to first-graders at Lord Baltimore Elementary School on Feb. 16.

Mission Accomplished

Date Published: 
January 27, 2012

After years of construction, delay and turbulent waters, the Indian River Inlet Bridge opened to traffic last Friday, with Gov. Jack Markell taking the maiden ride across its span.

Public works building site plan approved by Ocean View P&Z

Date Published: 
January 27, 2012

The Ocean View Planning & Zoning Commission this week unanimously approved the final site plan for the town’s future public works building.

John Murray of Kercher Engineering presented the design to the commission, noting that the proposed 3,500-square-foot building includes three bays, two of which open straight through.

Tunnell-West House eligible for register

Date Published: 
January 20, 2012

Members of the Ocean View Historical Society were in Dover last week to present the Tunnell-West House, formerly known as the Shores House, to the State Review Board for Historic Preservation, in the hopes of being added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Bostaph expanding choices at Café on 26

Date Published: 
January 20, 2012

The Café on 26 in Ocean View has undergone a few changes. One of the former owners, Cathy Berzins, has struck out on her own to develop her own line of gluten-free food products. Maria Fraser is now sole proprietor and has promoted Jason Bostaph to executive chef.

OV residents oppose commercial rezoning under 2010 plan

Date Published: 
January 13, 2012

The Ocean View Town Council held the first reading of an ordinance to repeal the existing zoning map and then enact a new map, in accordance with the town’s adopted 2010 Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).

How to battle the bulge in 2012

Date Published: 
January 13, 2012

The first wealth is health.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ocean View couple delivers Beebe’s New Year’s baby

Date Published: 
January 13, 2012

The arrival of January brought a new year – and a visit from the stork – to Shannon Pershing and Kevin Kovach of Ocean View. Their new son, Cody Thomas Pershing, was the first baby born at Beebe Medical Center in 2012.

BREAKING NEWS: Route 54 paving work pushed forward to this weekend

In an effort to move the Route 54 Improvement Project toward completion, the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announced Thursday, Jan. 5, that contractor Mumford & Miller, will be doing paving operations this weekend.  Unseasonably warm weather will allow a portion of the project to be paved now instead of in the spring, officials said. 
 

Arrests made in string of robberies

Date Published: 
January 5, 2011

Delaware State Police and officers from the Ocean View Police Department this week arrested two Ocean View-area residents in connection with a string of armed robberies at businesses throughout the area.

Keen set to retire after 34 years of serving Ocean View

Date Published: 
January 5, 2011

After 34 years of service to the Town of Ocean View, Tax Receiver Betty Jane “B.J.” Keen is retiring from her position.

Ocean View residents voice frustration about notifications

Date Published: 
December 30, 2011

The residents of Foxwood in Ocean View recently voiced their frustration with the town’s lack of notification to their development regarding the 2010 Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP).

BREAKING NEWS: Local liquor store robbed at gunpoint

Delaware State Police troopers are investigating the armed robbery of Holts Liquors located on Route 26 on Friday evening.
 

Repeal of WIchmann censure spurs continued discussion

Date Published: 
December 23, 2011

A repeal of the censure against former Ocean View councilman Bill Wichmann was passed unanimously last week by the current town council, but rather than ending the long-running controversy, the vote seems to have ensured that the censure and the issues surrounding it would continue to be discussed this week.

Ocean View church granted variance for sign

Date Published: 
December 23, 2011

The Ocean View Board of Adjustment voted unanimously this week to approve a variance request from Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church seeking to “replace an existing sign to complement the structure by incorporating a number of permissible signs into a single-sided sign of approximately 70 square feet.”

Ocean View search committee continues to receive resumes

Date Published: 
December 23, 2011

The search committee seeking a new manager for the Town of Ocean View has continued to meet weekly to discuss the committee’s procedures in reviewing prospective applicants following the Nov. 8 unanimous council vote to terminate former town manager Conway Gregory’s employment contract three months early.

OV council lifts censure of Wichmann

Date Published: 
December 16, 2011

The Ocean View Town Council voted unanimously Dec. 13 to repeal the censure of former town councilman Bill Wichmann.

BREAKING NEWS: Survey results show Bethany citizenry favors Assawoman Canal Trail

Bethany Beach officials on Dec. 15 announced the results, to date, from a survey the Town sent out to its citizens on Nov. 9 regarding support and opposition to the proposed Assawoman Canal Trail project, which would run along the Assawoman Canal, partly inside town limits.

Ocean View to hold Carols in the Park

Date Published: 
December 9, 2011

The Town of Ocean View will hold the 28th Annual Carols in the Park on Friday, Dec. 9, beginning at 7 p.m.

Mariner's to hold annual LIve Nativity

Date Published: 
December 9, 2011

On Monday, Dec. 19, Mariner’s Bethel United Methodist Church will hold its Ninth Annual Live Nativity.

New owner pulls into station for the holidays at Seaside Hobbies

Date Published: 
December 9, 2011

Decorating around the holidays has become a tradition, synonymous with the Christmas season, from lights and garland and stockings on the mantle to the iconic evergreen that seems to flood a room with holiday cheer. But for many, including Craig Thomas, it was the decor below the tree that resonated the spirit of Christmas.