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JUNE 8, 2018
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SUMMER READING County students receive backpacks filled with books through McGuffey program – Page 26
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County agrees on spending with 6-1 vote
Union, chief disagree on alarm action
Funding nonprofits dominates debate
They call them cuts, he says they’re not
By Brian Gilliland Associate Editor (June 8, 2018) Worcester County income and property taxes will remain the same for the next year, as the Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday adopted their fiscal year 2019 budget, balanced at about $190 million, though Ocean City Commissioner Joe Mitrecic, was the lone nay vote. “I find myself in a familiar situation, and I can’t support this budget,” Mitrecic said. “I have two issues.” First for Mitrecic was the funding of nonprofits. In this budget, the county sharply reduced or eliminated funding for organizations that had previously received county funds. Mitrecic said the piecemeal way the county approaches this issue should be resolved. “We should have some sort of meeting to formulate a policy,” he said. “I don’t disagree with the idea of the policy, but we’re picking and choosing without a formula or criteria. Then, to add insult to injury, we compare them to feral cats.” His other issue is how the resort is treated in this budget. Ocean City didn’t get two things it was asking for: an extra $100,000 for tourism advertising and $600,000 over two years for security measures on the Boardwalk. “We’re expecting $300,000 more in revenue” from West Ocean City because of the recent buildup in the area. So See MITRECIC Page 64
MORGAN PILZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY
SEA-BOUND SEAL The National Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team releases a male harbor seal at the 40th Street beach access in Ocean City, on Thursday. Marmalade was rescued after stranding on the shore of Ocean City in March. He had labored breathing, lacerations on the body and pneumonia. He also had seal pox on his left front flipper, which is contagious to other seals, and uncomfortable. While under the care of the Animal Rescue and Animal Health teams, Marmalade received IV fluids, antibiotics and steroids to help him heal.
Pounds of pot, plus pills, LSD Failure to check out on schedule leads to discovery of big stash
(June 8, 2018) Justin L. Culley, 19, of Enola, Pennsylvania, was arrested on multiple drug charges Monday after police found several pounds of marijuana, dozens of prescription pills and hallucinogens in his motel room. Ocean City police were called to a motel on First Street and Baltimore Avenue by motel management after the cleaning crew discovered the substances in his room.
The crew had entered the room after Culley failed to check out at the scheduled time. Justin L. Culley When police arrived, they found the marijuana, more than 300 prescription pills, a large amount of mushrooms, LSD and MDMA (Ecstasy). A K-9 team also scanned the suspect’s vehicle and found more mushrooms and more than $1,100 in cash.
Culley returned to the motel hours later and was placed under arrest. He has been charged with three counts of possession with intent to distribute LSD, possession of marijuana over 10 grams, two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, and four counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance. Culley was seen by a Maryland District Court Commissioner and transferred to the Worcester County Jail where he is being held without bond.
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By Greg Ellison Staff Writer (June 8, 2018) Fire department staffing matters have resulted in a shift in alarm responses, with an ambulance unit no longer included on responses to automatic fire alarms at highrise buildings in Ocean City. Ryan Whittington, president the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 4269, told the City Council on Monday that department policy had required both a fire engine and ambulance respond to automatic fire alarms at high-rise structures. “In the past, our service delivery to a high-rise with an automatic fire alarm has never been disputed because it makes sense to send enough firefighters and EMTs to the scene,” he said. “Unfortunately, this service delivery is being reduced.” Whittington said the service cutback was officially implemented last Thursday. “What that means, if you live or stay in a high-rise building, you no longer get an ambulance on the scene on initial dispatch for an automatic fire alarm,” he said. Ocean City Fire Chief Chris Larmore, said later in the week, that the changes apply only to responses for automatic fire alarms at structures seven stories or taller. “Over 90 percent of these calls are not property or life hazards,” he said. “In the See ALARM Page 59
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