Political season brings out some interesting sights around these parts. Of course, the signs are everywhere, as obnoxious and redundant as they are, with two more months until the General Election. Two interesting sites I found this week deserved a mention. It appears at least two area neighbors have a little competition going on among… Read more »
Guest EditorialDrugs Here, Problems RealEditor:I write to express my growing concern for an ongoing problem that has plagued Worcester County. I have been a resident of this county for more than 30 years. I have seen first hand that the drug problem here has grown exponentially in that time. Worcester County has a bountiful supply… Read more »
Boardwalk SmokingBan A Logical StartEditor:While reading The Dispatch this past week, the picture on page 40A with the cigarette butts stuck in the boards within our Boardwalk really caught my eye. Additionally, after reading the letters from other residents concerning the issue of Ocean City banning smoking on the Boardwalk or on our beaches, I have to… Read more »
Resident David Fox is the man responsible for bringing the smoking on the beach and Boardwalk issue to the forefront this summer. Although Councilwoman Margaret Pillas, who filed for re-election officially earlier this week, was the first to broach it publicly at the Mayor and Council meeting, it was Fox who first spearheaded these talks… Read more »
As expected, it was a light turnout at this week’s public hearing on Ocean City winter bus service reductions at City Hall.The hearing was planned to gauge public sentiment on a plan to reduce the number of buses operating on Coastal Highway from November through March.According to the town, three buses operate on Coastal Highway… Read more »
OC Needs Focus On Current LawsEditor:In my opinion discussing a ban on beach smoking is a waste of time. Ocean City has many existing health and safety ordinances that it does a poor job in enforcing. Why would anyone think that the city would be able to enforce a ban on beach smoking? For example:1. No… Read more »
The general consensus seems to be that this summer is treating most businesses in and around Ocean City much better than last season. Numbers obtained from the Worcester County Treasurer’s Office this week confirmed that much for the first month of the traditional summer season.For June, the latest available figures, room tax collections for Ocean… Read more »
The possibility of banning smoking on the beach in Ocean City has grabbed headlines around region. The idea is quite divisive, and there’s passion on both sides of the argument.On one hand, it can be said smokers are now in the minority in this country, and that non-smokers should not have to deal with second-hand… Read more »
An Unaffiliated VoterEditor:I read a recent letter that appeared in The Dispatch about changing voter registration. I, too, have recently changed my registration – twice. When I was young, I was registered Democrat. My father had always told me “to make your vote count in Maryland you must register Democrat.” Later on in life, I… Read more »
Ocean City officials acknowledge the official name of its convention center can be problematic at times, but they assured me this week there’s no plan to drop its namesake, Roland E. Powell, as had been rumored.When asked if it was true the city was considering simply renaming it the Ocean City Convention Center this week,… Read more »