OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
OCTOBER 14, 2016
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
LIFESTYLE
CORVETTE WEEKEND Hundreds of the classic cars will be in town for a Boardwalk parade, shows and rallyes – Page 45
FREE
Gehrig’s filing makes it a race Web entrepreneur creates five-person contest for four seats
GREG ELLISON/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Cross-country trekker
Jan Walker left California on foot on March 1 and arrived in Ocean City last Saturday. The 57-year-old walked every step of the way, even after being laid up in New Mexico for a month with bronchitis. The effort was to publicize incomplete walking trails connecting Sept. 11 crash sites in NYC, Washington D.C. and Virginia. See story on page 8.
By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer (Oct. 14, 2016) The race for Ocean City Council is on, with one last-minute candidate filing Tuesday to make it a fiveperson contest for the four seats up for election on Nov. 8. John Gehrig, D3 Corp owner and current Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce president, beat the deadline to file for election at the City Clerk’s office to end speculation that this could be the resort’s first uncontested municipal election in at least 35 years. “I’ve been in town for 20 years, and I wasn’t motivated to run before,” Gehrig said. “But over the years sitting on committees, I believe I have a fresh perspective for Ocean City.”
The incumbent council members Doug Cymek, Dennis Dare, Tony DeLuca and Council Secretary Mary Knight filed for re-election as a united ticket back in January. In the 10 months since, no one has done much more than See CANDIDATE Page 5 Council candidate John Gehrig
New overtime rules loom
Prepare to be annoyed
Sweeping changes will be explained in upcoming seminar
Fall’s arrival means it’s time for road repairs and delays
By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Oct. 14, 2016) Area business owners who want to learn more about the new federal overtime regulations that go into effect on Dec. 1, can do that at a free event sponsored by the OC HotelMotel-Restaurant Association and the OC Chamber of Commerce. An overtime rules seminar will take place on Oct. 18 from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Clarion Resort
Fontainebleau Hotel, 101st Street. Starting on Dec. 1 the new Department of Labor rules will qualify more than 4 million American additional workers for overtime pay. Susan Jones, HMRA executive director, said it’s going to be a balancing act for employers, especially seasonal businesses, to abide by the updated regulations. “Every business is going to make a decision on how this impacts them,” he said. “They’re going to have to evaluate employee duties and perhaps reassign duties.” The revised rules significantly increase the compen-
sation level for exempting salaried white-collar employees from the Fair Labor Standard Act’s minimum wage and overtime pay protections. Those employed in an executive, administrative or professional capacity were previously exempted if they earned a fixed salary of less than $455 per week, or $23,660 yearly. Under the new regulations, that figure doubles to $913 per week, or $47,476 annually. Certain professionals are exempted from the rules, such as teachers, doctors and lawyers. The new DOL rules also See LABOR Page 3
By Brian Gilliland Associate Editor (Oct. 14, 2016) Mark your calendars. Wednesday, Oct. 19 is not going to be an easy day to get into or out of Ocean City, because the State Highway Administration will be working on both the Harry Kelley drawbridge on Route 50 and the Route 90 bridge over Assawoman Bay simultaneously. See ROUTE 90 Page 3
BRIAN GILLILAND/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Traffic stacks up last week at the western end of the Route 90 bridge as roadwork begins.