Councilman Levchuk Has Vision for Future of Ocean City

SPONSORED CONTENT Hello, Ocean City. My name is Jody Levchuk. You may know me as your City Councilman for the last four years representing the 3rd Ward, or as a longstanding family business owner of The JiLLy’s Stores and Arcade here in Ocean City for over 45 years. Or, you may know me, or my wife, Jill, from interactions in the Ocean City School District, where our daughters, Leni, 11, and 9-year-old Jordyn, attend the Intermediate School. For four years, I have represented the 3rd Ward residents' concerns and needs while working alongside fellow Council members and the administration for the betterment of the entire community. My slogan, “Independent Leadership Working for You,” has been evident throughout my time on the Council. The main reason I am running for re-election is that I love this town. I’m here as a husband, father, businessman, and someone with a plethora of local and outside experience to bring to the table. Having gone through the rookie years in my first term, I can say with confidence that I am a prime candidate for the next four years of leadership Ocean City needs and deserves. Here are just a few of my accomplishments in my 1st term: Capital Improvements

• West 17th Street drainage project: new drainage, new sewer, new water lines, new blacktop and 14th Street beach to bay, new drainage, new curbs, and new blacktop.

Both of these projects were in desperate need of repairs and improvements. They both got my attention when I announced I was running for Council. I promised my ward that these projects would be priorities in my efforts on Council. The projects needed the attention of the right person to make it happen. The first year I was on Council these projects were moved forward.

• Various road and drainage improvements throughout the town 

Residents that are used to traveling West Avenue will get to do so again when a vital drainage and paving project is completed by Memorial Day weekend.

• Successfully procured two much-needed restroom facilities on the Boardwalk

As a Boardwalk merchant, I have a front-row seat in the commercial area of the Boardwalk. It was obvious the added 10th Street and 11th Street extra restrooms were much needed to provide convenience to tourists and locals, and I worked hard to help ensure they were built.

• Beach replenishment projects to widen our pristine beaches and prevent erosion

I am fully aware that the beaches, all eight miles, are a big reason to buy a home in Ocean City. We have pristine beaches. With that, we must keep those beaches wide and beautiful with replenishment projects and routine maintenance. Legislative Improvements

• Removed loophole that would allow residential construction within the Boardwalk Zone

The family Boardwalk is the crown jewel of Ocean City. It is the main reason people come here and decide to return here. When I saw a loophole with special types of housing in the zone allowed, I immediately got together with four other Council members to close the loophole. It was one of the first things I did on Council to fight overdevelopment and stop our Boardwalk from becoming residentially developed.

• Public Safety improvements. The Council approved the expansion of the Police Department, which included more officers and resources. The Council also passed lower speed limits in the alleys from 25 mph to 15 mph and advocated for traffic safety improvements to Bay Avenue across from the Intermediate School.

I am very tuned in to safety and utilizing the police department to improve safety for the community. One of the ways I did that with fellow Council members was to get the speed limits lowered in alleys throughout town. We also worked together to create curfews for minors as well as other rules to keep our Boardwalk the family-friendly atmosphere we all expect it to be. Community Improvements

• Introduced new marketable events to Ocean City, including Dog Day on the Boardwalk.

Dog Day in October is such a fun event for locals and their dogs. It brings tourism, second homeowners and lots of offshore families for a day at the Boardwalk.

• Supported and advocated for the introduction of a summertime Jitney Service

The Jitney Service is in its third year as a pilot program. I believe it fills a need by assisting tourists and residents getting around Ocean City and helps to ease some of the parking challenges we all see. I look forward to expanding the program to more riders.

• Advocate and support all back bay dredging and flooding mitigation projects 

We need to maintain the back bays by dredging routinely. Ocean City has a very large boating community and businesses that are bayfront. The channels are their streets, and they need to be kept clean and free of sediment.

• Support the growing number of local sports organizations and OC Theatre Company with better fields, equipment, and space.

I’ve been on the board for the Ocean City Jr. Raiders for a couple of years and the stadium announcer for the Jr. Raider home games. I like being involved with youth activities. The children are our future, and we must ensure plenty of high-quality activities for them to enjoy in town.

• Supports keeping Ocean City a dry town, free of BYOB

Keeping Ocean City a dry town is paramount. It is what keeps the family-friendly atmosphere that we all know and love. I will never support anything that involves any changes to our current status as a dry town. Residents of the Ocean City 3rd Ward (South 12th Street to North 25th Street/beach to bay) can cast their vote for Jody Levchuk on Tuesday, May 14, at the Ocean City Free Public Library at 1735 Simpson Ave.