Dear Friends,
A storm system will move through the area this weekend, and a Coastal Flood Watch will be in effect for Saturday night. Because the peak tides will be in the middle of the night, please plan to make sure your vehicles are in a safe place before going to bed tonight.
Parking at all municipal lots will be free, and parking also will be available at Trinity United Methodist Church in Marmora. More information on the forecast and on preparations is available here.
The Special Olympics’ New Jersey Area 8 (Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties) Track and Field Meet that had been scheduled for Saturday at Carey Stadium has been canceled due to the forecast.
But our Community Services Department was able to put together a Track and Field Athlete Appreciation Day to be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Ocean City Civic Center. There will be games, activities and concessions for the athletes who had been registered to compete.
I’d like to thank all the local volunteers from the community – including the Junior Raiders Football and Cheer program and the Ocean City High School girls’ lacrosse team – for helping to make this event possible, and I’d like to welcome all the Special Olympics athletes and their families.
The state Bureau of Public Utilities confirmed today that Ocean City will receive a $150,000 grant to help pay for new fast EV charging stations at the Transportation Center parking lot at Ninth Street and Haven Avenue.
The grant will pay up to $150,000 for two DC fast chargers that can each charge two vehicles. The equipment can charge an electric vehicle to 80 percent in 30 to 45 minutes. We expect to have the chargers in place and operational in the fall. Once again, I want to thank Assemblyman Antwan McClellan for his assistance in facilitating the award.
The Ocean City Police Department will hold a Coffee with Cops event 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at Ocean City Coffee Company on the Boardwalk between Ninth Street and 10th Street. The program is designed to help officers and community members connect in an informal setting. Ocean City Coffee Company will be providing free coffee to all who attend.
New Jersey American Water will host a virtual webinar on Thursday (May 12) to explain the charges on Ocean City’s water and wastewater bills. More information is available here.
I’m incredibly sad to report on the passing of Mikenzie Helphenstine this week. “Coach H” was an asset to the community as a mom, a teacher, and coach in field hockey, lacrosse and basketball. Her support of programs in the city earned her a spot on our Ocean City Recreation Wall of Fame.
Please join me in extending deepest condolences to her husband, Clint, her children, her family, friends, and the many people she’s touched over the years. A service is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday (May 12) at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
