Donald Wittkowski

Ocean City is asking the state to “slow down” with proposed regulations that would impose new requirements on New Jersey’s shore communities to respond to the growing threat of climate change and rising sea levels. City Council approved a resolution Thursday that requests the state to conduct “a comprehensive and independent analysis” of the potential economic and social impacts of the proposed regulations, including how they would affect families with low and moderate incomes.

The construction of the Republic Bank building in 2021 was supposed to represent the next phase of the Ninth Street corridor’s transformation into a more inviting gateway into Ocean City. But now comes word that the contemporary-style glass building overlooking the corner of Ninth Street and West Avenue will not survive much longer following the takeover of Republic Bank by Fulton Bank. It is scheduled to close on Sept. 16.

The losing candidate in Ocean City’s razor-thin Third Ward election withdrew her lawsuit challenging the results, one day before it was scheduled for court. The decision by Amie Vaules ensures that incumbent Third Ward Councilman Jody Levchuk remains the winner in a race that separated the candidates by a mere two votes, 402-400.

For the third time in 10 months, the Ocean City Housing Authority has rejected construction bids for a proposed 60-unit affordable housing development and will now use a different tactic to try to hire a contractor.

A troubled Ocean City condominium complex closed since April because of structural problems is now up for sale for $7 million and is being pitched as a development site. The Seaspray Condominiums are currently surrounded by a chain-link fence cutting off access to the 32-unit property at the corner of 34th Street and Bay Avenue in the south end of town.

During what is normally a ceremonial unanimous vote, there was some drama at City Council’s annual reorganization meeting Monday when two members of the governing body voted against the appointment of Council President Pete Madden.

Continuing the post-election shakeup in Ocean City’s government, Councilman Tom Rotondi said goodbye Thursday during his last meeting as a member of City Council. Rotondi, who represented the Second Ward, decided not to seek a new term in the May 14 municipal election. He is leaving after serving one four-year term.

By now, Jason Kelce must have a serious case of writer’s cramp. He was mobbed by hundreds of Philadelphia Eagles fans clamoring for his autograph on their jerseys, hats, footballs and sneakers. One fan even had a Kelce tattoo on his leg that he wanted the newly retired All-Pro and Pro-Bowl center to sign. Kelce made a grand entrance at O’Donnell’s Pour House for a celebrity bartending role in the fourth year of the Eagles Autism Foundation fundraiser in Sea Isle City on Wednesday evening.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, seeking his fourth term in Congress representing South Jersey, cruised to the Republican nomination without facing any opposition in Tuesday night’s primary. In a surprise, political newcomer Joseph Salerno was holding off Tim Alexander in a close race for the Democratic nomination and the right to face Van Drew in the November general election.

Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian is warning troublemaking teenagers to stay away from the resort community following a rowdy Memorial Day weekend tainted by a stabbing, fights, shoplifting and other crimes committed by groups of juveniles roaming the Boardwalk. “The incidents this Memorial Day weekend were unacceptable,” Gillian said during a Boardwalk news conference Thursday attended by local, county and state elected officials in a show of support for Ocean City. At the same time, Gillian and Police Chief Bill Campbell repeatedly sought to reassure the public that Ocean City remains a safe, welcoming and family-friendly vacation destination poised for a successful summer tourism season.