Of all the cost cutting moves that could come with the micro-managing review that is budget season in Ocean City, it’s startling that the Mayor and Council would see fit to cut $5,000 for the first white marlin release prize of the season. The council will have the opportunity next week during budget wrap-up sessions… Read more »

In a resort area like Ocean City, a zero tolerance policy on smoking will never work. It will alienate too many who could legitimately be unaware of changes in the law. In a simple world, if someone is walking the Boardwalk with a cigarette, they would be simply given a citation for violating the smoking… Read more »

There is a clear track record indicating the Chesapeake Bay benefits more from federal oversight and specific regulations than it does from crossed fingers and good intentions. As a region that draws much of its identity, and no small part of its economy, from that estimable estuary, we in Hampton Roads should be horrified by… Read more »

Things have come a long way in Berlin on the electric front. The perception for many years has been it’s more expensive to live in Berlin than neighboring municipalities. That was in part due to its residential electric rates, which were higher than neighboring areas. It was the reality for many years, but that’s no… Read more »

In this area, things are changing with the fight against drug addiction. It’s no longer a hidden evil nobody wants to talk about. In fact, it seems on some days everyone is talking about it. The disease that is addiction is in the spotlight and it must remain there to keep the focus and affect… Read more »

Numbers can often be tweaked to paint a picture inconsistent with reality, but in the case of the Ocean City Police Department’s crime report for 2016 that does not appear to be the case. Criminal activity has steadily decreased the last two years in Ocean City. It’s been noticeable and the data backs it up…. Read more »

This week’s dialogue on fireworks and special events among Ocean City business owners, tourism officials and the Mayor and Council revealed some interesting and diverse thoughts. Although concerns have been expressed privately the last couple summers, this was the first we have heard public comments being made about the negative impact the weekly fireworks shows… Read more »

The National Aquarium in Baltimore deserves credit for being receptive and responsive to the arguments months against its proposed Urban National Marine Sanctuary designation for the Baltimore Canyon, one of Ocean City’s three rich offshore fishing grounds. Kudos also goes to the local fishing community who rallied together into a collective voice and worked with… Read more »

BALTIMORE- At the risk of over-simplifying Maryland’s $40 billion-plus budget, the situation the state faced back in 2008 when it decided to legalize casino gambling was not that different from what many families were grappling with then. It was the scariest point in the great recession, and commitments made during better times, in the state’s… Read more »