Here’s a look at some predictions I offer for the New Year:
The Ocean City Mayor and Council will hire an administrator from Florida as its next city manager. The next convention center director will also come from that state.
Due to a number of delays in the process, the new city manager will not be in place until the summer.
The Worcester County Commissioners will increase the property tax rate, largely a result of public education proponents’ pressure.
Former Ocean City Police officer Earl Campbell will provide documentation that K-9 Charlie did in fact have surgery, contrary to what the department’s internal investigation concluded recently.
Shortly before Dr. Jon Andes’ retirement, the Worcester County Board of Education announces it will fill the post from within the school system.
The Dew Tour will return to Ocean City, this time in mid-August, due to the Summer Olympics in London.
Among the headliners to appear the first-ever High Tide Music Festival in Ocean City in June will be Adele.
As part of its 50th Anniversary tour, the Beach Boys will be coming back to Ocean City for a visit during one of the new summer entertainment series events outlined recently.
A stop light will not be erected at the troubled Routes 113 and 12 intersection near Snow Hill. Instead, more infrastructure improvements will be made in attempts to make it safer.
A significant property tax rate increase is eventually approved by the Wicomico County Council, which justifies the move as the only means to fund the county’s portion of the Bennett Middle School project and to address other education requests, such as teacher raises.
Yet another year will go by without any plans announced to address one of Berlin’s worst eyesores — the corner of Routes 50 and 818. It’s the former Bowden’s property.
At least two new faces will join the Ocean City Mayor and Council after the October election.
A recall referendum will easily pass in Ocean City’s October election.
The Dew Tour will return to Ocean City in August, eclipsing last year’s attendance figures.
The new Super Wal-Mart on Route 50 will open as will a Cracker Barrel in an adjacent parcel.
Work will continue on the Route 50 service road, but it will not open in 2012.
Seacrets’ first franchisee will be announced and it will be proposed for Baltimore.
President Obama wins his re-election bid in November after losing the popular vote, but winning the Electoral College. Sound familiar?
Salisbury will move to seven City Council districts after a major redistricting effort is completed.
Salisbury-Orlando flights begin at the Salisbury-Wicomico-Ocean City Regional Airport, but the one-way fare of $59 quickly increases after flights begin.
Former Ocean City Police K-9 Officer Earl Campbell will produce evidence his dog, Charlie, had surgery, proving an internal investigation conducted by the OCPD was erroneous.
By the end of 2012, there will be four slots facilities open in Maryland.
The Maryland General Assembly will pass legislation seeking a referendum on table games being added to the state’s slots parlor. The referendum will appear on the ballot in 2014.
State Senator Barbara Mikulski will announce her retirement in 2012. The year will end with assumptions that Governor Martin O’Malley to run for her seat in 2014, his last year as of his second term as governor.
It will be announced that current Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and current Comptroller Peter Franchot will be running for governor in 2014. Additionally, word will leak out that Attorney General Douglas Gansler will also be vying for the Democratic nomination.
Ocean City will retain Pepsi as its official soft drink.
The legislature will increase the so-called flush tax in next year’s session.
The Worcester County Commissioners will approve a plan to fund the reconstruction of Snow Hill High School.
No progress will be reported on a proposed wind farm off Ocean City’s coast.
A major change will take place at the top of a local law enforcement agency.
No tropical activity will have an effect on the shore in 2012.
In a 4-3 vote, the Ocean City Council will vote to try out horseback riding on the beach in April.
After tweaking it for much of 2011, Salisbury finally passes a new towing ordinance.
The Maryland legislature will authorize the use of medicinal marijuana.
Along the same lines, California will create quite a stir when a group of legislators proactively push for the legalization of dope.
Teachers in Worcester County will see a modest raise after going three years without any type of increase.
The Ravens will defeat the Saints in the Super Bowl, 27-19.
