Mayor Jay Gillian
Dear Friends,
A representative of Cancer Support Community New Jersey (formerly Gilda’s Club) visited City Council on Thursday to speak about a fundraiser in memory of Mikenzie Helphenstine, an Ocean City Primary School teacher and beloved field hockey and lacrosse coach.
Volunteers will sell pink hair extensions at local events throughout the month, including an Oct. 21 Ocean City High School field hockey game, when ABC News will be on hand as the group presents the proceeds to CSCNJ. The game is at 3:45 p.m. at Carey Stadium, and I’d love to see a great community turnout.
I want to thank Erin McAllister, Jen Dwyer and Mikenzie’s mom, Jane Custer, for coming out in support of this fundraiser. I also want to thank Jeanmarie Mason for sharing a proclamation in support of Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
The renovation of the pool at the Aquatic & Fitness Center is complete, and it reopened on Monday. We’ve had great feedback from members, and I know everybody is excited to be back.
Volunteers from the Knights of Columbus and veterans groups placed more than 500 American flags at the park on the corner of Ninth and Bay. The flags are there to bring awareness to the number of U.S. veterans who take their own lives each day. I want to thank these groups for placing the flags.
We recently formed a group of leaders who are committed to improving mental health in our community. This new display fits perfectly with our focus on mental health. The flags will remain in place until Veterans Day.
I want to remind everybody that I have a town hall meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Ocean City Tabernacle. We’ll go over project updates, solicit ideas for the open space next to the Community Center and provide plenty of time for questions and public comment.
The weather forecast looks great for the Fall Block Party on Saturday. Crafters, vendors and entertainers will be set up along Asbury Avenue from Fifth Street to 14th Street. I hope you all get a chance to check it out.
Admission buttons for our annual First Night celebration will be on sale at the City Hall Welcome Center (9th Street and Asbury Avenue) during the Block Party. It’s not too early to think about attending this family-friendly New Year’s Eve event.
Ocean City residents and property owners can take advantage of a paper-shredding service and discard unwanted trash, furniture and recycling during our Household Cleanup Day from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Shelter Road Recycling Center.
The Ocean City Police Department and the Ocean City Ecumenical Council are seeking donations of food and supplies on Sunday, Oct. 13, as part of a nationwide program called “Faith and Blue Weekend.” They’ll be set up at both ACMEs in town from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
I’m sad to report on the loss of two of our finest citizens this week. Al Eachus and Joy Powell were each involved in our community in many ways. Michele and I would like to extend deepest condolences to the Eachus and Powell families and their many friends.
We’re putting the final touches on design of the new Leon & Elizabeth Grisbaum Terminal Building at the Ocean City Municipal Airport and planning a groundbreaking ceremony for 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15.
Grisbaum, the owner of Berger Realty and an experienced pilot, made a $3 million donation that will help make the project possible. The new building will include an updated airport terminal, restaurant and pro shop.
I know it’s been Leon’s dream to see this exceptional new facility come to fruition, and I’m excited to break ground on Tuesday.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
