School Safety Linked To Mental Health Resources, Director Says

SNOW HILL — As part of an effort to make schools safer by addressing emotional issues in teens and young adults, the Worcester County Health Department is requesting $112,198 from the County Commission to bolster the current Crisis Response Team as well as add a new clinical social worker who would specialize in the high-risk 14- to 26-year-old age range.

“A key factor in school safety is the management of mental health issues,” wrote Health Officer Debbie Goeller in a letter to the commission.

In her letter, Goeller linked her department’s efforts with mental wellness with the security measures being requested both by the Sheriff’s Department and the Board of Education.

Goeller was adamant this week that school safety starts with a strong counseling foundation, especially for students and young adults in that high-risk age range.

“We are most concerned about the 14-26-year-old age range with serious emotional disturbances that would have the potential for acting out in or against a school setting,” she said.

That 12-year period can be difficult for a lot of reasons, continued Goeller. At the younger end of the spectrum, it means going to and then dealing with high school, either graduating or dropping out. For some, it also means college. Either way, at some point all will have to handle enhanced responsibility and the freedom that comes with that, including easier access to drinking and drugs.

“They’re beginning to have to deal with the adult world and [some] don’t necessarily cope too well,” Goeller told the commission.

That period is also when teens and young adults are susceptible to becoming emotionally overwhelmed.
“It is the age of their first psychotic break generally speaking,” said Goeller.

To address those high-risk youth, Goeller asked that the commission consider hiring a clinical social worker to specialize in the focused age bracket. The social worker would be available to “engage and link this high-risk population to treatment prior or during the decomposition and crisis stage,” according to Goeller’s letter.

The cost for the additional personnel would be $78,764 between salary and benefits.

In the same vein, Goeller pointed out that the county’s Crisis Response Team (CRT), while operational for 13 years, is in need of a booster shot of funding.

“The Crisis Response Team has been level funded for the past 13 years which does not cover the cost,” wrote Goeller, “of the four full-time licensed clinical social workers employed within the program.”

The CRT is vital to addressing mental health concerns in Worcester, according to Goeller, and answers calls for service through local law enforcement, Atlantic General Hospital, the Department of Social Services, and other community partners. Tracy Tilghman, director of mental health for Worcester, revealed that the CRT answers between 600 and 750 calls every year, judging by the last three years of data.

“Not only is it high volume, it is very intensive work,” added Tilghman, who said calls usually last between 90 minutes and three hours.

Someone from the four-member CRT is always on call, noted Goeller.

“There are four people that provide 24-7 coverage throughout the year. They are spread very thin, they are highly qualified,” she said. “And yes, they are on call.”

Goeller requested $33,435 in additional funding to reinforce the CRT since the level funding has not climbed with inflation, forcing the Health Department to juggle other revenue to keep the program running at full. The inflation gap has grown to the point where a funding intervention from the county is needed, said Goeller.

Some of that total $112,198 might find its way to the department through another avenue besides the county, added Goeller. However, right now outside sources, like using money generated by the casino at Ocean Downs, are uncertain.

“Everybody always talks about the casino money,” Goeller remarked.

State funding for mental health programs might be in the works, she told the commission, though most of that seems likely to head to schools in urban centers.

Commission President Bud Church wasn’t able to promise Goeller the requested funding Tuesday, but said he agrees with her that improvements to mental wellness on the shore are necessary.

“I think there’s a ticking time bomb out there. And I think it’s something that we need to address on the mental health issues fairly quickly,” he said. “It seems like every time something happens something else happens and then something else happens.”

Commissioner Jim Bunting felt likewise and said that even after hearing the school board’s security presentation that he was impressed by the need behind the Health Department’s request.

“If I had to prioritize what we’ve heard today, it would be on the top,” he told Goeller.

Officials Address Tourism, Liquor Shakeup Concerns

SNOW HILL — A cooperative effort to promote tourism between Worcester County and its municipalities was the common thread when Berlin, Pocomoke and Ocean Pines presented their grant requests this week to the County Commissioners.

In terms of grant money, all three requested similar packages to what they received last year with Ocean Pines showing the only significant deviation by asking for $1,607,733, a roughly $570,000 increase from last year’s $1,034,880. Pocomoke requested $1,421,864, in Fiscal Year 2014, up from FY13’s $1,395,529. Berlin asked for $1,688,581, down from $1,729,239 last year.

While things like public safety and road improvements were also discussed, a shared focus was on tourism.

“We’re trying to market ourselves and our downtown as more of a tourist destination, and with your help we’ve started to bring more and more people to our town,” Russell Blake, city manager for Pocomoke, told the commission.

Ocean Pines Association (OPA) President Tom Terry made similar remarks to the commissioners while Berlin Mayor Gee Williams spoke about his town’s ongoing efforts to add new festivities and businesses while enhancing popular events already in place.

Ocean Pines, which has stood somewhat on the sidelines with county advertising, is ready to join the pack, according to Terry.

“We would like to officially join in the effort of trying to promote the county and work with you in an organized effort to promote the county and be a part of that tourism effort,” Terry said.

With Pocomoke, which bills itself as the “Friendliest Town on the Eastern Shore,” much of the tourism comes from a fluid downtown and several cultural attractions including the MarVa Theater, the Delmarva Discovery Center, the Sturgis One-Room African-American School House, and the Costen House.

“Without the county’s previous assistance, some of our most important tourist and culture attractions would not be open to the public, and benefiting the economy of southern Worcester County today,” wrote Blake in a letter to the commission.

Blake asked that the commission continue to support those cultural centers and also requested a new billboard be constructed on US 13 promoting Pocomoke. The $14,000 billboard would replace one destroyed in Hurricane Sandy.

As for Ocean Pines, Terry spoke about how the community swells on weekends in the summer.
“The folks love to come visit us,” he said.

OPA Board Member Ray Unger put a spotlight on Ocean Pines amenities, such as the soon-to-be constructed new yacht club.

“The new yacht club that’s going to be there next year is going to be magnificent, it’s going to be beautiful,” he said.

The community also provides things like boat ramps, marinas, parks and a golf course, which Unger pointed are open even to non-residents.

“All of these facilities and everything we have there is open for everybody in Worcester County,” he said. “And you would be surprised at the number of people who don’t live in the Pines that use all of these amenities and we’re absolutely delighted to do that. And we want to keep it that way.”

With Berlin’s tourism, Williams didn’t go into as much detail as the other town representatives, though Berlin has developed a strong reputation for attracting visitors over the last few years. The mayor only asked that funding continue more or less on pace with last year. He did share some worries over the likely closing of the Berlin Department of Liquor Control (DLC) outlet.

Last month the DLC received approval for a new “flagship” liquor mart location on Route 50 east of Berlin. With the new store in the works, the current West Ocean City site will be closed and the county expects to close the Berlin branch as well. Williams told the commission he admires wanting to consolidate resources, but noted that the DLC locations were designed to share their proceeds with the towns that hosted them.

If the Berlin store shuts down, the town won’t be eligible for any DLC funding.

“We totally agree with efficiency and whatever is the best service for the public and all that,” he said. “But we have to say for many, many years we received over $100,000 … for that to go from $100,000 to nothing is a bit of a cut to swallow.”

Williams also mentioned a Berlin police officer regularly patrols Stephen Decatur Middle School and has for 13 years. While he said Berlin will never begrudge the county the cost of that officer, with Worcester considering adding an officer to every school, Williams just asked that the expense be done fairly with either each community providing an officer for their schools or the county handling all personnel.

“We promise you we’ll treat you fair,” said Commission President Bud Church in response to all of Berlin’s concerns. “You may not think it’s fair, but it’ll be fair.”

The meeting Tuesday with the three towns is part of the county’s ongoing annual municipal grant process. The commissioners met with Ocean City later the same day and Snow Hill last month.

City Seeking More Details On New Fire Service Accord

SALISBURY — Greater coordination with administration in renegotiating a Fire Service Agreement (FSA) with Wicomico County would be ideal, according to the Salisbury City Council.

At the end of its work session Monday, the council forwarded a number of questions to city administration that they felt will paint them a clear picture of how to move forward.

The original FSA between Salisbury and Wicomico was drafted in July 2005. It was terminated in 2007 so the city could re-negotiate terms. With Salisbury once again in negotiations with the county, the City Council agreed it wants to reach out to administration to make sure both sides are on the same page, since any agreement will require final council approval.

“I wish we knew what the other hand was doing so we could coordinate this better,” said Councilman Tim Spies.

While the original agreement required that Salisbury provide certain fire services countywide, including things like hazardous material control, technical rescue, and trench rescue, in exchange for financial compensation from the county, Spies pointed out that details are different now than they were in 2005 or 2007.

“There have been changes that are going to have to be adjusted to,” he said.
The city’s fire boat needs to be considered, added Council Vice President Debbie Campbell.

“Now that we have the fire boat and the expense of operating the fire boat, the biggest beneficiaries, arguably, of having the fire boat are not city residents,” Campbell said.

Campbell agreed with Spies that “some adjustment, some something as part of the discussion that explores that” is needed. Things like a surcharge on the boat for every mile it operates outside of city limits might be considered, continued Campbell.

However, the city needs to be careful with attaching costs to services without having hard data, argued Councilwoman Shanie Shields.

“I think we’ve got to be careful of charging things,” she told the council.

But Shields was adamant that a new arrangement with Wicomico needs to be ironed out and blamed the county for “dragging their feet.”

Others on the council were also interested in seeing actual figures that represent what Wicomico has been paying for Salisbury’s extended fire services.

“We need to know the numbers,” said Spies.

Campbell suggested that the council look at some of the annual reports filed with the county that would contain data on payments made for services. She was also curious as to how the money is coming into Salisbury, whether it was paid as a lump sum, paid to volunteer stations or some combination of both.

Others on the council were also curious about the details surrounding exactly what sort of services the city is asked to provide countywide with haz-mat control, multiple types of rescues, and other services.

“We’re going to have to approve this so it’s better for us to agree upfront what the city’s position is on negotiation,” said Campbell.

Council President Terry Cohen echoed Campbell and said it would be pointless to continue negotiations that might cause the council “intense heartburn.” The council voted to reach out to administration, which is currently involved in negotiations, with a series of questions addressed to City Manager John Pick including how payments are made to Salisbury and exactly what services will be requested. On the county end, the council will also request copies of past FSA expense reports to get a better grasp on fair prices.

Murder Accessory Bill Advances

BERLIN — A bill introduced in the General Assembly that would greatly enhance the penalties for accessory after the fact in a murder case, cruised out the House this week and is on its way to passage by the Senate.

Delegate Mike McDermott (R-38B), who represents Worcester County and the lower shore, is among the eight co-sponsors of House Bill 709, which, if approved would increase the maximum sentence for those convicted of being an accessory after the fact in a murder. Now called the “Sheddy-Bennett Bill,” the legislation was approved by a vote of the full House on Wednesday and now heads to the Senate.

The bill has its roots in a Worcester County homicide in the Pocomoke area dating back to 2007 after which the remains of the victim, Christine Sheddy, were finally found buried under a Snow Hill bed-and-breakfast over two years later. Also included as a catalyst for the legislation is Whitney Bennett, a Delaware resident who went missing in the Salisbury area whose remains were later found in Somerset County.

Under current Maryland law, an accessory after the fact charge falls under a broad array of crimes and carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. The legislation proposed by McDermott and seven of his colleagues in the House would greatly enhance the penalties for accessory after the fact convictions in murder cases to a level commensurate with the crime.

“As it stands now, accessory after the fact is a rather generic crime with no real disparity in sentencing based on the seriousness of the case,” he said. “This bill would segregate a homicide from other crimes in terms of sentencing. For example, right now an accessory after the fact for a burglary case carries a five-year sentence and an accessory after the fact in a homicide carries a five-year sentence.”

The legislation proposed by McDermott and his colleagues would increase the maximum penalty for accessory after the fact in a first-degree murder case to 20 years, while an accessory after the fact conviction in a second-degree murder case would be increased to 10 years. While the bill has its roots in the Christine Sheddy murder case in Worcester in 2007 and the Bennett case in Wicomico, McDermott said there are countless other examples of other cases in Maryland where the new maximum sentences would apply.

“The Sheddy case was the catalyst for this bill, but there are cases all over the state where these sentencing enhancements could apply,” he said. In October, Tia Johnson, 32, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact for her role in the cover-up in the murder of Sheddy and was sentenced to five years for that charge. Johnson also pleaded guilty to third-degree burglary and was sentenced to an additional 10 years, resulting in a net total of 15 years, of which about half was suspended.

In November 2007, Sheddy was reported missing from a farm house in the Pocomoke where she had been staying with Johnson and her boyfriend Clarence “Junior” Jackson and Johnson’s cousin Justin Hadel. The case remained a missing persons case for nearly two years until Hadel was arrested and ultimately convicted of first-degree murder in Sheddy’s death. Jackson and Johnson were later arrested.

Jackson was found to have a role in the murder and admitted being the ringleader and mastermind behind the cover-up. He was ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced in October to life in prison with all but 30 years suspended. For her part, Johnson knew more about the murder than she originally admitted and drove to the River House bed-and-breakfast in Snow Hill knowing Sheddy’s remains were in the trunk and waited while Hadel and Jackson buried the victim on the facility’s grounds.

Casino Revenue Drops Slightly

BERLIN — It was good news, bad news this week when the February revenue figures were released for the Casino at Ocean Downs.

The Casino at Ocean Downs grossed just over $3.4 million in February, up from the $2.9 million recorded in January, which was the lowest one-month total in the history of the facility on Route 589 just south of Ocean Pines. The Casino at Ocean Downs’ February 2013 total came in at around $59,000 lower than the same month last year, continuing a trend of decline over 2012.

A look at the per-machine, per-day totals for the Casino at Ocean Downs in February tell a similar story. The casino’s 800 video lottery terminals generated an average of $154.82 per day in February, which came in considerably higher than the $118.10 recorded in January.

Overall, the state’s three operating casinos grossed around $47 million in February with the Maryland Live facility in Anne Arundel County continuing to be the driving force. Maryland Live generated over $38 million in February and its 3,991 video lottery terminals generated an average of $302.28 per machine, per day.

Maryland Live’s success continues to take its toll on the state’s first casino to open, the Hollywood Casino in Cecil County, which saw its downward spiral continue in February. The Perryville casino grossed $5.9 million in February, which represents a decline of around $5.5 million over February 2012, or a total of over 48 percent. Perryville’s 1,148 machines took in an average of $185,59 per machine, per day in February.

Help might be on the way, however, for the Hollywood Casino, which this week became the first casino in the state to offer real table games with live dealers. Hollywood Casino debuted its 20 table games, such as craps, blackjack, roulette and various forms of poker, on Tuesday for Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission officials and the media and was expected to open the table games for the public on Thursday. Maryland Live is expected to debut its 122 table games as soon as April 11 and will remove 400 slot machines to accommodate them.

Meanwhile, Ocean Downs is eligible to add table games at any time, but appears to be in no rush to implement a program, which would likely require an expansion or reconfiguration of the space. Casino at Ocean Downs spokesman Doug Eppler of Tipton Communications said this week the casino is not yet prepared to make any statements about those plans.

Gun Control Bill Nears Approval; Mathias, McDermott Oppose

BERLIN — Legislation making Maryland’s gun control laws among the toughest in the nation have moved closer to reality with the passage of the governor’s bill by the Senate and the House expected to soon follow suit.

In the wake of the school shooting tragedy in Connecticut last December, Gov. Martin O’Malley introduced legislation in the General Assembly increasing the licensing requirements for handgun purchases, banning the sale of assault-style weapons, limiting gun ownership of people with a history of mental illness and increasing the amount of information sent to databases for background checks.

The governor’s bill passed a key hurdle last week when the Senate voted 28-19 to approve the legislation and now heads to the House where it is widely believed to have an easier path. State senators debated the bill for 11 hours last week and attempted numerous amendments before the final vote.

Senator Jim Mathias (D-38) was among the minority that did not vote in favor of the bill.

“Although this bill was not in my committee, our office received nearly 2,000 calls and emails from my constituents and our neighbors in opposition,” he said. “Colleagues on both sides of the aisle tirelessly joined me over the past three days attempting to persuade the majority of the Maryland Senate of the root causes of heinous gun violence, including mental health issues, increased non-paroled sentencing for gun crime perpetrators.”

Mathias said the proposed bill stops short of addressing many of the causes of increased gun violence.

“Societal realities affecting behavior such as video games and movies depicting mass murder are the real issues not adequately addressed through this legislation,” he said. “These issues, not additional burdens of costly permits, training and other required processes placed on law abiding citizens most effectively address gun violence.”

With the positive vote in the Senate, the bill now moves on to the House, where, as anticipated, thousands of Marylanders from every corner of the state including a large contingent from the Lower Shore showed up to testify on the legislation at  a hearing last Friday that lasted well into the night.

Delegate Mike McDermott (R-38B) said the majority of the hundreds that testified did so in opposition to the bill.

“Well over a thousand signed up to testify against this bill and only a very few testified in favor of the bill,” he said. “In fact, except for the professional panels that came in support of the governor, which was about 20 people, everyone else has been opposed.”

McDermott said the large contingent in opposition represented a cross-section of the state’s citizens.

“We have heard from retirees and 10-year-olds, people in suits and people in working uniforms, people of great means and people of lesser means, and people from Worcester and people from Prince George’s,” he said. “All in all, we have heard from Maryland and they do not want this bill passed.”

McDermott said the bill’s passage could have a steep economic cost as well.

“We heard from Beretta Arms, who strongly suggested they would seriously look at moving from Southern Maryland to another state,” he said. “This echoes what we have heard from other manufacturers of firearms in Maryland. Losing Beretta alone would mean over $400 million to our state coffers.”

O’Malley opened the testimony in the House with an impassioned plea for state delegates to follow the Senate’s lead on the bill.

“This is not a choice between our security and our freedom,” he said. “This is a choice between whether we will be responsible or whether we’ll be irresponsible. If we want better results, we have to make better choices. We are not here only because of Newtown. We are here because of the loss of lives due to gun violence in all of our towns.”

Local law enforcement officials were also well represented at the House hearing, including Worcester County Sheriff Reggie Mason, Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby and Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis among others. Lewis said as a career law enforcement officer and avid sportsman, he opposed the legislation.

“As a life-long resident of Wicomico County and an avid hunter and fisherman, my views are certainly stronger than some others,” he said. “However, I echo other Maryland sheriffs when I say I oppose any law or regulation that infringes or restricts a citizen’s right to protect himself or his family, the true reason for our long-standing Second Amendment rights.”

Lewis said the Maryland Sheriff’s Association has agreed to work with the governor and the local delegation on several issues related to gun control and public safety. For example, the association supports closing background loopholes to keep guns out of dangerous hands, working with prosecutors to vigorously prosecute those that commit crimes with firearms, making schools safer by enhancing security and working with administrators on planning for critical incidents, and increasing access to mental health services for at-risk patients.

“I agree with these common sense points of discussion which identify the real issues associated with gun control that do not infringe on a citizen’s right to bear arms under the Second Amendment,” he said. “I’m very proud to say that I have been a grunt in the trenches, and I feel qualified to say Senate Bill 281 will do nothing to reduce, suppress or stem the flow of gun crime on the streets of Maryland.”

Lewis had an ominous message about the potential impacts of passing the legislation.

“Due to Maryland’s lack of vigorous prosecution of gun crimes, and Governor O’Malley’s determination to abolish the death penalty, along with this new proposed legislation, there is tremendous incentive for criminals to move to Maryland to resume their criminal activities,” he said. “Our law-abiding citizens, now discouraged from legally purchasing a firearm due to these proposed hurdles, can only stand by and watch these criminals flourish in their old profession of terrorizing innocent citizens. These are nothing more than ‘feel good’ proposals that do absolutely nothing more than impact our law-abiding citizens …”

Reminder: Check Detectors When Turning Clocks Forward

OCEAN CITY — As daylight saving time comes to an end this weekend, the Ocean City Fire Department is reminding the residents and visitors of Ocean City to test their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and to change the batteries in each.

Working smoke alarms are vital in the notification of a fire, allowing you and your family adequate time to escape. A report published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) stated that the most common reason for smoke detector failure in the United States was missing or dead batteries. It is estimated that approximately 900 lives could be saved annually if all homes had working smoke detectors.

It is important to install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home (including the basement) and outside each sleeping area. It’s a good idea, especially if you sleep with your doors closed, that a smoke alarm is also installed inside your bedroom. Alarms mounted on the wall should be positioned four to 12 inches from the ceiling, while ceiling-mounted alarms should be positioned four inches or more away from the nearest wall.

In addition to smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms are required in all residential dwellings that contain fuel-burning equipment or attached garages. Fuel burning equipment could be gas water heaters, furnaces, dryers, fireplaces, wood stoves, or engine exhaust. Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed on each level of the dwelling unit, and be audible in all bedrooms within the dwelling.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms should be tested at least monthly and should have the batteries replaced twice a year. A simple way to remember to change your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries is to change the battery when you change your clocks. On Sunday, March 10, change your clock and change your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries.

For more information on how to keep you and your family safe, or to request a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm, or 9-volt battery, please contact the Ocean City Fire Department, Office of the Fire Marshal at 410-289-8780 or visit www.nfpa.org.

OC Transportation Expenses, Grant Requests Outlined

OCEAN CITY – Although the state is struggling with transportation funding, sparking plans of a gas tax increase, the town is following the advice that it doesn’t hurt to ask and approved the application to apply for grants following a public hearing this week.

At Monday’s meeting, a public hearing was held in regard to the Fiscal Year 2014 Annual Transportation Grants. Each year the Ocean City Transportation Department requests funding for transit services through the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) as a Section 5311 rural provider. This application is the mechanism that results in both operating and capital grants.

Public Works Director Hal Adkins presented the FY14 transportation plan, starting with the overall operating budget coming to about $5.5 million. The general fund contribution comes to about $1.85 million. However, the town’s contribution is a little over $77,000 less than the year before.

The overall operating budget is supported by a number of revenue sources, including $2.4 million from bus fare boxes, $210,000 from bus and tram advertising, over $8,000 in senior bus passes, over $172,000 from bus coupon book sales, almost $22,000 in service charges from working in Greyhound, and over $13,000 in service charges from Medtrn, the senior handicap service.

In addition to revenue, the transportation department is supported by over $684,000 in federal grants, over $31,000 in state grants, and $110,000 from an ADA grant.

“The combined amount of the $684,000 [federal grant] and $31,000 from the state has been a static number for the past eight years and the funding for our ADA grant of $110,000 has been a static number for the last 13 years,” Adkins said.

Adkins furthered, one of the indicators used when studying the performance of a transit system is known as fare box recovery ratio, which is the comparison of revenue stream versus operating cost for a specific fixed route.

“When you look at the State of Maryland as a whole, and you look at the systems relative to ridership, we come in fourth,” Adkins said. “The MTA in Baltimore has the highest ridership followed by Montgomery County, followed by PG [Prince George’s] County, followed by Ocean City.”

However, when reviewing the fare box recovery ratio from a performance standards required by the state, it is considered successful to have a fare box recovery ration exceeding 25 percent. The MTA in Baltimore has a fare box recovery ratio of 36 percent, Montgomery County of 20 percent, Prince George’s County of 10 percent and Ocean City of 45 percent.

“That shows you where we compare to these other agencies regardless of what your current general fund subsidy is of $1.85 million,” Adkins said.

Next, Adkins presented the typical capital funding is based on 80 percent federal, 10 percent state and a 10 percent local match.

“Each year we put together a list of items that are requested to the state for consideration,” he explained.

First was a request of 29, 40-foot transit buses at a total cost of over $14 million and a local match of about $1.3 million. Adkins said the department has already received word the reality is the city will receive six buses instead, resulting in a local match of about $272,000.

Adkins explained federal criteria titled “useful life criteria” in determining the replacement of buses is 12 years or exceeding 500,000 miles. In reviewing the fleet, out of Ocean City’s 62 transit pieces there are 29 that meet or exceed that criteria.

Other projects include the renovation of the North End Transit Center that was built in 2006, preventative maintenance on rolling stock, renovation of the Park & Ride Transit Center built in 2001, and preventative maintenance contract for money room equipment, preventative maintenance contract for the bus barn overhead doors, and the purchase passenger shelters and parts.

The total cost of those initiatives is $13.9 million which would normally be a 90/10 split that results in a total cost of $12.5 million.

The anticipated funding is $3.45 million and a 90/10 split results in a total cost of $3.1 million with a local match of $345,000 which is factored into the overall FY14 budget that has been submitted and has a reduction of over $77,000 from the previous year.

“Just from my observation transportation is a loss that we have pay,” Ocean City resident Joe Cryer said. “I don’t know how we are going to pay for it but just to make affordable transportation on the island  I don’t see where we can run a profit.”

Resident John Adkins made a couple of suggestions, one was to begin using synthetic oil and bypass oil filters in the transit buses to save money in the long run. He has used the system on his trucks since 1979 without any problems and knows of it being used in commercial trucks that don’t have to have their oil changed until every 50,000 to 60,000 miles.

“If we could put a small sign that passengers could read to know that we pay almost $2 million to operate this system [buses] out of our general fund that local taxpayers subsidize, that would be something maybe the people would try to understand what it takes to operate this because even though they are only paying $3 or $1,” he said.

Once the public hearing was closed, Councilman Dennis Dare pointed out the transit system is being funded by less than 50 percent from fare box revenue, 15 percent from federal and state grants and 33 percent by taxpayers.

“I am seriously concerned about the $1.85 million from the town,” he said.

Dare added that he has followed the predicament the state and transportation funding is a stated priority of legislators.

He asked the mayor to keep in mind as he is in contact with the state during the grant process to look for an opportunity to address Ocean City being classified as a Section 5311 rural provider.

“Through this process, there may be an opportunity for the state to finally consider Ocean City as an urban provider, and act accordingly,” he said.

Adkins replied becoming reclassified would become a state and federal issue as Section 5311 is a federal definition from the determined Census population.

“If your Census population is less than 50,000, you fall into that box,” he said. “It doesn’t mean you can’t change the box.”

A few agenda items later the Mayor and City Council came across a resolution to authorize City Manager David Recor to file an application with MTA for grants under the Federal Transit Act.

“This resolution is in support of the public hearing that was just held by Mr. Adkins,” City Solicitor Guy Ayres said in introducing the resolution. “A speaker asked why we are we doing this if the MTA doesn’t have any grant money. Well, we don’t know if they have any grant money or not … but if you don’t ask for it you’re not going to get it, and just because you ask for it doesn’t mean you are going to get it.”

The council voted 6-0, with Councilwoman Margaret Pillas absent, to approve the transportation funding plan.

OC Council Committees Appointed; Ashley, Pillas Refuse To Serve At Group Level

OCEAN CITY – Individual appointments were made to serve on the newly re-established committees and commissions this week, but two City Council members have declined to be involved because they continue to feel all business should be conducted in front of the full Mayor and City Council.

At last night’s meeting, Mayor Rick Meehan presented the list of council members and citizens who are appointed to serve on the re-established Mayor and City Council Legislative Committees and Commissions. In late January of this year, the council voted to reinstate the committees and commissions after going two years without them.

Immediately after 2010’s election, the new council majority at that time voted to dissolve the formation of committees and commissions without warning or discussion. The reasoning was to have all city business brought before the Mayor and Council and public at one place and at one time.

After the current council voted to bring the formation of committees and commissions back in play this year, the mayor sent an email to all council members asking for their requests of which groups they would wish to serve on. According to the mayor, by mid-February he had not received a response from Council members Brent Ashley or Margaret Pillas, who were part of the former majority who did away with most of the committees. By the end of the month, the mayor said Ashley and Pillas reported they were not interested in serving on council committees or commissions as proposed.

As a result, the list of 12 committees and commissions will be covered by an individual or combination of the remaining five council members, who are Dennis Dare, Doug Cymek, Lloyd Martin, Mary Knight and Joe Mitrecic, as well as the mayor.

The mayor included that a council chairperson will be chosen for each committee and agendas for these meetings will be prepared by the commission or committee chairperson and the department head. Minutes of these meetings will be taken and placed on the agenda at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Mayor and City Council and reported by the chairperson. All meetings will be open to the public and press, except for when closed session guidelines will be followed.

Ashley reminded the council in November of 2010 the council had voted to have the entire Mayor and City Council serve on the Pension Committee, and in order to appoint individual council members an amendment to the ordinance would have to take place. Meehan responded City Solicitor Guy Ayres had been made aware of that.

“We did not disband,” Ashley said. “We expanded all of the committees to include all members of the council. There was never disbanding of anything.”

A new addition to the list is the Surfing Committee. The idea was originally proposed by Councilman Dennis Dare last November when the Recreation and Parks Department presented the proposed 2013 Surfing Beach Schedule for approval. The schedule establishes two rotating surfing beaches, a street in the north and south end of town, plus the Inlet being open Monday through Friday to surfers.

Dare suggested taking a fresh look at Ocean City’s surf guidelines as complaints have been received and times are changing and asked for a committee to be formed of local professionals within Ocean City’s surfing community to provide feedback.

The council voted 5-1, with Ashley opposed and Pillas absent, to approve the appointment of council members to the committees and commissions, and to approve the establishment of the Surfing Committee and the appointment of its members.

During the portion of the meeting for citizen comments, spokesperson for Citizens For Ocean City Joe Groves looked back to the last election in 2012 when more than 3,000 voters turned out to elect a new direction for the City Council.

“We have that new direction and we finally have our citizen committees back,” Groves said. “These committees will give us the opportunity to brainstorm and work together to improve this town and government.”

Groves recalled the former majority’s purpose to disband the committees and commissions was to bring all business in front of the public eye during council meetings conducted at City Hall. However, all committee and commission meetings have been and will be open to the public, as well as all reports on those meetings are open to the public.

“I plead with the two [council members] that will not serve on committees to reconsider. It is your job to serve the people of this town and remember the majority of people in this town asked for a new direction,” Groves said.

On Tuesday, Ashley and Pillas stated their reasoning for not requesting to serve on commissions and committees is because they serve on the council as a whole.

“I am holding onto what I think is best for the taxpayers. If being open and presenting everything at the same time to everybody reflects on me negatively, I am in the wrong business … I think the micromanagement by government is a negative reflection,” Ashley said. “All city business should be done in the open, on the television, for all public to see and all council members get all the same information at the same time.”

Pillas said her position has also been consistent for the past two years since the former majority asked for the commissions to include the full council while conducting business of the town.

“My point of view is that you have a minority making decisions by serving on the commissions, there is two sometimes three elected officials … and I don’t agree with that,” she said. “The mayor says, with the committees and commissions he will bring everything back to the full council, so I don’t feel in any way that I am not participating.”

Mayor Asks County To Remove Communication ‘Wall’

SNOW HILL — The “wall” blocking communication between Ocean City and Worcester County came down, according to officials, when Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan visited the County Commission this week to make requests regarding a tax differential, grant funding and unrestricted tourism funds.

Channeling his best impression of President Ronald Reagan, Meehan asked that Commission President Bud Church open up communication channels between the county and the resort town that Meehan considered jammed currently.

“Mr. President, I ask you to take down that wall,” said the mayor.

With the annual county budget process underway, Meehan made three requests on behalf of his town. A previous appeal for a property tax differential first made in 2007 was again brought up. Meehan argued that Ocean City deserves the differential under Section 6-306 of the Property Tax Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, which reads that “if a municipal corporation performs services or programs instead of similar county services or programs, the governing body of the county may grant a tax setoff to the municipal corporation.”

After initially being presented in 2007, Ocean City’s request for a tax differential, stemming from the fact it provides some redundant county services, was repeated in 2012. According to Meehan, the town has yet to receive a response to that 2012 letter.

Meehan’s second request again revisited previous appeals to the commission. He asked that grant funding for the resort be returned to its 2009 level of $4,280,415.

“In 2009, the amount of county grants received by Ocean City increased and we appeared to be moving in the right direction,” wrote Meehan in a letter to the commissioners.

Over the last few budget cycles, grant funding has dipped due to the recession.

The final Ocean City request was that any tourism funding they receive from Worcester be unrestricted, which had been the norm until last year when the county decided to group all of its advertising money into a lump sum under the county’s Tourism Department. With that arrangement, towns were still able to access just as much funding as in previous years and apply it however they would like. The only difference was that instead of sending money to individual municipalities the county would keep the money in a single fund until it was needed which would allow the tourism department to use the bulk of the money as grant leverage.

While keeping the advertising monies in a single fund meant more overall grants for the county, Meehan claimed that the restrictions that resulted “reduced [Ocean City’s] buying power” and hurt total tourism in Worcester.

“Some of the restrictions with the county’s website having to be on the ad limited it to print advertisements, and other advertising that isn’t exactly where we wanted to be,” Meehan said. “We stretched it in those directions when we really needed it to be part of our budget directly into what our advertising agency does with our media buys. That’s what cost us.”

Ocean City doesn’t want to “confuse people with websites,” he continued, since the town has already spent $5 million building ococean.com. Any ad restrictions that force the town into adding the county website or seal are “too restrictive,” said Meehan.

“Being able to use that money directly in our advertising helps us buy better value, get more advertising for the dollars,” he asserted. “I know you did it this way to increase the county’s advertising dollars but in the long-run it cost us.”

Meehan added that going back to the old system of writing Ocean City a check for advertising and then stepping away doesn’t hurt the other parts of the county because the resort always advertises Ocean City, the greater Ocean City area and Worcester County.

While the commission’s response to Meehan’s comments were positive, several commissioners weren’t aware of some of the problems the mayor was highlighting. In regards to lumping the advertising funding together last year, Commissioner Virgil Shockley explained that the commission did what it thought was best, since the new system meant more grants overall.

“We actually thought we were doing a good thing here,” he said.

In regards to the “wall” that Meehan mentioned several times during his presentation, Church and Commissioner Louise Gulyas, who represents Ocean City, both said they had no knowledge of such an obstruction.

“There is no wall,” said Gulyas.

According to Church, if there was a wall it would have been built not only by the commission but by Ocean City as well. “There are two sides to that wall,” he said.

However, Church told Meehan that the commission was unaware Ocean City felt blocked off. If that is the belief among resort management, Church said, “I didn’t really feel there was a wall there, but if your perception is that there’s a wall there we’ll take the wall down,” he said.