Is the cost of the first-class stamp going down?
That’s the plan but the United States Postal Service is fighting the move at the last minute. It would be the first time in nearly a century the cost of a stamp has gone down. A first-class stamp will cost 47 cents starting April 11, down from the current 49 cents, if the plan on the table currently is executed.
This was actually a planned reduction as part of a multi-year deal with Congress. The idea was the U.S. Postal Service could increase the price of a stamp by 3 cents in 2014 to help raise $4.6 billion so long as after two years the price was lowered. It turns out not all of the deal was kept in place, as the USPS was permitted to lower it back only two cents due to inflation. That makes me laugh. Although the price drop is imminent, USPS officials are hoping Congress lets them off the hook. That doesn’t appear to be happening at this point.
“Removing the surcharge and reducing our prices is an irrational outcome considering the Postal Service’s precarious financial condition,” said Postmaster General Megan Brennan in a prepared statement circulated this week. “Our current pricing regime is unworkable and should be replaced with a system that provides greater pricing flexibility and better reflects the economic challenges facing the Postal Service.”
When was the last time a stamp price dropped? It was back in 1919 when the price dropped from 3 cents to 2 cents.
Staying with the USPS, I’m not a fan of the Assateague Island photo chosen for the Forever Stamp. The photo, featured on page 31, was taken by an Arkansas resident rather than utilizing some local talent. No offense to that photographer, but that shot could be taken any day of the week by any mobile device around.
Instead of going that route, a photographer from the local area where the national park is located should have been sought out. There could have been a fun contest to decide the stamp’s local image. There are a handful of photographers I can think of off the top of my head who could beat that photo. Mr. Assateague, also known as Allen Sklar, would have been up for the challenge I’m sure, as would have others.
Outside of “surge” times, it’s no secret Uber is considerably cheaper to utilize than the local cabs. On a couple occasions last summer, I used Uber to go from Ocean City to Berlin, and the fare was on average $20 cheaper than using a regular cab.
Those savings, coupled with the simple technology and convenience, are tough to ignore for most people. That’s why the gripes heard from the local cab industry are so understandable. Local cab companies are regulated and have to pay the city handsomely to be on the road. Their drivers are screened and subjected to much more supervision than Uber drivers. The playing field is in fact not level.
There was hope the new regulations passed down by the Maryland Public Service Commission would address that this summer, but it doesn’t appear to be the case from the perspective of the Ocean City Police Department.
One of the key regulations passed required Uber drivers to be from Maryland and have a PSC license or face a $70 fine. That addressed a common complaint from last summer when out-of-state drivers came down on the weekend and banked easy money.
“It is also possible to issue a traffic ticket … but there is no actual card that the drivers carry to show proof. They will only have a number that they will tell the officer. And, the PSC cannot verify whether a person has a permit unless there is a court order issued. So, this may be difficult for us to enforce locally,” said OCPD Records Section Manager Michelle Monico.
Therefore, it looks like the changes will be minimal in Ocean City this summer.
If the weather holds up, Berlin will essentially kick off its special event calendar this weekend with the return of the Spring Celebration to be followed by the annual spring cleanup activities.
In May, the town kicks into a higher gear with several activities, highlighted by the MayDay Playday event on May 13 and Spring Cruisers on May 21.
June features several annual events, such as the Jazz & Blues Bash on June 4, while July is highlighted by the first-ever Independence Day fireworks on July 3 and the bathtub races on July 15. August, September and October round out the peak season events with most of the regular events, such as the Peach Festival in August, Fiddlers Convention in September and Octoberfest in October. Then come the traditional holiday events that Berlin has become known for over the years, including the Christmas Parade that will fall oddly enough on Dec. 1 this year.
Interesting additions to note this year are six outdoor movies and the fact the Farmers Market is planned for Thursdays, 3-6 p.m. from its customary Fridays.