Dear Friends,I want to thank everybody who took the time to attend our town hall meeting on affordable housing last Saturday, and I want to thank our expert panelists for turning such a complex topic into a simple, factual and understandable presentation on our obligations and plans.I believe all members of our community deserve our help, and this issue is extremely important to me. Complete video of the town hall meeting, a frequently-asked-questions (FAQ) document and a copy of our settlement agreement are available at www.ocnj.us/AffordableHousing.The latest weather forecasts call for a mix of heavy rain and potential flooding this weekend, followed by ice and bitter cold on Monday. Tide levels are expected to peak on a near-full-moon tide at 7:10 a.m. Sunday morning. The National Weather Service has not yet issued any advisories, but please monitor forecasts and look for further updates from our Emergency Management Department.
Our annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration will go on as scheduled at noon Monday (Jan. 21) at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School. I want to encourage the entire community to come together to honor the life and legacy of Dr. King.I also want to 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. Ocean City Intermediate School students Ethan Meron and James Burke will be honored for their award-winning essays, and the Rev. Gregory Johnson will provide his reading of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.I also invite everybody to participate in the Martin Luther King Day of Service earlier on Monday. Volunteers are asked to meet at the Senior Center (18th Street and Simpson Avenue) at 9 a.m. to get supplies and assignments for a citywide cleanup followed by hot drinks and refreshments.Warm regards,Mayor Jay A. Gillian
