By Donald Wittkowski
For OCNJ Daily
Ocean City Councilwoman Karen Bergman announced Thursday that she is running in the May 10 municipal election and immediately picked up the backing of a powerful political figure — Mayor Jay Gillian.
Flanked by Gillian and about 40 other supporters, Bergman kicked off her campaign for an at-large Council seat during a rally at City Hall.
“I’m committed to bringing an honest, common-sense approach to the Ocean City Council table,” Bergman told her supporters moments before she began handing out copies of her candidate’s petition for them to sign.
Gillian stopped short of making a formal endorsement, but noted in an interview that he will be voting for Bergman.
“Karen is a very bright and intelligent councilwoman,” the mayor said. “I just want what is best for the taxpayers, and I think Karen is the best one for the job.”
Bergman is expected to face competition in the election. H. Lloyd Hayes, a retired Ocean City teacher and swimming coach, has also taken out petitions for the at-large Council seat, according to Deputy City Clerk Sheila Cottrell.
Hayes served two terms on the Ocean City Board of Education and one six-month stint as a replacement on City Council in 2000.
March 7 is the deadline for candidates to submit their petitions. They must collect valid signatures from at least 1 percent of the city’s 8,723 registered voters to have their names placed on the ballot, Cottrell said.
In addition to one open at-large post, City Council’s First, Second. Third and Fourth Ward seats are also up for the May election, Cottrell said.
Bergman, 54, formerly served as a Second Ward councilwoman from 2008 to 2012, but chose not to seek re-election in 2012. She rejoined the governing body in October after Council unanimously appointed her to fill an open seat created by the resignation of Michael Allegretto.
Allegretto, an at-large councilman, left to become the city’s director of community services. Bergman’s temporary appointment to fill Allegretto’s seat lasts until May. The winner of the May election would serve out the remainder of Allegretto’s unexpired term, which runs until June 2018.
Bergman met with the media Thursday after posing for group photos with her supporters. One of them waved a “Karen for Council” sign.
Asbury Avenue resident Winnie Piriano said she is supporting Bergman because of the experience she brings to Council.
“We need her,” Piriano said. “She’s a team player, is very intelligent and is totally independent.”
Bergman has been an Ocean City resident since 1991 and lives on Bayview Place. She works as the director of catering at the Flanders Hotel.
Bergman said she wants to stay on Council to serve as a liaison between residents, the business community and city government. She touted her experience on a number of boards that promote tourism and business.
“I strive to be a woman of integrity and believe that honesty, humility and openness are essential in all forms of service, whether it be service to one’s family, employer or constituents,” she said.
She said her top priorities for 2016 include city projects to dredge lagoons and to alleviate the type of tidal flooding that plagues the island during severe storms, such as last month’s powerful nor’easter.
