Resort street is off limits to performers
OCEAN CITY -- Ocean City Council voted unanimously to forbid street performers and others from setting up shop and putting on performances that could draw crowds in the area of North Division Street.
Mayor Rick Meehan signed an emergency ordinance at council's meeting, making the new rule effective immediately. The ordinance was proposed after Ocean City Fire Department Chief Chris Larmore told council about safety issues that can be caused by large crowd gatherings in the area.
North Divison is the main avenue of entry to the Boardwalk and beach for EMS and fire vehicles and apparatus, according to Larmore.
Mark Chase, a graffiti artist who performs each day in that location, told council he felt the ban on the area was unconstitutional.
He said police could be held liable if they prevent him from performing in the area, and that council could be liable as well.
"You don't have the right to take away our rights," said Chase, who opined that council was hiding behind public safety rationales, but that there were other reasons for their ban.
"The people here have a right to have an unobstructed emergency route," said Councilman Doug Cymek. "If you were on that beach having a massive heart attack, you would appreciate having that."
In other business, council voted unanimously to pass a $73.8 million budget for the 2012 fiscal year.
Also, a golf co-op marketing plan that was previously approved was killed; it had been passed simultaneously with a plan to give away free gas. Councilman Brent Ashley reasoned that since the gas promotion had been canceled by council -- in a move that created discord between Ashley and Cymek -- the golf plan should follow suit. Ashley's motion passed with a 4-3 vote. Joe Hall, Jim Hall and Margaret Pillas voted with Ashley, and Cymek, Mary Knight and Lloyd Martin voted against.
smuska@dmg.gannett.com
410-213-9442, ext. 14
Mayor Rick Meehan signed an emergency ordinance at council's meeting, making the new rule effective immediately. The ordinance was proposed after Ocean City Fire Department Chief Chris Larmore told council about safety issues that can be caused by large crowd gatherings in the area.
North Divison is the main avenue of entry to the Boardwalk and beach for EMS and fire vehicles and apparatus, according to Larmore.
Mark Chase, a graffiti artist who performs each day in that location, told council he felt the ban on the area was unconstitutional.
He said police could be held liable if they prevent him from performing in the area, and that council could be liable as well.
"You don't have the right to take away our rights," said Chase, who opined that council was hiding behind public safety rationales, but that there were other reasons for their ban.
"The people here have a right to have an unobstructed emergency route," said Councilman Doug Cymek. "If you were on that beach having a massive heart attack, you would appreciate having that."
In other business, council voted unanimously to pass a $73.8 million budget for the 2012 fiscal year.
Also, a golf co-op marketing plan that was previously approved was killed; it had been passed simultaneously with a plan to give away free gas. Councilman Brent Ashley reasoned that since the gas promotion had been canceled by council -- in a move that created discord between Ashley and Cymek -- the golf plan should follow suit. Ashley's motion passed with a 4-3 vote. Joe Hall, Jim Hall and Margaret Pillas voted with Ashley, and Cymek, Mary Knight and Lloyd Martin voted against.
smuska@dmg.gannett.com
410-213-9442, ext. 14
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