OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
MAY 26, 2023
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
HOLIDAY
MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS
Many opportunities to honor war heroes around the region this weekend – Page 3
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County uses PIA to seek school info Md. Public Information Act invoked by commissioners in duel over board budget
PHOTO COURTESY JANET HOUGH
SUNSET PROVISION
A solitary seagull crosses in front of the big red/orange ball of the setting sun looking west over Isle of Wight Bay. In many ways, it says vacation time has arrived and it’s time to get outside.
Memorial Day: fun begins now Season’s first big weekend has businesses wondering if weather will cooperate By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (May 26, 2023) Coming off of a busy, successful Cruisin’ car event weekend, the glass is half full when it comes to expectations for the Memo-
rial Day weekend in Ocean City — if the weather cooperates. “In terms of the weekend, historically, Memorial Day is quite weather dependent,” Ocean City Hotel-MotelRestaurant Association Executive Director Susan Jones said in an email earlier this week. “That being said, I do have several hotels reporting 80 percent-plus occupancy for this weekend, while oth-
ers aren’t at that point yet,” Jones added. “So, I do believe the weather will continue to play a role in the outcome.” Non-controllable factors such as rainy weather and the covid pandemic have challenged the official kick-off to summer in the resort town the past few years. According to The Weather Channel’s online 10-day See MEMORIAL Page 6
By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (May 26, 2023) Budget negotiations between Worcester County government and the public school system took another turn on Monday, when the county commissioners filed what both sides consider to be a Public Informa- ‘It wasn’t done tion Act (PIA) re- because we’re quest for a worried about line-item budget from the finding anything wrong. We Worcester County School wanted a full Board of Educacopy of the tion. budget broken The request down line comes after the commissioners by line.’ voted to not fund — Jim Bunting a $4.4 million requested increase to the schools budget and instead stick with the Maintenance of Effort (MOE) minimum, or not less than was spent last year. The request calls for detailed documentation of salaries and grant usage as well as a five-year expense report. It’s not meant to be taken as an escalation in tactics, though, Commissioner Jim Bunting said. “(The PIA request) was more (about), when we ask for not just a summary of the budget but line-byline budget, they sent us an extra 21 pages and it only amounted to about See SCHOOL Page 4
THINK FEDERAL DEBT CRISIS DOESEN’T AFFECT WORCESTER? THINK AGAIN — PAGE 63
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MAY 26, 2023
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ATLANTIC DENTAL Charlie Townsend of the Berlin Fire Company leads two trucks down Flower Street during the Memorial Day Weekend parade in Berlin last year. He is riding on the 1924 truck he maintains for the department. This year’s parade is scheduled for May 29.
Memorial Day events honor fallen heroes around region By Cindy Hoffman Staff Writer (May 26, 2023) Memorial Day weekend is the start of the summer beach season, but it is also a time for honoring American veterans who gave their lives in service to this country. Several Memorial Day activities are scheduled around the county, ranging from ceremonies to parades. Here are some of the events planned for this weekend: Ocean City Monday, May 29 at 8 a.m. The U.S. Coast Guard will be dropping a wreath in the ocean to the sound of Taps at the former Dunes Manor Hotel, now Hilton Garden Inn on 28th Street. The wreath honors the service men and women who lost their lives at sea. Monday, May 29 at 1 p.m. The American Legion (2308 Philadelphia Avenue) will honor veterans with guest speakers, including members of the community
who have had family members and friends who have died in the war or since passed away. A special commemoration will occur for those still missing in action. Ocean Pines Monday, May 29, 11 a.m. to noon, the largest Memorial Day ceremony in the region returns to the Worcester County Veterans Memorial in Ocean Pines. The event draws thousands of people to the memorial grounds and features music, demonstrations, and public speakers honoring U.S. military men and women. “Memorial Day honors all who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our county,” Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore said. “This year’s ceremony, as those before it, will honor the brave men and women who served our country and lost their lives in doing so.” See MANY Page 8
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