Donald Wittkowski

Ocean City officials are vowing to get even tougher in their crackdown on contractors who violate the rules for construction dumpsters. The city has been responding to complaints that some contractors are failing to cover their dumpsters at construction sites, allowing trash, insulation and other debris to blow out and litter the surrounding neighborhoods. During a City Council meeting Thursday night, members of the governing body said they will consider stricter measures to punish contractors who repeatedly violate the dumpster rules.

Federal officials want to build a massive storm surge barrier across the Great Egg Harbor Inlet between Ocean City and Longport as part of $16 billion in proposed projects to protect the Jersey Shore from flooding along the back bays. Nearly 5,000 feet long and 19 feet high, the barrier would consist of swing gates that would be closed during major storms to prevent floodwaters from threatening Ocean City, Longport and other communities near the inlet that connects the bay with the ocean.

Ocean City Police Chief Jay Prettyman is in the final stages of his training to earn his private pilot’s license. On Sunday, he was out flying again. Yet this time, he jumped out of the plane – at an altitude of 10,000 feet. Yes, jumped. Prettyman joined with the professional skydiving team Fastrax during a sensational opening sequence for the Ocean City Air Show that left thousands of spectators on the beach and Boardwalk awestruck.

City Council approved an $18.4 million bond ordinance Thursday night to fund a series of infrastructure improvements that include road, drainage and dredging projects throughout town. Although the bond package was adopted by a 7-0 vote, there was some infighting among the Council members over a few last-minute changes to the city’s capital plan.

He walked into the room as Ocean City resident Terry Crowley Jr. He left the same night as City Councilman Terry Crowley Jr. It was a whirlwind City Council meeting on Aug. 26 when Crowley was selected from among seven candidates seeking to fill the vacancy created by the resignation two weeks earlier by former First Ward Councilman Michael DeVlieger. Crowley was suddenly thrust into the spotlight of city government. But even though he is a newcomer to politics, he said he was immediately ready to take on the responsibilities as the First Ward’s new councilman.

The main entrance to the new four-story building at the corner of Sixth Street and West Avenue features a glossy facade that suggests an air of exclusivity. Inside, the polished, hardwood-like floors have no scuff marks. Kitchen appliances and countertops glisten. A peek outside the windows on the top floor reveals expansive views of Ocean City’s skyline, the Boardwalk amusement rides and the bay. If you look hard enough, even a tiny bit of the ocean comes into view on the east side of the building. The scenery and the building itself may seem like luxury accommodations, but this is actually an affordable housing complex built for senior citizens by the Ocean City Housing Authority.

It will be a three-person race in the Nov. 2 election for the First Ward seat on City Council. Terrence Crowley Jr., who was unanimously appointed by Council last week to fill a vacancy in the First Ward until the election, will be challenged by longtime residents Donna Swan DeRocher and Donna Moore. Monday at 4 p.m. was the deadline for candidates seeking the First Ward seat to file their nominating petitions with the City Clerk’s Office to be placed on the November ballot.

Terrence Crowley Jr., a pharmaceutical sales executive who is making his first foray into elected politics, was unanimously appointed by City Council on Thursday night to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of former First Ward Councilman Michael DeVlieger. With the appointment, Crowley will temporarily represent the First Ward in the city’s north end until the Nov. 2 general election. He confirmed that he intends to run in the election. The winner of the election will fill DeVlieger’s unexpired term until June 30, 2024.

Seven candidates with varied backgrounds are in the running to fill a vacancy on Ocean City’s governing body created by the resignation of First Ward Councilman Michael DeVlieger. Candidates had until 4:30 p.m. Friday to submit their paperwork to the City Clerk’s Office to be considered for the position. Each candidate will be interviewed by City Council in closed session at the start of the Aug. 26 meeting at 6 p.m., City Clerk Melissa Rasner said.

Ocean City hopes to take advantage of the federal government’s massive, $1.1 trillion infrastructure bill to help pay for a series of “shovel ready” capital projects this year, including a new public safety building for the police and fire departments. Mayor Jay Gillian and senior members of his administration stressed the importance of federal funding while unveiling the city’s proposed  five-year, $141.2 million capital plan Thursday night during a City Council meeting.