Efforts to regulate short-term rental regulations have become a divisive issue in Berlin. Friction seems to be the norm these days in the small town, but I think the short-term rental talks and the ongoing budget debates are healthy.Two days after the Berlin Town Council held a work session to discussed regulations, members of the… Read more »
The Coastal Association of Realtors (Coastal) has been consistently growing its presence as a political activist group in recent years. This week representatives from Coastal testified in Annapolis against the proposed sales tax expansion, which had the potential to serious impact the real estate industry. In addition, Coastal has testified in recent months on several… Read more »
The Berlin Town Council meeting was cancelled this week because not enough elected officials could attend to meet quorum rules. The cancelled meeting did not mean there was no drama this week.Included in the council packet this was the town’s plan to seek bids from companies to take over trash and recycling operations. In what… Read more »
When I last took exception to Ocean City Councilman Mark Paddack’s social media rants, he let it be known to me in a voicemail he would not be standing down. After many years in a police uniform and being unable to weigh in on matters on social media, Paddack said he will continue to express… Read more »
Just because the Town of Berlin released numbers this week on revenue projections from potential property tax increases doesn’t necessarily mean they will happen. It does seem highly likely, however.Town officials all but assured property owners another tax increase was coming this year on the heels of last year’s 18% hike, but they indicated last… Read more »
Budget time is looming for local governments and there seems to be a lot to be concerned about in Snow Hill for Worcester County. Along with the ongoing West Ocean City emergency services issue, the county learned this week potential legislation in Annapolis could hit the budget hard.House Bill 677 would stop the practice of… Read more »
Throughout the week, members of Stephen Decatur High School’s Class of 1996 have expressed shock and sadness over the loss of a fellow graduate, Billy Smith.It’s been one week since the 41-year-old Smith, a husband and father of three, was killed in his Greenbelt home by three masked home invaders who escaped from the scene…. Read more »
“OC Supports Green & Unseen Wind Farms.”That was the headline on communications from the Town of Ocean City in advance of what was being called the “Save Our Sunrise Public Hearing” on Saturday at noon at the convention center.It’s clear Ocean City has been working marketing avenues hard ahead of this weekend’s hearing, which was… Read more »
Interest for Ocean City beach stands appears to be rebounding. Time will tell whether it’s resort-wide, but revenue for the south-end beach equipment rental parcels along the Boardwalk increased by about 50% overall.There were 34 parcels up for renewal or auction this year. Per city policy, each current parcel holder can renew for another three-year… Read more »
For the past 15 years, I have devoted space in the first issue of the new year to making predictions on the news over the next 12 months. Here are some of my thoughts on what will make headlines for the year ahead. Plans for a Lidl grocery store west of McDonalds on Route 50… Read more »
