Ocean City was thrust into the regional spotlight this week, thanks to about 30 seconds of cell phone video capturing a police officer clearly punch a suspect who was resisting handcuffs being applied on the Boardwalk. While the cell phone captured a disturbing scene, these witness videos typically do not tell the entire story as… Read more »
The lure of alliteration was too much to resist, so the page one cutline began, “Finally, Fourth Fireworks.” It’s difficult to imagine but Ocean City has not held Independence Day fireworks since 2019. Let’s revisit the struggles with fireworks and 4th of July in Ocean City. Like most places, there were no fireworks on July… Read more »
Playing Politics Hurts All Editor: It is unfortunate and sad that of all the items that the Worcester County Board of Education could have reduced or cut in their proposed budget to meet their actual budget was the Summer Academy for special needs and disadvantaged students, as described by the editor of The Dispatch in… Read more »
Over the last few weeks, the Ocean City Police Department has carried out a commendable education campaign as a result of the Cannabis Reform Act taking effect July 1. Topics covered during the social media campaign touched on growing cannabis at home, driving under the influence, selling it, smoking in public and the amount a… Read more »
Retired County Teacher Refutes Letter’s Claims Editor: I am writing in response to Tony Christ of Falls Church, Va.’s letter to the editor published in the June 23 edition of The Dispatch. Lest Mr. Christ leave readers with the impression that 1970 was the “golden age” of education in Worcester County, let me share some… Read more »
It has been a strange summer season so far. June has been weird on most fronts, but especially on the weather and its impact on reduced crowds on the weekends.There also appear to be some trends associated with the economy and post-pandemic travel corrections worthy of monitoring as the summer continues. Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association… Read more »
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld’s line “There’s no precedent baby” came to mind flipping through the Oceans Calling Festival schematics and reviewing new details associated with the event, which is set for late September in down-town Ocean City. There were several new pieces of information reported last week, including the news 50,000 tickets will be sold for… Read more »
Voter ID ReflectionsEditor:As a follow-up to the letter from Dennis Evans last week and anyone else in the community confused about voter ID.Whenever this subject comes up, we tend to hear a lot of arguments about certain parties receiving disadvantage when voting does not require ID, mail-in votes are popular, early voting is allowed, etc…. Read more »
It’s been interesting to observe Ocean City anticipating the changes of July 1 on marijuana legalization. The stance has been to be proactive and careful with perceived consequences of the state’s new direction.Being a beach resort full of people of all ages, Ocean City officials are wise to apply scrutiny and buy some time with… Read more »
Blunt talk is not commonplace in government, but there was a heaping dose of it on display at this week’s Worcester County Board of Education meeting. Following an emotional prepared statement by Board of Education member Elena McComas, Worcester County Board of Education Dr. Jon Andes shared a few things on his mind. Andes knows… Read more »