person will not be tolerated. We want this to be what you want to do for a birthday party or what you want to do for a special occasion, Washington said. There were several things that we didnt have planned but got taken care of. Repairs were estimated at more than $600,000, a price tag outside the town budgetarymeans. We offer three decks, two of which are heated/air conditioned and the top deck is open air. Sep 25, 2020 According to a story on WBOC.com, on Tuesday, the Worcester County Commissioners voted 5-2 to purchase the riverboat 'Black-Eyed Susan' from the city of Havre de Grace. Voyages started in August 2021 with Washington'sInc. as the operator responsible for catered cruises along the Pocomoke River. High 61F. There will be an event to include anyone whos helped get the boat here.. All rights reserved. Weve gotten a lot of compliments on our dinner cruise. The town has gained a major attraction, the famous Black Eyed Susan Riverboat. Todd Ferrante, president of the Worcester County Board of Education, said this, OCEAN CITY Officials in Ocean City this week agreed to proceed with a property tax credit for active volunteer firefighters. I have my concerns. Its all aligned.. or anything. He said while hed like to find a way to help the southern end of the county he didnt think this was it. In addition to the recommended repairs, we put in all new plexiglass on the second level, painted the floor, got rid of the old nasty peel-and-stick carpet. The address is 212 W. Green Street, and the meeting will be open for public comment. Perlozzo said the riverboat was a unique opportunity to promote the southern end of the county as a tourism destination. Weber left his position with the town this week. Fully stocked bars on all 3 levels. The boat was first purchased in 2020 using a combination of grant money and loans fromthe county and state. More:Virginia Shore residents may start getting new telephone area code. On Thursday, the Mayor and Council hosted the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA) at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center to review a market and economic analysis update for a proposed sports complex next to Stephen, OCEAN CITY Resort officials this week approved a request for two new fire engines totaling more than $1.9 million. The boat offers capacity to seat 100 passengers, seating on the second level and a bar where passengers can purchase beverages. Chief Administrative Officer Harold Higgins said he could answer some of Bertinos questions. Thats my point , Bertino said. The Black-Eyed Susan, purchased by the town last year thanks to a loan from Worcester County, arrived in Snow Hill in early June and is now docked at Sturgis Park. Thank you! Snow Hill purchased the Black-Eyed Susan in 2020 with the help of a loan from Worcester County. The Black Eyed Susan riverboats long and arduous journey to Snow Hill will conclude on Monday. "We all want it to be successful at this point. The One Of A Kind Tiki Tour You Must Take In Maryland Before Summers End, This Sunset Wine Cruise In Maryland Is The Perfect Summer Adventure, The Boating Adventure That Will Show You A Side Of Maryland You Didnt Even Know Existed, Theres A Glowing Pumpkin Trail Coming To Maryland And Itll Make Your Fall Magical, 11 Unforgettable Tours Everyone In Maryland Should Take At Least Once, Theres A Little-Known, Fascinating Train Park In Maryland And Youll Want To Visit, The North Pole Train Ride In Maryland That Will Take You On An Unforgettable Adventure, This Dreamy Train-Themed Trip Through Maryland Will Take You On The Journey Of A Lifetime, Facebook / Black Eyed Susan Boat Havre de Grace. How long these towns have been depressed economically. The boat is in need of repairs, and the cost to get it back up and running again is north of half a million dollars. Citing rising costs, supply chain issues and new emission standards, Fire Chief Richie Bowers said, SNOW HILL School system officials say theyre in the process of providing Worcester County government with budget details. States Sports Complex Study Reviewed; Potential Task Force Eyed To Move Forward, Ocean City Council Approves $1.9M Fire Engine Purchase, Worcester BOE Working With County On Budget, OC Council Approves Property Tax Credit For Vol. - Save your favorite articles Cruises on the Black Eyed Susan riverboat are right around the corner. The Black-Eyed Susan, the Town of Snow Hill's riverboat, hosted its first guests in mid-August. var field59 = field59 || {}; I implore everyone up here to understand that. The Black-Eyed Susan has been docked in Pocomoke City getting ready for its maiden voyage to Snow Hill. Jim Washington, the riverboat's. This will help us build that. Bertino also questioned Pocomokes involvement, as the city had not officially signed on to the project yet. Cloudy with light rain this morningthen becoming partly cloudy. The Black Eyed Susan riverboat, pictured here entering Pocomoke City on Wednesday, will paddle into Snow Hill later this week. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. The Black Eyed Susan isnt the only unforgettable tour in the Old Line State! - Follow your favorite authors Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Chance of rain 80%. For months now, the boat has sat idle on the Pocomoke River. "dfpConfig": { With the arrival of spring, people on the Lower Eastern Shore are asking about the status of the Black-Eyed Susan, the 149-passenger paddlewheel-driven boat with a Victorian-style interior, built in 1986 and acquired by the Town of Snow Hill last year to provide catered luncheon and dinner cruises up and down the scenic Pocomoke River. } } Weber, citing his success with the Blue Dog Caf, said he was confident that it would prove profitable. Were looking at a right away time frame (for selling the boat), said Town Manager Rick Pollitt last week. Update on the Black-Eyed Susan, March 2023 MAYOR & TOWN COUNCIL AGREE TO PART WITH THE BLACK-EYED SUSAN After a promising start providing quality dinner cruises along the scenic Pocomoke River, the Black-Eyed Susan has run aground due to the tremendous cost of restoring the paddlewheel to U. S. Coast Guard standards. The Black-Eyed Susan, a riverboat purchased by Snow Hill Township, was scheduled to make its maiden voyage along the Pocomoke River on Tuesday. Don't knowingly lie about anyone that is degrading to another person. Snow Hill purchased the Black-Eyed Susan in 2020 with the help of a loan from Worcester County. A few clouds. There was a problem saving your notification. Captains capable of steering the boat up and down the river are busy, and Washington said cruises were currently limited by their availability. The town of Snow Hill will have to wait for its famed riverboat, the Black-Eyed Susan, to return to its home port as it will undergo much-needed repairs. The 111-foot paddlewheel boat is currently stationed at Murtech Marine in Salisbury, where it has undergone various repairs and renovations to prepare it for active use. Threats of harming another Its a nice little cruise.. A graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and the University of Richmond, she spent seven years with the Delmarva Media Group before joining the team at The Dispatch. Virginia Shore residents may start getting new telephone area code, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Love Maryland? Jamie Alvarenga is a writer and editor who loves all things Maryland. City Manager Terry McGean said the loss of revenue to the town would. You will receive your first email soon. (March 26, 2021) The Black Eyed Susan riverboat, recently purchased by the City of Snow Hill, could be fully functional by mid-April, local officials said. Were never going to have this opportunity again. Each trip along Pocomoke River on the Black-Eyed Susan lasts about two and a half hours. Tags Maryland Worcester County. Come this spring, that boat will be a new addition to the Pocomoke River. The Black-Eyed Susan was then in year four of a five-year mandated U.S. Coast Guard inspection routine, the release explained. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Becoming partly cloudy after some morning light rain. Pollitt, who traveled to a Norfolk shipyard last week to see the boat and reported back to the council Tuesday, said updated estimates pegged the cost of the minimal repairs at $193,000. People interestedin booking tickets for one of the scheduled cocktail, lunch and dinner cruises or in scheduling a private tour on the river boat can do so online at https://bes-snowhill.com/. Our river is our ticket for that, we need to utilize this river go back to history just a little bit, says Lisa Outten-Harrison, Council Member for the town of Snow Hill. Shrimp are migrating to Maryland waters. For many years it cruised around southern states and was eventually moved to Baltimore in the year 2000. blackeyedsusanhdg.com From 2000 to 2016, you may have spotted this paddle boat around the Inner Harbor. }; SNOW HILL, Md. This was a revised number based on our visit with the shipyard last week, he said. Bertino pointed out that neither did the commissioners yet they were being asked to make a decision now. - The town has gained a major attraction, the famous Black Eyed. If we dont make a decision today we are going to lose this opportunity and if we lose it we may never get it again. We dont have all the answers.. Charlene Sharpe has been with The Dispatch since 2014. I think were going to have people coming from all over that have never been to Snow Hill before and thats going to help our businesses, says Outten-Harrison. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. OCEAN CITY Officials say the formation of a task force could address concerns relating to a proposed sports complex. He stressed that while the repairs werent anticipated, the entire riverboat project had been undertaken to help the town. High 61F. He said the plan was for Snow Hill and Pocomoke to purchase the boat through funding from the county. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Soon people will be able to cruise along the Pocomoke River enjoying food, entertainment, happy hour cruises and even guest chef evenings. Last spring, the 149-passenger, 111-foot vessel tallied a more than $300,000 bill for repairs ordered by the U.S. Coast Guard as part of a five-year routine inspection. - Submit news tips Those interested can get cruise tickets online at bes-snowhill.com. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. When he asked Weber whether the boat had been making many trips and whether it was usually full of passengers, Weber said he didnt know. I dont have the optimism you do, he told Weber. The Black-Eyed Susan, the Town of Snow Hills riverboat, hosted its first guests in mid-August. . Don't knowingly lie about anyone On Tuesday, the council voted 6-1, with Councilman John Gehrig opposed, to approve a request for two new replacement engines. Though Snow Hill Town Manager Gary Weber initially hoped to have the boat fixed up and docked in Snow Hill by mid-February, the extensive to-do list associated with bringing . The move will preserve the boat's purpose"as a tourist attraction and economic driver for the Lower Eastern Shore," according to a Thursday news release from Town Manager Rick Pollitt. The fate of Snow Hills woebegone Black Eyed Susan riverboat has yet to be decided, but one thing is certain it wont be an anchor around the necks of the towns taxpayers much longer. Doctor Explains, Golf event celebrates Macky's bartender, 'the JUTT'. Theres a little learning curve, he said. Its just not something that the taxpayers of Snow Hill can afford to carry.. Are you a lover of Marylands Northeastern region particularly Havre de Grace? . Keep it Clean. A variety of 2.5-hour cruises are offered. When Bertino said that sort of information should have been in the commissioners packets, Higgins said hed gotten it last minute. There has been a lot of (criticism) online and on Facebook that isnt accurate. The boat will come out of the water to get cleaned up for the coming season after Christmas and is expected to resume cruises in the spring. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Be Truthful. Itll be a shining jewel in the crown of our county seat.. Citing rising costs, supply chain issues and new emission standards, Fire Chief Richie Bowers said, SNOW HILL School system officials say theyre in the process of providing Worcester County government with budget details. We are a Riverboat that offers dinner cruises, brunch, music venues from live bands to acoustic and also DJ's for a dance party. The boat hosted only hosted a handful of events, with the town saying it wants an expedient sale. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Chance of rain 70%. Be Proactive. Were told the boat will hold cruises along the Pocomoke River, in hopes of bringing more tourism and business to the area. That price tag is why at tonight's meeting, the towns mayor, Michael Pruitt, is going to seek permission to sell it. It wouldnt even have to leave the dock.. -- A decision regarding the fate of the Black Eyed Susan riverboat is expected to be made at a town council meeting tonight, January 10th. Gary Weber, Snow Hills town manager, asked the commissioners to consider how much the riverboat could benefit the southern portion of the county. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Firefighters. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Lord knows who else youre affecting by doing this. Tickets for the boats cocktail cruise are $35 while tickets for the dinner cruise cost $65 for adults and $20 for children. I want to find someone who can coach us through the process.. People with good intentions were blindsided by this whole mess, he said. When all was said and done, after a tremendous presentation I wish our folks had done that today the city council came to the conclusion it didnt work for them because there were still, as detailed as the presentation was, they still had questions they couldnt answer.. Washington said he is grateful for the opportunity afforded by the town government. Jun 2012 Couples. The Black-Eyed Susan will be available for charter for private events including wait staff and catering. "As Proprietress of Chanceford Hall, we are excited to have the Black-Eyed Susan return to her home on the Pocomoke River in Snow Hill. With the addition of the Black Eyed Susan our river will become the destination that it deserves to be, he said. He added that next season the boat would likely operate four days a week and continue to host private parties. "We are sorry to inform you that. Tuesday's meeting was to discuss the idea of the Mayor bringing in contractors to assess damages. Firefighters. He said his contract with the town would be on hiatus while officials arranged for repairs and explored potential funding options. Passengers can also take lunch cruises or set up private charters. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. We just didnt have ($600,000 to spend on it). BOAT'S TROUBLES: Black-Eyed Susan riverboat: Partial repairs OK'd to make it Snow Hill 'tourist attraction' The boat was first purchased in 2020 using a combination of grant money and loans from. Everybody is on board if it makes sense, he said. Though the boat had a successful season in 2021, when the BES went to Norfolk early this year. The partial repairs allowed the riverboat to be a floating, docked venue without river cruises. We'd love to hear eyewitness In the weeks since, the boat has stayed busy with between one and three trips a week. Hes adding more dates, however, as soon as he confirms hes got a captain lined up. Dont get me wrong. - Save your favorite articles We want to build that. The Worcester County Commissioners last week told Worcester County Public Schools leadership that they wanted more details regarding the school systems $131 million budget. Don't Threaten. - Comment on articles Bertino said it was hard to support the project when there was no business plan. Sign Up for the Daily Buzz E-News to receive the latest news around the area delivered to your inbox. Low 52F. Im glad to see its coming back, he said. The mayor and council have been truly wonderful, both administrations, Washington said. A lot of the questions I asked, they had answers for in that presentation, Bertino said. State and county officials attended a. When he asked to see the boats past financials, Weber said theyd been requested from Havre de Grace but had not been received. There was a problem saving your notification. Feedback has been positive, particularly regarding the food, he said. More:Snow Hill celebrates 23rd Blessing of the Combines: PHOTOS, More:NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens is playing in Bubba Almony's Celebrity Basketball Game.