OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
JULY 8, 2016
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
SPORTS
BIG COBIA CAUGHT Nine-year-old Emma Zajdel lands the 94.6-pound fish, which is a pending state record – Page 41
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4th dazzle gets rain and drizzle Holiday set no record, but neither was wknd. a complete washout
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
SUNSET AT SUNSET
The sun shines through the clouds, casing a beautiful glow upon the boats docked at Sunset Marina in West Ocean City last Saturday during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Mayor speaks out against petition By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer (July 8, 2016) After months of official silence on the subject of the contract with Ocean City’s firefighters union, Mayor Rick Meehan on Monday issued a statement that defended the three-year deal the city approved and rejected the union’s attempt to gain binding arbitration via a referendum. “First, we want our citizens to know that we respect all of the paid firefighter/ paramedics and fire marshal employees that are members
‘We do not feel that this is in the best interest of our taxpayers, and in fact, this action could potentially result in an increase in the tax rate.’ — Mayor Rick Meehan of the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) and the valuable service they perform in Ocean City,” Meehan read from his prepared comments. “However, with the numerous misstatements in the information being presented to the public, we feel it is important to give the citizens our thoughts on this petition drive.”
The city’s contract with Chapter 4269 of the IAFF went into effect on July 1. The three-year package includes a provision that moves fulltime firefighters and paramedics ranked below captain from the long-standing schedule 24 hours on-duty, followed by 72 off-duty time to 12-hour shifts. In June, union President
Ryan Whittington announced in a press release that firefighters and paramedics had launched a petition to add binding interest arbitration to a referendum ballot in the next election. Two weeks into the petition drive, Whittington contacted the City Council to break the impasse, and City Manager Doug Miller attempted to reestablish communication with union representatives shortly afterwards. According to Meehan, however, there has been no further conversation since then. See IAFF Page 3
By Kara Hallissey Staff Writer (July 8, 2016) Although hotels reported being almost at capacity and restaurants were busy, most establishments saw a decrease in business this Fourth of July weekend because of rain Friday, Sunday and Monday. “We definitely did not have as strong a weekend had it been sunny three days,” said Susan Jones of the Ocean City Hotel-MotelRestaurant Association. “Weather will always be a factor for travel to the beach.” There were several early checkouts on Monday mornSee HOTELS Page 5
Lifeguards ripped off while asleep Burglars break in, but four arrested
By Kara Hallissey Staff Writer (July 8, 2016) Ocean City police officers arrested four Pennsylvania men Monday after members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol woke to find their residence in disarray with more than $3,500 in electronics, cash, a wallet and other items stolen. Police were able to recover some of the items See DRUGS Page 3