Dear Friends,
I would like to thank everybody for their precautions, patience and understanding during this extraordinary summer. Summer is busy, fun and always too short. Please take the time to enjoy a safe and healthy holiday weekend with your family and friends.
The Army Corps of Engineers is wrapping up its beach replenishment work, and all restored beaches will have full access for the holiday weekend. The combined cost of this work with a similar Sea Isle City project was about $37 million, and the federal and state government picked up more than 91 percent of Ocean City’s share.
While it was an inconvenience to have this work completed during the summer, Ocean City will always be exceptionally grateful for the coastline protection provided through this ongoing agreement.
Starting today, the governor will permit restaurants to open their doors at 25 percent capacity. It has been an extremely challenging summer for all local businesses, so please eat and shop locally.
We have extended our Ocean City Beach Patrol coverage through Sept. 20. After Labor Day Weekend, nine beaches will be guarded through Sept. 20 and six through Sept. 27. In addition, rapid response teams will be on hand to assist. Visit www.ocnj.us/ocbp for more information.
Starting Sept. 14, our Community Services Department will provide after-school programs for local youth in response to the limited classroom schedule for public schools. Families are so important right now, and this is an opportunity for us to help them out. We’re all worried about getting sick, but mental health is equally important. These programs will offer opportunities for socialization and learning to local youth. Learn more about these programs and how to register.
The lights on the Route 52 causeway bridges will be lit gold for September in recognition of Children’s Cancer Awareness Month. The color gold symbolizes how precious children are and the resiliency of childhood cancer heroes. Lighting the bridge is just one small way of showing our support.
The weekly farmers market 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the grounds of the Ocean City Tabernacle has been extended through Sept. 30, and our popular beach exercise classes have also been extended through the month.
Our annual 9/11 ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 11 outside Fire Department headquarters on the 500 block of Asbury Avenue.
Work will resume Tuesday (Sept. 8) on the Cape May County Municipal Utility Authority’s wastewater main replacement project on Bay Avenue. Please expect limited delays and detours as pipe work continues through about Nov. 1. The roadway should be fully restored and paved by Dec. 1.
Twice-a-week trash and recycling pickup will continue through Sept. 12. The off-season schedule of weekly routes will begin on Monday, Sept. 14.
Finally, I would like to pass along the sad news of the passing of Sylva Bertini. Many of us know Sylva from Ocean City Home Bank, where she rose from bank teller to vice president. Earlier in her life, she and her family ran J&B Delicatessen at 31st Street and Asbury Avenue.
Sylva also volunteered with the Ocean City Ecumenical Council Food Cupboard, the Ocean City Historical Society, the Friends of the Ocean City Pops, Shore Memorial Hospital and Saint Damien Parish. I hope you will join Michele and me in extending deepest condolences to all of Sylva’s family and friends.
Again, I hope you have a great holiday weekend and take advantage of what looks like some spectacular weather ahead of us.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
