November 21, 2025
Dear Friends,
The Ocean City Police Department serves as a model for other agencies in Cape May County and throughout the state, and the department was honored at last night’s City Council meeting with a presentation of a re-accreditation certificate by the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police.
Accreditation is a rigorous process designed to ensure that departments follow the best police practices, policy development, internal compliance, technology and equipment and community engagement. By earning accreditation for the seventh time since 2006, Ocean City remains among the top 1.2 percent of other departments in the state.
I want to congratulate Chief Campbell and his entire team on their achievement. We’re lucky to have one of the best departments in the state. This is a process that started with Chief Blevin and continued with Chief Callahan and Chief Prettyman.
City Council last night approved a number of items that will lead to improvements around town:
- Council passed the first reading of an ordinance that would adopt a redevelopment plan for the property at 34th Street and Bay Avenue currently occupied by the Seaspray Condominiums. The Planning Board will now review the plan and make its recommendation to Council.
- The city will solicit bids for the continuation of our summer jitney service. This has been a great service for our residents and summer guests, and it’s one way to help with parking.
- A contract for construction of a new hangar at the Municipal Airport was approved. This will provide a new revenue stream in hangar rentals and an opportunity to attract more pilots. About 95 percent of the cost will be provided by a grant. Our share will be only five percent.
- This winter’s contract for bayside maintenance dredging was approved. Work will include South Harbor, Venetian Bayou, Carnival Bayou, the 14th Street outfall, and the Bayside Center.
- Council approved contract for redesign of the public parking lots behind City Hall to include all of our newly acquired properties. When it’s done, the downtown will have more than 60 spots that were not there a couple years ago.
We are continuing to work to improve the reliability of trash and recycling pickup. We created a new response team that will travel our trash and recycling routes on pickup days. They will monitor our contractor, notify residents of improperly placed trash and recycling, and try to help with anything that was missed. I will keep you updated on the success of this new program.
Work to clear the former car dealership lot at 16th Street continues to make good progress. An area for expanded library parking has been milled and elevated. Concrete is being poured for sidewalks and for repaved parking next to Palmer Field. The rest of the block will be cleared and landscaped. Work remains on schedule to be complete by the end of the year. Installation of sod will be weather-dependent. The open space for will be used for a variety of programs and activities next summer.
The Senior Center had their Friendsgiving celebration yesterday. I know everyone there is grateful for all the friendships and community spirit that has been created in the past year. All seniors received a wristband labeled with “Ocean City Senior Center: Our Happy Place.”
Seasonal beach tags for next summer have arrived, and they’ll go on sale starting tomorrow. Anybody can pick them up at the City Hall Welcome Center during Earlier Than the Bird on Saturday or online at ocnj.us/beachtags.
You’re all invited to the annual Community Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday. This year it will be at 12 p.m. at St. Frances Cabrini Church at Second Street and Atlantic Avenue. I hope everyone can make it. It’s a great event.
Christmas in the Downtown – Our Miracle on Asbury Avenue is on schedule for next Friday. As always, we look forward to Santa’s arrival on the roof of City Hall, and the Fire Department will be on hand to help him get down to light the tree and City Hall. But this year, we’re going to add something new. The tree-lighting will be followed by a holiday drone light show that everyone will be able to see looking up from Asbury Avenue toward Sixth Street. It’s great to see so many people from our community at this event, and this will be a cool new feature. I want to thank the Ocean Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Merchants Association for all they do to make this celebration happen.
Our Ocean City Food Cupboard is holding Santa’s Food Drive from Nov. 28 to Nov. 30. During the Miracle on Asbury Avenue celebration on Black Friday, they will challenge the community to fill an Ocean City Beach Patrol lifeguard stand (outside City Hall) with donations. Please bring a non-perishable food item to help them meet their goal. Donations will be accepted inside the City Hall Welcome Center on Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 29 and 30).
Santa’s Mailbox is in place outside Mark Soifer Park at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue. If you’ve been nice this year (… or at least “tried”), you’re welcome to drop your wish list in there.
I’m sad to report that Jean Dattilo passed away this week. Jean was born in a home on 12th Street, lived in Ocean City for her entire 96 years, and died a short distance away at The Shores at Wesley Manor. There is no truer Ocean City native than Jean. I’d like to extend condolences to my friend and retired city team member Mike Dattilo and the entire Dattilo family. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Godfrey Funeral Home in Palermo with visitation at 10 a.m.
My deepest sympathies are also with the families and friends of Charles Friel and Barbara Friend. Chuck was a Vietnam vet and member of our American Legion post, who enjoyed his fishing and crabbing in local waters during his retirement. Barbara had a long career as an educator in area schools and was a faithful member of Our Lady of Good Counsel. Her son Bill is a retired Ocean City police officer.
Our newest episode of the “Inside City Hall” video series is now available at ocnj.us.
Finally, I want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Remember, there will be no trash and recycling pickup on Thursday. Thursday and Friday routes will be moved back by one day.
Warm regards,
Jay A. Gillian
Mayor
