Page 42 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch July 12, 2013 The Dispatch Forever In Memory Of Our Founder, Dick Lohmeyer (May 25, 1927-May 5, 2005) The Dispatch, Serving Greater Ocean City Since 1984, Is Published By Maryland Coast Dispatch Inc. Weekly On Friday Mornings MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 467 Berlin, Md. 21811 PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd. Berlin, Md. 21811 PHONE: 410-641-4561 FAX: 410-641-0966 WEBSITES: www.mdcoastdispatch.com www.facebook.com/thedispatchoc J. STEVEN GREEN Publisher/Editor editor@mdcoastdispatch.com HOW WE SEE IT Cultural Changes OnDisplay All Over Is Ocean City changing? That’s a question many have been asking of late, and the obvious answer is yes. Ocean City is changing and so is Fenwick Island, Berlin, Millville, Salisbury, Ocean Pines and communities across the country. We are always in a state of flux and it has to do with society always in a constant evolution. Perhaps no place is it most evident than in Ocean City, a true melting pot during the summer season that epitomizes the racial diversity of this area as well as the multitude of cultural norms that seem to be changing by the week. Ocean City is really no different than a big mall – it’s a mecca for people watching and usually a reflection of what is the norm in society today. Rather than turn our noses at the many different segments of society that come to Ocean City, perhaps we should embrace it more, albeit with a cautious eye and a requirement that those bastions of today’s culture behave within the boundaries of the law and acceptable standards. That’s why this week’s wellrounded discussion on a proposed decency ordinance being championed by Councilman Brent Ashley served a worthwhile purpose. The discussion has largely centered around baggy pants, but it’s much more complicated than that. It’s about establishing a set of standards to what Ocean City finds is acceptable. It’s murky waters to chart to be certain, and the will of the council does not appear to support a law restricting the type of apparel people can wear on the Boardwalk. Nonetheless, the conversation was revealing and symbolized what many have on their minds of late. Council President Lloyd Martin was perhaps most blunt about it, referring back to the crime wave in June that is largely linked to the senior week crowds. “We had a week in Ocean City that was a little unruly … hopefully that is not the norm. I haven’t seen it as the norm in Ocean City … we will get to the bottom of it. We find out who these people are and why they are here. That is what you do. It is not about how somebody dresses,” Martin said. “I want a positive message to be sent out there. I want to show that we are going to address the concerns, do the right thing but not jump to conclusions. We need to do it right …” Martin is on point and a brainstorming session to reflect on the madness that was this June needs to be balanced with the traditionally family-rich months of July and August and the event-rich September. What we have observed in Ocean City is reflective of what is happening across this country. People simply do not behave and act in the same manner, and many of us are bothered about how foreign it appears to be. Acceptable behavior is not today what it was five or 10 years ago. Generally, some people seem to enjoy extolling a grim exterior as a means to intimidate. Many people are apt for more aggression during simple confrontations and evidence of that is everywhere around us. Case in point is last month’s shooting in the downtown area that began with a verbal altercation and eventually led to a man pulling a gun and firing multiple shots at other subjects. Last weekend, a couple men questioned a motorist speeding through a parking lot. That motorist then pulled out a machete and threatened them. These sorts of extreme reactions spotlight what has changed in our culture. Rather than verbal sparring or a fistfight or a shoving match ensuing in these two incidents, a gun was drawn and a knife was pulled out. That sort of excessive reaction is a new phenomenon. How the city can address that sort of cultural shift is unknown. It’s probably impossible, but the process needs to start with identifying what exactly the city can address within its power and then determine how it goes about it. While we hoped that discussion would take place sooner than later, the fall might actually be the best time, but it needs to be when the entire summer as a whole is fresh on the minds of policy and decision makers and concrete data can be used to facilitate realistic options. NEWS DEPARTMENT SHAWN J. SOPER News Editor Sports Editor ssoper@mdcoastdispatch.com JOANNE SHRINER Staff Writer joanne@mdcoastdispatch.com TRAVIS BROWN Staff Writer travis@mdcoastdispatch.com SALES DEPARTMENT TERRI FRENCH Account Executive Entertainment Editor terri@mdcoastdispatch.com JEANETTE DESKIEWICZ Account Executive jeanette@mdcoastdispatch.com MANETTE CRAMER Account Executive manette@mdcoastdispatch.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Arrogant OC Majority Editor: How very nice of our former City Manager and current City Councilman Dendis Dare to provide us with a basic civics lesson, thank you for the enlightenment. In his long career as city manager, Mr. Dare was front and center and major author of our city operating budget along with the majority factions of the City Council, we all know how well that worked out (seen your real estate tax notice yet). The previous City Council attempted with some success to get a handle on employee salaries, number of employees, pension costs, interest on debt, etc. but were pillared by opponents including employee unions, chamber of commerce and the real estate interests for tightening the city's fiscal belt. Then at election time these same interest groups rolled out the money to finance a "change" which we now get to pay for as taxpayers. In the meantime, the council majority, here we go again, determines policy issues like paid parking, in the midst of budget discussions rather than in a public hearing. When called on this tactic, the majority claims that full discussion occurred (between council and staff) and now Mr. Dare assures us that the council directed the city manager to conduct "a comprehensive parking study" (unfunded, of course), and in the interim assures us "no additional paid parking will be added ... unless it is justified and widely accepted." Note there is no reference to a public hearing, funding or dates for a study; just trust us and quit complaining seems to be the attitude espoused by the council majority. Well, folks, it is time for the resident taxpayers to say enough of this arrogance by the council majority, stop and listen for a change. The people elected you but still like to be included in discussion on issues, come down from your thrones occasionally, get practical and listen. Joe Moran Ocean City or and Council would have Ocean City residents and visitors look on this as a matter of convenience not for the revenue that will ensue. Come on, people, how naive are you/we expected to be? There's the old saying about telling folks a tale like this, that there's a bridge they'd like to sell you, if you're this gullible. Someone recently responded to this fantastic way-out charge that the 4th of July is a national holiday and one, where in this instance, should be free parking for all who come into the resort area, to honor/celebrate our Independence from England. Not so, however, thanks to your money-grubbing politicians. Maryland is a Democratic state unfortunately and there is a clown in the Governor’s Office named O'Malley who parallels his nibs in the White House – spend, spend, spend, tax, tax, tax. As of July 1, already the local gas stations have jumped their price four cents per gallon; the Chesapeake Bay Bridge crossing was $4, is now $6 and these necessary items will get higher because of the philosophy of Democrats. It is a known fact that you cannot create prosperity by taxing the people, SEE NEXT PAGE ART DEPARTMENT CINDY WARD Art Director art@mdcoastdispatch.com JENNIFER T. O’BRIEN Graphic Artist COLE GIBSON Graphic Artist Webmaster BUSINESS OFFICE PAMELA GREEN Bookkeeper Classifieds Manager classifieds@mdcoastdispatch.com The Maryland Coast Dispatch (USPS #015125) is an official and legal newspaper for Worcester County. Periodical postage paid at Berlin, Maryland, and additional mailing offices. The Maryland Coast Dispatch, 10012 Old Ocean City Blvd., Berlin, Md. 21811, is published weekly on Friday mornings, 52 weeks a year. Subscription rates are $75 per year, $55 for six months. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Maryland Coast Dispatch, P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Maryland 21811. Maryland Coast Dispatch offices are located at Route 346 and Graham Avenue, Berlin, Maryland. Term Limits For OC Editor: Money, money, everywhere and all the bars did drink; money, money everywhere and all the crowds did shrink. Fifty dollars to park all day at the Ocean City Inlet, on the 4th of July 2013? Unbelievable. And your May-