is a welcome change, and that approach will surely turn out to be a benefit
for the community as a whole. Buzzuro and the department are scratching
the surface of an issue that has been plaguing the Boardwalk for years. Irr-
esponsible landlords renting space to reckless business owners who seem
intent on peddling wares inconsistent with a beach resort.
in weapons violations. Is that a causal type of phenomenon? We are looking
at that," the chief said. "Our effectiveness and success is predicated on a
community relationship. It's also the relationship of the merchants and the
merchants policing themselves. It's the lease owners as well who need to
police themselves and talk with the leasees. They have to give us a helping
hand. We need to clean up some things, quite honestly, as we move for-
ward."
and it's nice to see the department focusing on what has become a major is-
sue.
plans to allow beach vehicle access for surf fishing went over like the
proverbial lead balloon on social media.
maintaining beach cleanliness and ruining the quiet and empty beauty of the
beach in the slow season to how people will enforce whether vehicles are
truly surf fishing and ruining the view for oceanfront property owners.
doned after the first year or even during it.
This time it's Recreation and Parks Director Tom Shuster who has announc-
ed his intention to retire at some point in 2014 after celebrating 15 years with
the town this month.
retire in 2014. I have not set a specific date at this time because I need to
evaluate my pension options and allow sufficient time for succession plan-
ning for my position."
solidated with the larger store on Route 50.
proached to introduce legislation amending the liquor laws to include a pri-
vate carryout license in Berlin. Currently, the law prevents a beer and wine
store from adding liquor to its operation in Berlin.
legislature approves the change. That's not a surprise because it knows if
an existing beer and wine store in Berlin adds liquor sales it will hurt the
county's operation.
tendent George T. Thornes.)
my friends were in OC as well, so
we spent a lot of time riding the bus
up and down Coastal Highway so
we could hang out. One evening, I
got off the bus and headed to a
friend's condo for dinner, and when
I got there, I realized I didn't have
my wallet, and that it must have fall-
en out of my gym shorts on the bus.
This was a big blow, as I had just
graduated high school and there
was a significant amount of money
in the wallet, along with several gift
cards.
ing wallet. I truly didn't expect any-
thing to come of it, but I figured I'd
my back about it.
returned home and went through
the process of getting a new driver's
license. Then, one day in July, I re-
ceived a package mailed from the
Ocean City DOT, and it was my wal-
let. Not only did it contain all my gift
cards, but also every bit of cash that
was in it when it was lost.
ees have renewed my faith in peo-
ple's honesty, and I am so grateful. I
continue to tell people how awe-
some OC is and happily share my
story with others. You can bet that
OC will be my beach destination for
years to come.
the benefit they bring to Ocean City.
that expanded metered spaces in
Ocean City was surprising, but it was
the proper move in the big picture.
essentially acquiesced to the 1,600-
plus individuals who signed the park-
ing petition. In doing so, the council
decided there was no need for a ref-
erendum to further gauge input.
the council a clear message about
the recent paid parking expansion
that could not be ignored.
petition. The last time there was this
much division in our town was about
two years ago and the then-sitting
council refused to listen. We do not
want to be compared to them," he
said.
that's baffling. Clearly, political divi-
siveness has taken root at City Hall,
and that is stifling common sense
and rational decision-making.
publicly bashing the majority of the
council for months, applauded the
council's decision to immediately a-
bandon the new areas and Mayor
Rick Meehan's pledge to veto any
future ordinances that add paid park-
ing to city streets.
holding a referendum was moot. The
goal was accomplished. The paid
parking areas were lifted and return-
ed to being free, and this council es-
sentially admitted the move hurt and
divided the community.
some eyebrows, the move, nonethe-
less, was made as soon as the peti-
tion signatures were verified. The
Elections Board clearly proved there
was no funny business behind the
delay in ratifying the signatures.
believed adding meters to selected
streets and city parking lots would
raise the necessary revenue to fill a
budget gap while impacting the few-
est residents and businesses.
itors and residents. However, it has
to be done in an appropriate fashion
and in logical places. We do not think
all paid parking is rotten, but the last
few months have confirmed it has to
be handled with kid gloves.
That's a policy foreign to Ocean City
and one that will presumably never
be adopted here. Conversely, in a
general sense, we do not think pay-
ing to park near the beach is out of
line. It just depends on where appar-
ently.
areas to free parking because this is-
sue was one of the most divisive in
recent memory and drove a wedge
between the citizens and impacted
businesses and the city.
per for Worcester County. Periodical
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additional mailing offices.. The Mary-
land Coast Dispatch, 10012 Old Ocean
City Blvd., Berlin, Md. 21811, is pub-
lished weekly on Friday mornings, 52
weeks a year. Subscription rates are $75
per year, $55 for six months.
P.O. Box 467, Berlin, Maryland 21811.
Maryland Coast Dispatch offices are lo-
cated at Route 346 and Graham Avenue,
Berlin, Maryland.