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SEPTEMBER 13, 2019
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
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BIKE EVENTS UNDERWAY
Activities for motorcycle enthusiasts all weekend in Ocean City, Salisbury, other locations – Page 25
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Gambling grant talks postponed
TAB policy on funding questioned
Pocomoke, Snow Hill look forward to May
Gehrig asks if grants are always necessary
By Elizabeth Bonin Staff Writer (Sept. 13, 2019) The governments of Snow Hill and Pocomoke may get an indirect slice of the gambling revenue from Ocean Downs Casino, but they won’t know until the county commissioners begin their budgeting for the next fiscal year. The commissioners last Tuesday postponed until May consideration of a request from Commissioner Josh Nordstrom that southern Worcester municipalities be cut in for a piece of the gambling proceeds. Nordstrom, who represents the Pocomoke district, is seeking an unrestricted grant based on 10 percent of table game revenues. Nordstrom has championed the idea as a way to repair infrastructure, promote tourism and to beautify the two communities that were excluded from the state legislation in 2009 to build support for gambling in the coastal area. The state law that legalized gambling in Maryland contained a provision that allocated a percentage of casino revenue as local impact grants for the county and the communities that might feel the effects of gambling’s presence. But Snow Hill and Pocomoke City, at 19 and 32 miles away, respectively, were deemed too far removed from See NORDSTROM Page 64
By Josh Kim Staff Writer (Sept. 13, 2019) Ocean City Councilman John Gehrig readdressed his concerns about the Tourism and Advisory Board’s (TAB) funding policy at Monday afternoon’s Tourism Committee meeting. On Aug. 27, Ann Hillyer of Shore Craft Beer requested $12,300 from the Ocean City Council to support the “FeBREWary: Love on Tap” beer festival, which had outgrown its previous location. While a majority of the council members were ready to approve the request, Gehrig hesitated, as he said it could set a dangerous precedent. “I just don’t want to open up a policy where every event in town is coming back asking for funds,” Gehrig said to council members at the time. Despite Gehrig’s protests, the council members voted 6 to 1 to approve the request. At Monday’s tourism meeting, Gehrig brought the debate back to life, and said the committee should discuss and review TAB’s funding policy. The councilman said aside from funding an established event, which TAB had avoided during his time in the board, the city was meddling in private enterprise. Essentially, the city was using public funds to pay a private event to be held at a See GEHRIG Page 67
MORGAN PILZ/OCEAN CITY TODAY
9/11 CEREMONY The Ocean City Honor Guard carries the colors during the 16th annual Red Knights Motorcycle Club, Maryland Chapter 3 9/11 Parade of Brothers Memorial Ride on the Boardwalk, Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Offshore drilling bill passes Harris casts no vote, as ban clears House By Josh Kim Staff Writer (Sept. 13, 2019) The first stage of an offshore oil drilling ban cleared the House of Representatives Wednesday with a 238-189 vote. Twelve Republican members of the House joined Democrats in passing House Resolution 1941, the Coastal
and Marine Economies Act, which will protect the Pacific and Atlantic coasts from oil drilling. Rep. Andy Harris, (R1), however, voted against it. Bill sponsor Rep. Joe Cunningham, (D-S.C.), argued that “Opposition to offshore drilling is not a partisan issue,” but failed to muster Republican support beyond the dozen representatives, most of whom were from coastal states.
Nonetheless, Jacob Ross of Oceana said that the passage of the bill was a clear sign of local and state bi-partisan support against offshore drilling. “This bill means that the people have spoken, and have sent a very clear message that they don’t want drilling off our coast,” he said. Ross said local governments and communities See BAN Page 67