Mayor’s Message: Nov. 12

Dear Friends, I want to thank the Ocean City Primary School administration, staff and students for participating in our annual Veterans Day ceremony yesterday. Leo Vanderschuere, Adamaya Martinez-Avila, Francesca Leone, Kayden Grundler and Logan Masters read a poem honoring service members, and their classmates made cards thanking all veterans. I believe it’s important for our youth to attend events like these. There is so much they can learn from the men and women who have served our country, and so much our veterans can learn from them. I also want to thank everybody involved in putting the event together, especially Commander Mike Morrissey of the VFW and Commander Bob Marzulli of the American Legion. Video of the ceremony will be aired on OCTV-97 (Comcast Channel 97) at 11 a.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. Sunday and 7:30 p.m. Monday, and the video is also available on demand here: www.ocnj.us/videos. Here’s a photo of the Ocean Aire Condominiums along the 4300 block of West Avenue, which are in the process of being elevated. Ocean Aire Condos. (Photo courtesy of Ocean City) The city was able to secure a $3 million FEMA grant on behalf of 52 unit owners in seven buildings, and the elevation of these flood-prone properties will help the city earn Community Rating System (CRS) points, which brings down flood insurance rates for owners throughout town. A neighborhood meeting to update residents on plans for a flood mitigation project for West 17th Street is scheduled for 11 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 13). The work is being coordinated with utility company upgrades, and representatives of New Jersey American Water and South Jersey Gas also will be part of the presentation. The meeting will be held in the Senior Center within the Ocean City Community Center (1735 Simpson Avenue). All the public is invited to attend in person. Residents also will be able to participate remotely via Zoom. Details on how to participate are available here. The second annual Winterfest by the Sea will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 13) at the Ocean City Civic Center (Sixth Street and Boardwalk). The event features craft and food vendors, along with activities for the kids and a visit from Santa. Free parking will be available at the adjacent parking lot (entrance off Fifth Street). On Monday (Nov. 15), I will be a panelist in a program at Resorts Casino Hotel put together by the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey, the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce. The “Regional Economic Perspective: Atlantic & Cape May Counties” will explore economic trends and job opportunities in the future. I look forward to participating in this important exercise and to working with partners throughout the region as we help our local businesses grow. Three events next week will honor Ocean City residents for their exceptional service to our community. On Monday (Nov. 15), the Ocean City Exchange Club will present its annual Book of Golden Deeds Award to George Loder. He was the city’s animal control warden for more than 25 years, worked at the Ocean City Youth Center for 15 years and has been a lifelong role model and mentor to the town’s youth. George has always been quick to share his love for the outdoors with anybody in the community interested in shooting, hunting, fishing and boating. Anybody interested in attending or learning more about the event can visit the Exchange Club event page or call 609-705-5700. On Wednesday (Nov. 17), the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce will honor Antwan McClellan as Citizen of the Year. Antwan is a former Ocean City Board of Education and City Council member and our current representative in the N.J. General Assembly. In just his second term in office, Antwan was chosen for a leadership role as whip of the Assembly Republican Caucus. He’s a great person to have on our side, and I can’t think of a more deserving recipient of this award. The Chamber also will honor Mikenzie Helphenstine with a special Community Service Award and give out its annual Business Awards. Anybody interested in attending or learning more about the event can call 609-399-1412. On Thursday (Nov. 18), the Ocean City Democratic Club Foundation will remember the late Frank McCall at their annual scholarship dinner. Proceeds support scholarships that go to three local graduating high school seniors each year. Frank was very committed to this scholarship fund and to serving our community. He’s a former City Council president who was always respected as a true gentleman. Anybody interested in attending or learning more about this event can email [email protected]. I hope you join me in wishing good luck to the undefeated Ocean City High School football team. The Red Raiders face Long Branch in the South Jersey Group IV semifinal tonight at 6 p.m. at Carey Stadium. I also want to congratulate the OCHS girls’ soccer and field hockey teams, which recently completed exceptionally successful seasons. Go Red Raiders! Warm regards, Mayor Jay A. Gillian