Page 8 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch November 1, 2013 November Features South Bethany Restates June Bug Policies By SHAWN J. SOPER NEWS EDITOR scripts every word, but when I make a mistake, I own up to it.” Gansler said his position as Maryland attorney general notwithstanding, he faces the same challenges as other parents of teenagers. “The fact is that as a parent of a 19-year-old, I face the same issues as many of you,” he said. “How do we get it right? How do we draw the balance between helping our college teenagers make good choices and when to pull them back? You always try to make the best decisions. In this case, maybe I should have done something differently.” In the wake of the media attention garnered by the incident, the town of South Bethany this week issued an official statement reiterating its stringent polices regarding “June Bugs,” rentals to teens and criminal enforcement for offenders. As one of the “quiet resorts” in coastal Delaware, South Bethany certainly does not encourage or embrace the annual pilgrimage of recent high school grads to the beach for Senior Week, but because it is inevitable to some degree, the town has stringent policies in place for renters and property owners and realtors to curtail or contain the activities. “In light of an event that occurred Just For You On The Beautiful Bay! OPEN THURSDAY-SUNDAY Daily Specials All Day & Night! THURSDAY: All Entrees $16.99 FRIDAY: Shanty Feast $23.00 Broiled Seafood Platter $16.99 SUNDAY: All Lobster Dishes $18.99 Shanty Feast $23.00 EVERY DAY: OCEAN CITY – The ongoing flap over Maryland Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Doug Gansler stopping by an underage party in neighboring Delaware this summer prompted the town of South Bethany to issue a statement this week reiterating its stringent “June Bug” policies. Last week it came to light Gansler visited a party in South Bethany to briefly meet his teenage son who had recently graduated from high school and was sharing a weekly rental with fellow graduates. Gansler is taking heat for stopping at the large party and turning a deaf ear and blind eye on the underage revelry going on around him. Critics claim Gansler, as the top prosecutor in Maryland, had at least a moral obligation to make an effort to halt the underage drinking if not a legal one. The story had legs and was reported in most of the major media outlets on the other side of the Chesapeake. After coming under considerable fire, Gansler took responsibility for his actions, or in this case, inaction. “I am not known to mince words,” he said. “For better or worse, I am not a smooth-talking politician who this summer in our town – an event which has garnered a lot of recent media attention – the town of South Bethany would like to remind all of our residents and visitors that the town has procedures in place specifically dealing with June activities,” the statement reads. According to the release, the process begins in February when a letter is sent out to all South Bethany property owners with a contract to be signed declaring their property as a rental property. The letter reminds owners that behavior such as underage drinking, the use or possession of drugs, excessive noise and any disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. Throughout the spring, South Bethany Police meet with each real estate agency to ensure a form has been filled out listing arrival and departure dates and the names of the individuals renting or staying at the properties. Finally, once June arrives, South Bethany Police patrol areas with known young renters with more frequency. Despite the town’s best efforts, there are still incidents reported largely because adult renters have found ways to get around the system. “However, although this process is in place, many of the incidents SEE NEXT PAGE 12 oz. Delmonico Dinner $18.99 Salisbury 701 East Naylor Mill Road Happy Hour In The Sunset Bar ALL DAY & NIGHT EVERY DAY! GREAT FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS Don’t Miss The Shanty Sunsets! 410-677-0350 DIRECTONS: Off Rte. 90, Take Casino Exit South And Left At 3rd Light Immediately On Your Right There’s Holiday Magic In The Marsh! HURRY... SAVE YOUR DATE! Southwest Bar & Grill • 410-208-1383 11033 Nicholas Lane, Ocean Pines • Ocean Pines South Gate Entrance HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY 4 P.M.-7 P.M. • $1.25 TACOS DINNER SPECIALS • Monday: $1.25 Taco Night LA HA RITAS $5 • RAIL MARGARITA $3 • Tuesday: $11.95 Steak or Chicken Fajitas RAIL DRINKS $3 • DOMESTIC BEER $1.50 • Wednesday: $5 Burgers And Burritos IMPORT BEER $2.50 • HOUSE WINE $3 • Thursday: $1.25 Taco Night • Sunday: $11.95 Steak Or Chicken Fajitas PREMIUM WINE $4.25 LIVE ENTERTAINMENT 54 FENWICK ISLAND 302-436-2305 www.Twiningsshanty.com SATURDAY, NOV. 2: PATRICK WISE EVERY THURSDAY: KALEB BROWN OPEN EVERY DAY AT 4 P.M. WWWOCLAHACIENDA.COM Reservations For Groups Of 8 Or More Smoke-Free Awarded Hall Of Honor By The Restaurant Association Of Maryland