Meet the Candidates: Ocean City Mayor
OCEAN CITY, Md.- The mayoral seat is up for election in Ocean City as current Mayor Rick Meehan is running for re-election, facing off against current Council President Matt James.
One major topic of discussion on voters minds, is the decrease in tourism in the town since the Covid-19 pandemic, along with a drop in average length of stay.
Current Mayor Rick Meehan, plans to workshop the issue with his current contacts within the tourism industry and Chamber of Commerce.
“I think one thing we need to do is have a strategic planning session with the HMRA and the chamber, which are all part of the Tourism Commission.” Said Meehan. “I think we really need to look and weigh in on what we need to do.”
Council President Matt James wants to market the town as a top destination, beginning with targeting the appropriate visitors.
“We need to be the most attractive destination that we can be for all of our visitors.” Said James. “We want the right customer to come here, and we want them to enjoy themselves while they’re here. If we focus on on the right customer. I think we’ll be in a great spot.”
Another on-going debate is the potential to bring back the boardwalk tram. The service was discontinued following a tragic incident in 2024, that took the life of a 2 year old child.
Mayor Rick Meehan, wants to work to bring the tram back.
“I think that, working with the Ocean City Development Corporation, I know they’re vested in this.” Said Meehan. “They’ve done a lot of work about this because it really affects boardwalk businesses. It affects our tourists, affects so many people. I think it’s time, I think the discussion should take place. I think there are new options. There’s safer options.”
Matt James, believes that with the correct measures, the tram could return.
“Safety and public safety being the biggest risk with how the tram operations were previously, if somebody brought forward a solution that hasn’t already been considered by the Mayor and the City Council, that worked, and then that was proven to be safe and could work on our existing boardwalk. I’d be more than happy to support it.”
The municipal election takes place on November 3rd, from 7 am to 8 pm at the Ronald E. Powell Convention Center.
