Dear Friends,
Ocean City is moving forward with plans for summer events as the recovery from the pandemic progresses.
The CDC and the governor continue to relax restrictions, and in calls with local medical officials, I’m told that the risk of outdoor transmission remains low, while the number of people who are fully vaccinated climbs.
Our Community Services Department and our Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce are working to bring back all the traditional events we love and will release more detail as plans take shape.
But I want to let you know now that we are planning to have a fireworks display on Sunday, July 4, our Night in Venice celebration on Saturday, July 24, and our 11th annual Baby Parade on Thursday, Aug. 12.
As always, the health of our residents and guests will remain a top priority, so we will provide guidance on how to enjoy events safely and on any restrictions that remain in place. But hopefully we have seen the last of the cancellations.
AtlantiCare and the Ocean City School District have partnered to bring a COVID-19 vaccination site to Ocean City High School. For information on how to make an appointment, please visit www.ocnj.us/covid19.
The city hired a labor attorney to conduct a confidential investigation of allegations against Ocean City Beach Patrol employees and to review OCBP and city policies, procedures and training and make recommendations for changes, if required.
More information on this important matter is available in a news release sent out today. I am also planning to meet on Sunday with a coalition of current and former female lifeguards who reached out with a set of positive recommendations for policy and structural changes.
Police Chief Jay Prettyman, Aide to Mayor Michael Allegretto, Community Services Director Dan Kelchner and I met with several parents of the young teens who have gathered in large groups, riding their bicycles into oncoming traffic and causing other problems.
The department and the parents agreed to partner together to promote safe riding. They are planning an event for next week that will include both officers and kids.
Ocean City will hold its semi-annual Paper Shredding Day 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow (May 1, 2021) at the Shelter Road Recycling Center off Tennessee Avenue. The event is free to residents and property owners in Ocean City.
May 1 marks the first day for active parking meters in Ocean City, and our municipal parking lots are now collecting fees.
May 1 is also the first day that pets are not permitted on the beaches at any time of day.
Permit holders are allowed to drive on the beach to fish in the early mornings and evening only through May 15. For the sake of everybody who enjoys our beaches, please respect these local laws.
Final milling and paving of Bay Avenue from Eighth Street to 31st Street is now tentatively scheduled to begin the week of May 10.
I know we’re all looking forward to the completion of this Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority project.
Michele and I would like to extend condolences to the families of Kathleen Millar, Joseph Shirk, Charles Kulp and Josephine Capizzi, all prominent Ocean City citizens who passed away recently. Each lived a long and interesting life that was well-lived, and their children, grandchildren and extended families remain an important part of our community.
Finally, I want to encourage everybody to visit the Ocean City Block Party Table Sales this weekend.
Store owners will display their local merchandise on tables set up outside their storefronts and offer discounts and specials.
We have a high wind warning in effect for tonight, but the rest of the weekend forecast looks great.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
