Dear Friends,City Council last night approved my appointment of Jay Prettyman as chief of police. Jay has risen through the ranks within our department and has a wide range of experience in all of its operations. In more than 23 years on the job, he has compiled an exemplary record of service. I’m confident that he will continue Ocean City’s proud tradition of public safety. I ask you all to join me in congratulating and welcoming him.I also want to congratulate and thank Chief Chad Callahan, who will officially retire on Jan. 31. Under Chad’s leadership since 2008, the department went beyond day-to-day police work to establish strong relationships with the community, and he was an important part of our senior staff team. I know Jay shares Chad’s commitment to making our officers part of the fabric of our town, and I look forward to working with him. Though I was unable to attend, I have heard that our Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Monday was a great success -- with moving tributes to both Dr. King and Sally Onesty, who was honored for her community service.I want to thank the Rev. Gregory Johnson, all of the clergy members, city team members and participants who helped put together the event. I also want to thank everybody who took time out on the holiday to attend and to participate in our citywide cleanup earlier on Monday.
Video of the event is available here, and will air at noon Saturday (Jan. 26) and 7 p.m. Sunday (Jan. 27) on OCTV-97 (our government access channel available at Channel 97 on Comcast cable systems).Our annual free rabies clinic takes place 10 a.m. to noon Saturday (Jan. 26) at the Ocean City Fire Department headquarters (550 Asbury Avenue). Click here for more details.I hope you all have a great weekend.Warm regards,Mayor Jay A. Gillian
