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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Using Program Open Space funds to add more sports fields to the Berlin Little League program as well as the neighboring Northern Worcester Athletic Complex is a good land acquisition for the county to explore.My only problem with it is something is not on the up and up with how this effort is being presented… Read more »
While there will be no acknowledgements of it in legislative recaps from local lawmakers, it was clear Ocean City was sent a message in Annapolis during this year’s General Assembly session.There was a lot of tough talk from Republican legislators last year during election season about the dysfunction in Annapolis and how legislators often ignore… Read more »
