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FEBRUARY 27, 2015
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
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BAYSIDE CHAMPS Stephen Decatur’s girls’ basketball team captures first conference title since 1977 – Page 29
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FOP declares intent to go to arbitration City officials, union leaders edging toward last-resort process as deadline nears
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!
Twenty ice hockey teams, consisting of players ranging in age from 4-8 years old, participated in the second annual Mite Beach Bash on the rink at the Carousel Resort Hotel on 118th Street last weekend. Pictured are players on the 6 and under Easton and Howard County teams.
By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (Feb. 27, 2015) For the first time since it’s formation, Ocean City’s police union has declared an impasse in contract negotiations with the city’s administration, meaning that binding arbitration could go into effect after next week’s deadline. Mayor Rick Meehan advised the council and audience of the situation during last week’s session. “Although the goal of both parties was to come to an agreement, we were unable to do so,” Meehan said. “We have been notified by the FOP [Fraternal Order of Police] and their attorney that they have declared an impasse. At this point, the arbitration procedure will begin.” Over the past two months, negotiating teams – one appointed by the City Council, the other by the union members of the Ocean City Police Department – have met to hammer out a new police contract. The FOP’s current agreement, a
two-year deal reached in 2013, will end in July once the fiscal year 20152016 city budget goes into effect. Collective bargaining by OCPD employees is authorized under the city’s charter, per a 2002 public referendum. Under the provision, any issues that have not been resolved by March 1 before contract renewal may be submitted for arbitration. However, there is nothing that forces ‘We’re still either side to go trying, in the through with the meantime, to process, even after reach some that date. “We’re still trying, common in the meantime, to ground.’ – FOP President. reach some common Shawn Jones ground,” said FOP Lodge 10 President Shawn Jones. However, both sides confirmed that they have taken the first step in the arbitration process, which is to select a single representative to serve on a three-person arbitration panel. These two representatives then select a third, who can be from a third, neutral agency if desired. If no agreement See THREE page 5
It’s all February’s fault Winter was going along as well as could be expected until this month hit bottom
By Stewart Dobson Editor (Feb. 27, 2015) This February’s deep freeze notwithstanding, the past nine weeks of actual winter haven’t been quite as cold on the Maryland coast as last year’s brutal season. At least, that’s what many people have said. And they would be wrong. Because of an especially bitter
February, the average temperature for the winter of 2014-15 has been slightly lower than it was last year, according to data collected in Ocean City by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). That’s right in Ocean City, too, rather than at the Ocean City Airport, the data from which is almost always used in weather reporting by online services and other media. NOAA has maintained a weather station on a bulkhead down near the Ocean City Inlet since 1978. Its priSee OC page 3
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