Tuesday, May 17, 1988 --

• A State Highway Administration plan to build a fly-over road to access the new Centre at Salisbury mall from North Salisbury boulevard is facing heavy opposition from property owners across the street from the planned shopping center. Arby’s owners Tom Hershey and Lowell Hoprich contend the access road will detract from their business. Howard Johnson’s owner Virginia Korff last week came out in favor of an access road that would affect Barr International’s business. The Arby’s owners have supported an intersection with traffic light; the state is opposed because it would clog traffic in the area.
• The Wicomico County Democratic Central Committee has elected Ronald Zimmerer as its new president, replacing Jill Barbon, who was recently elected to a Salisbury City Council seat. The committee’s vice president is Michael Weisner, with Mary O’Brien serving as secretary and Eleanor Wilson as treasurer.
• Lady Hess formally opened in the Salisbury Mall. The Hess Apparel branch will cater to women customers who require larger sizes. Attending the opening were Hess Apparel President John Hess Jr., Lady Hess Manager Jerry McGinty, merchandise buyer Laurie LaVorgna and sales rep Barbara Gebreyes.
• The Salisbury City Council passed on first reading Mayor W. Paul Martin’s $14.9 million budget proposal for fiscal 1989. The budget preserves the $1.53 tax rate but calls for a 17 percent hike in water and sewer rates. The mayor’s budget calls for the hiring of five additional police officers and two EMT-Firefighters. City employees would also receive a 5 percent cost-of-living raise.
• Dresser Industries spokesman James V. Finneran confirmed that contract discussions with the United Auto Workers Local 354 have been put on hold until the end of May. Union President Ken Willing said the recess will not affect the contract negotiation schedule. The current pact expires June 30.
• Henson Aviation Chairman Richard Henson announced he would make a $2.5 million donation to Salisbury State College so it might form science school. The Richard A. Henson School of Sciences and Technology would be located in Devilbiss Hall. The school would have a unique curriculum and is expected to change the dynamic of the college’s current academic services.
• In an employers forum held at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, Edward Urban, local head of Grumman Aerospace Corp., was honored for his determination to hire and continually employ disabled workers at his company’s plant on Glen Avenue. “I’m embarrassed to receive an award for only treating people equally,” said Urban. “People on the Eastern Shore are obviously a caring people and are concerned with treating people as they should be treated.”