Ocean City, NJ residents shared their frustrations about street flooding at a meeting Wednesday, Feb. 11, at the Ocean City Free Public Library.
To the Editor:
This letter is to inform homeowners that there will be a second community meeting on street flooding held at the Ocean City Community Center, Room N111, at 1 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21. A subcommittee of the Fairness in Taxes community group is holding this meeting to give second homeowners and people who could not attend our last meeting, as well as those who did, an opportunity to participate. You can reach our committee via email at
[email protected].
What follows is an open letter to municipal government.
Dear Mayor Gillian and Ocean City Councilmen,
You should be aware that 40+ homeowners and concerned citizens came together at a community meeting last Wednesday, Feb. 11, to express their frustration with recurring street flooding in their neighborhoods. In addition, a dozen or so second homeowners who couldn’t attend the meeting sent statements of support to the OC Flooding committee. Those property owners represent homes from First Street to 54th Street, from Central Avenue to the bay.
I was surprised and disappointed that Councilman Pete Guinosso was the only councilman that showed up to hear what his constituents had to say, especially because flooding occurs in all four wards. Most homeowners stated that their street flooding has only gotten worse. Although a few noted a small improvement (since check valves were replaced), they also stated they are less than satisfied with the results. A common theme emerged from the meeting: Water is coming up through stormwater grates (even on days when it hasn’t rained) and in some places water is seeping up through paved surfaces.
Regardless of what may have been done previously to address the flooding, the proof is in the pudding. Our flooding problems persist. It isn’t just my house, my street or even my ward. Street flooding is affecting hundreds of our homes! It is costing homeowners thousands of dollars in damage and making our homes unsafe. Standing water on our properties, especially in the summer months, may contain bacteria such as E. coli and worse. In addition to property damage, street flooding poses a very real health hazard.
Many residents feel as though our city administration isn’t doing enough, and in fact, isn’t even listening to us.
I respectfully request that you develop then provide the public with a specific written plan that addresses and alleviates the flooding for all of us. No resident should be forced to wait until 2019 or longer to have the flooding addressed on their street, as is currently planned in your budget. That is ridiculous! I’ve already been living with this for decades all the while being promised by the city that it would be fixed and instead it keeps getting worse!
I respectfully request that you stop spending our money on things that are not necessities until you address the quality of life issues that impact the residents and property owners of “America’s Greatest Family Resort.” Please listen to your constituents, be fiscally responsible and make the hundreds of us affected by the flooding your PRIORITY.
Very sincerely,
Mrs. Suzanne Hornick
West Avenue, Ocean City
