Dear Friends,

It’s exciting to see Ocean City decorated for the holidays, and it’s a reminder of how lucky we are to live in such a warm and welcoming community. 

As always, the city team is busy behind the scenes working to maintain and improve the things that make our town special.

The reconstruction of the Boardwalk from Second Street to Fifth Street is going smoothly with demolition complete and with installation of new pilings scheduled to start next week. A $4.9 million grant is helping to complete this project.

Contractors this week are removing the pavement that covered the city block next to the Ocean City Free Public Library. The work is the result of a rare opportunity to take what was once an entirely developed tract and turn it into open space for public use.

Substructure repairs to the Ocean City Music Pier are continuing, and across the Boardwalk, we are working on reconstruction of the ramp from Moorlyn Terrace. The new ramp covers the width of the street end, is ADA-compliant and can accommodate vehicles making deliveries to the Music Pier.

During our work to repave Morningside Road, Nassau Road and Gardens Road, we discovered shallow and compromised water lines that will need to be replaced by New Jersey American Water. This work is underway but will delay the paving project by six to eight weeks. 

Our third episode of the “Inside City Hall” video series is now available here and at ocnj.us. This video gives you a deeper look at some of these projects and more.

I’m proud to report that Carey Stadium in Ocean City has been named the No. 1 place in the state to watch a high school football game. Ten sports reporters for N.J. Advance Media (the Star-Ledger and other N.J. media outlets) named the top 30 stadiums in New Jersey, and we came out on top. 

The Police Department will hold a Coffee with Cops event 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 8) in the atrium outside the library (at the Ocean City Community Center, 1735 Simpson Avenue). It’s a great opportunity to connect with our officers and ask any questions in an informal setting.

Congratulations to three of our new firefighters who just graduated from the Fire Academy: Randal Young, Kyle Wagner and Alexander Oves Jr. They replaced recently retired department members. I also want to pay tribute to Jevon Snyder, who was just promoted to captain.

I want to encourage everybody to attend our annual Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11 inside the Ocean City Tabernacle. Our community has always shown strong support for our veterans, and the event is always well-attended.

The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its Citizen of the Year and Outstanding Business and Beautification Awards dinner on Thursday (Nov. 13). Boardwalk Merchants Association President Wes Kazmarck will be named Citizen of the Year, and a host of local businesses will be honored. If you would like to attend, contact the Chamber at 609-399-1412 or email info@oceancitychamber.com.

I’m sad to report on the passing of Patrick Grimes and Alfred Potter. Pat was a local athlete and attorney whose family and siblings are part of the fabric of Ocean City in so many ways. Al was a Navy veteran who served during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War. He spent his career with the State Police, and after retirement, he enjoyed everything Ocean City has to offer with his friends and family.

Please join me and Michele in extending deepest condolences to all of the friends and family of Pat and Al.

The Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard is in need of donations of non-perishable food items and toiletries. The Food Cupboard is open 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to noon on Fridays. It is located in St. Peter’s United Methodist Church at 8th Street and Central Avenue (use the alley entrance off 8th Street). Ocean City has always taken care of its own, and I hope you all will pitch in, if you can.

Finally, I want to congratulate all of the candidates in Tuesday’s election. There is nothing more admirable than a willingness to serve one’s country, state, county or community. The races were well-fought, and whether or not they were successful, each candidate deserves our respect. Now, it’s time to work together to achieve as much we can on behalf of our families and residents. 

Warm regards,

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor