By TIM KELLY
Tony Wilson says he has never been much interested in being a politician. But he is absolutely committed to serving the town where he has lived all his life.
“I’m not signing up for a Debate Club,” Wilson says. “I’m here to get things done.”
Currently serving as vice president of City Council, Wilson is running for re-election as Ocean City’s Third Ward representative. He is part of the only contested race in the May 12 municipal election, which will be decided only by mail-in ballots.
Wilson points to an unprecedented track record of success in dredging back bays, replacing bulkheads, repaving roads and alleys, improving drainage, replenishing beaches, reconstructing the boardwalk, rebuilding playgrounds and in making many more improvements for the Third Ward.
“Ocean City has always been a spectacular place to live, work and visit. It always will be,” Wilson says. “But when I first took office, there was a lot that needed to be done.”
Wilson was first elected in 2011 at a time when failing drainage systems flooded neighborhoods throughout Ocean City, when bayside lagoons were too shallow for boating, and when the city’s facilities fell into disrepair.
He was part of a Council that worked with the city administration to make the bold decision to commit whatever resources it would take to tackle the city’s many long-neglected projects.
Taking advantage of historically low interest rates, the city launched an aggressive capital improvement program that resulted in innovative neighborhood pumping station projects to mitigate flooding. The bayside dredging program was relaunched and all lagoons have been dredged. The boardwalk was rebuilt, roads and alleys were repaved, and open space acquired.
At the same time, City Council delivered a municipal budget last year with zero tax increase. Wilson says that Council is working now to deliver another budget with no change to the tax rate.
“I believe these infrastructure improvements have changed the quality of life for our residents and made investments in our homes that much more valuable,” Wilson says.
Wilson acknowledges that there is more work to be done, and he wants the opportunity to finish the job.
He said a new pumping station project for the flood-prone area of the Third Ward between West Avenue and Bay Avenue is part of the updated capital plan in the works. Most importantly, he would like to see the city acquire the entire city block in the Third Ward adjacent to the Ocean City Community Center to protect it from development. Council already has authorized the city to negotiate for its purchase or to take it by eminent domain.
Wilson says he is proud to work with a Council focused more on results than on politics. Although no Council members are afraid to speak their minds, they have always maintained respect for each other and a productive working relationship.
A graduate of Ocean City High School and La Salle University, Wilson is owner of C. Leo Wilson Plumbing and Heating in Ocean City. As a local businessman, parent, fisherman and veterans advocate, Wilson understands and shares the interests of his Third Ward neighbors.
He recently partnered with Ocean City business owners in acquiring N95 masks and donating them to the local hospital, Shore Medical Center, where staff is seeing an influx of COVID-19 cases. He has long been active in fundraising for school and veterans events.
Wilson says he urges all Third Ward residents to keep an eye out for the mail-in ballot, which will arrive in the coming days. This is not a sample ballot. All registered voters will receive the ballot by mail. Postage is pre-paid, and the ballot must be returned by mail and postmarked by May 12.
Wilson wants you all to let him finish the job he set out to do – on behalf of all Third Ward residents.
