Bad OC Experience
Editor:
We have been coming to Ocean City for many, many years and continue to visit as much as we can. We love Ocean City. This weekend was without a doubt the worst time we have ever had. We were literally trapped on 94th Street knowing that even driving north would take several hours.
All six lanes were stacked with fabulous cars and proud owners – I respect that – but the gas fumes, the peeling of wheels until 2 a.m. was a bit much. Also trying to cross the street you had to sidestep people sitting three deep in chairs and blatantly drinking while piled in pickup trucks tailgating. You had to walk in the bus lane to get around people which was very dangerous for children.
I realize for the OC economy this was a success but how about the steady income that families bring to the table? Is it too much to ask for limits – Inlet to 33rd street, curfew, some restraints? Police are all over the seniors during their week but I really didn’t see much difference in this week and Senior Week.
Robin Webster
Perry Hall
Put Speed Limit Signs Near Lights
Editor:
I read the article by Shawn J. Soper in the May 5 edition of The Dispatch. I agree that the signs are not highly visible in their current location. They compete with all the other commercial signs for business. I do not believe the median is much different.
When one comes off the Route 50 Bridge and enters Baltimore Avenue, they are greeted with a speed limit sign located on the arm which holds the traffic lights. One cannot miss the speed sign. As we travel on Coastal Highway, we always look up at the traffic lights. If the speed sign is located with the lights, there is no excuse for not knowing the speed limit. We can thus keep the median free.
Francis E. Socorso,
Ocean City
Skaters Need Monitoring
Editor:
When are police and town officials going to put an end to the kids on skateboards at the Boardwalk and Division Street near the new playground and Comfort Station? Last weekend (Springfest), I was watching the kids play at the new playground. I saw kids on skateboards congregate on the side of Quiet Storm and the OC Arch, on the cement area riding and doing tricks on their skateboards that spilled out onto the crowded Boardwalk.
Once, they ran into a family of four who had little kids and another occasion, they just missed hitting an elderly woman in a wheelchair being pushed by a family member. Amazingly, there was an Ocean City police cruiser nearby and the officer did nothing. These skateboarders need to be moved before there is a major incident.
R.E.Derencz
Ocean City
Critical Care Spotlighted
Editor:
During National Critical Care Awareness Month, observed each May, Atlantic General recognizes and applauds the efforts of our intensive care unit (ICU).
Patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) require rigorous attention, whether it be constant monitoring, breathing support, treatment for life-threatening medical problems, or palliative care while dying. Prolonged ICU stays are extremely difficult for patients and families, emotionally, physically and financially.
Atlantic General Hospital and healthcare organizations across the country continuously strive to improve the quality of critical care they provide while also decreasing the length of stay for these individuals. Each May, the tireless efforts of ICU physicians and clinical staff to care for this fragile patient population are celebrated through Critical Care Awareness Month. Atlantic General Hospital’s ICU staff have much to celebrate.
Medical procedures can make hospitalized patients, especially those in the ICU, more vulnerable to infection. Nationally, healthcare associated infections, or infections that occur while receiving medical treatment, affect one in 25 hospital patients on any given day, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Patients who need medical or surgical care are often in a weakened state due to illness and it can be easy for germs to attack; however, most healthcare associated infections are preventable.
At Atlantic General, the ICU has had zero pneumonia infections associated with the use of ventilators, the machines that assist patients with breathing, since 2008, and 0 blood stream infections caused by central lines (catheters) since March 2015.
Unlike most rural acute care hospitals, Atlantic General has two full-time board certified intensivists, Medical Director Susan Andrews, M.D., and Atif Zeeshan, M.D., on staff to care for ICU patients. Their expert care is augmented by ongoing remote monitoring through Maryland eCare, a collaborative Atlantic General joined in 2008.
Scott Rose
(The writer is the director of ICU & Cardiopulmonary Services at Atlantic General Hospital.)
Concerts Disappoint
Editor:
In response to the upcoming concert announcement, my only thoughts this morning are that Kenny Rogers, The Beach Boys and a tribute to Willie, Waylon and Johnny are hardly the “performing arts.” Kenny is not even playing in the Performing Arts Center (PAC).
This lineup absolutely proves that if it is going to be used in this manner, OC PAC never should have been built. These acts make promoters a ton of money and expensive second class acts a ton of money too. But they are a rip off and they do nothing to add to the culture of our lovely town. If anyone connected to the OC PAC took 10 seconds to look at the Freeman Stage at Bayside’s lineup for the summer, they would be totally ashamed of their efforts thus far.
Sure, they have their share of tribute bands, but they also present some of the finest, freshest musical acts that the world has to offer right now, at a cheaper price. Tedeschi Trucks Band, Gary Clark Jr, Trombone Shorty, Ben Harper, Chicago, Blues Traveler amd the Wallflowers. Wow did OC PAC not get any of these bands ? Plus, in terms of tribute bands, here is their eclectic list of tribute band material; The Band, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson, Bob Seager, Abba and Woodstock.
As a resident of Ocean City, I am supposed to be impressed by the announcement of Kenny Rogers, The 10 Tenors and one single solitary tribute to Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash. Give me a break.
Greg Gunther
Ocean City
Reduce OC’s Ad Budget
Editor:
In 2007, the Mayor & City Council (M&CC) passed an ordinance which created a new advertising funding mechanism. Since Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, two percent of gross room revenue has been dedicated to advertising. These funds come from the room tax.
During the period from FY07 to FY16, gross room revenue increased less than 36%, while room tax revenue increased 41%. However, advertising expenditures increased 208% during the same period. It appears that the advertising budget is long past the point of reaching diminishing returns.
During the same period from FY07 to Fy16, the Economic Development & Tourism budget increased 100%. The FY18 budget funds an increase of 125% in this category over FY07.
The advertising budget is the equivalent of 7.4 cents on the property tax rate. Staff has estimated that the tax rate could rise from the current 46.56 cents per $100 of assessed value to 54 cents in FY21. This will occur if the M&CC do not begin to curb their spending habits. Reducing the excessive advertising budget will do a lot to keep future property tax rates affordable.
Vincent dePaul Gisriel, Jr.
Ocean City
Support, Help Appreciated
Editor:
The members of the Berlin Cruisers Committee would like to thank the Town of Berlin for once again providing support to the semi-annual cruiser event held in town each spring and fall. As usual the Public Works Department supplied the requested traffic control items for us and provided clean up afterwards. The Berlin Police Department is always a help at these type of events with traffic control, etc. This year was no exception, both departments went above and beyond.
We are the envy of other towns when we share with them our positive experiences in dealing with local government.
Also, a big thanks to the merchants and local citizens that helped with parking cars, assisting with registration of cars and a host of other chores. Also special thanks to “Big Al Reno” of Ocean 98.1 Radio for the use of his PA System.
Tanja Giles, Mike Wiley and Bill Hoshal
(The writers comprise the Berlin Cruiser Planning Committee.)