Dear Friends,It seems like we’re exactly where we were last Friday – waiting for a large storm system to move up the coast. Unlike last week, the National Weather Service has posted no coastal flood advisories. But forecasters are calling for heavy rain – as much as 2 to 3 inches could fall before Saturday afternoon. If the worst of the rain coincides with high tide at 5:18 a.m. Saturday, street flooding could occur. Please be ready to move vehicles from low-lying streets. The forecast also calls for Saturday winds that could gust beyond 40 mph, but fortunately they are expected to be from the west. That usually helps keep tide levels down. The annual Trail of Two Cities 5K run will go off rain or shine in the morning (at 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3).Remember that the inbound lanes of the Route 52 causeway leading to Ocean City will be closed to all traffic from about 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. to accommodate the race. Please seek an alternative route if you’re traveling to Ocean City at that time. For more information on the event, visit ocnj.us/race-events. Work on the major neighborhood drainage projects in the Fourth Ward and at the north end continues to progress toward completion this fall. Paving of the parking lot at the Transportation Center at Ninth Street and Haven Avenue and resurfacing of the porous pavement along E. Atlantic Boulevard also will take place in the coming weeks.
The city is seeking bids on spring 2019 work that will include alleys in the Fourth Ward drainage project, brick crosswalks at the Asbury Avenue intersections at Sixth Street, Seventh Street and 11th Street, and demolition of a city building to create open space at 36th Street and Bay Avenue. Spring 2019 work also will include road projects in all four wards.Finally, I ask you all to join me in mourning the loss and celebrating the life of Nancy Fox-Hoover, who died last week. Nancy was an accomplished vocalist and founder of the Fox Vocal Arts Studio in town. Her passion for music extended beyond her own performances, and she was a driving force in cultivating arts education in Ocean City. Her work with both young students and accomplished professionals provided a foundation for a thriving arts scene here in town. Michele and I would like to extend our condolences to her husband, Duke Spitzer, her entire family and to all the former students whom she has touched.Warm regards,Jay A. GillianMayor
