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Saturday, April 13, 2013

Ocean Bowl Skate Park Hit By Insurance-Related Hour Restrictions

Ocean City’s Ocean Bowl Skate Park, the oldest public facility of its kind in the nation, is slated to be one of the first casualties of the city’s insurance-induced personnel crunch, as the city’s preliminary 2013-2014 fiscal year budget calls for a considerable reduction in the park’s hours, including a two-month winter closing.

“We can’t handle the part-time staff restrictions without closing,” said city Assistant Director of Recreation and Parks Susan Petito during this week’s Recreation and Parks Commission meeting. “It’s the nature of the skate park.”

Early this year, the city indicated that it would be facing a considerable financial and personnel crunch from the federal Affordable Care Act, popularly known as “Obamacare.” The law will require, as of January 2014, that any employer with 50 or more employees provide health insurance to any worker who is considered to be full-time and non-seasonal.

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14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Our president could not be any worse! So many local kids use the skatepark in the winter after school because there is not much going on. I guess they can now sit home and play video games.

Anonymous said...

People don't come to Ocean City for their stupid skate parks. They come to purchase parking. Some come extra early to get their favorite parking meter.

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...
Our president could not be any worse! So many local kids use the skatepark in the winter after school because there is not much going on. I guess they can now sit home and play video games.

April 13, 2013 at 3:48 PM"

Why not have them do chores or read after school in the winter or find a way to entertain themselves? That would be a lesson in responsiblity and not having to rely on the government for everything including entertainment.

Anonymous said...

3:48 PM

Why did you mention the president in this?

Anonymous said...

12:10, I imagine 3:48 mentions the president since the cutback in hours is due to obamacare.

Anonymous said...

And yet the Looney tunes in salisbury want to build one...idiots.

Anonymous said...

apparently pres mentioned because of similar mentality

Anonymous said...

12:10 and 7:08 please read the article and see why the president is mentioned in the comments. Does OBAMAcare jump out at you?

Anonymous said...

You have more than 50 employees, you can afford insurance.

Anonymous said...

On March 22 Wicomico County schools notified substitute teachers they would be reduced to 4 days per week maximum due to Obamacare in order to keep them at/below the 30 hour per week limit in the new law.

Substitutes get no benefits currently and most are paid $83 day. For those who chose to work up to 5 days per week (no guarantees) it is a 20% pay cut.

Still no benefits, and now a 20% cut.

Thanks, Obama! And Mikulski, and Cardin and Kratovil!

Anonymous said...

They will do what the rest are doing, only employ workers for 30 hours a week. The RESULTS, it will just increase the food stamp roll, state health insurance care lot and increase those who will have to rely on energy assistance. Keep them broke.

Anonymous said...

12:10 Really?
NOT they just cut hours and make you a part timer

Anonymous said...

Its getting to the point where some have to work 3 partime jobs to survive.

Anonymous said...

time to get a Obama phone