OC Today-Dispatch JANUARY 9, 2026
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STUBBORNLY LOCAL, EQUALLY INDEPENDENT
PHOTO COURTESY AGH FOUNDATION
PENGUIN SWIM More than 800 brave souls registered to take a chilly plunge on New Year’s Day in Ocean City in support of the Atlantic General Hospital Foundation. See page 59 for results.
Councilman’s OC residency challenged
DeLuca: is he is or is he ain’t? A one-time council candidate who was declared ineligible because of questions about her residency files a formal complaint alleging that Councilman Tony DeLuca wasn’t or isn’t a resident of Ocean City. Now the council must have a special session to find out. — PAGE 3
County snubs Snow Hill grant Some commissioners say worried about flammable solar batteries - which were not part of town’s proposal in first place — PAGE 16
Assessments show increased property values in West OC, county south end — PAGE 14
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OC Today-Dispatch
JANUARY 9, 2026
JANUARY 9, 2026
OC Today-Dispatch
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Council member’s residency questioned, complaint filed By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (Jan. 9, 2026) An Ocean City property owner, disqualified from running in the last municipal election over domicile-related eligibility concerns, is now challenging the residency of a sitting council member. On Monday, Leslie Smith filed a formal complaint with the Town of Ocean City seeking a review of Council Secretary Tony DeLuca’s residency. The former council candidate – ousted from the 2024 race after it was determined she did not meet the city’s domicile requirements – alleges the same review was not applied to DeLuca, who she claims is living full time in Annapolis. “I am aware of Ms. Smith’s challenge to my residency. I have nothing to hide, and I look forward to the Mayor and City Council giving me the opportunity to address this matter openly and candidly,” DeLuca said in an email, denying the allegations against him. “I will rely on the City Solicitor and the City Manager, as to the best next steps towards bringing this matter to a conclusion.” In the fall of 2024, weeks before the municipal election, the Ocean City
Council voted to disqualify Smith as a candidate, with a majority arguing she did not meet the city’s domicile requirements. While Smith declared her Ocean City property – which she rented out on Airbnb during the summer months – to be her main residence, many argued she resided full time at her property in Bishopville. That, in turn, kicked off a larger discussion about residency, as well as the need for charter amendments, which were approved last summer. From the outset, Smith has publicly questioned why she was singled out for her dual residency, when DeLuca – a fellow candidate seeking re-election in 2024 – traveled between his condo in Ocean City and his property in Annapolis. Now, nearly a year-and-a-half later, Smith is seeking a formal review to determine his status as an Ocean City resident, adding she was not treated equally in the review process. “I just want the record to reflect that there’s a lack of confidence within our community that Councilman DeLuca actually resides in this town fulltime,” she told the City Council during public comments at the end of Monday’s meeting. “I feel the scope, See DELUCA Page 4
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NOT I C E OF T E M POR A RY C LOSU R E DUE TO A RECENT INCIDENT, T, OUR EST ES ST TA ABLISHMENT A IS CLOSED UNTIL FUR RT THER NOTICE. WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTL LY Y TO REOPEN AN ND REGRET ANY DISRUPTION TO YOUR PLA ANS. TH HA ANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDER RS ST TA ANDING. A WE WILL PROVIDE UPDA DA AT TE ES S AS SOON AS POSSIBLE REG GA ARDING OUR REOPENING. O The Mushrush family would like to thank you for all the calls , messages & kind d wor rd ds.