The Answer is Easy!
There’s a time-honored threshold question that arises in most campaigns for elected office. That question is: Are you better off now than you were (blank) years ago?
In the case of Jay Gillian, the blank is filled with a "12," marking his years of service as Mayor.
The question is one he welcomes and encourages all voters to ask themselves leading up to the May 10th Municipal Election.
Let’s take a look at the conditions and situation in Ocean City today, much of which is attributable to Jay’s leadership working in “Unity with the Community.”
INFRASTRUCTURE:
When Jay first took office, the physical infrastructure of the City had deteriorated dramatically. There was not even a formally adopted capital plan, and hadn’t been for years.
Jay got to work immediately addressing the most pressing needs and developing a plan for the coming five years. This capital plan has been refined and updated annually, in partnership with City Council and the community.
Today, 12 years later, an impressive amount of the City’s physical needs have been repaired, improved or completely replaced.
Highlights of this unprecedented attention to infrastructure include: paving and drainage improvements on over 50 percent of the City’s 110 miles of roads and alleys; improved drainage systems including, for the first time, huge mechanical pumping systems in several of the most flood-prone areas; dozens of bulkhead replacements at higher elevations than previously existed; a complete replacement of the Boardwalk between 5th and 12th Streets, including new pavilions and restrooms; beach and dune maintenance including federally funded island-wide beach replenishment for the first time; bayfront and lagoon dredging; park and recreation improvements including a new skate park, a new safe artificial turf field at Carey Stadium, an expanded and refurbished Sports and Civic Center; playground improvements in all four wards; and several large open space purchases along 9th Street and in the 15th to 16th Street area.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT/TAXES/PROPERTY VALUES:
Ocean City enjoys strong and stable finances including: the largest fund balance in City history; clean audits; strong bond ratings and stabile and reasonable property taxes.
Property values have increased on average over 60 percent in the past 12 years.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT:
During Jay’s first term the City was severely impacted by Superstorm Sandy.
But we were ready.
The community rallied together under Mayor Gillian’s leadership and was cleaned up, fixed up and back in business faster than any other shore community in New Jersey.
Other significant hits from Mother Nature came and went in the following years, and each time Ocean City did whatever was needed to protect people and property and get things back to normal.
More recently was the worldwide health emergency due to Covid. Mayor Gillian didn’t take any knee-jerk reactions that some were calling for, including a demand to close the island completely to visitors.
He consulted with public health professionals from the local community of medical providers and Shore Medical Center, along with partners at the County Health Department and the State of New Jersey, and made the tough but prudent decisions that were needed.
As always, Jay provided for the needs of our residents, setting up a system to assist those that needed help to make arrangements for their vaccinations when they became available.
Hundreds of people, the majority seniors, were helped.
QUALITY OF LIFE:
During Mayor Gillian’s tenure, the City’s quality of life, already the envy of the region, has been maintained and improved.
First and foremost, Ocean City continues to be viewed as clean and safe by residents, property owners and visitors alike.
It’s no accident that Ocean City is always at the top of any “Best of” polls or lists, including: Best Beach; Best Family Destination; Best Downtown; Best Boardwalk; and the most tax-friendly town for retirees.
Mayor Gillian believes quality of life improvements go hand-in-hand with neighborhood improvements that attract families to live here.
The drainage and paving improvements in Merion Park for example were followed by significant private investment and construction of new attractive single-family housing.
Many new young families have moved into this neighborhood. It’s a model that is being duplicated throughout the island.
So, ask yourself, is Ocean City better off now than 12 years ago? The answer’s easy and a resounding yes.
And Ocean City is better off now, and better off in the future, with Jay Gillian as Mayor. Vote to re-elect Mayor Gillian on May 10th.
Ordered and paid for by the Committee to Re-elect Jay A. Gillian Mayor.
