Scooter Regs TweakedNo matter what level, government is not known for being efficient, but the current controversy surrounding Ocean City’s attempt to better regulate the growing scooter industry in town seems to take that to another level.Somehow, throughout the entire process, nobody brought to the table the fact the stipulated training area in the ordinance… Read more »
A vocal group of education supporters in Worcester County had a clear message for the commissioners at this week’s annual budget hearing — raise taxes to help local schools.Although the overall budget pictures for Worcester and Wicomico counties are blurry at the moment, thanks to the General Assembly’s “doomsday” budget, what is known is taxes… Read more »
As part of budget deliberations, government officials in Ocean City and Berlin were weighing the allocation of one-time employee bonuses this week as a way, they say, to show appreciation for their employees.Unlike in Ocean City where the topic was initially divisive and split down the typical majority-minority lines, Berlin appears all but certain to… Read more »
With a proposed hike in the gasoline tax seemingly dead, talk turned this week in Annapolis to another sort of revenue mechanism — increasing the sales tax in Maryland.Back in January, Gov. Martin O’Malley first announced his preferred desire to raise the sales tax in Maryland over other alternative increases, such as the one proposed… Read more »
A fine line exists between regulating and over-regulating. Oftentimes, it’s unknown whether that line has been crossed until after the fact. When it comes to the ongoing scooter industry re-evaluation, Ocean City seems to be tiptoeing around it deftly.With their continual proliferation, scooters have become dangerous in Ocean City, particularly on Coastal Highway. However, it… Read more »
The latest 4-3 vote of the Ocean City Council took place last week and involved a change in the provider for the town’s annual Independence Day fireworks displays at the Inlet and Northside park.It was a contentious discussion at times among the council members as well as between certain city employees and council members. The… Read more »
We are all on the same team.That’s the message that should be resonating throughout Worcester County and all other jurisdictions this time of year.It’s no secret counties are struggling with their budgets currently. They don’t know what cuts are coming from the state yet, but they are well aware property tax revenue is going to… Read more »
With all the talk of tax and fee increases, funding shifts and education mandates, it’s easy to get lost this year in all that goes on in the Maryland General Assembly.The bottom line is simple. Maryland is overspending. It’s living beyond its means and has been for some time. That’s why there is a $1… Read more »
From Nov. 1 to March 30, residents and visitors of Ocean City can now pay a fee to ride horses on the beach. Holly Ridge Farm became the first to score a permit this week, and the public got a chance to see the new offering at work on Wednesday morning.Prior to this week, we… Read more »
At this point, the passage of a tighter noise ordinance in Ocean City is meaningless. It will remain this way until the summer season and businesses begin violating it. That’s when we will truly know if the new ordinance has any teeth or if it was a waste of time.As is the case with all… Read more »