Page 18 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch October 4, 2013 Oceanfront Dining BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER Inaccurate Voter Roll Targeted By JOANNE SHRINER STAFF WRITER Open Year-Round OCEAN CITY –The voice behind the Ocean City Taxpayers for Social Justice has taken on a familiar battle in Ocean City, threatening legal action against the Mayor and City Council if action is not taken to clean up the town’s registered voter roll. On Monday, Tony Christ, spokesperson for Ocean City Taxpayers for Social Justice (OCTSJ), submitted a letter to Ocean City Council President Lloyd Martin and the Worcester County Board of Elections announcing the group has been in touch with the board over what it believes to be peculiarities in the Voter Registration Roll for the Town of Ocean City. “Our allegations stem from our recent involvement with the parking referendum. In that regard, the County Board of Elections has emailed us a form to be used in challenging individual voters on a one-by-one basis. We will shortly begin these challenges,” Christ submitted. “However, we firmly believe it is the duty of the Town of Ocean City as well as the County Election Board to periodically check the Ocean City Voter Registration Roll and ensure that it is compliant with relevant federal, state and local law.” The OCTSJ is basing an appeal on a section of the Ocean City Charter titled, Appeal from Action of Board in the Municipal Charter of the Town of Ocean City, which states, “if any person has not voted in two consecutive general elections, it shall be the duty of the Board of Supervisors of Elections to strike his or her name from the list of eligible voter.” The charter furthers, “if any person shall feel aggrieved by the action of the board of supervisors of elections in refusing to register or in striking off the name of any person or by any other action, such person may appeal to the Council. Any decision or action of the Council upon such appeals may be appealed to the Circuit Court for the county within thirty days of the decision or action of the council.” Specializing In Brick-Oven Pizza Thursdays: Buy 1, Get 1 Free ... Buy Any Pasta Dish, ❖✛❘❙✬¤✟✚✧✧¤✎✪❙✛✤✚✧✭ (Same Or Lower Value) TEAR THE ROOF OFF Blues/Rock FRIDAY 6 P.M.-9 P.M. GET THE SECOND DISH FREE Fridays: 14-oz. Prime Rib Served With Baked Potato And A Jus Sauce $14.99 (While It Lasts) FULL BAR Happy Hour MONDAY-FRIDAY 1 P.M.-5 P.M. Sundays: 20% Off Your Check Specials Are Good Between 5 p.m. And 9 p.m. With This Coupon Or Ad • MCD • Exp. 10-31-13 OPEN EVERY DAY 7 A.M.-10 P.M. • 443-664-6763 12TH ST. & BOARDWALK • 1ST LEVEL IN HOWARD JOHNSON In his letter, Chris wrote, “This letter results from the Board of Elections’ failure to purge the voter rolls of the Town of Ocean City of all males and females who have been registered for the last two city elections but have not voted. We believe that the voter lists of the last two elections are readily available to the Board of Elections and the Town of Ocean City voter roll could be purged of names according to the Charter in two to three hours.” Christ concluded in his letter, “OCTSJ respectfully requested the council take prompt action in that the Board of Elections has been delinquent in its responsibility regarding the Ocean City voter roll and believe it is the duty of the Council to ensure the required corrections as described above are enacted promptly. Christ expects the Council to take action within 20 days following receipt of the letter to avoid further legal action in the courts. We are uncertain how long this lack of oversight has gone on. However, it is clear that the trust of the people has been severely violated by the Elections Board with cause and in a court of law the damage could be shown to be extensive. We look forward to your prompt response to correct the erroneous voter rolls for the Town of Ocean City as required by law.” OCTSJ led a petition effort to overturn the town’s decision made in early June to implement new areas of paid parking to increase revenue and help close a budget gap. The petition for an ordinance referendum met its deadline on July 31. The petition had to gather 40 percent of the number of voters who voted in the last election in last November, or 1,226 signatures. On Tuesday, July 30, the Clerk’s Office received a 1,770-signature petition for referendum of Ordinance 2013-10. The Board of Elections convened Wednesday, Aug. 21, and Thursday, Aug. 22, to review the petition signatures. According to Board of Elections Chair Mary Adeline Bradford, the Board found 1,771 signatures submitted. There were 86 signatures of SEE NEXT PAGE