Rising property values equal more tax revenue for governments if the property tax rates remain constant. This message was featured in three stories this week about budget sessions in Ocean City, Berlin and Worcester County.The question as governments everywhere take deep dives into their budgets is whether the additional dollars will meet the needs of… Read more »
Should the Oceans Calling Festival grounds include a large swath of the Boardwalk? If so, should the festival be able to recoup 15% of Boardwalk business sales in exchange for essentially being a concert vendor. It’s complicated and there are some hard feelings among small business owners toward Ocean City and the concert promoter based… Read more »
When it comes to potentially out-lawing small, motorized vehicle rentals, like scoot coupes, the Town of Ocean City seems to be exercising the right amount of discretion and fairness. During a broader conversation about electric bike rentals in January, Councilman Will Savage asked the city to consider banning the rental of the familiar scooters, scoot… Read more »
A permanent consequence of the pandemic seems to be labor issues for private businesses and government. These matters will be thrust into the spotlight in the coming months as budgets get reviewed and seasonal hiring efforts kick into gear. It’s finding the right help at the reasonable rate that works for all that’s the current… Read more »
Though it never sits well with consumers to pay more, the concept of increasing user fees in Ocean City for the bus and Boardwalk tram makes sense. The majority of the cost to provide the customer service needs to be funded by the users.Under review and ultimately receiving a favorable recommendation from the Ocean City… Read more »
The greater Ocean City region lost a special community member Wednesday evening. For us at The Dispatch, we lost a beloved colleague.Shawn J. Soper died Wednesday at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore after being initially hospitalized Saturday evening at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin with a health emergency. He was 59 years old.Growing up in… Read more »
It’s natural for local governments to frown on state policy mandates especially when it comes to requiring funding commitments. Though the money obligation is unknown, it’s clear Worcester County government officials – and maybe school leaders as well – are offended by proposed legislation to establish a comprehensive health education framework in primary and secondary… Read more »
The Ocean City Mayor and Council is right to take a deeper dive into the Maryland Stadium Authority’s recent feasibility update for a local sports complex consisting of eight to 10 outdoor fields and a 125,000-square-foot indoor facility.The city paid $50,000 for the update and conceptual design cost estimate, and it’s a logical next step… Read more »
It was surprising to learn last week a school safety committee has been dormant in recent years, but a relief to learn a new plan moving forward. It was concerning to learn the school safety committee has not been actively meeting to review current procedures, but we are certain keeping students and teachers safe in… Read more »
Leadership of the state changed hands this week and only time will tell if it’s a good thing for Marylanders, most specifically Eastern Shore residents.In reflecting on the tenure of two-term Gov. Larry Hogan, there’s a lot to boast about. Hogan did so this week in his farewell address. The first two-term Republican since Gov…. Read more »