Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – August 26, 2016

Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – August 26, 2016
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The White Marlin Open’s statement this week did not provide a lot of details about what rule may have been broken by the boat that caught the first-place, $2.8 million white marlin, but clearly it’s significant enough to merit further review. The statement was vague for good reason because it’s likely going to take some sort of legal process to sort this out in the coming months.

In the past, when serious questions have been raised about a fish or the process the angler or boat took to catch it in big game fishing tournaments, the matter was decided through an independent judicial process. In 2007, an interpleader was sought by the White Marlin Open when some controversy surfaced in the blue marlin division. A Worcester County Circuit Court judge ultimately opined in the fall that the second-place blue marlin was disqualified. There are numerous other examples of independent judgment being sought to determine fishing tournament prize money when discrepancies arise.

One thing is for sure the prize money will eventually be distributed. Contrary to some lame-brain social media posts on our story this week, the tournament is not looking to create all this drama so it can keep the $2.8 million in prize money. Even if the first-place white marlin is disqualified, for whatever reason, the money will be awarded to the qualifying leaders, most likely in this case divided among the sole blue marlin weighed and the first-place tuna. Due to the added entry levels, that first-place tuna could see its earnings skyrocket from $767,000.

It’s not looking good for oceanfront property owners in Ocean City impacted by a recent flood insurance map issue. What was believed to be a mistake on FEMA’s part appears to not be the case at all because federal officials don’t seem willing to admit any wrongdoing.

The divide between the Town of Ocean City and FEMA was clearly confirmed at last week’s town hall. It seems like a major error was committed by FEMA when it re-evaluated flood zone maps and downgraded certain properties while leaving others with two dunes in front of them unfairly paying a higher rate because they were in the so-called “high risk” zone.

There was a lot of blunt talk at this meeting between private citizens and federal officials, but City Engineer Terry McGean summed up the matter well.

“We obviously have a disagreement,” he said. “It’s counter-intuitive when areas with double dunes are placed in the high risk zones while areas with single dunes are left out. We have to show that they can move the line and still offer the protection.”

That’s unfortunately turning out to be a difficult task.

Ocean City Jeep Week is perhaps the most perfectly timed event the area offers.

If you were out and about this week, surely you noticed the major drop in activity and crowds. It felt like autumn already. It’s easy to learn why. Most schools and universities away from the shore are back in session.

Jeep Week reminds us that summer is not over. Like the other major automotive events, such as Cruisin and Bike Week, the participants started arriving early in the week since the event kicked off Thursday. Also, like these other events, there are many more unofficial Jeep lovers here that are not participants in the organized activities in Ocean City and Berlin.

Along with the economic boost it provides to the area at a lag time in the season from a business perspective, what has been interesting to note over the years of this event is it doesn’t tend to bring in the negative hangers on that Cruisin and H2O events do. It’s these outside groups that typically cause most of the trouble in Ocean City. Here’s to hoping Jeep Week can continue to avoid those problems because it’s a well-organized and valuable event for the area on several levels.

It’s safe to say it’s going to take a court action to solve the ongoing dispute between the Adkins Company and the Town of Berlin. If you live in Berlin, you are well aware that Harrison Avenue has been blocked all summer to vehicle traffic. The Adkins Company, which owns the road, has set up a barricade noting “Dead End” on the street, a significant connector between Main and Broad streets.

Maybe cooler heads will prevail and the two sides can talk this through to a compromise, but that does not appear to be the case at this time, based on comments made by Mayor Gee Williams, who used strong language to confirm the point at this week’s council meeting.

“It’s going to create some inconvenience for a while but I swear to God we’re not going to be extorted for $400,000, if Hell has to freeze over,” Williams said.

In my opinion, this ultimately will become an eminent domain type of issue that will be resolved by a judge, assuming the town will eventually make an offer under the $400,000 the Adkins Company has offered. An official stalemate over price is usually part of the process before an independent person rules what’s fair after the town issues an order of condemnation.

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.