Last weekend’s whispers of wet, windy weather forecasted for Saturday’s St. Patrick’s Parade and Festival became roars as the week progressed. For a few days, this week’s scenario mirrored last year’s week leading up to the parade as uncertainty loomed. The difference is this year’s Ocean City seems intent on having the parade even if… Read more »
What’s the takeaway from the latest step in the analysis of Route 90’s future – the completion of the state’s planning and environmental linkages study report? There are 142 pages to the tome and subsequently several conclusions. An interesting part of the report was the sharing of a couple online public survey results conducted last… Read more »
Bills Worth Watching Editor: I am writing again to inform your readers of some pending legislation in Maryland which may be of concern. Over 1,200 bills have been filed in Maryland this year, most of which are at best questionable. I wrote previously about HB119/SB199 – “Primary and Secondary Education – Health Education Framework –… 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 »
Remembering Shawn Soper Editor: The man in the little dark blue truck. Dependable. Genuine. Trustworthy. Built tough, but humble both the man, and his old Ford Ranger. He was the Cal Ripken Jr. of community journalism. For more than two decades Shawn J. Soper roamed the Greater Worcester County area with pen and notepad in… 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 »
There was an interesting discussion on pending health curriculum legislation in Newark this week at the Worcester County Board of Education meeting with comments made from parents, school administrators and elected school board members. It’s safe to say there are a broad range of opinions on what students should be taught in schools when it… Read more »
Small-Minded Officials Editor: It is 2023 and elected officials should not be referring to health and sex education as “smut.” The Worcester County Commissioners really embarrassed themselves by airing their grievances with the modern world. I, myself, attended private school and we had sex education in fifth grade. So no one knows what Jim Bunting… 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 »