When dealing with a service that accounts for a heavy financial burden (and loss), it’s the job of government to try and minimize the severity of the problem.That’s what the Ocean City Public Works Department is doing with its proposal to cut the option of paying a dollar for a one-way ride on Coastal Highway…. Read more »

Although they may not be the most fascinating meetings, the budget work sessions various governments on the local front are holding this time of year are prime ways to learn about public spending in detail.In Ocean City and Worcester County this week, individual departments presented their planned budgets for the year, explaining why they are… Read more »

The time has come for Ocean City to make more diligent efforts toward stopping smoking on the beach, but banning it outright is terribly problematic from an enforcement standpoint.There is no reason to pass an ordinance banning smoking on the beach or the Boardwalk in Ocean City because it will be unenforceable for the most… Read more »

Dear Mother Nature,You sure are a fickle you know what.Let’s take the last week as an example. For the most part, it was quite pleasant with temperatures reaching the upper-60s on Saturday during the annual Irish parade and festival in Ocean City. That was until Sunday evening when temperatures plummeted and rain turned to sleet… Read more »

A solid case was made this week supporting the need for an increase in the allowable taxi fare charged in Ocean City, but the proposed hike under consideration is too much too fast.Currently, and as has been the case since 2010, in Ocean City there is a $3.20 initial fare for customers plus $2.20 per… Read more »

This week’s celebration surrounding Berlin’s victory in Budget Travel’s America’s Coolest Small Town poll was funny, charming and special.That makes it appropriate for Berlin, a town that is just that — funny, charming and special. While other words like historic, beautiful and quaint are more often used in advertising and marketing materials, we prefer the… Read more »

Responsive elective government was on display in Worcester County this week on two occasions — the County Commissioners reversed an earlier decision by withdrawing opposition to a legislative change allowing Berlin to have its own to-go liquor store, and the Board of Education voted to move the start of the school year to the day… Read more »

Worcester County’s opposition to a store owner’s request for legislation allowing a private liquor store in Berlin should come as no surprise. Additionally, it should have no relevance on whether legislation gets introduced in the Maryland General Assembly by local lawmakers.In a closed session vote last week that never should have taken place in private,… Read more »

You can tell a lot about people by the stickers adorned to their vehicles. You can see which football team is the household favorite, how well the driver’s child does in school, political and religious beliefs and even where they live. On the latter note, a sticker we have spotted in increasing and disturbing frequencies… Read more »

Although they would be largely symbolic, Ocean City is right to at least hold a dialogue about installing some “no profanity please” signs along the Boardwalk.The issue here is it will merely be a suggestion and will not hold any enforcement capabilities most likely, and there is no point to posting the signs if nothing… Read more »