The 2014 Maryland Gubernatorial Election is still two-plus years away, but Comptroller Peter Franchot’s frank talk and blunt approach have put him out in the forefront in the early going.Franchot, the two-term tax collector, will be running for governor in a couple years, although he has not announced it officially yet. It will more than… Read more »
The General Assembly is back in session and tax increases will be the major story.Legislators are almost surely going to raise the gasoline tax by as much as 15 cents and might triple the flush tax before they adjourn this spring, but Gov. Martin O’Malley opined this week he would support a different increase. If… Read more »
Conservative Claim Is Not The Reality Editor:In a recent interview, Council President Jim Hall touts his conservatism, and states he has no regrets as he reflects on 2011. A conservative is one who is cautious with taxpayers’ money, believes in limited government intervention and most importantly is fiscally responsible.President Hall and his majority were not… Read more »
When there is a perceived violation or injustice committed, it’s human nature to be defensive and fire back, and that’s exactly what appears to have happened with the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD).In a memo dated Dec. 22, OCPD Chief Bernadette DiPino reported to the Mayor and Council that an internal probe conducted by her… Read more »
Government officials across the lower shore are showing concerns about how they are going to get through the upcoming budget season. That much is clear after just a few meetings in 2012.In Ocean City, Councilmen Doug Cymek and Lloyd Martin took issue Tuesday with the Ocean City Police Department’s three-captain restructuring plan, believing the department… Read more »
Support Appreciated Editor: I want to take a minute and thank everyone who sent me a Christmas card this year. I have been a widow now for two years and I am looking forward to returning to Ocean City soon.I especially want to thank St. Mary’s Star of the Sea, Holy Savior and St. Luke… Read more »
Here’s a look at some predictions I offer for the New Year:The Ocean City Mayor and Council will hire an administrator from Florida as its next city manager. The next convention center director will also come from that state.Due to a number of delays in the process, the new city manager will not be in… Read more »
Panel Should Study OC Police Department Editor:I have lived in Ocean City for 30-plus years and have seen three police chiefs run our department. Current Chief Bernadette DiPino’s tenure has seen a lot of controversies come and go.The OCPD has been sued by its officers many times. There was a vote by the FOP of… Read more »
Frustration was running through sectors of the Ocean City tourism industry this week, thanks in large part to the division among the Mayor and Council.In the fall, the council as well as all aspects of the tourism industry in Ocean City was told by an objective consultant the current system is not working.“There is a… Read more »
It has become tradition in our Christmas issue to look back on some predictions I made at the end of 2010 for 2011.As usual, there were several that were completely wrong, some that were right and others somewhere in between. Next week, I will take another stab on the prediction front.In the meantime, let’s look… Read more »