President Biden let the proclamation banning the critical J-1 visa program participants expire this week. It’s good news, but only one piece to a complicated puzzle on the resort’s labor front.Time will tell whether it’s too late to have a major impact on this summer’s tourism industry. About 4,000 foreign workers typically come to Ocean… Read more »
Category: Between The Lines
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – March 26, 2021
There was a healthy discourse Monday night over the property tax rate at Berlin’s Town Hall. It had a bit of everything, including a few awkward silences, unsuccessful motions, some raised voices and a handful of harsh comments pointed at the mayor.New members of the council are clearly feeling their way through their first budget… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – March 19, 2021
This week’s listening session on the future of Heron Park was productive, provocative and enlightening. The meeting was specifically planned to solicit feedback from the community on selling two parcels of the park property to nearby landowners. The consensus among the citizens was to keep the property near the ponds on the north side of… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – March 12, 2021
It appears Worcester County is effectively being penalized for doing too well with its efficient vaccination distribution. Several health officials have been discussing the fact the county’s vaccine supply vs. demand issues are likely to get worse in the short term. It seems the state is going to cut, or at least not increase as… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – March 5, 2021
During last fall’s election season, all five mayoral candidates in Berlin vowed not to raise property taxes in their first year. Then-Councilman Zack Tyndall said, “I think it’s important for the people to understand that the role of the mayor is to one, set the tax rate, and two, present a balanced budget to the… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – February 26, 2021
Discussions on short-term rental regulations will soon ramp up in Ocean Pines and Berlin.Prior to the pandemic, the concept in Berlin was to keep the short weekend rentals to certain residential zones while preserving the neighborhoods. Though there appeared to be a few options on the table at the time including an ordinance, the intent… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – February 19, 2021
Vaccinations continue to be on the minds of many and understandably so. Health officials report this week approximately 18% of the county’s population (9,381) has received the first vaccine and 7% (3,742) the second vaccine as of Thursday. Worcester County ranks second (behind Kent’s 21%) in Maryland in the proportion of population vaccinated by county…. Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – February 12, 2021
June will be here in no time, and it’s going to be interesting to hear what Ocean City has been planning to prevent a repeat of last summer. Due to the nature of law enforcement, not all advanced directives and operations can be revealed to the public. Ocean City has, however, learned in the past… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – February 5, 2021
The grim reality is it’s going to take most of 2021 for a majority to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Barring major changes in the distribution model, it’s a supply vs. demand matter as well as a practical and logistical impossibility to have higher expectations. Leaving out the political machinations and conspiracy theories from both sides… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – January 29, 2021
There was a lot of unjustified outrage this week over the Ocean City St. Patrick’s Parade being cancelled. It was a no-brainer decision that seemed inevitable.The only way this event could possibly be held under the current health advisories – remember crowd sizes in excess of 10 individuals are still discouraged – is without attendees… Read more »