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APRIL 3, 2020
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Taxes won’t go up, could go down for some in FY 20/21
Worcester March jobless numbers show huge spike
By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Resort residents will not see higher property tax rates in the new fiscal year, as city government considers dropping the tax rate from $.4656 to $.4559 cents per hundred dollars of assessed value. ` However, resort leaders will have to reconsider its expenses and projected revenues, Rick Meehan as it prepares for potential financial losses caused by the coronavirus. “Much of this [budget] work was done and the assumptions were made before covid-19 became the pandemic it is today,” City Manager Doug Miller said during Tuesday’s budget meeting. In preparation for Tuesday’s meeting, City Budget Manager Jennie Knapp looked at data from the 2008-2010 recession and found that the impact of the virus could result in reduced revenues by as much as $1.9 million. Areas with the most significant drops included room tax, minus $880,000, parking, minus $340,000 and income tax, minus $240,000. With this data, Knapp designed three budget options. Plan A would reduce property taxes, but otherwise would have no affect on the proposed budget. Plan B would reduce property taxes, as well, but would reduce expenses for capital improvement projects or postpone them all together in order to recuperate for potential losses. Projects that would be either reduced in scale or postponed are the inlet lot repaving, street paving, advertising/sponsorship/TAB funding, lighting retrofits, Downtown Recreation Complex design, City Watch surveillance program and postpone hiring three new employees for half-a-year. Several city leaders, including Mayor See OC TAX Page 2
By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) With nonessential services shut down and essential businesses scaling back operations to save money and to abide by Gov. Larry Hogan’s executive orders, 1,952 Worcester County residents filed for unemployment for the seven business days beginning on March 16 and ending March 24. Kathryn Gordon A little over 42,000 Marylanders filed for unemployment that same week. In the weeks before, only about 30 unemployment claims were filed in Worcester County. The number of claims could increase as more people lose their jobs during the shutdown, while Kathryn Gordon, economic development director for Worcester County, said the number should also increase as more people become aware of the assistance unemployment benefits provide. Before the pandemic hit the United States, unemployment in Worcester was at 9.4 percent in December and 4.7 percent in September. Gordon said the higher winter number was normal for the seasonal businesses. In fact, it was better than normal, since in years past it has been around 11 or 12 percent in the winter, according to Gordon. She attributed this to more businesses opening in the northern end of the county, as well as an extended season. “A lot of our visitors are coming earlier in the year,” Gordon said. “Typically, the middle of March is when we start seeing them, so the unemployment rate has gone down with a lot of our employers having more full-time jobs instead of seasonal.” It’s Worcester’s typically booming hospitality and tourism industries that are taking the biggest hit of the economic shut down. “With the businesses not having as See JOBLESS Page 2
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PROVIDING PROTECTION Employee Kamrie Bateman works from behind a recently-installed barrier at the Food Lion on 118th Street in Ocean City. All of the stores have implemented strict sanitation practices, special hours for high-risk customers, social distancing markers and plexiglass barriers to further hinder the spread of covid-19.
Virus claims another victim as resort cancels Springfest By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) With no definitive end date for the covid-19 pandemic, the Ocean City Council voted to cancel Springfest 2020, which was scheduled for May 7-10. The council discussed the issue during Wednesday’s budget meeting. “I think it would be very irresponsible [to not cancel it],” Councilwoman Mary Knight said. Springfest, which takes place in the inlet parking lot, is an annual, four-day music, food, arts and craft festival that draws more than 100,000 people to Ocean City each year. This was year 30 for the festival, and
featured musical acts, such as the Fabulous Hubcaps, Blues Traveler and Jimmie Allen. The festival is considered the official start of the resort’s peak season. Councilman Matt James asked whether it was possible to wait at least a week to vote on the cancellation, but City Manager Doug Miller discouraged such a move, as the city needed to let vendors, entertainment and ticket holders know as soon as possible. Miller also mentioned how the life cycle of the virus was too unpredictable to ensure the safety of the hundred of thousands of guests who attend the festival. See VIRUS Page 2
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Ocean City Today
Jobless numbers climb in county
Vendors will get refunds, invitation to return in fall Continued from Page 1 The city will refund all vendors and ticket holders. Special Events Superintendent Frank Miller said he would offer any vendors that are also participating in Sunfest the option to carry over their Springfest deposits. Miller told Ocean City Today that his department also would attempt to secure this year’s Springfest headliners for 2021’s event, and, if successful, he would offer concertgoers the option of saving their tickets for next year’s festival. However, this endeavor would take some time, Miller said. “It’s with a very heavy heart that we have to do this,” Miller said. “[However], public safety comes first, always.”
APRIL 3, 2020
Springfest 2020 was cancelled during Wednesday’s department budget meeting. The annual festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of guests to the resort, would be a safety hazard during the covid-19 pandemic, resort official said.
Continued from Page 1 many sales of their goods and services, it’s a little difficult for them to increase their job opportunities,” Gordon said. “With us being a seasonal economy, with many of the businesses here, having a jump start in their year with sales usually in the early spring, this of course will delay all of that.” On the flip side, grocers have advertised a need for more employees for restocking, according to Gordon. “I’ve also seen some businesses shifting gears, such as Hardwire down in Pocomoke City,” Gordon said. “Hardwire is working with Atlantic General in creating equipment. They’re doing head gear for … personnel over there.” Although it’s impossible to predict how long the economic downturn could last, Gordon said that the local community has stepped into help small businesses. “I’ve seen a lot of people sharing local restaurants carryout menus on Facebook,” Gordon said. “I’ve seen a lot of people seeking local businesses or goods that they can pick up, just trying to find a way to support them during this time.” She said that the best way to help the Worcester County economy is to continue supporting those businesses when they can. “We still offer a quality of life and a culture and a characteristic that everyone knows and loves about Worcester County,” Gordon said. “We will continue to offer that quality of life when our community and our visitors are ready.”
OC tax bills could be less next year Continued from Page 1 Rick Meehan and council members John Gehrig and Mary Knight, expressed their desire to maintain funds for the city’s City Watch program budgeted at $60,000. Both plans A and B would reduce tax rates for corporate and nonresident property owners. Lastly, there was plan C, which would keep the property tax rate at $.4656 and would generate $895,892 in tax revenue. Resident property owners would not see a higher bill, but corporate and nonresident property owners could see a slight increase if their assessments increase. Regardless, the next few months will be crucial for the city’s economic future. “We will need to review the actual revenue and expenses frequently over the next six-12 months before the actual impact of covid-19 is determined,” Knapp told Ocean City Today. “Our town will potentially need to make some tough choices for the remainder of FY20 and for FY21, which will be addressed through budget amendments. Thankfully, we do have fund balance to fall back on to get us through this difficult time.”
APRIL 3, 2020
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Ocean City Today
No hotel bookings until April 30, OC inlet lot closed off
Gov. Larry Hogan orders citizens to stay inside home
By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Employing even more municipal authority in the face of the covid-19 battle, Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan and City Council on Tuesday said short-term rental reservations must be restricted until April 30. “We take this very seriously,” Meehan said. “This is something none of us have ever experienced. It’s probably the most dramatic issue that we’ve all faced in … our lifetimes, particularly here in the state of Maryland and in our country. We’re going to do everything we can to protect our citizens.” The emergency declaration, made Tuesday evening, restricts commercial lodging establishments from accepting new reservations, and it also prevents them from allowing guests who have already booked a stay from coming to the resort. “… Commercial lodging establishments shall not accept any occupants regardless of when the reservation was made or extend an existing reservation for person other than essential lodgers,” the declaration states. Commercial lodging establishments include hotels, motels, condo-hotels, rental properties, inclusive of private renters or management companies and HOAs, Airbnb, VRBO and other overnight accommodations. County officials followed in the city’s footsteps Wednesday afternoon, and restricted reservations for lodging in West Ocean City, Ocean Pines and all other unincorporated areas of the county, indefinitely. Essential lodgers are defined as healthcare professionals, first responders, National Guard members, law enforcement personnel, state or federal government employees, airline crew members, hospital patients, patients’ families, journalists, others responding to covid-19, people unable to return home because of covid-19 impacts on travel, people who must vacate their homes because of exigent circumstances, such as fires, people sheltering due to domestic violence, hotel/motel employees, service providers and contractors of the hotel/motel, the homeless, full-time residents who cannot shelter at home and people who own, operate or are employed by an essential business as defined by the governor. Meehan added Tuesday night that he had received support from the Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association (OCHMRA). “There is no right or wrong answer in these uncertain times,” said Susan Jones, OCHMRA executive director. “In an effort to mitigate damage and contain the outbreak, we felt this was a good solution. We worked with Mayor Meehan and the council to formulate a plan that is best for our community.” Resort government is seeking volunSee GOV Page 4
By Josh Kim Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) Gov. Larry Hogan announced a stay-at-home directive Monday morning, which makes non-essential travel a misdemeanor. The move is a follow-up of the governor’s previous order, which made social gatherings of more than 10 people a misdeGov. Hogan meanor. “Today’s order states that any person who knowingly and willfully violates this order is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction See VOLUNTARY Page 4 JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY
DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME BUNTING REALTY HAS SOME IDEAS OF THINGS TO DO: • Instead of counting to 20 while washing your hands, say a prayer during that time. • Organize your pictures. Put them in photo albums (old school) or on a thumb drive. • Make a plate of food and drop it off to someone who needs it. • Be thankful for what you have. We at Bunting Realty will be here when this is all over. BE SAFE! Call Cam Bunting: 410-713-2065 24 Broad Street, Berlin, MD 21811 • 410-641-3313
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City government shut down the inlet parking lot Sunday night during a closed-session meeting. The move was another attempt to block visitors from the beach and Boardwalk to prevent the spread of covid-19.
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Ocean City Today
APRIL 3, 2020
JOSH KIM/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan announced an emergency order Tuesday evening suspending all short-term rental reservations. Hotels, motels and other lodging establishments cannot accept new reservations and must reschedule or cancel previously made bookings until April 30.
Gov. issues two orders in 1 week Continued from Page 3 tary compliance, but violators could be subject to civil or criminal penalties and have their business and rental licenses affected. The emergency declaration was the second one issued this week. On Sunday, March 30, city government extended its beach and Boardwalk closure to April 30, closed the inlet parking lot and said police would enforce Gov. Larry Hogan’s stay-at-home and traveller self-quarantine directives announced Monday morning. Free downtown parking will also be extended until May 1, rather than April 1.
The stay-at-home directive made all non-essential travel a misdemeanor, and violators could be subject to a fine of up to $5,000, up to a year in jail or both. “During these extraordinary and unprecedented times, the Ocean City Police Department … will ensure the directives of the State of Maryland and the mayor’s declarations are adhered to,” said Ashley Miller, deputy communications manager. “Violations of the aforementioned directives will be handled on a case-bycase basis.” Nonetheless, Miller said voluntary compliance remained the police department’s goal.
Voluntary compliance sought Continued from Page 3 is subject to imprisonment not exceeding one year or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both,” Hogan said. The governor said the move was necessary, as Maryland residents seemingly refused to heed his previous warnings to self-isolate. “Despite all of those actions, and our repeated warnings for more than threeweeks, and in spite the rapid escalation of this crisis across the world, the nation and our state — some people are still choosing to ignore those executive orders and directives,” he said. Hogan pointed to the arrest of 41year-old Shawn Marshall Myers made last Friday to show how serious his administration was in enforcing his executive orders. The Charles County resident was arrested after he hosted a massive bonfire at his home and refused police orders to disperse his 60 or so guests. As of Wednesday, April 1, the state has 1,660 confirmed cases of COVID-19, and 18 deaths. Worcester County has three known cases, and zero deaths. Although non-essential travel is now a misdemeanor, Hogan said the order was not a lockdown.
Citizens may still travel for groceries, to pick up medicine, to seek healthcare, to work (if they are an essential employee) and they may still exercise, as long as they follow social distancing and social gathering guidelines. Maryland State Police also issued a press release on Tuesday stating that troopers would not conduct traffic stops to ask a driver where he or she is going. Such questions would be asked during a trooper’s regular duties, such as traffic stops or car crashes. While it is not required, State Police Superintendent Col. Woodrow Jones III suggested drivers carry documentation explaining the purpose of their travels. “Marylanders need to know that unfortunately we are only at the beginning of this crisis, and it is going to get considerably worse before it gets better,” Hogan said. “I realize that this is incredibly difficult on everyone in our state, but I want people to know that we have been through difficult challenges before and that we are going to get through this together.” For a full transcript of the governor’s press conference, visit https://governor.maryland.gov/2020/03/30/transcript-press-conference-march-30-202 0/
APRIL 3, 2020
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Ocean City Today
Atlantic General prepares staff, equipment for virus By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (April 3, 2020) As of Thursday morning, Maryland had confirmed 2,331 positive cases of covid-19 with 498 in Montgomery County, 473 in Prince George’s, 353 in Baltimore, 265 in Baltimore City, 206 in Anne Arundel, 152 in Howard, 105 in Carroll, 69 in Charles, 45 in Frederick, 37 in Harford, 27 in St. Mary’s, 22 in Calvert, 20 in Cecil, 17 in Washington, eight in Queen Anne’s, seven in Wicomico, five in Kent, five in Worcester, four in Caroline, four in Somerset, four in Talbot, three in Garrett, one in Allegany and one in Dorchester. The third case in Worcester, announced on Monday, was diagnosed out of state and the individual is still recovering out of state. The fourth case, announced on Wednesday, is a woman in her 20s who is recovering at home. The fifth case, announced yesterday, is a man in his 40s, also recovering at home. Three previous cases have been released from monitoring. Symptoms of coronavirus are fever, coughing, shortness of breath and, in more serious cases, pneumonia. It is spread through respiratory droplets, personal contact or surface contact with the virus on it. Atlantic General Hospital personnel said people who are experiencing these symptoms or have come into contact with a confirmed case should call their medical providers so they can prepare with the proper protective gear. Do not show up unannounced to a medical facility. Michael Franklin, CEO of Atlantic General Hospital, said that most of the hospital’s recent adjustments have been inward, such as working with a staff psychiatrist to help employees. “We’ve got a lot of stressors right now for health care workers and physicians who are providing the care for those patients and new risks that are associated with that care that they’re providing,” Franklin said. The hospital is working to bring virtual groups together to talk about the
stressors through employee assistance programs, as well as connecting the community outside the hospital with mental health resources. “We need to be following what the leadership of the state and our local leadership are requesting that we do to be socially responsible, but we also need to make sure that we’re looking out for the mental health of each other,” Franklin said. “Isolation is difficult from a mental health perspective, so utilizing social media to the extent possible Michael Franklin to prevent depression and things that can be caused through social isolation, and then figuring out to get those resources into the hands of people that may not have them right now.” Toni Keiser, vice president for public relations at Atlantic General, said the county and state health departments and the 211 line also offer mental health resources. “Not only do they have individual resources available, but they are setting up social networks and support groups for those that are feeling isolated,” Keiser said. As for medical resources, Atlantic General is working to expand into an unoccupied unit in the nursing and rehabilitation center in Berlin that has an external entrance. That space would serve an additional 16 patients. Franklin said the hospital still has enough resources for the current demand, but that it has kept in touch with various government agencies to stay connected to additional resources. He noted that the hospital has also received support from local and regional businesses. “Organizations like Hardwire in Pocomoke City have created the face shields which help us extend the useful life of some of our surgical masks and our N95 masks,” Franklin said. “We’re also working with organizations regionally that are trying to pro-
ELIZABETH BONIN/OCEAN CITY TODAY
UNCLE SAM SAYS ... There’s no confusion about the message on this Fish Tales sign on Coastal Highway near 22nd Street. If Uncle Sam says he wants you to wash your hands, that’s what you had better do.
vide as support as they can, like Dogfish Head has repurposed some of their facilities and they’ve provided several gallons of hand sanitizer, last Friday, which they created in their distilleries.” Organizations like Coldwell Banker, Taylor Bank and Bull on the Beach have provided food and drink deliveries for hospital staff. “They’re not only supporting the caregivers, but also trying to keep our business up,” Keiser said. He added that although creating face masks is a generous show of support, the cotton most people use to create homemade masks doesn’t do much to prevent the spread of coronavirus. “Usually, it’s a special sponge fiber material that creates … has very
small holes, ways for viruses or germs to pass through and then they electrostatically charge it so that if a germ was to come into contact with the mask, it would be trapped inside the mask,” Franklin said. To determine if a person should be tested, call the Worcester County Health Department hotline at 410632-1100 and select option eight from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For general information on the coronavirus call the health department 24/7 at 410-632-4321 or visit worcesterhealth.org. View updates from Atlantic General at atlanticgeneral.org/patients-visitors/co vid-19-updates/. To track Maryland cases, visit coronavirus.maryland.gov/.
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