Dear Friends,I want to thank Brittany Battle, Josh Baker and Takiya Wilson for organizing tomorrow’s Juneteenth celebration.Ocean City has a rich and diverse history and preserving the historical legacy of Ocean City’s black community is incredibly important. The event, now in its fourth year, will recognize eight men and women who made major contributions to our community. Rev. John Winters, Tommy and Mary Miles, Bernice McClellan, Daniel Henry, Charlene Hemphill, Mary Jane Granger and Richard Tolson all will be honored. Everybody is invited to attend. The celebration is 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (June 15) at Ocean City High School. For more information, visit ocnjjuneteenth.jimdo.com . I also want to congratulate the Ocean City High School Class of 2019. This group of remarkable young men and women will graduate Monday night in a ceremony at Carey Stadium. I made the same walk 36 years ago and have always been proud to be an OCHS alum and member of the Class of 1983.
Contractors have completed the Shooting Island living shoreline project on the bay side of Ocean City. Charter Contracting of Boston installed 2,700 linear feet of rock sill and 1,450 linear feet of oyster habitat along the northern and western edges of the island. These structures are marked with navigational aids and this map will help provide further guidance for boaters.The first phase of Shooting Island restoration provided coastal resiliency and reduction of storm impacts to Ocean City’s bayfront. Shooting Island has seen significant degradation with the shoreline receding nearly 60 feet since 1978. More than 150 acres of tidal wetlands will be restored. The project also will provide new habitat for marine life, birds and other coastal species.It looks like we have another great weather forecast for the weekend. I hope you all get a chance to get out and enjoy all that Ocean City has to offer.Warm regards,Mayor Jay A. Gillian
