OC Today
SPORTS
RUNNING ACROSS MD Caitlin Adams hits the road to raise money for Limbs for Life. Will end in OC June 27 – Page 39
WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
JUNE 12, 2015
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
FREE
Teachers, staff look at deal It awaits formal vote by unions and board
PHOTO COURTESY MIKE GANOR
THINGS ARE LOOKING DOWN In a prelude to the Ocean City Air Show this weekend, stunt pilot Lt. Col. John Klatt takes OC Today reporter Kara Hallissey on a stomach-churning Wednesday morning spin, or roll, over the beach at 200 mph. This photo was taken with a GoPro Hero camera affixed to the wing, hence the reality is that while the picture is right-side up, the plane is upside down. See story on page 8.
Uber has it over them, resort cabbies contend Regulations and cost makes it unfair for locals, owner says
By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (June 12, 2015) As anticipated, the arrival of Uber cab service in the resort is not going over uber-well with Ocean City’s traditional taxi companies. At least one of the resort’s large-scale medallion holders is making an effort to have local government pull back on some of the regulatory burdens it has historically put on cabbies, warning that continu-
ing the current un-level playing field will likely cause the industry to implode, sooner rather than later. “I’d take it either way,” said Ralph DeAngelus, co-owner of Taxi Taxi. “Either they find some way to come down a little harder on Uber, or lighten up on some of the things they put us through.” Earlier this year, legislation was passed in Annapolis to create a new class of “common carrier” transit provider in the state. The so-called Transportation Network Service classification covers services that provide a digital network See MEDALLIONS on Page 3
AC SPRING TUNE-UP only
89
$
By Brian Gilliland Staff Writer (June 12, 2015) While details of a pay proposal put before teachers and support staff union officials as well as the board of education won’t be released for possibly another week, the consensus seems to be that progress that has been made in the past few days. “We’re getting close to an agreement,” Barb Witherow, spokeswoman for the schools, said this week. “Dr. Wilson has indicated he is looking at eliminating positions in his proposals.” Beth Shockley-Lynch of the Worcester County Teacher’s Association, agreed. See SCHOOLS on Page 6
Youtube is just the ticket Video posted on Internet leads to reckless driving charges
By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (June 12, 2015) In the age of viral video, it still seems like some people are trying too hard to be seen doing things that will get them in hot water. The Ocean City Police Department announced this week that it has charged the alleged driver of a Corvette, seen doing gratuitous burnouts in a May 16 video, with several after-the-fact traffic violations. The driver, Harry M. Huntsman, 25, of Millersville, Md., was pulled over on May 30 for a different traffic stop. At that time, police were able to identify him as the driver of the Corvette from the online
Screen capture of Youtube video.
video, and charged him with a multitude of violations for his previous actions. “It’s not something you usually see,” said OCPD Public Information Officer Lindsay Richard. “We don’t typically do this, but this isn’t your typical traffic violaSee POLICE on Page 5
CENTRAL AC SYSTEMS Cooling • Heating • Plumbing • Electric • Appliances ng at
MARC ANTHONY HOME SERVICES Call NOW!
DRYER VENT & DUCT CLEANING SPECIALS 888-353-4050 • www.marcanthonyservices.com
Star ti
$
2999!
0% Financing for 1 year!
Ocean City Today
PAGE 2
An Exciting Menu with Caribbean Flair
JUNE 12, 2015
t
an-ea c u -yo l l a ial feast n o l o c
ITAL
The Boards & 2nd St.
IAN, M
E XI C A N , SE A F O O D
RE & MO
!!!
PM M 3-6 HT O R F Y R DAIL EVERY NIG U O H HAPPY R SPECIALS DINNE
Hemingway ’s at the CORAL REEF
Featuring: Mango Barbecue Ribs, Bourbon Glazed Chicken, Herb Tossed Scallops, Caribbean Seafood Alfredo, Blackened Tilapia with Crab & Shrimp Imperial, bermuda triangle
signature burgers, soups, sandwiches, drinks, appetizers and more, all with Caribbean flair
32ND ST. OCEANSIDE IN THE HILTON
410-289-2525 Please call for Reservations
OFFERING, FINE DINING
IN HEMINGWAY’S the palm duet
serving dinner
CARIBBEAN CASUAL
Italian Pizza & Pasta Buffet new this year!
A LA CARTE (FOR AN ADDITIONAL COST)
steamed shrimp & crab legs on the menu: Carving Stations • Chicken Parmesan BBQ Ribs • Fried & Baked Chicken • Seafood Newburg Roast Maryland Turkey • Steamed Mussels Fried Fish & Clam Strips • Spaghetti • Piping Hot Soups Scrumptious Salad Bar • Baked Potato Bar Bountiful Dessert Selections • Pizza Bar Taco Bar • Fried Shrimp and much more! for the kids: Burgers • Hot Dogs • Chicken Tenders Pizza • Ice Cream Sundae Bar • Dessert Bar and much more!
CHILDREN 4 & UNDER EAT FREE
IN THE CORAL REEF
Kids 5-8 $6.99 | Kids 9-12 $8.99
breakfast, lunch & dinner
410-524-1776 | EARLY BIRD SPECIALS & SUN DRIED VIBES AT
DEEP END POOL BAR cool drink and lite fare
Adults 15% off & discounted for kids www.ocmdrestaurants.com
free parking on 2nd St. & philadelphia Ave.
opens 4:00 pm everyday
OPEN DAILY FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH & DINNER logon for complete menu OCEANCITYHILTON.COM CHILDREN’S MENU ALSO AVAILABLE
Open For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
17TH ST & BOARDWALK IN THE HOLIDAY INN SUITES 410.289.2612 • OCMDHOTELS.COM/HEMINGWAYS
rtainment, no Always free live ente
cover charge!
SAT: SIDE UID BROS INC | SQ & ED K A N LF UYTS FRI: HA | SUN: NO BYSC UE SH K N FU & & JOHNNY PROJECT DAVE SHERMAN : N O M | W LA ’S ENDENEN & MURPHY DAVIS & NATE CL OL ES W : UE T | JO MO SCHO ILOH & REFORM WED: ALEX & SH AN & RYAN JACKSON M THUR: DAVE SHER
Surround yourseollf, with a cool po e liv music, hot foinod and great dr k!
Join us in our lounge for great lite fare and cool drinks
0837 d Street • 410-IN28IN9-G 2n On ds ar Bo e Th f Just Of A Z A O C .CO M /D W W W.P LI M PL
WWW.
OCMDHOTELS .COM
Air Show Weekend! Log on to read the new blog and view the Air Show schedule.
Ocean City Today
JUNE 12, 2015
PAGE 3
Medallions facing devaluation due to burden Continued from Page 1 to connect passengers with contract drivers. This definition is tailored to services such as Uber and Lyft, which do not operate taxi themselves, except for a limited number of premier services. Rather, such services provide a smartphone app that independent drivers can contract to use. The app links drivers with prospective customers, guiding them via their phone’s GPS to the pickup and drop-off locations. The drivers also subscribe to Uber’s uniform pricing system and share the profits with the company. All financial transactions between drivers and customers are done via credit or debit on Uber’s app. Subsequent to the legislative decision, the Maryland Public Service Commission promulgated a detailed set of step-by-step regulations governing so-called TNS providers. The issue, as expected, is that these state regulations are far looser than the regulations that cities and counties have previously placed on traditional taxi services, thus creating what would appear to be an unequal competitive circumstance. Further, the state language expressly prohibits local jurisdictions from placing additional restrictions on TNS services. One of the biggest discrepancies, DeAngelus said, is that the state commission allows Uber drivers to use their personal vehicles without any additional inspection. In Maryland, this means that once a car is purchased and inspected, the owner need not have it re-inspected as long as he or she owns it. However, the city requires that medallion-holding taxi cabs get an annual state inspection, which must be submitted to the Ocean City Police Department, which then inspects the cab again and verifies the fare meter’s accuracy. “We have to have our cars inspected on an annual basis, and after we’re inspected by the state, we have to take our certificate to the OCPD,” DeAngelus said. “I have 28 medallions. It takes me a full month of work to drive each car up
Ocean City Today Business ..................................65 Calendar ................................103 Commentary............................105 Classifieds ................................60 Entertainment ..........................82 Lifestyle ....................................69 Obituaries ................................36 Public notices ..........................45 Sports ......................................39 News: editor@oceancitytoday.net Sales: sales@oceancitytoday.net Classifieds: classifieds@oceancitytoday.net Phone: 410-723-6397 Visit us on the Web at www.oceancitytoday.net and at Facebook/Ocean City Today Published Fridays by FLAG Publications, Inc. 8200 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Md. 21842 P.O. Box 3500, Ocean City, Md. 21843 Available by subscription at $150 a year.
to Baltimore, pay $70 to have it in- itself, which is another $500.” spected, drive it back, and pay the In Ocean City, and many other jurisOCPD another $150 to check the dictions, the traditional taxi system meter. Uber drivers don’t have to do works like this: the city issues a certain any of that.” number of taxi Additionally, the medallions, which PSC requires TNS cab owners initially ‘My city-controlled meter drivers to obtain a purchase from the rang $8. The Uber ride was state license but this city and, following $22. They were allowed, license is subject to that, buy and sell much less stringent on Memorial Day Sunday, to amongst each other. renewal criteria. These medallions raise their rate 2.9 times Conversely, Ocean give cabs the right to due to high volume.’ City requires medalconduct business on Ralph DeAngelus, lion drivers to recity streets, soliciting submit everything, customers on sideco-owner of Taxi Taxi every year. walks outside bars “Every year, I and nightclubs being have to get my guys a new FBI back- a particularly common summertime ground check, and a new drug screen- activity. The medallions also come with ing, which is $120,” DeAngelus said. a multitude of fees and restrictions, as “Plus a city business license, which is mentioned. $300, and a renewal of the medallion But the fact that Uber drivers are
able to circumvent the entire medallion system flies in the face of why medallion were introduced in the first place, DeAngelus said. “The city doesn’t do a single pushup for that $500 I pay them per medallion every year. They just get it” DeAngelus said. “That money is supposed to be used by the city to regulate taxis and make sure our investment in this industry is safe. The taxis are the pocket that pays the city $500 per car to make sure these kind of shenanigans don’t happen.” The other rationale for the medallion system is to protect customers from price gouging, as the city sets maximum rates for medallion fares. But, again, Uber has completely avoided this at the state level. The PSC has no restriction on Uber’s “surgepricing” system, which raises rates See LOOSE Page 5
130th St • Bayside 410-250-3337
BS D A R C OUN
-R YEAR t to bjec
su
ility
ilab
ava
4
MD #2
37 3 3 50 01 -2
• Hot Steamed Crabs • 7 Days A Week • Year Round • Open 11am til Late Night
We l O C A i r cSohmo we O C Ca r S h o & F ly o r C ru i sw! On I n! e
½ Bu s h e l Ca r ry- Out Spe ci a l
$
59 • MD #1 $89 • LA Premium #2 $150
*Subject to availability *Prices subject to change
• LA Premium #1 $250
Mac & Cheese • Burgers • BBQ • Seafood • Pasta • Steaks • And So Much More!
Carry-Out | Open 7 Days A Week with These Great Deals & More! CARRY-OUT SPECIALS • 8 Pieces of Fried Chicken • 1 Lb. Spiced Shrimp • 2 Half Pints Regular .95 Sides
$ 24
OUR WORLD FAMOUS FRIED CHICKEN $
11.95 $ .95 12 Pieces............... 16 $ .95 16 Pieces............... 19 $ .95 20 Pieces............... 24 8 Pieces.................
50 Pieces ............
$
49.95
FRIED CHICKEN DEALS • 8 Piece Chicken • ½ Pint Baked Beans • ½ Pint Cole Slaw $ • 4 Piece Cornbread
19.95
• 12 Piece Chicken • ½ Pint Baked Beans • ½ Pint Cole Slaw $ • 4 Piece Cornbread
24.95
• 16 Piece Chicken • 1 Pint Baked Beans • 1 Pint Cole Slaw $ • 6 Piece Cornbread
29.95
BABY BACK RIBS DEAL #1
$
22.95
• 3 Lb. Bucket of Ribs • ½ Pint Baked Beans • ½ Pint Cole Slaw
DEAL #2
$
32.95
• 5 Lb. Bucket of Ribs • 1 Pint Baked Beans • 1 Pint Cole Slaw
SUPER HAPPY HOUR 11AM-5PM/10PM-2AM $5.95 5 pc. JUMBO WINGS $7.95 BBQ BABY BACK RIBS 1/3 RACK $7.95 1/2 LB. ANGUS CHEESEBURGER
$7.95 SMOKE HOUSE CHEESE FRIES W/PULLED CHICKEN OR PULLED PORK
$7.95 1 DOZ. STEAMED CLAMS
Ch a rcoa l Pit Sa n dwich Spe ci a l $2.00 RAIL DRINKS $3.50 WINE BY THE GLASS
7 DAYS A WEEK
ONE MEAT $7.50 TWO MEATS $9.50
$7.95 1/2 LB. STEAMED SHRIMP $4.95 CUP OF HOMEMADE CHILI $5.95 CHICKEN QUESADILLA
Beef, Ham, Turkey, Corned Beef, Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken, Andouille Sausage
$4.95 BLOODY MARY $5.95 ORANGE CRUSH $3.95 32 OZ. MINI PITCHER
$1.50 DOMESTIC DRAFTS $2.00 DOMESTIC BOTTLES