Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian
Dear Friends,
The exact weather forecast continues to change, but it’s clear that we can expect a significant mix of snow and some rain or sleet, followed by a week of extremely cold temperatures.
I will provide updates at the end of each day with everything our residents need to know. Ocean City will be ready for this storm.
Our Public Works team is preparing plows and equipment, and they will be fully staffed for as long as it takes to clear our streets. Construction sites are being secured to allow plows to pass.
We will work as quickly as possible starting with evacuation routes and primary roads, then moving on to secondary streets and alleys. Please be patient if the snowfall turns out to be significant.
At this point, we know that trash and recycling drop-off at the Shelter Road Recycling Center will be closed on Sunday. Regular trash and recycling pickup for Monday will be postponed. All regularly scheduled pickup routes next week will be pushed back by one day.
The Senior Center will be closed on Sunday and Monday. The Ocean City Free Public Library, the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center and the Ocean City Civic Center will be closed on Sunday.
These decisions are being made only with the safety of our community in mind. I will provide further updates on any new closing announcements or extensions.
I want to urge everybody to make preparations now, so that you can stay off the roads during and immediately after the storm. I also want to encourage you to check on your neighbors who may be out of town.
Thermostats in unoccupied homes should be turned up to avoid frozen pipes. Opening faucets to a drip can also help prevent pipes from freezing over.
Ocean City held its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ceremony on Monday, and I want to thank everyone who participated, attended and helped put the event together.
I want to congratulate our Community Service Award winners: Dr. Constance Pritchard, Sister Joelle Thren, and Jennifer Shirk. Each of these women is truly inspirational.
Ocean City Intermediate School students Tierney Kane, Randy Scarborough, Leah Datti and Elena Marini read their winning essays on the legacy of Dr. King.
Alicia Gadson and Durrell Rose gave us exceptional music. New Ocean City Tabernacle Director Tom Sherf offered our opening prayer. And, of course, the Rev. Gregory Johnson provided the highlight of the event with his “I Have a Dream” presentation.
All enjoyed a complimentary soul food luncheon after the ceremony.
I’m sad to report on the loss of George King and Priscilla Meyer. Many knew George from the old Kabat’s Men’s Shop on Asbury Avenue, where he worked for almost 50 years. Priscilla was the supervising cashier in our Tax Office. She was known not only for her dedication to the job but for her friendly demeanor and welcoming smile for anybody who visited the office. Please join me in offering condolences to the friends and family of George and Priscilla.
Be safe and look for further updates throughout the weekend.
Warm regards,
Mayor Jay A. Gillian
