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MARCH 6, 2015
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City, union reach contract deal ahead of arbitration
By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (March 6, 2015) Ocean City’s police union has reached a three-year deal with the city’s administration, as the union membership voted to approve an offer that would obviate the need for binding arbitration, a course of action neither side would seem to prefer. “It was an overwhelming majority of the membership voting for ratification,” said FOP President Shawn Jones. Union officers voted electron-
ically on the deal Wednesday. The contract was extended to the Fraternal Order of Police - the bargaining unit that represents the Ocean City Police Department - by the City Council, although both sides had met over the last several days to discuss the exact details. The city had reportedly set a deadline of 5 p.m. Wednesday for the FOP’s membership to approve a final version, which will be voted on by council at an upcoming session. See DEAL Page 7
OC pitches plan for increased grant funds in lieu of tax diff.
STEWART DOBSON/OCEAN CITY TODAY
NEW H2O Philadelphia Avenue near First Street in Ocean City was partially closed this week as crews installed new water mains, in tandem with more extensive work being done on St. Louis Avenue.
By Brian Gilliland Staff Writer (March 6, 2015) No one was surprised when Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan asked for a tax differential as the resort’s annual budget request, but several heads turned when he produced a prototype memorandum of understanding between the city and county detailing what an alternative to a differential might look like. The MOU was hinted at near the bottom of a Dec. 3, 2014 letter signed
by Meehan requesting a tax differential hearing and made public as part of the commissioner’s packet before the regular meeting last Tuesday. Historically, Worcester County provides to Ocean City, in the form of an unrestricted grant, reimbursement for services determined to be duplicates of county-provided services. Ocean City would like to see its grant increased. According to a study conducted in 2013 at the behest of See MEEHAN Page 8
HMRA Trade Expo returns for 41st year By Kara Hallissey Staff Writer (March 6, 2015) The Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association’s Spring Trade Expo is gearing up for its 41st year, with exhibits from 400 hospitality industry companies ready to fill the 40th Street convention center this Sunday and Monday. The annual event will fill all three exhibit halls and bring resort area buyers and sellers together as they
prepare for the upcoming season. Only industry representatives are permitted to attend the show, which will feature culinary demonstrations, a bartender competition and craft beer discussions. “It’s one-stop shopping for restaurant, bar and hotel employees,” said Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association Executive Director Susan Jones, who organizes of the event. “There may be 10 different com-
12741 Ocean Gateway Ocea an City, MD 21842 410-2 213-1733
panies who have the same product to touch, taste or feel. Also, the convenience of shopping under one roof makes it possible to do a lot of business in two days.” One of the highlights of this year’s expo will be a presentation by the Travel Channel’s “Hotel Impossible” host Anthony Melchiorri, who will take the stage in the performing arts center at 9 a.m. on Monday, before the doors open for the trade show.
“I am elated to bring Mr. Melchiorri to our expo. His no-nonsense approach will challenge our attendees to evaluate their own businesses so they’ll be able to deliver guest experience to make customers return,” Jones said. The popularity of craft beer will have a special focus at this year’s event. The Brewers Association of Maryland will lead a craft beer disSee CRAFT Page 4
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