OC Today-Dispatch APRIL 18, 2025
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Sign up now for our new, Monday-Friday newsletter. — Page 94
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Former OCPD’s Ray Austin gets nod as new chief Ray Austin, who began his law enforcement career as an Ocean City seasonal officer, comes back after his retirement to lead the department. — PAGE 16
New Police Chief Ray Austin
Phil Cropper top teacher Phil Cropper’s work with culinary students at Worcester Technical High School earns him Worcester County Teacher of the Year honors.— PAGE 76
Would-be weed shop appeals Property owner challenges zoning ordinance that would prevent a tenant from HIGHWIRE ACT Workers with a utility contractor for Delmarva Power make reliability upgrades to equipment on Philadelphia Avenue in Ocean City Monday afternoon. The work, which included the replacement opening a cannabis dispensary on of a transformer, is part of the company’s regular maintenance program. Philadelphia Avenue.— PAGE 10 STEWART DOBSON/OC TODAY-DISPATCH
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OC Today-Dispatch
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APRIL 18, 2025
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OC Today-Dispatch
OC group addresses mayor’s concerns on petition events By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor (April 18, 2025) The organizer of a short-term rental petition said a handful of signatures have been removed after the mayor questioned the legality of the group’s Sip & Sign event. In a radio interview last week Mayor Rick Meehan raised concerns about an ongoing petition drive to bring the city’s new short-term rental restrictions to referendum. Specifically, the mayor opined that some of the group’s events, including a Sip & Sign event, violated state election law, as it offered items of value in exchange for a signature. “I’m sure that from the petitioners, they weren’t aware of this,” he said in an Ocean 98.1 interview. “So it’s not casting any stones in that direction, but I do want to state I do believe they’ve taken it to another level that does not fit state law, and that’s a problem.” Terry Miller, the petition’s organizer, said that as of last Friday, five signatures gathered at one Sip & Sign event had been removed. Two other events, including a Blizzard giveaway at the local Dairy Queen, and a second Sip & Sign, had been canceled in the hours following the mayor’s radio interview. “It was a rookie mistake …,” she said. “The one event at the Sip & Sign at the liquor store, we did pull the five signatures that were received.” In separate social media posts, the petition group OCMD Property Rights advertised three petition drive events – one at the Gold Coast Dairy Queen and two at the Gold Coast Beer, Wine & Liquors store. The Dairy Queen event encouraged people to come out, learn more about the petition, and receive a free Blizzard, while the two Sip & Sign events advertised free wine tastings, snacks, and a 20% discount on bottles. However, during last week’s radio interview, Meehan argued the events violated election law. He added that the Sip & Sign events could also be in violation of the store’s liquor license. “You are not allowed to induce people or give anything in return for somebody voting,” he said, “and signing a petition falls under that category.” City Solicitor Heather Stansbury also issued a letter to the petition’s organizers last Thursday, warning them against soliciting signatures in exchange for items of value. When reached for comment late last week, Stansbury said the letter was sent for informational purposes on behalf of the mayor and City Council. “As you may know, the Mayor raised some concern on the radio earlier this week over this subject matter and it appeared that some of the sup-
porters of the Petition may not have been aware of the law,” she said. “The Mayor and City Council trust that the actions of the Petitioner/supporters/ businesses were not intentional and simply hope all parties take a corrective course.” In response to the city’s concerns, Miller said nothing was ever done “quid pro quo,” as the free Blizzards and wine tastings were offered to anyone who entered the stores, not just those who signed the petition. Gold Coast Beer, Wine & Liquors owner Mike Ramadan agreed, noting that the petition drive was held at the same time as his 30-minute wine tastings. “They were samples for anyone who entered the store,” he said. “We do this all the time. They are permitted by the liquor board.” Out of an abundance of caution, Miller said five signatures that were collected at the group’s first Sip & Sign event have been removed from the petition. However, she said the group continues its push to secure the nearly 1,000 signatures it needs to bring the city’s short-term rental restrictions to referendum. The group has until the morning of April 21 to submit its petition to the city.
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