Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk

Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk
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Conspiracy theories have been flying along Baltimore Avenue in Ocean City in recent weeks. It’s understandable, considering strangers have been walking along the road and on private properties, marking sidewalks and utilities with spray paint. Questions circulating include: Is the state expanding the roadway for a bus lane? Are the utility lines finally going to be placed underground along a stretch? Is a bike lane being added? Is there going to be a “taking”, although it belongs to the state in the first place? As you would expect him to say, Ocean City Public Works Director Hal Adkins said neither the city nor state have anything devious up their sleeves. It’s not that I don’t believe Adkins, who by all accounts is a straight shooter, but the cynic in me wonders what’s truly at play here and what will happen along that road in the near future.

Parents of juniors, and all those below them, in the public school system should be following the debate over high school graduation requirements. As it is currently, high school seniors next year must have passed tests in algebra, government, biology and English before they can graduate. According to recent reports, approximately 70 percent of statewide students are passing the tests. Although some students have reportedly not taken the tests yet, there’s reason to be concerned because some students are simply not good test takers and will struggle when so much is on the line. Consequently, State Superintendent Nancy Grasmick has proposed a senior project in the associated subject(s) be allowed to make up for a failed test(s). The local school system supports that initiative. That makes good sense because it gives those who sweat important tests the opportunity to make the effort to graduate. If they can’t pass the tests and are unwilling to take on a senior project to make up for their shortcomings, they should not walk across the stage in the first place.

At the risk of sounding crude here, it’s no surprise to hear prostitutes have been rendezvousing in Ocean City. After getting word a couple of alleged prostitutes had been advertising their services to the area via the Internet and later answering calls for service, undercover Ocean City police officers set up a couple meetings with the women (see page 3A) and immediately arrested them upon entering a hotel room on separate occasions. To varying degrees, prostitution happens everywhere. After all, there are reasons why it’s called the oldest profession. When we consider Ocean City is a haven for bachelor and bachelorette parties, it’s reasonable to think these two ladies are not the only folks “working” the resort. This is just a reminder that prostitution, known, of course, as the oldest profession, is everywhere. Another notable point is for years there have been allegations prostitutes routinely offer services at a certain Route 50 motel. A Washington D.C. paper actually did a story on that legend, which has never been confirmed by authorities with any arrests. It’s worth noting this is not the motel involved in last month’s operation.

What city in the U.S. is home to the most attractive people? According to the folks at Travel & Leisure magazine, it’s Miami followed by San Diego, Charleston, Austin, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York and Denver. Regionally, it’s worth noting Washington, D.C. is 24th and Philadelphia is 25th. I always look at these types of findings to see how many of the cities I have visited. In the top 25, my number is 13. For what it’s worth, there were other subcategories mentioned by the magazine. With the top three finishers, they were: Friendly, Charleston, New Orleans and Minneapolis/St. Paul; Stylish, New York, Miami and San Francisco; Intelligent, Seattle, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Boston; Wordly, Washington, D.C., San Francisco and New York; Athletic/active, Denver, San Diego and Portland, Ore.; Fun, New Orleans, Austin and Honolulu; Diverse, New York, San Francisco and New Orleans; and People (overall), San Francisco, Austin and Seattle.

About The Author: Steven Green

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The writer has been with The Dispatch in various capacities since 1995, including serving as editor and publisher since 2004. His previous titles were managing editor, staff writer, sports editor, sales account manager and copy editor. Growing up in Salisbury before moving to Berlin, Green graduated from Worcester Preparatory School in 1993 and graduated from Loyola University Baltimore in 1997 with degrees in Communications (journalism concentration) and Political Science.