St. Mary's Commissioners bask in the sunshine Tuesday afternoon at the foot of a new pier at Wicomico Shores. The board later cut a ribbon with a large pair of wooden scissors.

     St. Mary’s Board of Commissioners marked the completion of a $640,000 project at Wicomico Shores park Tuesday.

     Commissioners posed for pictures and cut a ceremonial ribbon at the foot of a newly rebuilt pier that was destroyed by Hurricane Isabel in 2003.

     The project was nearly 75 percent funded by a Maryland Department of Natural Resources Waterway Improvement grant, with the balance being picked up by Federal Emergency Management Agency and county funds.

     In addition to the rebuilt peir, which is not yet complete, a new boat ramp was constructed and the shoreline was bolstered against erosion with rip-rap, new plantings and dredging.

     Commission President Tomas McKay (R- Hollywood) reminded the small crowd in attendance that the 2006 local elections are one year away to the day, and projects such as Wicomico display the board’s progress and willingness to work with state and federal agencies.

A long walk on a long pier. St. Mary's Commissioners walked out the the end of the new Wicomico Shores pier Tuesday after the ribbon cutting. From left are Tom Mattingly (D-Leonardtown, Dan Raley (D-Great Mills) Kenny Dement (R-Piney Point) and Larry Jarboe (R-Golden Beach)