City Seeks Better Beach For Best Day Foundation Event
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BY SHAWN J. SOPER
MANAGING EDITOR
OCEAN CITY – While certainly not disagreeing with the event itself, resort officials this week sent a beach special event request back to the drawing board over concerns about the proposed location. During Monday’s meeting, the Mayor and Council had before them in the consent agenda a request from the Best Day Foundation to hold an event on the beach at 94th Street next June 27-28. Typically, items are placed on the consent agenda because they appear headed toward easy approval with little or no discussion. Few would argue with the good intentions of the event approval re-
The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch
quest from the Best Day Foundation, which provides children and young adults with special needs with special days at the beach. Participants enjoy a day at the beach including obstacle courses, surfing and boogie-boarding, for example. However, before the event could be approved as part of the consent agenda, questions were raised about its proposed timing and location. For example, the event is proposed for the beach at 94th Street on a Saturday and Sunday in late June from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event would utilize a considerable area of the beach at 94th Street with three tents and an obstacle course. In addition, the beach at 94th Street would be closed to the public for swimming because
the event would be utilizing surfboards and possibly stand-up paddle boards. Special Events Coordinator Lisa Mitchell explained the event has been held in September in the past when the beach closure was less impactful, but it has run into issues with fall storms in recent years. Last year it was cancelled due to the rough surf. “While this would be the third year for this event in Ocean City, it would be the first time in June,” she said. “The last two years, it was held in September. Because of the threat of hurricanes, the organizers have requested to move the event to June.” However, while supportive of the event for the foundation and its participants, Councilman Dennis Dare
December 6, 2019
questioned the timing and location, particularly because it would require cordoning off a vast section of popular beach in late June. “That’s one of the busiest beaches,” he said. “There’s a large bayside community in that area. It just seems like the Inlet lot would be better suited for this event.” Council President Lloyd Martin agreed the location should be revisited. “I kind of agree with Dennis,” he said. “That’s a busy beach at that time of year. Maybe they should consider a different location.” The council voted to approve the consent agenda except for the Best Day Foundation event and instructed Mitchell to go back to the promoter to work on a new location.
Wicomico Schools Form New Youth Safety Task Force BY BETHANY HOOPER
STAFF WRITER
SALISBURY – Wicomico County Public Schools has joined forces with three agencies to create a new Youth Safety Task Force. Late last month, the leaders of Wicomico County Public Schools, the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Juvenile Services and the Office of the State’s Attorney for Wicomico County formed a task force to identify and address systematic issues involving youth in the community. The goal of the task force is to quickly and effectively implement solutions to protect the safety and rights of every child, support academic integrity, and build a strong and vital future for all of Wicomico County, according to a press release. “This purposefully small task force aims to maintain and grow public confidence through the collaboration of top policy and decision makers in agencies that are among those most responsible for our students and youth...,” the statement reads. “Through this forum, members can institute problem-solving solutions quickly, effectively and with the ultimate goal of protecting the safety, rights and academic experience of the entire student body and youth of Wicomico County.” The newly created task force comes on the heels of several incidents at Wicomico County public schools. In October, for example, a 13-yearold student was charged with threat of mass violence for her involvement in a bomb threat at James M. Bennett High School. And in November, three teachers at Parkside High School sustained minor injuries following a fight between students.