OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
DECEMBER 16, 2022
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
BUDGET
BOARD OF ED TALKS FY24
Schools make financial requests to leadership for next cycle, highlighted by teachers – Page 23
FREE
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
MANDALORIANS UNITE
Fans of the Disney+ streaming series, “The Mandalorian,” show their takes on the armor worn by the title character, a space mercenary, with a strict code of conduct. They were among the 9,000 or so comics and fantasy heroes who attended last Saturday’s Comic Con at the convention center in Ocean City. See more photos on pages 42 and 43.
Research begins on how LED lights can be brought under more control by city By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Dec. 16, 2022) The lights could soon be going down in the city as resort officials begin seriously looking at regulating previously unrestricted LED fixtures. Prompted largely by the glaringly intense lights that shine across the Sinepuxent Bay from the eight-story Cambria Hotel near the Route 50 bridge, discussions have been going on for months about the city’s ability to regulate lighting. And at a joint meeting between City Council members and planning commissioners on Tuesday, both groups agreed the issue needs addressed. The existing code does not include
clear language to address LED, or light-emitting diode, fixtures, which are becoming increasingly common across the resort. ‘With regard to a “The current certain waterfront code is not good hotel that’s claimed at addressing brightness or a lot of attention, glare compo- one of the things nents,” Planning that we’ve run into and Developis our code is set ment Director up to exempt Bill Neville said waterfront of the existing language. properties along Nothing is in the waterfront place now to reproperty line.’ quire the owners — Planning Director of the Cambria, or other propBill Neville erty owners, to hit the dimmer switch, despite the droves of complaints about the intensity of the lights, which on clear
nights can be seen from Assateague Island. “We definitely routinely hear complaints from members of the public, particularly about the Cambria with concerns for safety driving over the Route 50 bridge,” Planning Commissioner Joe Wilson said. “That doesn’t bother me personally, I’ve never had a problem with it, but just relaying some of the concerns we’ve heard that people are afraid because it’s too bright for them.” According to a staff report, LED fixtures produce light that is measured with different criteria than what is in the current code. The report said LED lights are often not shielded, or covered, resulting in “a directed barebulb light source.” Neville said staff could recommend requiring shielding or developing other regulations for color or brightness. However, he said some See LED Page 6
Sunfest move gave resort visitor boost Tourism data shows risk paid off for second season By Mallory Panuska Staff Writer (Dec. 16, 2022) Moving this year’s Sunfest to a late October date to accommodate the ultimately canceled Oceans Calling Festival was initially seen as a risky move to some. But according to visitor and spending data requested to help enhance tourism and streamline advertising and local services, the change turned out to be a positive one, and a major catalyst for successfully extending the summer’s popularity into the shoulder season. “May I dare I say it, you really extended your summer, which is really cool,” said Dave Bahlman, the chief revenue officer for destination operSee DATA Page 4