OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
JUNE 11, 2021
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
HOLDING ON
COUNCILMAN MOVES
Frank Knight buys a condo in downtown OC months after GlenRiddle home purchase – Page 8
FREE
Ride site error turns into wheel big mess City orders Ferris wheel taken down because it hangs over right-of-way By Greg Wehner Staff Writer (June 11, 2021) A massive amusement park ride attraction known as the “Big Wheel” was erected last week at the southernmost part of the Boardwalk as part of Trimper Rides, and on Saturday, the president of the company and some of its shareholders celebrated the new attraction with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. But what was supposed to be a celebratory moment quickly turned into a nightmare for Antoinette Bruno, the president of Trimper Rides, when the amusement park was cited by the city for erecting the structure so it hangs over the company’s property line – 10.38 feet to be exact. She also did not have permission from council to install
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Despite not getting approval from the Mayor and City Council to move the “Big Wheel” next to the Boardwalk, Trimper Rides did so anyways, causing the attraction to extend more than 10 feet past the theme park’s property line.
Overtime offer to employees doesn’t draw them to trams By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (June 11, 2021) Ocean City transportation officials are pulling out all the stops to make more trams go on the Boardwalk this summer. Interim Transportation Manager Steve Bartlett said this week that a
generous overtime offer was made to both existing drivers and to other city employees if they pick up some extra hours behind the wheel, but the number of drivers and conductors is still falling woefully short. “The numbers right now are exSee OVERTIME Page 4
the ride over the public right of way, and has since been told to dismantle the “Big Wheel.” During the public portion of the mayor and City Council meeting on Monday, Bruno said she did not feel Trimper was in violation and that the Ferris wheel went where the council said it could go – with an aerial overhang of four feet over the Boardwalk. “It was truly human error, for the number of inches over,” she said. Councilman Matt James, however, told Bruno that she was never granted the ability to install the ride four feet over the Boardwalk. The issue really came to light late last year when Bruno met with council on the matter on Oct. 5. The issue was tabled so legal counsel could review the request. During that meeting, Bruno asked for permission to move the Big Wheel closer to the Boardwalk, creating a 13See FERRIS Page 10
Operator shortage causes city to raise bus driver pay By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (June 11, 2021) A dismally low number of Ocean City bus drivers has prompted resort officials to jump into action and reach into the government’s wallet. On Monday night, Ocean City council members unanimously voted to raise the hourly rates of bus and public works drivers who hold commercial licenses from $15.60 an hour to $19.89 and offer a $500 referral bonus to current employees who recommend drivers. The change is seasonal and will sunset at midnight on Oct. 10. The decision came on the heels of
an emergency Transportation Committee meeting held Monday to address concerns about driver numbers. Mayor Rick Meehan said 44 bus drivers are currently on the roster, a far cry from the 62 employed last year during covid, and the more than 110 who drive in a normal year. He said another eight school bus drivers could join the fleet once the academic year is over but he was not sure if the city’s rates were high enough to attract them. “Time is of the essence and we want to have full strength as we …. get into the end of July,” Meehan said during the meeting. “I don’t think See BUS Page 3
