Dear Friends,
It was great to see so many people at the Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons Plunge this afternoon (on Friday). The event happened on the same day that New Jersey’s mask mandate was lifted, and you can tell that everybody is excited for summer.
After a long year, everybody deserves to have some extra fun this summer, and I think it’s going to be a blockbuster season. Enjoy every minute of it, and remember to take care of all the local shops, restaurants and businesses that make Ocean City so special.
I also want to encourage you to take some time out from the festivities on Monday to pay tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives in defense of our freedoms. That’s what Memorial Day is all about.
Our Boardwalk flag-raising ceremony and flagpole dedication has been moved to 8:50 a.m. Monday, May 31 in front of the Music Pier.
We will dedicate the flagpole to three local war heroes — Joe Caserta, Bill Cruice and J.R. Robinson — and continue the summer tradition of raising the flag and playing the national anthem and “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Our annual Memorial Day ceremony will be at 11 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park between Fifth Street and Sixth Street on Wesley Avenue.
Samples of banners honoring veterans are now hung on the boardwalk near the Music Pier. We are working on a program to let the public honor veterans starting next summer. Application forms should be available shortly.
I’m happy to report that — with the COVID relief factored in — we were able to dramatically cut the preliminary budget we delivered in March. City Council last night voted to introduce a municipal budget with an increase of just one penny to the tax rate.
Please monitor weather conditions and be prepared to move vehicles in advance of high tides on Friday and Saturday nights. See more information.
Tickets for live entertainment in Ocean City are on sale now, and this weekend is your last chance to purchase seasonal beach tags at the discounted $20 price.
I hope you all have a great weekend.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
