I purchased a memorial bench on the boardwalk in Ocean City 8 years ago through the Town of Ocean City program. Recently I got a letter from the city saying that they have decided to add a 10 year term to the bench and at the end of the 10 years (fall 2018 for me) I have to pay over $1,100.00 for 'maintenance' on the bench. In a e mail exchange with someone from the Public Works Division it was admitted that there was no such term as a part of the original purchase and this was simply being added because the city did not plan a budget for maintaining the benches.
Personally I do not believe this is true, I think the city is simply seeing this as a way to get more money from people, but obviously I have no proof so I am forced to go with what they say.
This angers me to no end. I don't understand why their supposed budget crisis is now my budget crisis.
I have e mailed the entire city council and the mayor and have gotten no response.
Because it was the council's decision to implement the new policy.
What you fail to realize you weren't a little snowflake is that those benches need maintenance every 10 years go up there and look at how many are missing paint and have cracks throughout the boards they are not lifetime benches they have a lot of wear and tear if you don't like it tough..
Tell them since you're footing the bill you'd like to select the contractor of your choice for the estimate and work to be performed. Shouldn't cost more than a couple hundred bucks to had a competent person refinish it.
1:01 What you fail to realize if you weren't a little, well I won't go to that level. Let's just say this was not in the original agreement. What about this do you not understand, but there again it doesn't concern you or does it?
Unfortunately for anyone who "donates" to someone or someplace once they take receipt of your item it becomes their property. When you gift something it belongs to them and they can do anything they want. I personnaly would not pay any maintenance fee for continuing my donation. I do think Ocean City used poor judgement on respecting the donors of these benches.
1:01 don't be so silly. The city should have realized the benches were going to need to be maintained and included that in the original agreement when people purchased them. Not that I would expect much from them. Thinking skills much less forward thinking ones are foreign to them and that is why OC looks so bad nowadays. A concrete tacky mess. That new hotel coming off of Rt90 is a pure eyesore. That blue glass is so tacky crass and vulgar looking. Looks like it belongs in a strip joint.
I agree. No matter who bought the benches the city would still be maintaining benches. These were donated. No one else will want to donate anything to the city after this because they will be afraid of a shakedown.
doesn't surprise me they didn't even consider the benches would need maintenance and no one had the brains to realize this would cost money. watch the meetings online. they are a goofy bunch. the few they had with any intelligence have left.
For $1100, you'll "quit" and they will sign up another SUCKER for more money. I'm sure though that, if you would like to be buried with the bench, someone will accommodate you.
Listen it's all political. Increase fees and when they run for office again, the politicians can say they didn't raise taxes. Fees are the new way to disguise tax increases.
The slats are, but not the steel from they are attached to. The saltwater/air is corrosive to metals and they need to be prepped and painted every so often. Not for $1100 a pop though, that's ridiculous.
For $1100 each I'll build them brand new benches, how many would you like to have? I'll build them out of stainless steel with wood slats that can be replaced every 10 years for about a hundred bucks.
Many, many times I have warned people to stay-a-way from Ocean City. Having lived here all my life (lifelong resident) I can say that with authority. You see - ever since OC went to a City Manager form of Government - OC went from a place being 'Run By the People' to a place whereby the Government 'Enslaved the people'.
i.e. - Water bills -(rates the highest in the State), front foot assessment, high real estate taxes, parking fees, business licensing and taxes, a run-a-way building department, exorbitant amusement taxes . . . I could go on and on to explain to you the reasons OC is a pitiful example of a Government gone a muck. That's why I'm hoping Mathias is kicked out of office.
Anytime you donate money to any city municipality it's usually a scam of some sort or another. You would've been better off finding another way to memorialize your family than giving money to ungrateful people like folks at OC's city hall. Agree with the last poster, this will definitely be a deterrent from future donations as it should be. It is a shakedown. Shameless shakedown. The OC Mayor should be ashamed of himself.
If you try to walk, I'll tax your feet. If you try to sit, I'll tax your seat. I guess the Town of OC likes The Beatles Why do all government maintenance jobs cost more than private sector? Let's see: 15 minutes to sand blast, 15 minutes to scrape, 15 minutes for primer coat, 15 minutes for finish coat plus removal, transport and replacement. Nice hourly rate. Good money if you can get it. I'll do it for $500
Because it was the council's decision to implement the new policy.
ReplyDeleteWhat you fail to realize you weren't a little snowflake is that those benches need maintenance every 10 years go up there and look at how many are missing paint and have cracks throughout the boards they are not lifetime benches they have a lot of wear and tear if you don't like it tough..
Go find something else to cry about..
Troll much
DeleteFor $1100 you should be able to buy a new bench every single year. Gtf outta here with a maintenance bill that high. Crooks.
Delete1:32. He trolls daily!!!
Deletegiant sucking sound
ReplyDeleteI think the town of Ocean City is getting VERY GREEDY!
ReplyDeleteI think so too
DeleteTell them since you're footing the bill you'd like to select the contractor of your choice for the estimate and work to be performed. Shouldn't cost more than a couple hundred bucks to had a competent person refinish it.
ReplyDeleteHow much was the initial price?
ReplyDelete1:01
ReplyDeleteWhat you fail to realize if you weren't a little, well I won't go to that level. Let's just say this was not in the original agreement. What about this do you not understand, but there again it doesn't concern you or does it?
Unfortunately for anyone who "donates" to someone or someplace once they take receipt of your item it becomes their property. When you gift something it belongs to them and they can do anything they want. I personnaly would not pay any maintenance fee for continuing my donation. I do think Ocean City used poor judgement on respecting the donors of these benches.
ReplyDelete1:01 don't be so silly. The city should have realized the benches were going to need to be maintained and included that in the original agreement when people purchased them. Not that I would expect much from them. Thinking skills much less forward thinking ones are foreign to them and that is why OC looks so bad nowadays. A concrete tacky mess. That new hotel coming off of Rt90 is a pure eyesore. That blue glass is so tacky crass and vulgar looking. Looks like it belongs in a strip joint.
ReplyDeleteAt end of term go get your bench and take it home. The city cannot unilaterally change the terms of a contract.
ReplyDeleteI agree. No matter who bought the benches the city would still be maintaining benches. These were donated. No one else will want to donate anything to the city after this because they will be afraid of a shakedown.
DeleteTell them to give you a full refund.
ReplyDeleteGo sit on your bench with a tin cup and play a kazoo. You'll have the money in a weekend.
ReplyDeletedoesn't surprise me they didn't even consider the benches would need maintenance and no one had the brains to realize this would cost money. watch the meetings online. they are a goofy bunch. the few they had with any intelligence have left.
ReplyDeleteFor $1100, you'll "quit" and they will sign up another SUCKER for more money. I'm sure though that, if you would like to be buried with the bench, someone will accommodate you.
ReplyDeleteThis is so funny,
Listen it's all political.
ReplyDeleteIncrease fees and when they run for office again, the politicians can say they didn't raise taxes. Fees are the new way to disguise tax increases.
The benches are made from a recycled plastic material that doesn't need sanding or painting. Just another method for OC to grab more money.
ReplyDeleteThe slats are, but not the steel from they are attached to. The saltwater/air is corrosive to metals and they need to be prepped and painted every so often. Not for $1100 a pop though, that's ridiculous.
ReplyDelete1:01 get real the guy gave the bench to the city, it's theirs so they should maintain it. If they did that to me I'd go take my bench back.
ReplyDeleteFor $1100 each I'll build them brand new benches, how many would you like to have? I'll build them out of stainless steel with wood slats that can be replaced every 10 years for about a hundred bucks.
ReplyDeleteAre you talking about the benches that you can't even sit on due to the homeless sleeping on them?
ReplyDeleteAsk for an itemised bill. Then don't give them a nickel. Auction it off.
ReplyDeleteI think the original price is $1700.00
ReplyDeleteMany, many times I have warned people to stay-a-way from Ocean City. Having lived here all my life (lifelong resident) I can say that with authority. You see - ever since OC went to a City Manager form of Government - OC went from a place being 'Run By the People' to a place whereby the Government 'Enslaved the people'.
ReplyDeletei.e. - Water bills -(rates the highest in the State), front foot assessment, high real estate taxes, parking fees, business licensing and taxes, a run-a-way building department, exorbitant amusement taxes . . . I could go on and on to explain to you the reasons OC is a pitiful example of a Government gone a muck. That's why I'm hoping Mathias is kicked out of office.
You are so wrong..
DeleteThat city is run by the people.
Employees of the city are not allowed to say NO!
What ever the public wants it gets..
i called 2 weeks ago to maint. dept looking to get a bench for my deceased parents they told me it was 3500 dollars
ReplyDeleteI believe the City OWNS the benches.. Don't they?
ReplyDeleteAnytime you donate money to any city municipality it's usually a scam of some sort or another. You would've been better off finding another way to memorialize your family than giving money to ungrateful people like folks at OC's city hall. Agree with the last poster, this will definitely be a deterrent from future donations as it should be. It is a shakedown. Shameless shakedown. The OC Mayor should be ashamed of himself.
ReplyDeleteA contract is a contract. What is the definition of "lifetime"? Life of the bench, life of the buyer, or life of the Municipality?
ReplyDeleteA deal is a deal in my book.
If you try to walk, I'll tax your feet.
ReplyDeleteIf you try to sit, I'll tax your seat.
I guess the Town of OC likes The Beatles
Why do all government maintenance jobs cost more than private sector?
Let's see: 15 minutes to sand blast, 15 minutes to scrape, 15 minutes for primer coat, 15 minutes for finish coat plus removal, transport and replacement.
Nice hourly rate.
Good money if you can get it.
I'll do it for $500
So just how much IS your ego worth?
ReplyDeleteWe were never told when we first purchased the bench that there would be additional fees.
ReplyDeleteThey just added this, obviously to make more money.
It leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
We've been going to OC Maryland for over 40 years but this is a bad deal.
If it were about $100-$200 for another 10 years, that may be reasonable.
But over $1,000 is not ethical.