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Convention center lands big catch with portrait of former Mayor Roland E. ‘Fish’ Powell – Page 3

JULY 23, 2021 SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY FREE

JACK CHAVEZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY Activists from the Caucus of African American Leaders and various local chapters of the NAACP congregated peacefully outside of City Hall in downtown Ocean City on Monday to address a pair of controversial incidents on the Boardwalk last month when local law enforcement used force on Black teenagers who were allegedly vaping. The activists held a small rally before marching up the Boardwalk, chanting slogans such as “No justice, no peace,” and “This is what community looks like.”

Activists: ‘We’re not anti-police’

‘Freedom Bus Ride’ brings Black leaders to Ocean City to discuss cops’ use of force

By Jack Chavez Staff Writer (July 23, 2021), Annapolis, Easton, Cambridge, Salisbury and Ocean City.

These were the stops for the “Freedom Bus Ride,” a two-bus tour of activists, Black clergy and politicians that took to Route 50 on Monday, stopping and speaking at several landmarks that held historical significance with the civil rights movement.

Ocean City was included as the terminus, though, because of the recent pair of controversial incidents in June that saw local law enforcement use force against Black teenagers on the Boardwalk.

The first order of business for the groups’ leadership was meeting with local politicians, including Mayor Rick Meehan and Del. Wayne Hartman.

“We were very concerned when we saw what occurred in June of this year when several African American youths were subjected to excessive force,” remarked Carl Snowden, convener of the Caucus of African American Leaders. “We came to meet with the mayor and express to him our concern. We’re thankful that he agreed to meet with us.”

The caucus along with multiple Maryland NAACP chapters organized the event. After meeting Meehan and Hartman, the group held a small rally in front of City Hall before taking to the Boardwalk. The 100 or so activists chanted slogans such as “No justice, no peace” and “This is what community looks like” as they made their way north from 3rd Street.

Snowden said they asked Meehan to look into hiring an “officer of equity and equality,” or an official whose job would be to monitor and assess the city’s handling of racially sensitive situations, especially as they pertain to ensuring people of color are not mistreated when they interact with law enforcement.

“Budgets reflect peoples’ priorities,” Snowden said. “If you look at a budget, you know where their priority is.”

Snowden said they also asked that Ocean City Police Department outsource the investigation into the inciSee ACTIVISTS Page 6

Cocktails to go won’t resume in Worcester

License commissioners say it’s matter of public safety

By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (July 23, 2021) Ocean City is not going to become another New Orleans or Key West — at least not by offering to-go cocktails.

After a sparsely attended public hearing on Wednesday, members of the Worcester County Board of License Commissioners voted 3-0 against reinstating a covid-era provision that would have allowed businesses with all types of liquor licenses to offer carryout and delivery of alcoholic beverages through June 2023.

“It would enable, or more enable, public consumption, which is against the law, probably on all counts as far as on the street,” License CommisSee LIQUOR Page 4

Tasered thrice, suspect finally accepts cuffs

By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (July 23, 2021) A Columbia, Maryland man was struck with an electrical Taser three times by Ocean City Police last week after resisting arrest, according to court documents.

Nicholas Libertini, 35, was arrested by OCPD at approximately 10 p.m. on July 14 and charged with disorderly conduct and several counts of second-degree assault.

Police were dispatched to a food stand near the pier on the See CUFFING Page 8

MALLORY PANUSKA/OCEAN CITY TODAY Local artist Randy Hofman, far right, points up at a newly unveiled portrait of former Ocean City Mayor Roland E. “Fish” Powell Tuesday at the convention center on 40th Street. Hofman completed the portrait as an homage to Powell, who the convention center is named after.

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By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (July 23, 2021) With a look likened to the ones he gave while graciously listening to “crazy” residents’ stories during Ocean City Council meetings, a portrait of former Mayor Roland E. “Fish” Powell now graces the entrance to the convention center that bears his name.

This week, several town officials and family members of the late Powell — who died in 2018 just before he turned 90 — joined artist Randy Hofman inside the 40th Street event space to see the official unveiling of the 4 1/2 by 6-foot acrylic painting.

“I took just one of the public photographs of Fish,” Hofman said of the photo he chose as a guide for to the paint the piece.

Hofman commented that Mayor Rick Meehan told him the picture was

getfresh!

See ARTIST Page 5

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