Ocean City Officials Respond to Political Mailer

Ocean City, MD - Town of Ocean City officials are responding to a political postcard that raises questions about Council President Matt James and his part in an aerial storm damage assessment. City Manager Terry McGean and the Ocean City Council each released a statement about the mailer, which was sent to Ocean City residents and voters.

The town's statements did not say who sent the mailer. Both statements focus on a flight that took place after the nor'easter that hit the area in September 2026.

According to McGean, the Town of Ocean City asked the Maryland State Police for help with an aerial look at dune damage and beach erosion after the storm. He said the request came after he and James talked about conditions along the coastline once the storm passed.

McGean said three town officials took part in the flight. They were City Engineer Brad Parks, Council President Matt James, and McGean himself. He said each of them was there in an official role, representing the town.

McGean said photos were taken before, during, and right after the assessment. He said those photos were later put in an online photo album that the public can view, and were shared with the town officials who took part.

"At no time before, during, or after the assessment was any political campaign activity discussed or conducted in connection with the Town's assessment," McGean said.

The City Council also weighed in. In its statement, the council said it has "historically made every effort to remain outside the political process during municipal elections" and that it was speaking up "with considerable reluctance."

The council said it chose to respond this time because "the mailer has multiple factual inaccuracies that need to be addressed in the interest of ensuring the public receives accurate information."

The council also noted that McGean and Parks were on the flight with James. Because of that, it said, the allegations "go beyond an individual candidate and raise questions about the conduct and integrity of the Town and its employees."

Council members said they went over the event with McGean. Based on that review, they said the flight "was conducted for a legitimate municipal purpose and a sanctioned function of the Maryland State Police Aviation Division."

Based on what it knows, the council said it does not believe "the Town or its elected official endangered any lives, unnecessarily spent taxpayer funds or violated any State or Town ethics laws."

The council also pointed to the town's Ethics Commission. According to the council, no complaint about this matter has been filed with the commission.

The statement also took issue with wording on the mailer that it said was quoted from the General Provisions Article of the Maryland Annotated Code. The council said that language "does not accurately reflect Maryland state law and is misleading in its representation of the statute."

"The law must never be misrepresented, manipulated, or weaponized for political purposes," the council said.

The council said its statement should not be read as an endorsement of anyone running for office. It said it felt it had an obligation to share the facts as it understands them, since the claims involve town staff, elected leaders, and the town's working relationship with the Maryland State Police.