An opportunity for Ocean City voters to hear the city’s two mayoral candidates debate on Monday night turned into a question-and-answer session with one candidate.
Incumbent Mayor Jay Gillian was unable to attend or reschedule an event organized by the Fairness in Taxes community group April 7 at the Ocean City Free Public Library.
“The Committee to Re-elect Jay Gillian Mayor received an invitation on Monday, March 24, from Fairness In Taxes for a debate on April 7,” Gillian’s campaign said. “Unfortunately, Mayor Gillian had a prior commitment and will be out of town.”
Moderators David Nahan of the Ocean City Sentinel and Doug Bergen of OCNJ Daily took turns asking Gillian’s challenger, Ed Price, questions on a wide range of Ocean City issues.
About 30 people attended the 80-minute event.
In the May 13 municipal election, the two candidates are running for mayor, and five candidates will vie for three at-large seats on City Council. Before the election, voters will have the following opportunities to learn more about the candidates.
FORUMS AND DEBATES
April 14: Fairness in Taxes will host its debate for City Council candidates 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, at the Ocean City Free Public Library. Four candidates will participate (Pete Madden, who had planned a family vacation during the school district’s Easter break before he received the invitation, will be unable to attend). The event will be rebroadcast on local access Channel 97.
April 23: The Ocean City Community Association will host a City Council candidates forum from 6 to 7 p.m. and a mayoral candidates forum from 7 to 8 p.m. on April 23 at the Ocean City Free Public Library auditorium. Questions have been solicited from its members and the public prior to the meeting. The forum is open to the public and attendees will be invited to sign up for annual membership ($10) at the door.
The mission of Ocean City Community Association is to protect and promote the best interests of the property owners and residents of Ocean City. For further information, e-mail contact@occanj.org.
(Correction: An earlier version of this story included incorrect information about public access to the forum.)
April 29: The Ocean City Democratic and Republican clubs are joining forces to sponsor a forum for the five City Council candidates 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School (beach block of Sixth Street). The event will be rebroadcast on local access Channel 97.
May 7: The Ocean City Democratic and Republican clubs are joining forces to sponsor a forum for the two mayoral candidates 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School (beach block of Sixth Street). The event will be rebroadcast on local access Channel 97.
VIDEOTAPED STATEMENTS
Videotaped statements from all candidates will be replayed on several occasions on the city’s government access channel (Channel 97 on the Comcast cable system).
The city established the policy of providing access to the channel for local election candidates in 2006. The city provides candidates the opportunity to have a five-minute statement professionally recorded at their cost and then replayed on Channel 97.
The candidates’ statements will air on Channel 97 on the following dates and times:
- Friday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, April 19, Noon
- Wednesday, April 23, 7:30 a.m.
- Friday, April 25, 7:30 a.m.
- Sunday, April 27, Noon
- Wednesday, April 30, 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 2, 7:30 p.m.
CANDIDATE PROFILES
Mayor:
City Council:
