OC Today-Dispatch APRIL 11, 2025
STUBBORNLY LOCAL, EQUALLY INDEPENDENT
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PRICELESS
Roadside dumping gets way out of hand It isn’t just trash county workers have to clean up, even a boat has been left at the roadside. — PAGE 12
BRIAN SHANE/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
SLOWLY BUT SURELY Although delayed by weather the construction of the skate park facility continues to come along at 3rd Street and St. Louis Avenue.
Fire Chief Bowers out indefinitely Ocean City Fire Chief Richie Bowers informed department and fire company personnel he will be out on medical leave for an undetermined amount of time. City officials have not elaborated. In the meantime, an internal change in leadership has taken place. — PAGE 3
School superintendent finalists named With the early interviews over, the board of education has narrowed its search for a superintendent to Dr. Annette Wallace of the local school system and Baltimore County’s Dr. Monique Wheatley-Phillip. — PAGE 10
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OC Today-Dispatch
APRIL 11, 2025
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OC Today-Dispatch
PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS PARYPA
Fire Chief Richie Bowers is pictured being sworn into his role by Mayor Rick Meehan.
Fire chief takes leave due to health issues, status unsure By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (April 11, 2025) Ocean City Fire Department Chief Richie Bowers is out indefinitely due to medical issues, with no information given on his return. The announcement came publicly during last Friday’s budget meeting, when City Manager Terry McGean told members of the City Council that Bowers was on medical leave and would not be presenting the fire department’s proposed spending plan for the coming year. Bowers also shared the news in a message to career and volunteer firefighters, according to multiple sources, although he did not specify the nature of his situation or the timetable for his return. On April 6, two days after the budget meeting, the fire chief listed his West Ocean City residence for sale, fueling speculation that he will not continue in his position. When asked this week about the chief’s absence, McGean declined to elaborate. However, he said Fire Marshal Josh Bunting would serve as acting fire chief, with Joe Sexauer filling Bunting’s role as acting fire marshal. “I have no other comments at this time,” he said. In June of 2019, following the retirement of Chris Larmore earlier that year, the city selected Bowers as the department’s next fire chief. During the search, Bowers reportedly rose to the top of the candidate pool, which included more than 70 applicants. Prior to his employment with the Town of Ocean City, Bowers served as fire chief in Fairfax County, Virginia. He had also been a longtime member of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, where he served in every career rank from firefighter/EMT to fire chief. Last week’s news comes in the midst of reported turmoil between command staff and the city’s fire union, IAFF Local 4269. In December of 2023, the union filed a grievance with Bowers, claiming the fire department failed to provide employees with the proper uniforms and safety equipment needed to do their jobs. In the months that followed, the complaint escalated to the city manager’s office and to the City Council, which questioned Bowers on the union’s complaints last fall. While Bowers ac-
knowledged that employees did not have everything they needed, he said efforts are underway to purchase and distribute the necessary gear. The union also took to social media in February to share additional concerns related to building maintenance and ambulance equipment. McGean reported that officials were aware of the issues and were working to address them. Bowers’ medical leave also comes two months after he announced he was restructuring the Ocean City Fire Department. As part of that effort, he told the City Council at the time that certain positions would be reclassified, while others would have new roles and responsibilities.
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