OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
MARCH 30, 2018
LIFESTYLE
EASTER ACTIVITIES An assortment of events are planned around the area to celebrate the holiday – Page 53
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County’s reply in suit over differential: ‘no’ Worcester repeats its position on resort’s quest for tax break
BRIAN GILLILAND/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
By Brian Gilliland Associate Editor (March 30, 2018) Worcester County’s official response to the suit filed Jan. 16 in Circuit Court seeking declaratory judgment on whether the resort is owed a tax differential isn’t far removed from what it has said during face-to-face negotiations: No. Ocean City Solicitor Guy Ayres filed the January suit asking the court to determine whether it is entitled to a differential. In response, the county
initially filed a motion to delay, and then issued its official response on Monday. The county has retained Victoria Shearer of the Baltimore firm Karpinski, Colaresi and Karp to represent it in the case. Ayres argues the state law governing differentials is unconstitutional, that the unconstitutional portions of the law should be severed and that the surviving portion of the law obligates the county to provide the setoff. Shearer, along with some musings wondering why the county is defending state law, requested the action either be dismissed or a summary judgSee COUNTY Page 6
Y-A-W-W-W-N This grey seal, which hauled out of the ocean Tuesday afternoon near 127th Street, opens wide for a huge yawn as it takes a break from swimming and looking for its next meal. Seals are not unexpected visitors this time of year, and onlookers are reminded to keep 150 feet away from the wild animals as to not disturb them. Seal harassment could be legally actionable. Also, check out those teeth.
By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (March 30, 2018) Legislation in the Maryland General Assembly that would make the state’s opposition to offshore oil and gas development official has passed the Senate and was expected to pass in the House of Delegates Thursday. Sponsored by Sen. Jim Mathias (D-38), the Offshore Drilling Liability Act and a joint resolution expressing opposition cleared the Sen-
US Wind will erect tall weather tower
By Brian Gilliland Associate Editor (March 30, 2018) US Wind, the Italian company that won rights to install offshore wind turbines in the southern leasing area as determined by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, has entered a deal to install and construct a weather station to monitor conditions at its site. US Wind plans to install 32 turbines 17 miles offshore as Phase I of its offshore energy development, though local officials continue the fight to have the turbines moved even farther east. US Wind announced the deal late last week, in which it contracted Houma, Louisiana-based Gulf Island Fabrication LLC to procure and construct a meteorological tower and support structure. The tower is expected to leave Houma on July 7, and is scheduled to be installed on the Phase I site this August. The weather tower is constructed as an intricate steel latSee WEATHER Page 5
State offshore drilling bills nearing passage
ate unanimously last Monday. The House, which passed a similar measure by 115-22, was scheduled to vote Thursday on amended legislation that brings the two versions together. On Jan. 4, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released a draft proposal for its 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which would open more than 98 percent of the Outer ConSee MATHIAS Page 8
HARRIS WIND BILL CUT
An artist’s rendition of a Keystone Engineering braced caisson base supporting a meteorological tower. The blue circle in the middle represents the ocean surface.
By Brian Gilliland Associate Editor (March 30, 2018) The efforts to push offshore wind turbines farther offshore was dealt a major blow this
past week, as an amendment by Rep. Andy Harris (R-1) enabling that cause was pulled from the $1.3 trillion spending bill signed See HARRIS Page 6
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