By MADDY VITALE
Ocean City resident Tom Rotondi filed a petition at the City Clerk’s Office Thursday to run for an open 2nd Ward City Council seat in May.
The seat was vacated by Councilman Antwan McClellan after he won election to the state Assembly.
Surrounded by his wife, Stephanie, three children, Tommy, 6, Celeste, 2, and 9-month-old Joey, and supporters, Rotondi, 41, pledged that, if elected to Council, he will work hard to keep Ocean City family-friendly and safe.
Another candidate, Gabe Staino, has also filed papers to run for the 2nd Ward seat in the May municipal election.
Rotondi said in an interview after filing his petition that there are key areas he would focus on if he joins Council. The main one would be to keep Ocean City “America’s Greatest Family Resort.”
“I want to see Ocean City protected. I want to see it stay Ocean City, a great family resort,” he noted.
He explained that his road to Thursday has been a busy one, speaking with many residents in his ward, as well as other areas of the community.
Rotondi, who lived in Lower Township before moving to Ocean City more than 10 years ago, vowed that he would always listen to his constituents in the 2nd Ward about the issues.
Flooding, tourism and over-building are some areas he hears concerns about.
“I understand what the people want,” he said. “They want low taxes, a safe community. There is a balance between family friendly and tourism.”
Candidate Tom Rotondi is surrounded by family and friends and other supporters at Mark Soifer Park, across from City Hall.
He currently works with the Marsh and McLennan Agency specializing in employee health and benefits consulting for non-profit, municipal and health care providers.
Before his current position, Rotondi served in many different roles in the military and law enforcement.
He is a U.S. Army veteran, having served from 1997 to 2000.
After returning from service, he attended and graduated as class president from the Cape May County Police Academy. He became a Lower Township police officer and then a corrections officer for the State Department of Corrections.
His varied career has one unifying theme, he said.
“I like to help people,” he pointed out.
While Marsh and McLennan Agency is based in New York City, his office is located in Cape May County. But Rotondi works from home primarily, giving him time to be with his family in their community.
“I love Ocean City,” Rotondi said. “We have been here for over 10 years.”
Tom Rotondi, helped by his son Tommy, hands-in his petition to City Clerk Melissa Rasner.
His decision to run was an easy one.
“I’ve always been civic-minded. I’ve always been interested in just giving back,” he said.
Over recent weeks, Rotondi has knocked on 500 doors in the 2nd Ward.
“I am committed to learning from and listening to the residents of the 2nd Ward so that when elected, I can represent them with their best interests at heart,” Rotondi said in a press release. “I will continue to visit as many doors and listen to as many of the residents as possible between now and May. I will be a strong independent voice protecting the needs of the 2nd Ward families and businesses.”
Rotondi is a current member of the Ocean City Zoning Board, which he was unanimously appointed to by City Council in 2016. He is also a volunteer coach with Ocean City tee ball and a Master Mason with Cape Island Lodge 30.
Additionally, he is on multiple boards and is a volunteer with “Hand-to-Hand Mission to Haiti,” a non-profit organization that hand delivers solar lights, food, education supplies and tuition for the children in Haiti.
Tom Rotondi with family members and other supporters at City Hall.
