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The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch
September 6, 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
Is CouncilDisconnected Or Being Responsible?
Good or bad, one thing that can be said about the current Ocean City Mayor and Council is it’s not stubborn when it comes to decisions. That is in stark contrast to the previous council majority’s way of conducting business, which was more of a take it or leave it mentality, but the two bodies are similar in that they often make mistakes. The difference is the current council will reverse its course in the face of intense opposition. The latest example of this ability to correct a misstep came this week when the council agreed to drop the off-season beach vehicle access plan after the idea was largely criticized in an online petition as well as on social media. This was similar to what happened in the spring when an online rally took place to keep the skate park’s hours the same as in previous years, rather than shutting it down for much of the off-season. Last week, the council also backtracked after opposition and criticism when it repealed an ordinance that created new paid parking areas in Ocean City. On the one hand, it’s a positive that the city’s elected officials are willing to listen to their critics and change their course on major issues, rather than simply ignoring the opposition and forging ahead. That’s what the former council majority preferred to do and that approach was largely why it lost its power in last November’s election. While that ability to react to opposition and change directions is laudable, an argument can and should be made that the town’s council should have a better feel for what citizens and visitors want in Ocean City. Clearly, a disconnect exists between the council and the public at large. With the beach vehicle access decision this week, some on the council alleged the uproar over last week’s decision to forge ahead with beach vehicle access was due to the media sensationalizing what the council did last week. While council members can say whatever they want about their intentions and nothing being decided officially, the truth is the council voted 6-1, with only Councilwoman Margaret Pillas in opposition, to allow vehicles on the beach with a permit fee structure contingent upon the state endorsing the move. The council even included in the motion a marketing plan of some sort to get the word about beach vehicles being allowed for surf fishing. That’s quite official. It’s disingenuous to maintain the media misrepresented what the council intended. Make no mistake, the council was for beach vehicle access and that was the motion. It was clear. The only matter not making it official was the state’s okay. Although it’s a common move when elected officials have their feet to the fire, it’s pathetic in the face of opposition to allege the media blew it out of proportion. We are certainly not perfect, but there was no mistake made in this paper’s reporting in this case. Nonetheless, in the end, the right decision was made. The council should have listened to staff concerns over this proposal in the first place. Both the Ocean City Police Department and Ocean City Beach Patrol had major concerns with the proposal and in this case the staff’s reasoning was more in line with the general public’s views.
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
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Tall Ship Appreciated
Editor: Kudos to the mayor of Ocean City, Ocean City Council and sponsor Bryan Lilley for pulling off an almost-impossible feat of getting the Spanish El Galeon Andalucia to dock in Ocean City for almost two weeks. My husband and I took the tour on Monday, Aug. 26. We have lived and worked here for almost 40 years and try to take advantage of what our town has to offer, free or not. But, by far, this has to be one of the best “events” ever. The ship was lovely, the crew very courteous, informative and seemed glad to be in our town. Thank you for a job well done. James and Ruan Harbour Ocean City that the citizens did have a voice, used it convincingly and bowed to the will of the people and voted to rescind the paid parking ordinance. The good Lord and some of his enthusiastic supporters won this round and are left to wonder what this group intends for the future. Hopefully, they will not abuse the budget discussions in the future to enact far-reaching legislation, without benefit of public hearings for citizen input, if they at least learn that from the experience we may count our blessings, as well as the signatures. Council members, please start acting like adults. Joe Moran Ocean City Barnes was that he didn't do a million and one unnecessary tests. Dr. Barnes was methodical in his approach and helped me get well quickly. He told me exactly what to do and who to get in touch with when I got home to Pennsylvania. I was very pleased with my experience at Atlantic General Hospital. I wanted to bring your attention to two night time personnel: my nurse, Jennifer Atkins, and her tech, Nicole White. I have dealt with many different people in the medical industry for myself and my children and not everyone is pleasant or competent. These two women, I believe, saved my life. These two women are the reason I am here today writing this letter to you. I had an extremely high fever late at night due to an abdominal infection and these two gave me the very best of care. They deserve credit for being a stellar example of medical professionals. I want everyone in Berlin to know what a gem they have with Atlantic General Hospital and the quality of these people that serve you. I have had quite an extensive relationship with Children's Hospital of Philadelpia, St. Christopher's Hospital, University of Pennsylvania Hospital and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, all of which are rated as some of the finest medical facilities in the world, and your Atlantic General Hospital stands with them in my opinion. I just really wanted to let you know about my experience and to SEE NEXT PAGE
JEANETTE DESKIEWICZ Account Executive
jeanette@mdcoastdispatch.com
MANETTE CRAMER Account Executive
manette@mdcoastdispatch.com
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
Hospital’s Care Lauded
Editor: Recently I was on vacation in Ocean City and I became very ill very quickly. I am from the Philadelphia, Pa., area and I am used to having some of the finest health care in the world available to me. After going to the emergency room at the Atlantic General Hospital, I was admitted and stayed there for the next five days. The first two days were the hardest for me because I was more sick than my husband or I knew. I was too sick to travel back home to see my own doctors and ended up with resident Dr. Sydney Barnes. Dr. Barnes did quite an extensive array of testing to target exactly what he suspected was the cause of my sickness. What impressed me about Dr.
Numbers Matter
Editor: One truism says that "politicians can count," something the recent referendum issue brought to the attention of the current OC Council and Mayor. As the Bible reminds us, even the Good Lord had doubters like Thomas who had to have evidence; and the early American patriots were reminded to "wait until you see the whites of their eyes" before engaging the enemy. Well, the numbers don't lie and wonder of wonders several of the council members and even the mayor (who didn't support the ordinance in the first place) reached the inevitable conclusion
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.
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