OC Today-Dispatch JUNE 20, 2025
STUBBORNLY LOCAL, EQUALLY INDEPENDENT
Sign up now for our new, Monday-Friday newsletter. — Page 81
PRICELESS
Oh well ... June weather throws big wet blanket on OC Air Show, as rain, low cloud ceiling bring it to early end — PAGE 10
COUNCIL HOPES TO EXTEND OC AIR SHOW CONTRACT— PAGE 14
PHOTOS FROM AIR SHOW’S PRACTICE RUNS ON PAGE 52
New bike rally seeks community backing ‘Rock and Ride’ promoters will honor tickets sold by defunct predecessor, but say community support vital to making it all work — PAGE 13 PHOTO COURTESY LIAM SAVAGE
BURNED OUT This two-bedroom home in the Peterson Cottages enclave in West Ocean City went up in flames Tuesday afternoon, although it three occupants were able to evacuate before the fire became completely involved. Residents of the cottage said they believe bedroom outlet caught fire. — PAGE 14
TEACHERS, SCHOOL STAFF REACH PAY AGREEMENT — PAGE 6 MAILLOUX APPEALS OVER JAIL CIRCUMSTANCES — PAGE 24
PAGE 2
OC Today-Dispatch
JUNE 20, 2025
Enjoy Enjo oy lunc lunch, ch, dinner, din nner, Drinks D Drinks & ocean o cean breezes br reezes with h the best best view w in town! town! o
806 6 South Atlantic Atlantic Avenue Avenue v • ocean ocean city ocea Free e Parking Parking a underneath un nderneath t
JUNE 20, 2025
OC Today-Dispatch
PAGE 3
County Commissioners will now allow public comments the push for public comments but changed to a “no” vote when the motion was on the table. Fiori at the time said the idea lacked specificity in its execution and, By Brian Shane for that reason, he didn’t think the Staff Writer commissioners should alter their (June 20, 2025) For the first time, usual meeting format. members of the public will soon be “The motion was too incomplete,” permitted to comment at meetings of Fiori explained Feb. 6, 2024. “What the Worcester County Board of Com- was documented was such a range of missioners. options, there was nothing to vote on Under a proposal from Commis- there.” sioner Joe Mitrecic (District 7, Ocean Abbott agreed, saying, “They City), public comments would be didn’t present a way for Worcester scheduled for the start of every meet- County to do it. There was nothing to ing. Comments will be limited to the vote on.” topic of items of that day’s meeting Other commissioners who agenda, and speakers would get two opposed that measure argued that minutes to talk. the public can still reach commission“After watching the budget hear- ers directly through emails, phone ings that we had here, and the discus- calls, and other correspondence. sions we had, and seeing everybody Notably, Tuesday’s unanimous sitting out there on vote in favor of their hands, anx‘Seeing everybody sitting out public comments ious to speak, I’m marks a 180-dethere on their hands, anxious gree shift from pogoing to make a motion that we in- to speak, I’m going to make a sitions some of the stitute a program commissioners motion that we institute a of public input,” took as recently as program of public input.’ Mitrecic said at the a year ago. close of Tuesday’s Commissioner Joe Mitrecic Commissioner meeting during a Chip Bertino (Disperiod reserved for commissioners’ trict 5, Ocean Pines) in 2024 noted comments. that public comments can be successThe commissioners voted unani- ful when there’s a back-and-forth dimously and without any discussion alogue between officials and among themselves to pass Mitrecic’s constituents, rather than a one-way motion, with Commissioner Eric interaction where citizens make a Fiori seconding. The president of the statement that may go unanswered. commissioners – a role now held by A newspaper publisher by trade, Commissioner Ted Elder – would Bertino also said some members of have to include the public comment the public have been known to use period on each meeting agenda. The the public comment period for “thepolicy would take effect at the next atrics” that don’t necessarily help to scheduled meeting on July 1. advance a discussion. It’s not the first time Mitrecic has “In my experience as a reporter sought to include public comment in covering meetings, public comments the county government meetings. He don’t necessarily provide more effecintroduced the same motion last year tive government,” he said at the Jan. in response to a newspaper editorial 16, 2024, meeting. “The issues before critical of county officials for their government are complex, and they’re years of not offering public comment, much more important and detailed unlike other local elected bodies, than a slogan or a contrite statement.” including the Board of Education and Bunting (District 6, Bishopville) at the Ocean City Council. the same meeting said that opening At the commissioners’ Jan. 16, the door to public comments could 2024, meeting, Mitrecic said: prolong commissioner meetings. “I found that disheartening, to say the The commissioners ultimately least. We like to have our constituents voted again, in February 2024, to involved in local government. The lock in a policy of three minutes for more we have, the better.” public comment, but that measure The commissioners voted at that failed in a 4-3 vote. Mitrecic at the time for Chief Administrative Officer time called it “a loss for the citizens of Weston Young research the matter Worcester County.” and present his recommendation to The Board of Commissioners hold the commissioners. their meetings at a time when many Two weeks later, the commission- members of the public may be unable ers ended up deciding not to adopt to attend, at 10 a.m. every other Tuespublic comments during regular day, because of employment obligameetings – an outcome resulting tions. from Commissioners Caryn Abbott And, save for once a year at budget and Eric Fiori flip-flopping on their time, the commissioners do not hold positions. Both initially supported evening meetings.
Officials’ decision marks a total turnaround from views proffered publicly last year
BREAKFAST
Monday-Friday 9-11am Saturday-Sunday 8am-Noon
HLIVE ENTERTAINMENTH JOEY FITZ FRIDAY 6/20 • 5PM NO HESITATIONS SUNDAY 6/22 • 2PM FIL RHYTHM WEDNESDAY 3/25 • 5PM
HAPPY HOUR SPECIALS Monday-Friday Drinks Noon-6pm Food 3-6pm
CHECK OUR FACEBOOK PAGE DAILY ONLINE ORDERING AVAILABLE CCFBAYSIDE.COM
37314 LIGHTHOUSE ROAD • RT. 54, SELBYVILLE, DE • 302-988-5000/302-993-6959