Page 6 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch July 12, 2013 New Inlet Lot Flat Fee A ‘Positive,’ Mayor Says By JOANNE SHRINER STAFF WRITER OCEAN CITY – Thousands of visitors chose to take advantage of Ocean City’s new option to pay a $50 flat-fee upon entering the Inlet Parking Lot on the 4th of July as they spent the day on the beach and Boardwalk and watched an illuminating fireworks show at the end of the night. New this year the Mayor and City Council voted to charge a $50 flatfee for all day parking in the Inlet Parking Lot on 4th of July. The fee was good for one entry, and allowed visitors to come as early as 5 a.m. and stay as late as midnight, without being charged an hourly parking rate. The decision received backlash from the public once it was announced on social media days prior to the holiday accusing town officials for voting in favor of the flat-fee simply to increase revenue. However, the town responded the $50 flat-fee was chosen based on convenience. At 5:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, the line to enter the Inlet parking lot wrapped around Baltimore Ave. and near Philadelphia Ave. By charging the flat-rate at the Inlet Parking Lot upon entering, the city believed it would help decrease the traffic back-up when motorists went to leave the lot without having to wait in line to pay an hourly rate At 11:15 a.m. on the Fourth of July, the Inlet parking lot was filled to capacity, as 1,200 vehicles paid the new $50 flat rate to park in the lot all day. Above, vehicles are pictured waiting in line at 5:30 the morning of July 4. Photo by Allen Sklar when exiting. City officials added, the Inlet Parking Lot would serve as an option for families who plan to spend the entire day on the beach and stay for the fireworks at night without having to worry about paying the meter. At 11:30 p.m., more than 90 minutes after the fireworks had ended, there were still major traffic backups on Baltimore Avenue as the lot emptied after the fireworks. Philadelphia Avenue was also backed up. Despite complaints over the $50 flat-fee, it was a hectic morning on the 4th of July at the Inlet Parking Lot, which was filled to capacity with 1,200 vehicles and closed to incoming motorists by 11:15 a.m. Mayor Rick Meehan was on the scene from 9 a.m. until the lot closed. He observed those who chose to park in the Inlet Lot were mostly families, and there were only a cou- ple of vehicles that chose to turn around once realizing a flat-rate of $50 was being charged. “I was watching and listening to the attendants as they were checking everybody in. People were smiling, and they were happy to be there,” the mayor said. “There were a lot of families with their umbrellas and coolers, and they were heading down to the beach to enjoy their day.” SEE NEXT PAGE