Mayor
July 26, 2024
Dear Friends,
Work on the Merion Park flood mitigation project will continue through the summer on Bay Avenue, Simpson Avenue and 35th Street in the area of the Little League field. There will be no road closings during the work, and it will allow the new pump stations to be operational by Thanksgiving. By allowing this work to continue, residents will see the benefits of flood relief months earlier than if work had been suspended for the season.
Permitting for the new police substation at Eighth Street and Boardwalk is going well, and we anticipate beginning construction in October. I’m happy to see this investment in public safety taking shape.
City Council yesterday approved a contract for a major repair and renovation of the 25-meter pool at the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center. We’re hoping to get the project started as soon as possible. The pool will be closed during construction, and members will have the opportunity to freeze their memberships, and we will provide updates as soon as we have further information on the schedule.
I joined Chamber of Commerce and other officials on Wednesday in cutting the ribbon for the new Moorlyn Square Theater on the Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace. I want to congratulate owners Clint Bunting and Brett Denafo and thank them for investing in Ocean City. It’s great news for everybody to have a movie theater back in Ocean City.
The Ocean City Beach Patrol provided a day of lifeguard camp to a youth soccer club from Cote D’Ivoire in West Africa on Wednesday. The young teens were staying at Temple University in Philadelphia for the week as part of a cultural exchange program designed to provide mentorship and leadership to Philadelphia youth and their international peers. As part of the week’s activities, the OCBP and Boardwalk businesses gave the youth a day of fun and life skills training. Feedback from everybody involved in the day’s activities has been overwhelmingly positive, and I look forward to hosting the program again next year.
Ocean City is designating August as Veterans Month, and we’re planning a brief kickoff ceremony at 6 p.m. Tuesday outside the Ocean City Music Pier. We will honor veterans in various ways throughout the month. The daily 9 a.m. flagraising ceremony at the Music Pier will recognize a “Veteran of the Day.” We’ll have a veterans float in the Baby Parade on August 8. Our American Legion Morvay-Miley-Cruice Post 524 is planning a special dance at their post at 46th Street and West Avenue.
I want to pay tribute to two citizens who were important not just to Ocean City but to all of Cape May County. Lois Kilpatrick died earlier this month at her home in Florida. The causeway between Ocean City and Strathmere is named for her husband, the late James Kilpatrick, who was a long-time county freeholder. Jack Morey, a co-owner of Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, passed away last week at age 63. Jack and his brother, Will, were the visionaries who expanded an amusement park empire that helps define the summer on the Jersey Shore. Please join Michele and me in extending deepest condolences to the Kilpatrick and Morey families.
I want to thank Dave Winslow and the Night in Venice Planning Committee, our Police, Fire, Public Works and Community Services Departments, and our entire city team, Jane French and all the event volunteers, the Chamber of Commerce and everybody who helped put together another safe and fun Night in Venice celebration this year.
I’d also like to give a shout-out to local attorney Brandon Walcott, who was on the beach at 37th Street last Friday evening when he saw a family of four being swept into deep water and calling for help. One-by-one, he swam out and brought all four safely back to the beach. A bystander who witnessed the rescues said he surely saved their lives. Please join me in thanking Brandon for his heroism.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and get to spend it with friends and family.
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor
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Welcome to The City of Ocean City, New Jersey!
Ocean City is a town rich in history and a deep sense of community. Families have been vacationing in Ocean City for generations and many have made Ocean City their year-round home.
Our residents enjoy award-winning schools, world-class recreation facilities and outstanding municipal services from all city departments, including Police, Fire and Rescue, and Beach Patrol. Residents participate in activities for every age and interest including the cultural arts, music and theater as well as sports and recreation programs available at our many parks, playgrounds and city facilities. One of our local treasures is the Ocean City Community Center at 1735 Simpson Avenue, where families and individuals can enjoy the Ocean City Free Public Library, Ocean City Arts Center, Ocean City Historical Museum, Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center, and the Howard S. Stainton Senior Center under one roof.
The city also maintains and operates a municipal airport, 12-hole golf course, Aquatic and Fitness Center as well as the famed Ocean City Pops Orchestra.
Ocean City is also host to more than 200 family-friendly special events held year-round. Many of our events are popular family traditions, including the Night in Venice Boat Parade in July, the Baby Parade in August, our mile-long block parties in May and October, and our family-friendly First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration.
If you are vacationing in Ocean City, I know you’ll enjoy our seven miles of beautiful beaches and exciting Boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants and amusements. And be sure to visit our unique and charming downtown shops and restaurants located in the heart of town on Asbury Avenue.
I am truly proud to serve as mayor for this great community and hope you and your family enjoy your time in America’s Greatest Family Resort.
Jay Gillian, Mayor
Phone: 609-525-9333
Email: mayor@ocnj.us
