August 14, 2026

Dear Friends,

For several months the Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) has been working to repair a damaged pipeline that discharges treated effluent from the 46th Street plant in Ocean City. The discharge that typically goes over a mile out into the ocean has been redirected into a tributary of Crook Horn Creek in the marshes southwest of the treatment plant. This activity was authorized by the NJDEP. Part of the operation includes sampling of the discharge, and last week, the DEP’s test results revealed heightened bacterial levels that resulted in the DEP requesting the posting of warning signs by the County Health Department.

The city was not initially notified of this occurrence, and we have since discussed this oversight with the appropriate agencies. The DEP’s notice recommends no fishing or swimming occur in the waterways of Crook Horn Creek and the vicinity of the 34th Street boat ramp. We are working with the DEP and the MUA to continue to monitor this situation and will keep the public informed as we proceed. 

 I want to invite you all to a town hall meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 29, in the Chris Maloney Lecture Hall at the Ocean City Free Public Library. Members of the city team and I will provide updates on new services and projects and answer questions from the public.

I want to thank the Ocean City Marlin and Tuna Club for sponsoring its fishing tournament, which benefits Gold Star Families who have lost children in service of our country. I had the distinct honor of meeting Charlie Strange, and Pat and Amy Moore. Charlie’s son Michael was killed in action along with 30 other heroes when their helicopter was attacked in Afghanistan. Pat and Amy’s son, Ben, also died while serving in Afghanistan, when his truck struck an improvised explosive device while he was on a mission. I’m proud that our community has always been so supportive of our veterans and their families.

Sand-pumping operations have resumed after a brief interruption while an underwater pipeline was relocated. The work has progressed to the 10^th Street area. When the project reaches the area of 11th and 12th Street, the work will flip directions and move from First Street to the north end. It’s exciting to see the newly rebuilt beaches along the Boardwalk, and pipes will be removed from the beach along that stretch after the work is complete.

I’m sad to report on the loss of Michael “Brett” Katsiff, Pat Fitzsimons and Jean Davis Robinson. Brett and I were both 1983 graduates of Ocean City High School. His family owned the Ocean Pharmacy in town, and he later worked as store director for the ACME in town, when he wasn’t fishing, rooting for the Flyers or spending time with his family.

Pat was a graduate of Ocean City High School, and she was a big supporter of the Shore Medical Center and the local Charity League.

Jean lived her life in Ocean City to the fullest. She was a member of our Colony Club, Garden Club, Historical Society, Shore Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and Humane Society. But her greatest passion was golf. She recorded two holes-in-one as a member of our Brambley Golf League.

Please join Michele and me in offering deepest condolences to all of the family and friends of Brett, Pat and Jean.

I hope you get a chance to see our Little Miss Ocean City Pageant (tonight at 7 p.m.) and Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant (tomorrow at 7 p.m.) at the Ocean City Music Pier. I want to thank reigning Little Miss Harper Juelg and Junior Miss Arianna DiAntonio for being such great ambassadors for Ocean City during the course of the year. Tickets are available at the Ocean City Music Pier Box Office, by visiting oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice or by calling 609-399-6111.

I hope you all have a safe and happy weekend.

Warm regards,

Jay A. Gillian
Mayor