A look at a smattering of interesting numbers that I came across this week:

A look at a smattering of interesting numbers that I came across this week:

100: Sharks released in the 31st Annual Ocean City Shark Tournament. Breakdown was 46, sandbar or dusky; 16, hammerhead; 13, mako; 13, spinner; 10, tiger; and two, blue.

Three: Sharks weighed in during the tourney.

3.56: Average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline in the resort area, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic’s Fuel Price Finder. Last year at this time the Finder reports it was $2.69.

This was truly just a blatant attempt to weigh in on the funny business surrounding the latest free gas promotion. Councilman Brent Ashley is planning to pony up his salary to give away some gas to tourists, and he said there are others in the business community planning to donate to the cause as well. Who they are is unknown at this point, and Ashley was unwilling to disclose their identities this week.

To that, I say good for him and those businesses, whoever they are. I always thought this issue was best handled by the private sector, and this latest plan seems to be in line with that, although Ashley’s salary is admittedly funded by the taxpayers.

It has been interesting to observe this situation over the last month. I wrote last week that the Mayor and Council embarrassed the town by first approving a gas promotion, then changing course altogether. Now, it’s getting to the point of humiliation, but I do congratulate the 100 or so vehicles that may or may not get some free gasoline this summer from Ashley and some private businesses.

74: Emails I received on Monday. Some of which never got opened, such as a press release advising tips on ways to avoid footborne illnesses during Fourth of July cookouts. Okay, actually I admit I did open that one, but not one from President Obama’s office about his travel schedule. Where are my priorities?

Five: Weeks it has been since Ocean City crowds were below 200,000, according to demoflush estimates.

Zero: Names I know on this year’s Radio Disney lineup for Ocean City.

75,000: Number of people reportedly that flocked to Baltimore for the U2 concert on Wednesday (I was one of them).

15: Hours of daylight on Tuesday in our area for the Summer Solstice, the season’s first official day.

1,000: Dollars Atlantic General Hospital will receive for being a finalist in the Toyota 100 Cars for Good campaign, which awarded 100 cars over 100 days to nonprofits across the country. AGH was not successful in receiving the most votes, but it didn’t walk away empty handed by any means.

40 million: Dollars Maryland would lose in tax revenues if the entire NFL season is lost, according to a press release from Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot.

Two: Days it took for me to receive my digital adapters from Comcast after I ordered them online. Shipping was free.

69: The age of Clarence Clemons when he passed away last weekend. It’s a little known fact that Clemons, former member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street band, was a graduate of Maryland State College, now known as UMES.

One: Number of Maryland governors who after next week will have kayaked in the coastal bays watershed, according to my unscientific research. Gov. Martin O’Malley is reportedly planning to kayak to Skimmer Island on Wednesday to take a look at the recent restoration project.

15,950: What it will cost in dollars for a boat in this year’s White Marlin Open to enter all the added entry levels.

40: Tractor trailers reportedly to be used for hauling the equipment needed for the Dew Tour next month. City Manager Dennis Dare reported over a period of 10 nights, an average of four trucks will be arriving in Ocean City with setup of the equipment taking place between midnight and 6 a.m.

About The Author: Steven Green

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The writer has been with The Dispatch in various capacities since 1995, including serving as editor and publisher since 2004. His previous titles were managing editor, staff writer, sports editor, sales account manager and copy editor. Growing up in Salisbury before moving to Berlin, Green graduated from Worcester Preparatory School in 1993 and graduated from Loyola University Baltimore in 1997 with degrees in Communications (journalism concentration) and Political Science.