Ocean City Councilman Guinosso Honored at Last Meeting

By Donald Wittkowski  With praise, humor and a standing ovation, City Council bade an emotional goodbye Thursday night to Peter Guinosso during his last meeting on Ocean City's governing body. The 75-year-old Guinosso, who chose not to seek re-election in May as the Fourth Ward councilman, said he had a "great run" during his four years in office. "I enjoyed it all," he told the audience at City Hall. "I enjoyed the community. I enjoyed the people I dealt with." Guinosso's departure is not the only action that will reshape Council as it prepares for its annual reorganization meeting July 1st. Keith Hartzell announced Thursday that he will not seek another term as Council president, although he will remain on the seven-member body. Hartzell said he wanted to give another Council member a chance to assume a leadership role. It is not yet known who will become the next president, although Peter Madden currently serves as vice president. Replacing Guinosso as the Fourth Ward's representative will be Robert Barr, who defeated two challengers in the May municipal election to capture the seat. Barr has been attending Council meetings in recent weeks as a member of the audience. Guinosso said he has not offered Barr any advice as he prepares to enter office. Barr will follow a man who developed a reputation as a fiscal conservative who wasn't afraid to disagree with Council's majority. At times, Guinosso was the lone member to cast dissenting votes on key issues. Guinosso continued his independent streak Thursday by voting no on the introduction of a zoning and land development ordinance that he fears would create too much density in a section of town known as the Drive-in Business Zone, concentrated along Haven Avenue. A resolution Council approved in Guinosso's honor praised him as "a tireless advocate for transparency, ethics and fiscal responsibility." It went on to say that he will "long be remembered for his professionalism, knowledge of local issues, good humor and for upholding the independent spirit of the Fourth Ward." Hartzell, who read the resolution while Guinosso was surrounded by his Council colleagues, poked fun at one point at Guinosso's penchant for voting no. Hartzell was joined by other Council members in praising Guinosso for his gentlemanly demeanor, his commitment to public service and for the intense way he would delve into local issues. "He sticks by his principles. He doesn't waver. You don't move him," Hartzell said. Councilman Michael DeVlieger noted that he and Guinosso had serious disagreements about the design of the city’s new skateboarding park, but never was there any personal animosity between them. "Never did I think it was personal. It was always about the issue," DeVlieger said. Mayor Jay Gillian, right, who presented Guinosso with an honorary piece of the Boardwalk, told him, "You always did what was right for the taxpayer." DeVlieger called Guinosso "absolutely a class act." Other Council members expressed similar sentiments while thanking Guinosso for his help and leadership. Councilman Tony Wilson said Guinosso was his mentor. Mayor Jay Gillian also extended his compliments to Guinosso. "You always did what was right for the taxpayer," Gillian said. Members of the public also paid tribute to Guinosso. They hailed him as "a hero" and said he would be sorely missed, especially in the Fourth Ward. Al Keleher, a resident of Haven Avenue, called Guinosso "a real gentleman." Keleher recounted how Guinosso had come to his home to help Keleher when he was sick. "Pete, we're going to miss you. I hope Bobby can fill your boots," Keleher said, referring to Barr. Guinosso chose not to seek re-election in order to spend more time with his family. Although he is leaving Council, Guinosso promised to remain active in the community. He is a member of the government watchdog group Fairness In Taxes and also serves with the Ocean City Ecumenical Council, a confederation of churches closely involved with charity work. Guinosso was not the only person honored by Council on Thursday. David James Laverty was lauded for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America. Boy Scout David James Laverty received congratulations from City Council and Mayor Jay Gillian for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Laverty, a member of Upper Township's Troop 79, helped to landscape the American Legion Post 524 in Ocean City for his Eagle Scout project. In other business, Council awarded a $3.4 million contract to Fred M. Schiavone Construction Inc., of Malaga, N.J., for reconstruction of the Boardwalk between Eighth and 10th streets. The work is the next phase of the Boardwalk's refurbishment between Fifth and 12th streets. Schiavone's contract includes replacing the Boardwalk decking and concrete substructure between Eighth and 10th streets. It will also reconstruct the Boardwalk in front of the Music Pier at Moorlyn Terrace. City spokesman Doug Bergen said the Boardwalk's overhaul will begin after Columbus Day in October. Construction work in front of the Music Pier is expected to be completed in time for the city's First Day ceremonies that will kick off New Year's Day 2017, Bergen noted. Also Thursday, Council approved advertising for construction bids for a new firehouse at 29th Street. The existing firehouse, which dates to the 1950s, was badly damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and was pummeled again by the powerful coastal storm Jonas in January. The old firehouse remains open through the busy summer season to avoid disruptions in emergency service. It will be demolished after Labor Day to make room for a two-story replacement costing an estimated $1.6 million. The new firehouse is expected to open by next May.