Dear Friends,
I want to share some great news. We learned yesterday that AtlantiCare is partnering with the Ocean City School District to bring a COVID vaccination site to the high school.
Plans are still preliminary. But the idea is to provide a site for students, parents and community members to be vaccinated. All those age 16 and over would be eligible. I know the district is working to get this up and running as quickly as possible, and I will provide more detail as it becomes available.
Police Chief Jay Prettyman made a presentation to City Council last night (see video) explaining what action the department is taking to address issues related to large groups of young teenagers riding bicycles into oncoming traffic and causing other problems throughout town.
The city has received numerous complaints about this behavior, and I encourage everybody to watch the chief’s presentation and to read a joint statement issued on Monday. I’m confident that a good plan is in place and I’m prepared to organize a community meeting if more action is needed.
Ocean City will hold its semi-annual Paper Shredding Day 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 1, at the Shelter Road Recycling Center off Tennessee Avenue. This no-contact event will observe all public health guidelines. The event is free to residents and property owners in Ocean City. Please bring a driver’s license or other proof of residency/home ownership.
Our brochure of 2021 Summer Recreation Programs is now available online. Registration will open online and in-person at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 1. Many of the programs are popular and fill up quickly, so I encourage everybody to take a look at what’s available in advance and be ready to sign up early on May 1. Online registration will be through our new RecDesk system, and you can create an account there to manage program and event registrations, as well as Aquatic and Fitness Center memberships.
With the exception of some rain on Saturday night, the weekend forecast looks pretty good, and downtown and boardwalk merchants will be set up for outdoor table sales throughout the weekend. They will display their local merchandise on tables set up outside their storefronts and offer discounts and specials.
Vendors with merchandise and collector’s items representing a variety of sports and teams will be on the Ocean City Music Pier on Saturday, April 24 for the annual Sports Memorabilia Show. The show runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Both these events provide a great chance to get out and enjoy all that Ocean City has to offer. I hope you have a great weekend.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
