It was a crazy scene over Ocean City Wednesday afternoon. While it’s not the first time it’s happened, it was still a sight to behold for many as two helicopters on different ends of town responded to incidents needing air transport requests almost simultaneously.Although most details were not known yesterday, two traumatic injury incidents occurred… Read more »
Category: Between The Lines
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – June 21, 2019
The laws of supply and demand were on full display during last weekend’s OC Air Show. Though difficult to prove historically, I would argue last Saturday featured some of the biggest crowds I have ever seen in Ocean City. The beach was packed from the ocean to the seawall along the Boardwalk as far as… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – June 14, 2019
This summer marks five years since Ocean City added surveillance cameras to the Boardwalk. The importance of that move was highlighted last weekend when the city’s police department was able to quickly and widely distribute quality images of the suspect sought for stabbing two people in downtown Ocean City.The high-tech surveillance system acting as a… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – June 7, 2019
The year after an election is always tough on property owners. It’s when taxes are typically increased to help balance budgets facing increased expenditures. Local property owners in Worcester County are going to be especially hit hard this year because property taxes have been raised by Berlin, Ocean City and county governments.In Worcester County, the… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – May 31, 2019
Last week’s alleged murder in Berlin is the first in 11 years. Right or wrong, I’m not counting the murder-suicide in 2014 involving an elderly couple because the investigation was wrapped in minutes once it was determined to be a classic “Romeo and Juliet love story,” as one friend described it.The last time Berlin dealt… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – May 24, 2019
The Berlin Town Council is expected to approve its fiscal year 2020 budget next week after officially setting the tax rate – an approximate 18% increase — at last week’s meeting.Many community members have expressed outrage for months over the property tax rate increase, from 68 cents per $100 of assessed valuation to 80 cents…. Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – May 17, 2019
Although unofficial until the budget is officially approved, major tax and fee increases are coming to Berlin property owners. That much is known for this year and more will be coming next year. The question now is whether the current feelings of disappointment with town elected officials and administrators from the majority of the citizenry… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – May 10, 2019
The Ocean City Mayor and Council approved its proposed budget on first reading by a 5-2 vote this week. The budget sets the property tax rate at .4656 per $100 of assessed valuation as compared to last year’s rate of .4585. For a $400,000 assessed property, that means an annual city tax increase of $28,… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – May 3, 2019
After four meetings and months to come to some sort of consensus, Ocean City’s parking task force adjourned for the season without a clear direction. I’m dumbfounded over the fact not one option has been removed from consideration or gained support after all these meetings.Although paid consultants often get a bad rap, I think the… Read more »
Thoughts From The Publisher’s Desk – April 26, 2019
The budget nightmare in Berlin is remarkable. With each passing week, the situation appears to become even more bleak. This week Mayor Gee Williams set out to address recent concerns he has heard from the public. On Tuesday, the town’s website included an explanatory letter from Williams called, “Mayor’s Message – Reasons for Increases to… Read more »