Dear Friends,
With the beautiful fall weather we’re enjoying this week, it’s hard to imagine that it was just last weekend that we experienced so much rain, wind and flooding. There’s a lot of work behind the scenes that goes into preparing for coastal storms, making everybody aware of the conditions, keeping everybody safe, and cleaning up afterwards. I thank the entire city team for the long hours they put in.
A number of people have asked, and I want to remind everyone, that our pumping stations are not designed to prevent powerful storms from flooding our streets. When the sea level rises so high above the street level, no pump on Earth can keep up. Water just flows back onto land as quickly as it’s pumped out. The pumping stations were fully operational during the storm and they helped clear the streets once the tide receded. Many people in our neighborhoods may remember a time before pumping stations when floodwaters could take days to recede.
I will be meeting with representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers and continuing to work with Congressman Jeff Van Drew, state, county and local officials to secure funding for scheduled replenishment for our beaches. In the meantime, we are working on alternative plans to shore up the most-damaged beaches by trucking in sand to be ready for the 2026 season.
Grant-funded work to rebuild the Boardwalk from St. Charles Place to Fifth Street began yesterday, and it is closed from Second Street to Fifth Street. Temporary demolition of the structure could provide an opportunity for easy access for the equipment necessary to stockpile sand on the beach. I’d like to again thank Sen. Michael Testa for helping us to secure the generous $4.9 million Boardwalk Preservation Fund grant.
At the last meeting, City Council approved a bond ordinance for the renovation of the 34th Street recreation complex. We have $3.5 million in open space funding from the county for this project. Because of the scope of work, we’re going to break it into two parts. We’ll do the playground first and we’ll have it complete by Easter. By next summer, all our kids will be able to play on an exceptional new facility. We’ll construct the rest of the project after the Fall Block Party next year. We will be saving all of the dedicated fence posts and bricks.
The Ocean City Board of Realtors’ Warmth for the Winter Drive will continue through November 21. The community is encouraged to donate coats, sweaters, scarves, hats, and other gently used or new chilly-weather items. Donations (inside a plastic bag) can be dropped off on weekdays at the board office at 405 22nd Street.
I’m sad to report on the passing of Michael Hoffman. As owner of the former Marr Agency and a past president of the Ocean City Board of Realtors, Michael was an important part of the Ocean City business world. But he also gave back to his country and community as an Army Reservist, Planning Board member, and Volunteer of the Year. Please join Michele and me in extending deepest condolences to the Hoffman family and all of Michael’s colleagues and friends. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday (Oct. 23) at the Ocean City Tabernacle with visitation starting at 9 a.m.
The John R Elliott HERO Walk will go off on Sunday morning, and I want to thank Bill Elliott upon the 25th anniversary of this event in Ocean City. Bill’s work in raising awareness of the importance of sober designated drivers has been tireless and incredibly important.
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor
