OC
Needs Focus
On
Current Laws
Editor:
In my
opinion discussing a ban on beach smoking is a waste of time. Ocean City has
many existing health and safety ordinances that it does a poor job in
enforcing. Why would anyone think that the city would be able to enforce a ban
on beach smoking?
For
example:
1. No
dogs are allowed on the beach during the season. Almost every day dogs are seen
on the beach especially in the early evening. On many occasions they are not on
leashes. Not real sanitary.
2. Bike
riding on the Boardwalk is restricted to certain hours. Take a walk on the
boardwalk during the restricted time period when they should not be
there and count the bikes. Watch how fast some are ridden, and how close
they come to hitting people. Not very safe.
3. Barbecuing
is not permitted within 20 feet of a residential building. Take a walk any
evening and count the number of open fires within two feet of buildings. You
will even see barbecuing on decks. Very dangerous.
None of
the above are enforced to any degree. So why even discuss a new ordinance until
we figure out how to enforce existing ones.
Dr.
Michael Parker
Ocean
City
Resort
Should Seek
Input
On Boat Ramp
Editor:
As a
boater in Ocean City, I am anxiously awaiting the new boat ramp that the city
is going to build on 64th Street and the bay.
I hope
the town consults with a few of the local boaters and listen to their input. I
personally know that the problem with the Little Salisbury ramp was that
it only handled one boat at a time. On Saturdays, the streets were clogged with
boaters trying to launch their boats.
The new
boat ramps should be wide enough to handle at least three launchings at a time,
therefore there will be no traffic congestion waiting to launch. Please allow a
straight shot to back up the trailers. Unfortunately a lot of new boaters lack
the skills to back up a trailer, therefore adding to the congestion. I want to
thank the town of Ocean City for seeing the need for the new ramps. Us boaters
have been neglected by the city for a long time, now you’ve finally realized
how important boating is to Ocean City.
Robert
Lemon
Collegeville,
Pa.
Another
Way To View
Fed’s
Stimulus Theory
Editor:
On May
9,1939, Henry Morgenthau Jr, who was President Roosevelt’s Secretary of the
Treasury during the "Great Depression" of the 1930’s, said, "We
are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work.",
and, "…after eight years of this Administration we have just as much
unemployment as when we started…and, an enormous debt to boot."
By the
1930’s, we were a mechanized economy. If the cost of building highways and
manufactured products includes 10 percent for labor, it takes an obviously
impractical $600,000 of Federal spending to create $60,000 in "private
sector" wages. But, a new economic theory had proposed that Federal
spending "stimulates" economic activity that, like a "chain
reaction", continues after the spending stops.
The
military mobilization for World War II ended the Depression era unemployment.
And, at the end of World War II the USA was the modern economy that had not
been destroyed.
Hence,
there was no need to consider the validity of the "stimulus" theory
until now, seven decades after Secretary Morgenthau’s statements.
Jack
Hartman
Ocean
Pines
Shocked
To Hear Of
City’s
Recycling Move
Editor:
I am a
resident of West Chester, Pa. and have been
vacationing in Ocean City my whole life.
I was
very disappointed when I realized the recycling program here at Ocean City was discontinued this year. I think it is a
shame that such a wonderful beach and community is not taking responsibility
for its actions or demonstrating any environmental
ethics.
I
understand that the decision was based on the current financial climate,
however I strongly feel that this decision was a short-sighted solution to a
long-term problem.
John
Brakeall
Chadds
Ford, Pa.
Support
For Annual
Event
Appreciated
Editor:
Thank
you to every person who made the 12th Annual Blessing of the
Combines, held in Snow Hill on the first Saturday in August, such a wonderful
day.
A
year’s worth of planning by committee leaders brought combines (including an
antique one drawn by a team), tractors, pedal tractors, children’s crafts and
games, live music, bake sales, Eastern Shore foods, a petting barnyard, an antique
fire truck, pony and carriage rides, craft vendors, politicians and more
together to honor the farming community and to bless the combines. The Custom Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show
drew more than 100 entries, with music, drawings and trophies. The Tractor,
Truck and Garden Tractor Pull followed the downtown events.
Town of
Snow Hill police and public works personnel were everywhere before, during and
after the event. Volunteers were out in force, as were the thousands of
visitors who attended. It was a great day for Snow Hill, and we thank you for
being part of it.
Becky
Payne
Snow
Hill
(The
writer is the event’s chairperson.)
Concerns
Over Gouging
Editor:
Recently,
I had the pleasure of dining on the Boardwalk in Ocean City. My friend and I
took five kids to a well-known pizza place and all was great, until the bill
came.
Let’s
see, two pies, two fries and six soft drinks equaled $100. Wow. The bill came
to $84 plus tip. The menu clearly states, “No Free Refills", but I had
never even read the menu, my error.
We just
simply went in and ordered two large cheese pies, two fries and drinks, so when
the waitress came by to ask us if we were all ready for refills, of course,
everyone said yes. The soft drink bill alone was $32.
How
many cases of soft drinks can $32 buy? I’ll tell you, one case of 12 cans costs
about $10. That’s a 200 percent profit let alone a 200-percent profit on the
pizza.
Can
anyone say gouging? I realize that we all have to make a living, but I could go
to a fine restaurant with my husband, have a three-course meal with wine for
the same price.
Vacationing
families that come here are subjected to that every night, for pizza. I guess
up holding our "family image" means taking every dime out of our
vacationers. Fortunately, I live here and don’t have to do this every night.
From now on, I will go where refills are free or drink prices are reasonable.
Be careful, before they sock it to you.
Shellie Gronsbell
Ocean
City