Mayor's Message: April 19 - OCNJ Daily : Job Details

Dear Friends,After speaking with a significant number of residents in the Ocean City Homes neighborhood and the Fourth Ward, Councilman Dave Winslow asked the city to consider a pause on further work on the Crook Horn Creek Nature Trail project to see if concerns about parking, noise, and nighttimesafety can be adequately addressed for this project to move forward.I also have received many calls and emails about the issue, and we received a lot of similar feedback after a public information session about the proposed project in December.The trail starts at the western end of 51st Street and runs through the marshes atop an abandoned railroad right-of-way. Out of respect for the neighbors, I will direct the city team to fill holes to make the existing path safe for pedestrians, instead of proceeding at this time with the plan to elevate and redesign the entire railbed as part of a flood-mitigation effort.I want to thank everybody who provided feedback and assure them that Council and the administration will always solicit and carefully consider public input before proceeding with any project that impacts our neighborhoods.After all the rain and cool weather we've seen this spring, I know everybody's looking forward to summer. The Night in Venice Planning Committee this morning announced the theme for the 2024 event on July 20: Summertime Vibes: A Tribute to Jimmy Buffett. Â I know a lot of fans are mourning the loss of Buffett, and Night in Venice will be a great opportunity to pay tribute to his music and his love for the ocean. I want to thank Dave Winslow and the entire Night in Venice Committee for all their work in putting together the summer event.I also want to encourage all boat owners and homeowners along the parade route to participate this year. Entries for boats and homes are currently being accepted online at ocnj.us/NIV or by calling 609-###-####.I'm sad to report on the passing of Lizanne Ulmer this week. Liz lived in Ocean City for more than 45 years and raised her family here. She was the co-owner of Ulmer's Appliance in town, and she was involved in the community in so many ways - volunteering her time for youth sports and recreation programs, school events, local pageants, and so much more. I hope you'll join Michele and me in extending deepest condolences to her family and many friends.The annual Sports Memorabilia Show is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday (April 20) at the Ocean City Music Pier. The event will include appearances by former Philadelphia Flyers players Scott Hartnell and Mark Howe and by former Philadelphia Eagles player Mike Quick. More information is available here.The Ocean City Police Department will hold a Coffee with Cops event 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday (April 21) in the atrium at the Ocean City Community Center. It's a chance for community members to connect with officers in an informal setting, and free coffee and refreshments will be available to all who attend.I hope you all have a great weekend.Warm regards,Mayor Jay A. Gillian#J-18808-Ljbffr