Monday, Oct. 25, 1993 --

• Surgeon Dr. John Bartkovich joined Peninsula Regional Medical Center President Dan Aiken in unveiling a new $30 million expansion plan for the Salisbury hospital. The plan has three phases: the first is a two-story addition to the south wing that will include a mental-health unit, a new medical/surgical unit and birthing center and construction of a 540-space parking garage. PRMC has about 2,000 employees.
• City Councilman Bob Caldwell said he would vote to reopen Beaver Dam Bridge in Salisbury City Park to car traffic. Caldwell said his decision was based on public sentiment expressed at an Oct. 11 at council meeting. Caldwell said he would review a Public Works soon-to-be-released safety study before voting, but that his mind was made up. Councilman Bob Gladden recently announce he would also like to see the bridge reopened.
• A billiards parlor that would host professional-level pool tournaments has been approved for the old Wharton & Barnard building on South Salisbury Boulevard. The Salisbury Planning & Zoning Commission gave final blessing to a proposal from the Billiard Academy, that would see 20 pool tables operated there, as well as several video and pinball games. Partner Miles Moffitt said the facility would be a high-end venture and not a typical pool hall. Salisbury Billiards owner Mark Lupien told commissioners the new business wasn’t needed and predicted the competitors would have safety problems dealing with under-21 patrons.
• Three business were saluted this week by the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce during the group’s annual awards banquet. Avery Hall Insurance, Career Associates/BesTemps and J. Roland Dashiell & Sons builders. Normally just two business are winners, but Avery Hall and BesTemps tied in the Small Business category, which is comprised of establishments with 25 or fewer employees. J. Roland Dashiell is the sole winner among large companies.  
• In other local business news, Donna J. Webster, Customer Services Representative at Maryland National Bank on East Main Street, was recognized for 20 years of service. Eastern Shore Bank President Jack T. Detwiler presented the award. Meanwhile, Cameron S. Jackson of Seidel Insurance was honored by the Society of Professional Insurance Counselors as among the top 1 percent of all insurance professionals in America. Also, the Coastal Board of Realtors named Bill Martin of Bill Martin Associates in Salisbury as their Realtor of the Year for 1993.
• Blunt and gruff newspaper reporter and columnist Jack Germond will be the keynote speaker at the Greater Salisbury Committee’s annual banquet on Oct. 29. A writer for the Baltimore Evening Sun, Germond is a frequent participant on the “McLaughlin Group.” GSC Chairman Fulton Jeffers said this year’s banquet would be dedicated to the memory of late Salisbury Mayor Frank Morris.
• The city’s auditors have found some good news in their recent examination of Salisbury’s General Fund. According to James Pigg of Pigg, Krahl, Stern & Co., the General Fund has a surplus balance of $855,784. This compares favorably to last year’s audit, which recorded a $1.1 million deficit for the same period. Pigg said development on the city’s north side is the key to the turnaround, where the tax base has grown by 5 percent within the budget year.