Dear Friends,
Next Friday, our city solicitor will participate in oral arguments before the N.J. Board of Public Utilities regarding Ocean Wind’s petition for the taking of easements across Ocean City for transmission lines.
The focus of the hearing will be whether the easements in Ocean City are “reasonably necessary.” Members of the public can view the proceeding but not participate. Information on how to watch is available here.
The first day of summer is Tuesday, and it looks like a great weather forecast for the weekend. I’d like to remind you all to honor the laws that keep everybody safe. Drivers must stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, and just as importantly, I want to ask pedestrians to make eye contact with drivers before walking out into any street. Bicyclists should heed all stop signs and red lights and follow the same rules as cars. With so many people sharing the streets, these rules are extremely important.
Please respect the power of the ocean and swim only at beaches protected by the Ocean City Beach Patrol. For a list of all other guarded beaches, visit ocnj.us/ocbp.
A local committee was unable to put together Ocean City’s annual Juneteenth event this year, but I hope you all will take time to honor the occasion on Sunday. Juneteenth represents a celebration of freedom, but it’s also a reminder of what Blacks throughout our nation have overcome. Despite these struggles, the Black community has always been a vital part of the Ocean City family.
I want to congratulate the Ocean City High School Class of 2022, which celebrated graduation on Thursday. We should all be proud of what this class has achieved, and we have much to look forward to as they move on to future endeavors. The bridge is lit red and white in their honor.
The Ocean City Health & Wellness Expo takes place tomorrow (June 18) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ocean City Music Pier. A multicultural cast will perform a Unity Concert at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Music Pier. And don’t forget – the weekly Farmers Market is now open for the season on Wednesdays on the Tabernacle grounds. More information on all these events is available at oceancityvacation.com.
Finally, I'd like to wish all dads a Happy Father’s Day. I hope you get to enjoy the weekend with family and friends.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian