OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.NET
DECEMBER 25, 2015
HOLIDAYS OUR SCHEDULE The offices of Ocean City Today will be closed Thursday and Friday for the holidays and will reopen Monday.
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Amusement district adds Trimper lot Rezoning reflects use rather than development value
Frequent contributing photographer Ed Serembus captured this scene looking down on the Winterfest layout at Northside Park at 125th Street. The ground-level view has been seen by 20 percent more people this year, as the event’s popularity continues to grow.
So far, it’s a record Winterfest Weather, timing, promotion, contribute to 20 percent increase in attendance
By Katie Tabeling Staff Writer (Dec. 25, 2015) The growing popularity of Winterfest of Lights at Northside Park on 125th Street is often mentioned, but the numbers
released last week prove that it’s so. According to Frank Miller, special events superintendent for the Town of Ocean City, attendance is up approximately 11,500 people over the same period last year. “Last year was a benchmark year, and we never thought we could duplicate its success,” Miller said. “We’re grateful for the people that
come out in the great weather conditions.” An annual holiday event, Winterfest of Lights takes visitors on a 12minute tram ride through 58 acres of more than 400 displays that feature fairytale characters to the 12 Days of Christmas. The layout of the light displays See WEATHER on page 6
By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (Dec. 25, 2015) The Ocean City Council voted Monday to expand the downtown amusement district after expressing its view that the change would, in the long run, protect properties adjacent to the rezoned site, even though those neighbors themselves disagreed. The rezoning ordinance will expand the Amusement Overlay District, a zoning classification that gives additional land-use rights to whatever “base” zone lies beneath it. This expansion will include the former “Tank Battle” lot on the west side of Baltimore Avenue currently used as a staging and repair yard for Trimper’s Amusements, albeit with the condition that any conversion to an actual amusement use will be subject to direct review by the council. “I do feel you are protected,” Council Secretary Mary Knight told the property’s neighbor. “I think future councils will take into consideration what is surrounding and what is happening in the neighborhood.” “I like [no change] better, but this is better than not [having the condition],” said Gary Steger, whose home abuts the Tank Battle lot. The zone expansion was introduced to allow the former H2O Club property at 14 Worcester Street to be See COUNCIL on page 5
One random act of generosity, just in time for holidays
By Kara Hallissey Staff Writer (Dec. 25, 2015) When Ocean City resident Phyllis Mosmiller, 68, walked into a resort cell phone store during the Thanksgiving holidays, she was not expecting to leave with a new phone. All she anticipated was buying new batteries for her existing phone.
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What she got, though, was much more than that. Mosmiller was shopping with her daughter when she decided to stop in the store to buy a replacement battery for her phone. There were two young clerks and a man standing at the counter when one of the employees informed Mosmiller they no longer sold batter-
ies for her model that she should upgrade instead. Mosmiller was disappointed by the suggestion and replied that she would have to wait until after Christmas to do that. She then started to walk towards the exit when the customer at the counter told her not to leave. Over Mosmiller’s objections, the
man – an Ocean City contractor – proceeded to buy her a new cell phone, a charger, case and screensaver, which altogether totaled $145. “I was in shock by his generosity and startled by his offer,” Mosmiller said. “Despite all the sadness in the world, killing and terrorism, for a moment in time, this gentleman See UNIDENTIFIED on page 3
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