November 1, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 43 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR FROM PAGE 42 the political process only weakens our system. The Ocean City EDC supports the expansion of the Convention Center and the addition of the Performing Arts Center, as well as the political process that makes Ocean City a great place to live and do business. Michael James Ocean City (The writer is the president of the Ocean City Economic Development Committee.) 25 years! Donna Greenwood Ocean City (The writer is the chairman of the Ocean City Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee.) Between The Lines By Publisher/Editor Steve Green The current petition effort to defund the performing arts center’s current financing structure, which comes at little to no fiduciary risk at all, continues to be a major talking point in Ocean City. No matter how you feel about the size of the facility or its ability to land top drawing acts, the fact is the issue was researched extensively over several years and the recommendation was made, and two bodies of the Mayor and Council approved it. The fact two council bodies voted unanimously in support of the performing arts center merits consideration. The council majority that currently controls most government decisions at the elected office level is comprised of Mayor Rick Meehan, Council President Lloyd Martin and Council members Doug Cymek, Dennis Dare, Mark Knight and Joe Mitrecic. Although reluctant to refer to themselves as a voting block, the fact is more often than not these six are on the same page, and Council members Brent Ashley and Margaret Pillas typically hold opposing views, particularly on tourism-related issues. The former council majority, in power for two years from October 2010 to November 2012, was comprised of Jim Hall and Joe Hall, who both lost in the last election, and current Council members Ashley and Pillas. Both Ashley and Pillas are up for re-election next year, along with Martin. All of these council members voted for this project under its current financial plan, and they did it multiple times. That’s noteworthy because these individuals rarely agree on anything, but they saw fit to approve on several occasions this project and the financing. The current petition seeks to place a significant government decision before the ultimate stakeholders, the voters. That’s a move I almost always support. Fundamentally, I think the petition process is government accountability at its best, but this is the exception. There is too much at risk and the effort appears to be grounded in misinformation. It was reassuring to hear half of the homes approached by one petitioner refused to sign the petition. The problem is many people will sign whatever comes to the door to get the person off the stoop. That’s a shame, and the only solace in those circumstances is the hope they signed their name wrong as far as election records indicate and that they are non-residents. During the planning and studying phase, most concerns I heard about the proposed 1,200-seat performing arts auditorium was it was not big enough to attract major acts and be a true difference maker on local business. Additionally, there were concerns the addition of the center to the mix might lead existing customers to go elsewhere. While concerns about whether it will bring top-name acts may be valid, and surely its small size is going to limit the potential scope of major bookings, the belief that current customers will look elsewhere has not been proven at all. There have been concerns about the uncertainty of what the construction will mean for next year, and I think an argument could be made the city should have been more proactive in addressing those concerns, but officials seem to have assuaged fears with success thus far. The cheerleading convention is an example. The cheerleading group expressed concerns about the construction timetable initially, but convention center officials were able to have a beneficial dialog that calmed worries. Petition organizer Tony Christ intimated in an email to City Solicitor Guy Ayres late this week that he is considering abandoning the petition effort in the near future but needs some questions answered before coming to that conclusion. Later, he said he will continue the petition through the weekend and re-evaluate as time goes on. I hope he makes the right call and drops the petition drive. This is not a fight that needs to be pursued. In the meantime, performing arts center supporters are beginning to circulate signs made encouraging residents, “Do Not Sign The Petition, Signing Will Cost You Millions Of $$$.” You should expect to see these red-and-white signs this weekend. What’s going on with “Ping Pong Summer,” the independent movie filmed in Ocean City in September and October of 2012? Here’s an answer, according to the movie’s Facebook page. “One year ago today, while the Hurricane Sandy terror was rising, Ping Pong Summer wrapped principal photography (at 2 a.m.). We promise that the movie will be landing in 2014 in some way, shape, or form – hopefully earlier than later – so thanks for being patient, everybody!” Support Appreciated Editor: The 3rd Annual Ataxia Awareness Bingo in honor of Dana Simpson was held on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013. Once again we had a successful event and want to thank everyone who participated in our efforts to raise funds for the National Ataxia Foundation. We greatly appreciated having our event at the Berlin Fire Hall. Sincere thanks go to all our family and friends who volunteered in the kitchen and with the bingo. The local community was very generous with civic groups, churches, business owners and individuals donating to the event. The proceeds have been sent to the National Ataxia Foundation (www.naf.org) to fund research for this rare progressive neurological condition. We would like to publicly thank the following: ABC Printers, A Little Bit Sheepish, Barrett's, Bayside Gazette, Ace Printing, Burley Oak Brewery, Cheers, Deer Run Golf, Mary Lynn Donaway, Frontier Town Water Park, Joyce Edwards, jj Fish Studio, Lombardi Pizza, Harmony Wellness Spa, Patrick Henry Fine Arts Studio, Nicks House of Ribs, Old Pro Golf, Outback, Seacrets, Siculi/Tex Mex, Stewart's Antiques, Treasure Chest, Wainwright Tire, Venable Cleaners. Also, Dee Altobelli, Kay Bromley, W. Kirk Burbage, American Legion Post 136 Berlin, American Legion Auxiliary 136 Berlin, American Legion Post 166 Ocean City, Faye and Norman Cathell, Don Chelton, Atlantic, Smith,Cropper and Deeley, Decatur Investments, Church Mouse Thrift Shop, Friendship Methodist Church's Men, Ladies Circle and Young Adult Class, Geri Ann Gray, Moore Companies, Dot and Gill Simpson, Lori Hellman, Linda Mariner, Jim Mathias, Buzz and Rita Taylor, Taylor Bank, Jim Welsch, Joan and Charlie Townsend, Lois and Rick Wells. Special thanks to Debbie and Steve Frene at Victorian Charm for their continued support. Friends of the N.A.F. Joann Simpson and family Play It Safe Thanks Editor: On behalf of the Ocean City Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Committee, we would like to thank the Ocean City community for their enduring support of our Play It Safe project. Each year thousands of recent high school graduates flock to Ocean City to celebrate that milestone in their lives. They truly drive the economy during that time of year before the summer season begins. Our committee works tirelessly and plans for a year to help entertain and occupy the young grads with wholesome, healthy activities. It is the purpose of the Play It Safe project to encourage these young adults to make informed, healthy choices and to have fun without the use of alcohol or other drugs. In June 2014, we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of Play It Safe. This would never have been possible without the generosity of the Mayor and City Council, the Ocean City business community, the Worcester County Health Department, numerous service and civic organizations and many citizens. Each year, too, we have wonderful volunteers who help us chaperon the nearly 60 events that are held over a two to three week period. Again this year on Columbus Day, we held a fundraiser dinner and silent auction at Hall's Restaurant. We are so very grateful to the Hall family for donating all of the food, for allowing us to keep the entire proceeds from the ticket sales of the dinner and for giving us the Kickoff Breakfast for our project every year. We would like to express our most heartfelt appreciation to all the business and people who donated items for our silent auction, all those who attended the dinner to support Play It Safe, those who stopped by just to make a donation and to the Stephen Decatur students who volunteered to work at the dinner. We are especially grateful to The Dispatch for the wonderful, comprehensive article written by Shawn Soper just prior to our event. He did quite a bit of research and provided much accurate information about Play It Safe. If anyone is interested in finding out more about the Play It Safe project, volunteering to help with the events for the grads, taking part in our Miniature Golf Tournament in March at Old Pro or making a donation, please go to our website – playitsafeoceancity.com. Once again, many thanks to all who have supported Play It Safe in the past Arts Center Support Editor: The Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) wishes to publicly state its support for the Ocean City Performing Arts Center project (Phase II) currently under construction at the Ocean City Convention Center. This new facility, once completed, will have substantial benefits to Ocean City residents, visitors, and businesses. This new Center will provide musical and theatrical performances never before seen in Ocean City. Ocean City restaurants and hotels will receive more business directly from this additional arts venue. The project is consistent with the OCDC’s objective of increasing ar-tistic opportunities throughout Ocean City. The OCDC Public Art Program has brought various public art projects to Ocean City such as the White Marlin Sculpture at the base of the Route 50 Bridge, the “Spillin’ the Wind” bronze eagle sculpture at 144nd Street, and numerous painted wall murals and utility boxes. The State of Maryland has provided matching grant funds towards the completion of this project. A stoppage or delay of this construction project will cost the Town of Ocean City substantial monies. It is important the Town of Ocean City proceed with the issuance of the bonds to allow for this project to be completed. It is also important that Ocean City residents become familiar with the issues related to this project and the petition that is being circulated to oppose this bond issuance. Residents with questions on this issue should contact their City Council members. Bob Givarz (The writer is the president of OCDC.)