Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan was on the money when he pointed out the County Commissioners should consider televising their meetings. It’s long overdue and a philosophical shift on this issue is necessary. The county needs to make the small investment it takes to air its meetings on local access or at the very least… Read more »
It’s been a while since we looked inside numbers making news lately. Here’s a few that caught my attention:— Zero: Number of snow photos in the paper this week. Considering this winter’s wrath, a light overnight dusting doesn’t deserve any coverage.— 25,000: Thousands of dollars being offered as a reward for information on the disappearance… Read more »
Ocean City cabbies will now be subject to random drug tests, according to a new regulation governing the industry. This section of the town ordinance raised a few eyebrows and shocked some drivers and cab owners this week.It reads in part a protocol will be established, “requiring taxicab driver permit holders to be randomly tested… Read more »
For the second time in a year, the Ocean City Mayor and Council appears poised to expand the hours that bikes can be on the Boardwalk in the peak season. Last summer, between the Memorial Day and Labor Day holidays, bikes were allowed on the boards till 10 a.m. on the weekends and 11 a.m…. Read more »
When local governments start hacking away at their expenditures and receivables over the next few months, it’s been said everything is on the table. Ocean City has already shown this penchant repeatedly, particularly when it agreed to turn off every other light bulb in the Inlet parking lot this winter.The county proved this week it’s… Read more »
June has long been a month many in the hospitality industry refer to as “pre-season.” It’s a time when staff is being trained, businesses are ironing out operations and sales slowly build as the month approaches its end and gives way to the boom of July.It’s no secret June is not a busy time for… Read more »
If it’s true that tax increases are rarely given much thought in election years, it stands to reason that elected officials should not consider pay raises during those years either. The County Commissioners appear to be on this track. There has not been a public discussion on the topic, but tax increases appear to be… Read more »
The legislative session is underway and it didn’t take long for some controversy to kick up. On Tuesday, one day before the General Assembly convened, advocates and lawmakers gathered to announce support for an initiative to increase the state alcohol tax by a “dime-a-drink.” It’s certainly within their right to fight for increasing the tax… Read more »
Effective with the turn of the calendar to January, saltwater recreational fishermen must enroll in the Marine Recreational Information Program, a national registry designed to enhance monitoring efforts for saltwater fish. While some view this as an unnecessary bureaucratic grab from federal officials that will eventually carry a fee to register (it’s free in 2010),… Read more »
On this last day of 2009, a year many are happy to see go, I submit some developments I predict will take place locally and elsewhere in 2010:— Ocean Downs will be the only site where slots are played in Maryland in 2010.— The state’s Board of Public Works will approve funding for the expansion… Read more »