Fact: A Fruitland man died this week in the ocean trying to rescue his two sons reportedly caught in a rip current near the Inlet after the Ocean City Beach Patrol went off duty.
Opinion: This is a heartbreaking story for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact it’s easily preventable. Although the Ocean City Beach Patrol’s motto, “Keep your feet in the sand, until the lifeguard’s in the stand,” might be on the cheesy side, it’s true. Even in calm conditions, which was not the case last Sunday when currents were running strong, there really is no reason for two young boys to be swimming in the ocean after the lifeguards are off duty. The hope here is others will read about this tragedy and understand how critical it is for those unfamiliar and inexperienced to stay out of the water when the lifeguards are not around.
Fact: For much of last Saturday afternoon, traffic was backed up to the Berlin exits on Routes 50 and 90.
Opinion: This is the first time this has happened this summer for an extended amount of time, but it’s been commonplace in years past on the weekends. There may be more scientific ways to judge tourism, but traffic, or the lack thereof, is an easy and oftentimes accurate measure. It may not be the popular thing to say, but it just seems there are not as many people here this summer.
Fact: The State Highway Administration (SHA) recently installed some huge message boards along Route 50 between Berlin and the Bay Bridge.
Opinion: SHA needs to get these monstrosities working. It’s been at least a month since they were put into place and seldom are they sending out any sort of message. What’s the point of having these huge eyesores if they are not working in the summer? They should always have some sort of message illuminated on them, whether it be about traffic, seat belt safety, child car seat reminders or distances to the next towns. Otherwise, they just look out of place.
Fact: The White Marlin Open will continued to be headquartered at the Harbour Island Marina in Ocean City, according to organizer Jim Motsko, who confirmed this week he has signed an accord with the marina’s leadership through 2010.
Opinion: Speculation has been rampant in recent years over the tournament’s future home. Sunset Marina in West Ocean City is most frequently mentioned as the potential new headquarters. The feeling here is the tournament would continue to be a success and keep on growing even if it was headquartered in West Ocean City. Additionally, the area business community would still thrive if the event were relocated. However, this tournament was born in Ocean City and it should stay there, and it’s good news it will be for at least the next four editions.
Fact: Ocean City Solicitor Guy Ayres recently told the Kroart family there are no liability issues with the proposed Boathenge on the beach between 1st and 2nd streets. The Mayor and Council will reportedly hear the proposal at its meeting next week.
Opinion: When the idea was first floated, it was difficult to picture a bunch of worthless boats buried on the beach with either their bows or sterns poking out of the sand. However, the concept has gained momentum and is now coming to the council, which would be wise to give the proposal its due consideration. The motivation behind the proposal is to provide another free attraction in Ocean City, and there can certainly never be enough of those.
Fact: The word “ginormous” will be included in this year’s edition of the Merriam-Webster dictionary. Sources indicate the definition will be something along the lines of this – gigantic or enormous, only much more so.
Opinion: That’s just ridiculous or maybe I should say “absurdiculous,” which could be defined as this – absurd or ridiculous to the highest extreme.
