Articles

NEW FOR THURSDAY: Free Gas Promotion Proposed Again

OCEAN CITY – The topic of “free gas” has returned as discussions turn toward ways to encourage visitors to come to Ocean City with gas prices predicted to rise once again. During discussions with tourism partners this week, Councilman Brent Ashley re-visited a concept to offer a gas promotion this summer to encourage visitors to Ocean City despite raising gas prices. Last year Ashley introduced the concept, which was eventually rejected due to reasoning that it would create a...READ MORE

NEW FOR WEDNESDAY: Weekly Laser, Fireworks Shows Planned For Summer

OCEAN CITY – A weekly laser light and fireworks show will hit the sky downtown this summer as a new series of free events was approved this week. The Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) presented an update to the Mayor and City Council on its recent meetings where ideas were worked out to bring new events as well as expand existing events with the funds allocated by the town. TAB Chair Melanie Pursel requested that a summer family entertainment series be approved and funded partially with the...READ MORE

NEW FOR TUESDAY: OC Area Represented Well In State Hospitality Contest

OCEAN CITY -- The Restaurant Association of Maryland yesterday afternoon announced the finalists for the highly anticipated Annual Awards Gala, sponsored by McCormick and Company, and there are numerous local representatives in contention once again. The awards honor the Maryland hospitality industry’s best in such categories as Maryland’s Favorite New Restaurant, Chef of the Year, and more.  Winners of these prestigious awards will be revealed at the 58th Annual Industry Awards...READ MORE

NEW FOR MONDAY: OCPD Outlines Major Undercover Drug Op Involving Cop Posing As Cabbie

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department’s narcotics unit, in collaboration with allied agencies, late last month concluded a two-year drug distribution investigation utilizing an undercover officer posing as a taxi cab driver and owner with the grand jury indictments of 34 local residents on 91 charges. Last week, the OCPD announced cursory information about Operation Sand Dollar, a two-year undercover operation targeting drug trafficking in the resort area during which an...READ MORE

Resort Tightens Noise Rules

OCEAN CITY -- The City Council officially approved two new ordinances this week, including a measure limiting the range of music and other noise and another that would require a sticker providing ownership information on rental properties. On Monday, the council signed off on an ordinance that would prohibit music or other loud noises from extending beyond 30 feet on the beach, Boardwalk and other public areas. Prior to the adoption of the ordinance on Monday, the old standard of 50 feet...READ MORE

County Agrees To Extend Services To Pines Plaza

SNOW HILL -- With septic systems in the area in trouble, the Worcester County Commissioners agreed to continue to support extending water and sewer coverage to the Ocean Pines Plaza Commercial Sub-Area. “The whole area has either failed or failing septic systems,” said Commissioner Judy Boggs, who represents the Ocean Pines District. Properties in that sub-area have been served by private well and septic for years. But in September 2010, the septic and treatment system for the Pines...READ MORE

OCPD Undercover Cab Operation Nails 34 Individuals

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department’s narcotics unit this week concluded a nearly two-year drug distribution investigation utilizing an undercover officer posing as a taxi cab owner and driver with the indictments dozens of individuals. During the investigation, an Ocean City Police narcotics officer acting in a covert capacity started a legitimate taxicab company and acted as the owner and operator of the company. The investigation has led to the indictments of 34 individuals...READ MORE

Casino Revenue Up Slightly

BERLIN -- January’s numbers for the Casino at Ocean Downs were released this week, providing the first real look at figures for the same month since the facility opened last January. The Casino at Ocean Downs generated around $3.13 million in January 2012, up from the $3 million recorded during the same month last year, its first month in operation. However, it’s important to note the casino officially opened for business on Jan. 4, 2011, meaning last month’s numbers...READ MORE

State Undergoing Traffic Light Study At Route 113 Intersection

SNOW HILL -- Efforts to calm an accident prone intersection in Worcester County resurfaced again this week when the County Commissioners received a letter from Maryland Secretary of Transportation Beverley Swaim-Staley. In the letter, Swaim-Staley noted that the intersection at Route 12 and US 113, which has seen more than 50 accidents since being revamped in 2006, is the current subject of a signal warrant analysis. “The new study will include a review of the existing signing, lighting,...READ MORE

Salisbury Fire Chief Vacancy In Limbo Till Summer

SALISBURY -- After the City Council rejected a candidate advanced by Mayor James Ireton last week, the position of chief for the Salisbury Fire Department (SFD) will likely be in limbo until at least June. In a 3-2 vote, the council decided not to promote Deputy and current Acting Chief Rick Hoppes to fill the position left when former SFD Chief Jeff Simpson resigned last month. Hoppes, who has more than 20 years’ experience with SFD and has served as acting chief twice before, was chosen...READ MORE

Councilman Seeks Official OC Song

OCEAN CITY -- In an era when nearly every town, building or sports event has an “official” something or other, Ocean City could soon have its own song if one councilman’s idea gets any traction. Just one week after Ocean City approved Coca-Cola as the new official soft drink of the resort, Councilman Joe Hall at the end of Monday’s regular council meeting pitched the idea of finding an “official song” for the resort. Hall said the idea was inspired by a song...READ MORE

Public Defender Order Delayed

BERLIN -- A recent Maryland Court of Appeals opinion guaranteeing legal representation for defendants at the earliest stages of criminal proceedings, including initial bail reviews, has been put on hold after the high court agreed to slow down the order to further review the implementation process. In its opinion released in early January, the high court ruled even the earliest bail review hearing represents a potentially critical stage in the criminal process and that a defendant has a right to...READ MORE

OC Tourism Director Resigns To Take Private Sector Job

OCEAN CITY -- The resort’s tourism director informed the Mayor and Council on Monday she is resigning her post in favor of a local private sector job. Tourism Director Deb Turk, who will be joining Comcast as a local sales manager, will leave the city March 1. Her announcement this week has resulted in the city now having three vacant department head positions. The city is currently looking for a new convention center director after Rick Hamilton’s recent resignation and a new city...READ MORE

Rental License Revenue Eyed

OCEAN CITY -- While Ocean City attempts to find ways to expand its revenue base in the face of a looming deficit, one possible source in the form of unpaid rental property licenses could be right under the City Council’s noses. Ocean City officials are exploring alternative revenues sources to offset millions of dollars of needed capital projects, including an estimated $41 million in road repairs, but the resort could be missing out on a million dollars a year in unpaid rental property...READ MORE

OCPD Holds Taser Demonstration To Educate Public

OCEAN CITY -- Hoping to address concerns surrounding Ocean City’s decision to equip some officers with Taser Electronic Control Devices, the Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) held a public information session and demonstration Thursday. “We’ve spent enormous amounts of time researching this,” said OCPD Public Affairs Officer Mike Levy. Levy, along with Chief Bernadette DiPino, spoke at length about the devices the OCPD currently has in the field, including training,...READ MORE

Councilman Defends Social Network Comments

OCEAN CITY -- A social network post by an Ocean City councilman about tourists trashing the resort and the need for the millions of visitors to pay their fair share touched off a firestorm of controversy this week and a call for an apology, but the elected official stood by the premise, if not the language, on Monday. Following a discussion last week about increasing parking fees in the areas where meters already exist and possibly expanding the use of meters to other areas, Councilman Joe Hall...READ MORE

State Undergoing Traffic Light Study At 113 Intersection

SNOW HILL -- Efforts to calm an accident prone intersection in Worcester County resurfaced again this week when the County Commissioners received a letter from Maryland Secretary of Transportation Beverley Swaim-Staley. In the letter, Swaim-Staley noted that the intersection at Route 12 and US 113, which has seen more than 50 accidents since being revamped in 2006, is the current subject of a signal warrant analysis. “The new study will include a review of the existing signing, lighting,...READ MORE

Area Trails Effort Collecting Public Input

BERLIN -- A Berlin group is proceeding with plans to build a network of nature trails in Worcester County. “Our time has come,” said Kate Patton, who led the Plan Our Trails meetings held last Wednesday and Thursday nights in Berlin. Patton, executive director of Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT), outlined the progress her group has made so far in preparing Worcester. “There will be economic opportunities for the town as we go forward,” she told the crowd Thursday. “We...READ MORE

Wicomico Supports New Hybrid Liquor License

SALISBURY -- Support from the Wicomico County Council could help pass a state law creating a new kind of liquor license that would allow minors in establishments that serve beer, wine and liquor but aren’t restaurants. If passed, the new license would apply to facilities that serve liquor but do not meet the requirements for a Class B restaurant license that necessitates selling a ratio of food versus alcohol. For establishments that don’t meet the minimum for food sales, there is a...READ MORE

Worcester’s Bloxom Requested To Help Salisbury

SALISBURY -- Hoping to bring in an outsider immune to conflict of interest complaints, the Salisbury City Council has been given permission to use Worcester County attorney Sonny Bloxom to advise the Salisbury ethics board. “That’s what we really need, someone that is removed,” said Councilwoman Laura Mitchell. The council has seen numerous ethics complaints thrown around in the past few months. All members of the council, except for Mitchell but including new City Attorney...READ MORE

Berlin Announces New Electricity Supply Contract

BERLIN -- The Town of Berlin announced this week it has signed an additional two-year electricity supply contract with NextEra Energy Power Marketing, LLC, (NextEra Energy), stabilizing bills for the town’s electric customers starting in June 2013 and continuing through May 2015. A recommendation to apply to the Maryland Public Service Commission for reduced municipal electric rates for non-residential customers is expected to be considered by Berlin’s Council in February and if...READ MORE

Council OKs Voluntary Design Guidelines

OCEAN CITY -- The City Council approved an ordinance this week that would add non-binding design guidelines to the site plan approval process for new development in the resort, but not before amending the code change to define just where they would apply. In an effort to gain some conformity for new development in the resort, Ocean City officials on Monday approved an ordinance including suggested uniform design standards during the site plan review process. According to the ordinance, the...READ MORE

Culinary Center Added To Annual Resort Trade Expo

OCEAN CITY -- On March 4-5, hospitality buyers and sellers are invited to meet in Ocean City for the 38th Annual Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association Trade Expo. Held each year at the Ocean City Convention Center, the regional Expo is produced by the local, non-profit trade association. The Expo welcomes the return of many loyal exhibitors and showcases new and emerging products and trends. Hospitality professionals from many industry sectors will have the opportunity to peruse nearly 400 exhibit...READ MORE

Assateague Camping Fees Increase

ASSATEAGUE -- New camping fees at Assateague National Seashore went into effect last week resulting in significant changes to the fee structure on the barrier island. Assateague officials last week announced an increase in fees for camping at the national seashore went into effect on February 1. Fees for the regular sites in the Oceanside and Bayside camping areas, along with the horse camp sites increased by $5, while the group site increased by $10. The new fees apply only to camping and do...READ MORE

Fed Probe Shakes Up Foreign Worker Effort

OCEAN CITY -- In light of last summer’s controversy in Pennsylvania that led this month to federal sanctions against the Council for Educational Travel, USA (CETUSA), a new organization has stepped forward to represent the approximately 1,100 foreign workers who spend summers in Ocean City. Last week, CETUSA, considered one of the country’s largest international cultural exchange programs, was banned by the State Department from sponsoring foreign students who annually come to the...READ MORE

OC Okays Hourly Parking Rate Hike

OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City officials this week approved a 50-percent increase in the hourly parking rates at metered spots throughout the downtown area, but there was little discussion about the proposal to add meters at parking spaces throughout other parts of the resort. The City Council on Monday approved an ordinance raising parking spaces covered by the Cale Meter System throughout the downtown area from the current $1 per hour (25 cents per 15 minutes) to $1.50 per hour (25 cents per 10...READ MORE

Charitable Souls Nominees Sought

OCEAN CITY – Do you know of someone who volunteers to make the lower shore community a better place to live, work and play?If so, The Dispatch wants to hear from you.Last year, The Dispatch’s Shore Stars program was launched with the intention of organizing campaigns to recognize leading citizens on the lower shore.The first-ever event was called Charitable Souls, and The Dispatch Publisher Steve Green announced this week that campaign will be revisited this spring.“About 120...READ MORE

Businesses Citied In Alcohol Compliance Check

BERLIN -- In late January and early February, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office conducted alcohol compliance checks at businesses throughout much of Ocean City and Worcester County, resulting in 11 locations being cited including one that failed twice in two days. On Jan. 24 and Jan. 31, and again on Feb. 2, the Worcester County Sheriff’s Department conducted compliance checks at 58 stores and restaurants throughout the county. Forty-seven of the establishments targeted did not...READ MORE

Police Seeking Person Of Interest In Ava Benefit Theft

OCEAN CITY -- The Ocean City Police Department (OCPD) is seeking the public’s help in identifying a “person of interest” wanted for questioning in regards to a silent auction item taken from a downtown bar during a fundraiser for Baby Ava. Last Thursday, the OCPD responded to the Pour House on Wicomico Street to investigate a theft that had allegedly occurred during a fundraiser on Jan. 28 for Ava DelRicco, a toddler critically injured in an accident on Coastal Highway at 142nd...READ MORE

OC Buskers No Longer Need To Register

OCEAN CITY -- A federal lawsuit filed by a Boardwalk street performer over alleged First Amendment rights violations officially ended this week with Ocean City agreeing to a consent decree allowing certain performers or vendors to sell their wares and eliminating the registration requirement. Last June, the City Council unanimously passed an emergency ordinance requiring all street performers to register each day at City Hall and pay a nominal fee for the registration. The ordinance also...READ MORE

Beach Horseback Rides Coming To OC

OCEAN CITY -- Despite some last-minute misgivings, the Ocean City Mayor and Council on Monday approved an ordinance allowing horseback riding on the beach on a limited basis in the offseason. With a split vote of 4-3, the council approved horseback riding on the beach with an amendment to add a $20 one-day permit fee. The ordinance as written only allowed for a $50 seasonal pass to ride horses on the beach, but Councilman Joe Hall suggested the one-day pass as a means to encourage more riders to...READ MORE