Good government depends on healthy citizen engagement
Originally in Ocean City Sentinel
by Susan Cracovaner
To the Editor:
Three years ago, Ocean City had very few organized citizen advocacy groups. Today we have several — some narrowly focused on a single lot or a single decision, others focused on government process, transparency, and long-term planning. In the opinion of those of us working hard for positive change at Ocean City 2050, this increased involvement at the local level is a very good thing.
For years, City Council, Planning Board, and Zoning Board meetings moved forward quietly, with little public interest.
But quiet did not mean good. Monied interests were advancing agendas with few dissenting voices going unheard. Lots were rezoned, street by street, and Ocean City's unique character was being quietly erased. Like a one-degree rise in a pot of water, repeated and repeated, the changes went unnoticed until residents finally noticed how hot it had gotten, giving rise to neighbors and residents coalescing around issues affecting their neighborhoods and the city they love.
In 2023, residents of the Glen Cove lagoon faced a developer's plan to build a commercial marina in their quiet private lagoon. The community gathered its collective strength and pushed back — with their councilman, with the city, and ultimately in court. They were informed, professional, and came ready with facts that brought to light previously unexamined conflicts of interest and unreported financial relationships that had gone on for years. The residents of Glen Cove now await a judge's decision, but no matter what the outcome, they showed that public and united advocacy, even against those with more money and more resources, works.
Then came Wonderland and the redevelopment of 600 Boardwalk, a project with even larger ramifications for our town's economy, culture and community. Fueled by the scale of what was at stake, and buoyed by the example set by the Glen Cove residents, more of us — thousands in fact — asked for a seat at the table. We raised legitimate questions about how changes to our historic boardwalk would impact what makes Ocean City a beloved place to live, work and play. In commitment to transparency, we shared information, monitored and spoke at meetings, and examined agreements and financial documents that posed conflicts of interest and special interests. We bring many different interests, areas of expertise and perspectives to the issue. We don't always agree, but the discussion is vital. That momentum and spirit has since carried over to the current Verizon Wireless tower proposal at 33rd Street and Bay Avenue, the 34th Street development, and even city zoning board appointments.
Citizen advocacy created much-needed involvement and representation in our town. This past May we witnessed again the power of the people's voice when Sean Barnes and Jim Kelly — two council candidates committed to transparency and public input — ran for city-wide office and outpaced their opponents by a significant margin. Their message: public engagement is not just to be tolerated, it is to be encouraged. And they won.
It marked a real shift in how the city views participation: from something to be minimized and superficially tolerated to a valued and welcome part of good governance. From something that is seen in an adversarial light that "gets in the way" to what it really is: something that brings all of us, our many voices, together for the greater good of the entire city (not just the few who traditionally had the most money or power).
Good government depends on this, on healthy citizen engagement. When residents don't speak up, elected officials hear only from those with the time, money, or access to reach them behind closed doors and those select interests end up shaping public decisions. Citizen advocacy groups organize information, bring neighbors together, and ensure officials hear from more than a handful of well-connected voices.
Research from organizations like the World Bank, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the National Civic League consistently finds that meaningful citizen participation produces more transparent government, greater accountability and policies that better reflect local priorities — and that participation improves outcomes even when advocacy groups don't get their way, simply by compelling officials to educate the public, explain decisions and answer to their communities and citizens.
The process, though, can be messy — especially with social media amplifying it in both good and bad directions. On the positive side, it lets citizen groups reach thousands of people, giving ordinary people a voice and reach once reserved for political organizations and traditional media. But it can also distort the conversation. Provocative posts can drown out thoughtful ones. Emotion travels faster than facts. Online groups that once traded stories about sunsets on the bay (or flies on the beach!) can now sometimes feel like battlegrounds, driving people away. Engagement feels adversarial instead of neighborly.
But that's not because people here are hateful — it's because the algorithms reward engagement, and outrage and hate generate more engagement than thoughtful commentary ever will. Hateful posts get amplified; measured ones get buried. The result distorts the truth and makes it look and feel like Ocean City is tearing itself apart over these issues.
But we are not. And although at times it might feel that way, for the most part, the discussion here stays civil, and we all bear responsibility for keeping it that way.
One rule of engagement is worth embracing: Not every inflammatory comment deserves an audience. Sometimes the source is a neighbor having a bad day. Sometimes it's someone who enjoys provoking others. Sometimes it isn't even a genuine local voice but an outsider or even a bot. Whatever the source, let's not let the worst behavior set the standard for the rest of us. Answering insults with insults, outrage with outrage, only amplifies it.
Government also has a role in setting the temperature as well. When officials are transparent, open and genuinely listen to their constituents, things calm down. Unfortunately, we have too often seen the opposite in Ocean City; city leaders moving to shut down public engagement, tactics and timing to make meetings and information less accessible, dismissing legitimate concerns rather than dealing with them, even occasionally stirring the wasp nest on social media themselves.
That is irresponsible. Elected officials set the tone for the town they lead. They are held to a higher standard. Their job is to put out the fire, not fan it.
So let's disagree passionately and with civility. Challenge facts. Demand accountability — from elected officials and advocacy groups alike. But as we stay involved and work together to improve the city we all love, remember that the people we disagree with are still our neighbors.
Susan Cracovaner
Ocean City
