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mvitale

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Tom Rotondi Makes Voters’ Needs Top Priority in 2nd Ward Election

When describing his experience, Tom Rotondi, who is running unopposed for the 2nd Ward City Council seat in Ocean City, said he didn’t exactly plan to ever run for office. In fact, the 41-year-old married father of three was used to helping others with their campaigns to get elected. He spent time knocking on doors and speaking with voters about candidates he believed in when he lived in Lower Township and then in Ocean City, a place the Rotondis have called home for over a decade. “I really always wanted to pick the best candidate to represent the people. It is important you are doing this for the people. It is not about the title,” Rotondi explained in an interview. “If you are doing it for the people, you don’t care about the title. If it is about the title, then that is how you end up with bad government.”

O.C. School Board Approves Budget

The Ocean City Board of Education held its first virtual meeting, adopted the budget for the 2020-21 school year, gave thanks to the teachers for their virtual learning efforts and discussed the possibility of a prom alternative. The total budget is $41,555,147, down from $41.6 million last year. The bulk of the funding for the spending plan will come from $23.8 million in local tax revenue, School Business Administrator Timothy Kelley explained during the virtual meeting Wednesday night.

O.C. Education Foundation, School District Shows Seniors “Sign” of Appreciation

The Ocean City New Jersey Education Foundation (OCNJEF) ordered yard signs for each member of the 2020 graduating class to proudly display on their lawns, as well as to give them out in the community to celebrate an important time in the students' educational lives. “We ordered about 100 extra signs in case teachers, businesses, or other members of the community wanted to hang a sign to show some support as well,” explained President of OCNJEF Jennifer Shirk. “There are a bunch of parents willing to help with distribution.” She added that the signs were not expensive because they purchased a lot at one time. Shirk also pointed out that Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor was instrumental in offering the district’s support to assist with the signs. JASM Consulting designed the signs. “Dr. Taylor offered the high school as a place for distribution,” Shirk noted. “Some moms of seniors have offered to help out as well.” This most recent endeavor by the OCNJEF and the district came at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closing of schools countrywide, leaving students to learn through virtual instruction...

Recovery Initiative Task Force Works Toward Re-Opening County

Cape May County’s Recovery Initiative is making progress toward a plan to re-open the County, according to a county release. The Initiative began on April 14, when the Board of Chosen Freeholders created a Business Recovery Task Force co-chaired by Freeholder Vice Director Len Desiderio and Freeholder Will Morey. The Task Force set to work organizing leaders of various sectors of the business community, bringing in the mayors of Cape May County’s 16 municipalities, health sector professionals, state and federal elected officials and others. The Task Force has quickly evolved into the Cape May County-Wide Recovery Initiative. The mission of the recovery Initiative is to optimize and support economic recovery and the safe and thoughtful reopening of public places. “As we are now seeing with many States across the Country engaging in the reopening process, businesses are quickly learning to innovate in order to successfully operate in the present environment,” commented Morey. “That’s what businesses do to survive. Fact is, we can protect our most vulnerable population while adapting sufficiently to restore economic function to our communities.” The commitment of the Cape May County business community was broad and immediate. Local government and community leaders saw that collective action was needed to support recovery and reopening, and are pleased that yesterday New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy indicated the state is now weeks away from moving toward reopening...

Rotary Club Hosts Author of “The Drowning of Money Island”

The Rotary Club of Ocean City - Upper Township will hold an online program Thursday, April 30 with Andrew Lewis, of Ocean City, who will discuss his book. The author’s talk will be the Rotary Club’s first online meeting. The link for this free session will be posted on the Club website the day prior to the meeting. Lewis’s book is the story of the Bayshore community in nearby Cumberland County, ravaged by Superstorm Sandy, “where lack of recovery, sea level rise, and a state effort to buy out and demolish neighborhoods has fractured the community and foreshadowed coastal America’s sinking future.” The book details how climate change has already deepening preexisting inequality and it is a must read for all of living on the coastlines of both the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay...

County Reports New COVID-19 Death

The Cape May County Department of Health reported Wednesday that there are 323 people have now tested positive and an 89-year-old female from Dennis Township has died from COVID-19. The total deaths from this disease in Cape May County is now 21. “It’s with tremendous sorrow that we share the loss of this beloved woman. Our entire community grieves with this family and all of those who have lost loved ones during this pandemic,” said Freeholder Jeff Pierson. “This crisis impacts everyone. Those who have contracted the virus, those who need our care during this time as well as their loved ones.” Following is a breakdown of the total number of coronavirus cases and deaths for each municipality in Cape May County...

Gov. Murphy Announces Plans to Reopen Parks, Golf Courses

Gov. Phil Murphy signed an executive order Wednesday to reopen the state parks and allow county parks and golf courses to reopen. The executive order was announced during his briefing on the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in New Jersey. The order will go into effect at sunrise on Saturday, May 2. In addition, the governor noted that social distancing will still be mandated. The governor closed parks and golf courses on April 7 to further social distancing, according to the executive order...

O.C. Block Party Offers “Virtually” Everything

Since shoppers can't go to what is traditionally a blockbuster annual Ocean City Spring Block Party, the merchants thought of the next best way to bring deals, discounts and unique items to patrons -- in the comfort of their own homes. The Virtual Spring Block Party is this Saturday, May 2, and will feature a nearly endless amount of possibilities for shoppers who can browse cookware, clothing, jewelry, books and more -- all online.

Ocean City Awaits Word to Welcome Back Vacationers

Ocean City is getting ready to welcome visitors back as soon as the coronavirus restrictions are lifted. The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce recently debuted its first 2020 summer season tourism commercial. Its message is a subdued, yet optimistic depiction of the potential summer season. Take a look.

Two O.C. Wawa Employees Test Positive for COVID-19

Memos hung in the windows at the front of the Wawa at 110 34th Street in Ocean City direct customers to turn around and head to an alternate Wawa after two employees tested positive for COVID-19, forcing a temporary shutdown of the convenience store. In one of several memos dated Monday, April 20, Wawa officials explained that two employees who had worked at the location informed management that they had tested positive for the coronavirus.