Dear Friends,I want to thank the entire city team, the Chamber of Commerce, business contributors and all of the many volunteers who helped make First Night and First Day such a success. These family-friendly New Year’s celebrations continue to get better every year, and we’re off to a great start for 2019. I’m looking forward to the completion of two major neighborhood drainage projects early this year. In the mid-island area, the city team continues to fine-tune optimal settings for the four new pumping stations. The contractor is completing a punch-list of concrete work, and the grading and paving of alleys will take place in the coming months. At the north end, installation of pumping stations has begun and final concrete work on Bay Avenue is ongoing. I anticipate this project will be complete by early spring. Christmas trees can be placed at the curb for pickup on the regular trash schedule throughout the month of January. Please remember to make sure they are free of decorations.With winter temperature extremes wearing on our roads, I want to remind everybody of our hotline for citizens to report potholes on Ocean City streets in need of immediate repair. Call 609-525-9271 any time 24 hours a day or visit www.ocnj.us/pothole to let us know what work needs to be done.I’m sad to report that Michael Petrozza passed away earlier this week. Michael was a long-time Ocean City resident and ranger at the Ocean City Municipal Golf Course. He also served on the Ocean City Zoning Board of Adjustment. Michele and I would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends and thank him for his service to Ocean City.Finally, I want to encourage everybody to attend a pair of events in the coming weeks.
At 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Ocean City Tabernacle (550 Wesley Avenue), I will hold a town hall meeting to address our affordable housing obligations and plans. The state Supreme Court has ordered all municipalities in New Jersey to provide affordable housing for families, individuals and the elderly, and this requirement will represent a significant challenge in the coming years.At noon on Monday, Jan. 21 at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School, Ocean City will present its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration. The event brings together the entire community to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King. If you’ve never attended, I absolutely encourage you to do so. The program is always inspirational and a reminder that all great things come from working together. I want to thank and congratulate Sally Onesty, who will be honored with the Martin Luther King Award for her support of individuals and families battling the effects of addiction. I also invite everybody to participate in the Martin Luther King Day of Service on Jan. 21. Volunteers can meet at the Senior Center (18th Street and Simpson Avenue) at 9 a.m. to get supplies and assignments for a citywide cleanup.Warm regards,Mayor Jay A. Gillian
