OC Fire Meehan 2026

10/14/2026

Appointed and mostly Uncontested since 2006.

The mayor’s job isn’t a lifetime appointment or a family heirloom. It’s supposed to be a recurring argument about what the town should do next. Rick Meehan has held it longer than anyone else not because his ideas kept winning decisive contests, but because he was appointed when Jim Mathias left in 2006. He was later elected that October without opposition, and then faced little real competition for years afterward. Unopposed races in 2008, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2020, and 2022 turned the office into something closer to a default than a choice.

That absence of a regular battle of ideas is the real problem.

Accountability of town policies and governance rarely had to defend themselves against a serious alternative. The 2024 race against Peter Buas finally showed some cracks, the closest contest in decades. But even that came after long stretches of uncontested continuity.

Nothing about the position is supposed to be given, but the mayor feels entitled to it and harassed those who didn’t toe the line. Voters aren’t required to keep ratifying the same person just because he is not ready to give up power and influence.

This mayoral race against Matt James should be a real fight. If James wins, the campaign itself will make him a better mayor. Having to earn the office against an entrenched incumbent, rather than simply being “next in line”will be the clearest test of his ability to lead the town forward.

Ocean City deserves a mayor who has to win the argument, not just keep the seat. Meehan had it handed to him and never left. James’ decision to step down now as Council President to fight the battle, versus waiting for Meehan to depart on his own accord demonstrates his capability to assume risk and make the tough decisions.

Hopefully the next council and mayor will prioritize term limits in the town charter. Doing so would help keep democratic principles fresh within the town limits and make long, uncontested tenures the exception rather than the local tradition.

10/13/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EtnMMLd24/?mibextid=wwXIfr

US Wind's decision to abandon its planned steel fabrication facility at Sparrows Point has raised new questions about the future of its proposed offshore wind project near Ocean City, Maryland.

Thomas Maronick Jr., an Ocean City attorney and Stop Offshore Wind advocate, shared his perspective with The Baltimore Sun, calling the announcement “a major win” for project opponents.

Without the Sparrows Point facility, Tom believes the offshore wind project is “dead in its tracks, at least for the foreseeable future.”

While US Wind maintains that the project can move forward, the decision raises questions about future construction plans, investment commitments, and the project's ongoing legal challenges.

Read the full story in The Baltimore Sun: https://www.baltimoresun.com/2026/10/10/us-wind-sparrows-point-anduril/

10/13/2026

Here is a link to the forum from last night.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CtamEQPiJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

10/13/2026

Why Matt James’ Decision to Run for Mayor Shows Real Leadership

At last night’s well-attended “Meet the Candidates” Forum, one exchange stood out for what it revealed about character and priorities in Ocean City government.

Moderator Stewart Dobson asked Council President Matt James a pointed question: Why would he give up the most powerful position in town government to run for mayor?

James’ answer was direct and revealing. He said the town needs change, both in the mayor’s office and on the council, and that he is running for mayor to help bring that change about. He also expressed confidence in the current council members and the quality of the candidates seeking seats, indicating he trusts them to govern effectively.

That response matters. James acknowledged that he willingly relinquished the most influential role in municipal government because he believes it is the right thing to do for the town. He is not clinging to power; he is stepping forward to address what he sees as the need for fresh direction, while showing confidence in his colleagues and those who would succeed him on the council. That combination of purpose and restraint is rare and extremely important.

The contrast with longtime Mayor Rick Meehan is difficult to ignore. Although the Town Charter imposes no term limits, Meehan has served as mayor for more than two decades, following years on the council before that.

After such an extended tenure, it is reasonable to ask what meaningful new outcomes he could achieve in another two-year term that he was unable to accomplish in the previous twenty. His decision to seek re-election appears driven less by unfinished business for the town and more by his reluctance to relinquish control and influence.

Should James win the mayoral race, there is little reason to expect him to treat the office as a permanent career. His stated rationale and willingness to leave a position of power is a testament to his character and a demonstration of doing what is best for the town. Likewise, Meehan’s unwillingness to relinquish power is also a demonstration of his character.

“Nearly all men can survive austerity, but if you want to test their character, give them power”

10/12/2026

Join us for the 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 on Monday, October 12 from 6:00–8:30 p.m. at the Ocean City Elks Lodge.

This community forum will give residents an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking election as Ocean City Mayor and City Council. Other state and county elected officials and community members are also invited to attend. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒅.

Have a question you’d like the candidates to answer? Send it in advance to [email protected]

We hope to see you there for an informative evening focused on the issues important to Ocean City.

10/08/2026

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results!”

10/07/2026

US Wind, the company behind a proposed offshore wind farm off the coast of Ocean City, no longer plans to develop components for wind turbines at Sparrows Point — at least not for now — turning its lease over to Anduril Industries to build a shipyard there.

10/06/2026

Here is the full article about the tram.

After reading this article, the bigger question is: will Meehan accept personal liability for not following the recommendations of safety experts AGAIN or is he just expecting the taxpayers to pay the bill for his failed leadership and poor decision making?

Many want the tram to come back but it has to be done in a safe and fiscally responsible manor. Meehan’s leadership is exactly why the tram is gone because he did not listen to the warning signs.

As Mayor Rick Meehan campaigns to revive the Ocean City Boardwalk tram, a previously unreleased safety report obtained by The Baltimore Sun concluded that the service could not safely return without a...

10/06/2026

As noted last week, there were multiple warning signs for years before the death of a young child on the boardwalk. Those risks were known, and they were not addressed. A convergence of failures then produced a preventable fatality.
Had safety not been subordinated to cost-cutting, this discussion might not be necessary.
I understand why many longtime residents miss the tram, and a responsible path back may exist someday.

What will not bring it back is the same failed leadership from Meehan who treated known safety risks as an acceptable trade for saving money.

Meehan is just pandering for votes without any real solutions.

As Mayor Rick Meehan campaigns to revive the Ocean City Boardwalk tram, a previously unreleased safety report obtained by The Baltimore Sun concluded that the service could not safely return without a dedicated lane that consultants considered infeasible.

The LJM & Associates report cited seven incidents in 2024, including the death of a 2-year-old boy.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4hw14K8

📸: Baltimore Sun staff

10/05/2026

Flashback to April 2025, when Mayor Meehan stated on the record that he would abide by the outcome of a democratic process, only to turn around and use his BFF on the Council to advance a proposal so extreme that even the Town solicitor had to rein it in.

The measure was introduced by the same Council member who also had to resign because he was not even domiciled in Ocean City, a fact that the mayor was well aware of.

That was not the only departure from the democratic process he had publicly endorsed.

He and his allies also targeted residents simply for exercising a basic democratic right: signing a petition or posting a yard sign that ran counter to his position.

All of this because his donors and drinking buddies did not get the outcome they wanted during the democratic process.

If you or your business have ever been bullied or harassed by the Mayor or his goons for having a position different than theirs, then I want to hear your story.