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NOVEMBER 4, 2016
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
FALL BACK
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Election scramble heads to finish line In four days, it’s over and everyone can go back to normal breathing patterns
By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer (Nov. 4, 2016) Whether it will end with a bang or a whimper remains to be seen, but the national – and Ocean City’s – political season will conclude next Tuesday, when residents locally
choose their City Council members on the municipal ballot and then join millions of other voters across the state and nation to select the next president. Ocean City times its municipal election to coincide with the national contest, and voters will find both ballots at the Roland Powell Convention Center between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., albeit in separate locations. Ocean City-only balloting will take
place in Exhibit Hall A, where voters may vote for four City Council members out of five candidates —incumbents Doug Cymek, Dennis Dare, Tony DeLuca and Mary Knight and challenger John Gehrig. Mayor Rick Meehan is running unopposed for his sixth consecutive term. The mayor is elected to a twoyear term, while council members serve for four years. Results for the municipal election
are expected to be announced roughly an hour or two after the polls close at 8 p.m. There are no referendum questions on the Ocean City ballot this year, despite a push from the Chapter 4269 of the International Association of Fire Fighters to amend the city charter. Contract negotiations between city officials and fire union representaSee NO Page 4
Neighborhood safety aided by cop cars City Council backs more take-home vehicles for police who reside in OC
By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer (Nov. 4, 2016) After weighing the costs and benefits for the resort’s residents, the Ocean City Council on Tuesday agreed to consider expanding a police program that would put more patrol vehicles in residential neighborhoods year-round. After a series of closed-door discussions during the Police Commission’s sessions, OCPD Chief Ross Buzzuro and Lt. Todd Wood presented their case to buy additional cars for the YearRound Saturation Patrol Program. The program, in its 20th year, allows officers who live within city limits to take home a patrol car during certain times of the year, usually in the off-season. At the moment, six officers live in Ocean City and participate in the saturation program. Three additional officers will become eligible for the program next year after they complete their training and clear their probationary period. Assuming the results are satisfactory, the purchase of those vehicles would have to be considered in the fiscal year 2018 budget. “Unfortunately in the summer See DISCUSSION Page 7
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Racing pumpkins Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are elaborately decorated for the “Great Pumpkin Race” last Saturday, which took place just off the Boardwalk near North Division Street. The free event was part of Ocean City’s annual O.C.Toberfest. Close to 40 children and more than 20 adults participated in the competition.
County liquor stores: another one bites the dust By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (Nov. 4, 2016) Worcester County government continued its exit from the liquor dispensary business following the county commissioners’ approval of a sublease agreement for
the Shore Spirits retail store on 16th Street and a price reduction for slowmoving inventory at its meeting on Tuesday. The commissioners approved lowering prices on its remaining liquor stock based on a request from Laura
Burns Reinhart, Department of Liquor Control interim director, who asked to further drop prices on slow moving inventory. “These products generally include craft liquors and wines,” she said. See SHORE Page 13