Page 34 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch May 3, 2013 ... Council May Close Skate Park In Winter Months FROM PAGE 4 are left with street skating, which is frowned upon by authorities. “Although it’s legal to skate from point A to point B, you still can't skate anything in front of a business or homes without the workers or those who live there kicking you out and rightfully so,” he said. “Even if you are on public property, there's still noise complaints to deal with, which undoubtedly come if your wheels so much as leave the ground. Point being, skating as transportation being legal is far from a substitution for the skate park.” Durkin has become concerned for other local kids who may find themselves looking for other ways to keep themselves occupied other than spending time at the skate park. “I'm worried they're going to get into drugs or just develop poor habits like sitting inside to play video games all day,” he said. “Some of these kids are really talented skateboarders, to the point where I could see some of them being professionals in the future. I don't want to see them lose their ability to push their skating and see how talented they can really be. I'm going to college this fall, so the biggest reason for me to make the petition, is for all the people who are still here that would be lost without the Ocean Bowl.” Durkin has set a goal to push the town to find cost saving measures elsewhere besides cutting the skate park. He pointed out the skate park closure saves $20,000 “If Ocean City wants to keep up with its claim that they are a ‘family town,’ then they need to start thinking a little more about the families who live here and not just keep things running when they have the most tourists coming in,” Durkin said. Durkin stressed the importance in the public’s voice being heard over the matter in upcoming budget hearings, beginning on Monday, May 6, at 6 p.m. During an update on the budget this week, the Mayor and City Council began discussing the concerns that have been raised over the hours at the skate park being limited and the planned two-month closure. “I think it has been misrepresented that the skate park is going to be shut down,” Councilman Joe Mitrecic said reviewing the proposed changes. “We are talking about the skate park being closed probably somewhere along the lines of 16 hours a week that it would have been open, so any misrepresentation of what is being done is irresponsible.” Councilman Brent Ashley responded 16 hours a week and two months in the off-season is a lot of time for kids to be getting in trouble elsewhere. “You have kids being occupied, they are not sitting at home on their computer playing games, they are out doing physical activities and you want to take hours away from them,” he said. “I think if anything we should be adding hours to it.” Council President Lloyd Martin, whose son is an avid skateboarder, pointed out the Boardwalk is available for skaters while the park is closed. “I am not saying some of them don’t like to go to the skate park, but they are doing more street skating now,” he said. Mayor Rick Meehan recognized the skate park hours were recommended though the council’s own direction for departments to propose savings where possible. “There are adjustments to be made, but I think we need to take another look at this to make sure what we are doing is responsible, provides the activity but at the same time makes the skate park viable,” the mayor said. “It is a business within a business, and we want to make sure it remains strong and part of that might be reducing hours while we add something at the other end.” City Manager David Recor concluded the city will be responsive to the concerns raised by the public over the skate park hours being reduced and closed and alternatives will be taken into consideration. this week’s OCEAN CITY Sunset Island 67th St & The Bay Open Sat & Sun Condos, Townhomes, Single Family Homes Luxury Resort Living Terry Riley Vantage Resort Realty 443-880-0512 OCEAN CITY The Gateway Grand Two 48th Street Oceanfront Daily 10-5 Fully Furnished Luxury Residences The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 877-260-2710 OCEAN CITY Surfside 84 84th St. Oceanfront Sat 11-2 2BR/2BA Condo Direct Oceanfront Pool Steve Laslo Beach Real Estate 410-629-0224 OCEAN PINES 120 Pine Forest Dr The Point Sat 1-4 5BR/3BA Home Dramatic Bay Views Greg Erdie Coldwell Banker 410-641-7636 OCEAN CITY Makai Condominiums 42nd St. Bayside Daily 10-4 New Construction 2BR & Studio Condos Ben Dawson The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 410-603-2205 OCEAN CITY Summer Beach Condos 35th St. Beachfront #304 & #307 Sat & Sun 1-3 Ocean View 2BR/2BA Condos John Quinn Sea Gate Sales/Rentals 443-235-9444 POCOMOKE Auction Preview Sat 1:30-3 286+ Acres on Route 113–3 Miles North of Pocomoke Pete Richardson Auction Sales 410-546-2425 ✏❘✡✮¤✏❛✘✡✘ CALL AGENTS FOR DIRECTIONS View more open houses at www.mdcoastdispatch.com/open_houses.php WEST OCEAN CITY Bay Point Plantation Rt589/Gum Point Rd Daily 10-5 Waterfront Estate Lots in 142 Acre Preserve Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 OCEAN CITY High Point South 1A 112 th St. Oceanfront Sat 12-3 Elevated 1st Flr 1BR/1BA Condo Ocean View Lauren Waesche Century 21 443-910-0028 OCEAN CITY Irene #1207 111th St. Oceanfront Sat 11-1 Immaculate 3BR/2BA Condo Direct Oceanfront Myrna Wright Long and Foster 410-641-4438 OCEAN CITY Belmont Towers Boardwalk & Talbot Street Daily 11-4 2&3BR Condos/THs Kevin Decker The Fritschle Group/ Condominium Realty 443-235-6552 OCEAN CITY 88 East #103 88th St. Oceanblock Sun 12-3 1st Flr 2BR/2BA Steps to Beach Lauren Waesche Century 21 443-910-00285 OCEAN PINES 17 North Pintail Dr Sat & Sun 11-3 Waterfront “Green” Home 2360 SQFT Greg Erdie Coldwell Banker 410-641-7636 AGENTS: List Your Featured Properties And Open Houses On Our Website For Just $20/Month. 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