Voices From The Readers – August 5, 2016

Voices From The Readers – August 5, 2016
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Street Program Welcomed

Editor:

Thank you Sandi Smith and Tony DeLuca and the other Ocean City City Council members for presenting and passing an “Adopt Your Street” program.

In addition to the “Adopt A Beach,” which was passed back in March of this year, the expanding of clean up action to include the streets of Ocean City is a wonderful move to help Ocean City be more litter free.

As a resident of 62nd Street ( Ocean block) for the past 8 years, I have prided myself on walking up and down the street with a dustpan and broom and collecting trash at least a few times per week. Not only in the summer but year round and it really does make a difference. It’s been my experience as well that overtime, people do notice and at times when individuals take the time to express thanks, that in itself is payment that no amount of money can replace. Additionally, this effort really does not take up much time at all. Some minutes of caring volunteerism with this effort goes a very long way indeed.

I will continue efforts on my block of residence and am ready to officially sign up for the “Adopt a Beach Program.”

Doug Antos

Ocean City

Disturbing Ideology

Editor:

Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis constantly spews discord and rhetoric without regard and respect of the position he holds. His ideology promotes a culture of divisiveness. I’m first to admit “we” need the police but we need them to be properly trained to be consistently fair and honest.

As a retired Maryland State Police (MSP) Officer, on occasion, as a road supervisor, my responsibility was to supervise Mike Lewis. At the time, he was a Trooper First Class (Tfc). This was 24 years ago, Feb. 24, 1992, I wrote my detailed report that dealt with an incident we were involved in and my statements said:

“because of his past history of having problems dealing with minorities, as well as, the public in general. With this in mind, the most recent incident was, refusing to train assigned personnel for the Agency’s Drug Interdiction Program, except for those of his choosing. It is apparent to me, as well as my colleagues, that his personal prejudices interferes with his “good judgement” and it is apparent that our Agency condones his actions and is not alarmed about his problem. Tfc. Lewis is afflicted with uncontrollable outbursts time and time again. Apparently, his actions are considered “the norm.”

After I wrote this, I was ordered to see a psychologist for telling the “ugly” truth. The agency charged me with “conduct unbecoming and criticism of the Agency.” MSP embraced him and his reprehensible behaviors. The agency promoted Mike and allowed him to travel the country training other officers to promote his style of policing.

His rhetoric about our President being the cause of all the unrest is ridiculous. He and other police officers involved in these so-called justified shootings should be concerned that an independent agency such as the U.S. Attorney General’s Office, isn’t reinvestigating all police involved shootings (present and past). These horrific shootings are preventable.

When much is given, much is required. Police officers, this old excuse of “I feared for my life” is really getting old. If you are that afraid of “the people,” you are in the wrong profession and this is the “ugly truth.”

Retired Cpl. Marvin C. Purnell

Snow Hill

Common Sense With Pets

Editor:

Recently, while shopping for produce at an outdoor market on a hot, sunny day, I noticed several dogs panting heavily and frantically picking up their paws from the pavement. I took my sandal off and felt the ground with my own foot. It was so hot that I was in pain within a second.

I rushed around the market, warning people that their dogs’ feet must be burning. One tiny dog was in so much pain that she was running in place. Thankfully, most of the people I talked to cared about their dogs and quickly picked them up or moved them to the cool grass. But many people still don’t realize how dangerous hot pavement is and harm their dogs by dragging them along on stifling days.

My own pup stays safe and cool inside a shaded stroller, but on hot days, I leave him at home where he is most comfortable. I urge everyone to think of their pups’ paws this summer and always test the pavement before setting out. Remember: If it feels hot, it’s too hot for Spot.

Jamie Schwartz

Bethesda

Infrastructure Issues Should Be Concerning

Editor:

Today $8,000 will repair a sinkhole that sprung up on the Route 90 Bridge due to heavy rains – the same rains that flooded and destroyed buildings in downtown Ellicott City. In days and years ahead, we can expect ever-increasing expenses from extreme weather events that will grow more common as the warming atmosphere heats up, absorbing more moisture which gets released in increasingly heavy deluges.

This is a very important story to pay attention to for residents of and visitors to Ocean City, as these very particular events have global causes, and require global solutions. One such solution is to put a fee on carbon, a fee then distributed to those most affected by climate change. Those would be all of us.

Today’s sinkhole repair will give way to ever more-expensive climate mitigation efforts. Right now, no one is paying the price for these anticipated costs. If we way the price now, we may be able to avoid the extent of these costs. A carbon fee and dividend allows us to put a price on the destructive use of fossil fuels in a way that puts money back to the economy in a way that also puts money into the pockets of ordinary people who will ultimately pay the price of the damage we do to our own communities.

Alexander Thuronyi

Silver Spring

Time To Consider Fees For OC Beach

Editor:

It is clear to me that the Internet websites that permit people to rent properties at distance locations are making it difficult to collect the 4.5% room tax that is applied to properties rented in Ocean City. While self-reporting is required, the collection process is difficult when the Internet site is located in one state or maybe another country, the renter is from another state, the property owner lives in another state and he property is located in Ocean City.

The use of rental Internet websites is expected to significantly grow in future years. For example, the internet site VRBO that rents vacation properties already lists about 3,900 rentals in Ocean City. The Ocean City Council needs to come to grips with this situation and consider new revenue sources.

I believe that the most efficient way to address the problems with the Internet rental transactions is for the City Council to pass legislation that levies a beach fee coupled with a parking permit. The collection of such a charge would be totally within the Town of Ocean City’s control. The levying of a beach fee would also meet Goal 2, Objective 4 of the Ocean City Strategic Plan that calls for expanding revenue options for the town government.

In its most simplistic terms, everyone that uses the beach or uses the Boardwalk would pay a fee on a daily or weekly basis. With computer technology, the fee could be easily adjusted for holidays such as July 4th. Many communities throughout the country, such as New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island area, already assess a beach fee and parking charge. For example, Long Beach, N.Y. assesses a beach fee of up to $15 a day. Using a daily population of 100,000 beach users in Ocean City, a $10 daily charge would bring in $1 million for that day.

Now I am sure there are many concerns about the imposition of a beach fee and related parking charge. One such concern is whether registered Ocean City voters or property owners could be exempt from any fees while another is how to make sure the beach fee would not discourage some income groups from visiting Ocean City.

The purpose of this letter is an attempt to at least start the public discussion on the imposition of a beach fee and related parking charge.

James H. Spencer

Ocean City

Inappropriate Rezoning

Editor:

A parcel of land has just been rezoned along the bayside in downtown Ocean City. It will allow for an eight-and-one-half story building. A high rise structure does not belong in this part of town. It will forever change the skyline along the southern end of Ocean City.

I believe that such a building can negatively impact the surrounding neighborhood and will ruin the bayside vista. I feel that it will adversely affect the charm of downtown. It is also contrary to our comprehensive plan.

The Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) endorsed the rezoning. Where were they when we needed them to protect the historical charm and character of downtown?

After hearing the concerns of the public, the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission voted unanimously to send a favorable recommendation to the Mayor and City Council to approve the rezoning. Where was P&Z when we needed them to protect the quality of life in the neighboring community, as required by our Comprehensive Plan?

Finally the City Council voted 6-1 to rezone the parcel. Only Councilmember Mary Knight had the courage and wisdom to stand alone to protect the community. The mayor signed the ordinance approving the rezoning. Where is the Mayor and Council majority when it comes to enhancing “…the quality of life by preserving the character and the desirable aesthetic features of a city…” as written by the U.S. Supreme Court in Penn Central Transportation Co. v. New York City in 1978?

Vincent dePaul Gisriel, Jr.

Ocean City

Cat Dedication Lauded

Editor:

As a taxpaying resident of 32 years in Worcester County, I would like to say thank you to Susan Coleman, director of Community Cats Coalition and the many compassionate, dedicated volunteers of the animal rescue organization in the county.

These homeless cats are victims of human irresponsibility. They are just trying to survive. Seeking shelter to stay warm in the freezing winter and cool in the hot summer, never knowing where a drink of water or the next meal will come from. To deny the volunteers to care for them is animal cruelty.

Providing medical care and vaccinating against rabies (with their own money) is helping the Worcester County Health Department deal with this concern in our area.

The most important problem that the rescue groups are solving is population control by spaying and neutering. This is all part of managing a colony.

If you don’t think that there is a problem, just visit the Worcester County Humane Society. There are so many beautiful and loving but unwanted cats and dogs in need of a home.

They have had boxes of kittens and impregnated dogs dropped off in the middle of the night by people that won’t or can’t care for them. More information, letters, articles, etc. need to be put out there to inform people about the positive aspects of trap/neuter/return (TNR).

Funding for low cost spay and neuter clinics is needed. Let’s show appreciation and support for what the animal rescue groups are doing for our community.

Laura Orlando-Marra

Berlin