OCEAN CITY — At-large City Councilman Tony Polcini was anxious to speak at Thursday evening’s council meeting.
As soon as he had the chance, he said a quick prayer then offered a heartfelt view about what transpired at the prior contentious meeting. He defended his colleagues over attacks made against them and later said he would not be running for re-election.
At the Sept. 25 meeting, council Vice President Pete Madden asked to reconsider the Aug. 21 vote on referring the 600 Boardwalk property, home to the former Wonderland Pier amusement park, to the Planning Board for a recommendation on whether it qualified as an area in need of rehabilitation.
When he offered that as a resolution, which mirrored one voted down 6-1 on Aug. 21, it drew a mix of surprise and outrage from some councilmen and members of the public. After discussion and public comment, council tabled the resolution.
Although he voted to table the action, Polcini defended Madden, saying he wanted the referral to get the planners’ professional opinion about that property. Polcini said Madden had contacted “most” council members about his plans, but he didn’t know Sean Barnes and Keith Hartzell weren’t notified. Jody Levchuk was absent.
The action wasn’t on council’s agenda so there was no public notice.
He said the people of Ocean City weren’t aware of the resolution and were very upset, felt betrayed and believed council was trying to be sneaky and not transparent.
That is why, Polcini said, he felt it was in good judgment that council tabled the action.
However, he believes Madden was not trying to be sneaky or do anything unjust, and had reached out to city Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson to bring the proper documents. He added McCrosson is honorable and was just doing her job by preparing the resolution.
Polcini said Madden, who was the lone vote in favor Aug. 21, truly believes the right direction is sending the property to the Planning Board to get its professional opinion. He was trying to show that “if you truly believe in something, you see it through to the end.”
Just as he said he respected Madden’s actions, he also understood others did not agree.
“I truly respect your opinion as well,” Polcini added. “But what I can’t wrap my head around is the anger and disrespect that we have exemplified through this whole process.”
He decried the negative emails, ads and messages.
Polcini talked about all the positive things he has learned from his colleagues, singling them out for various praise, then turned to himself.
“I truly may not be the best councilman … but I know what I am great at is loving people and seeing the good in everyone,” he said.
“I was told that some of you feel that I voted the way I did (to table the resolution) was for fear of possibly not being re-elected. If you really feel that way, I respect your opinion, but you don’t really know Tony P at all and what I stand for,” he said. “Maybe I’ve done a bad job for expressing that.”
Polcini said he was humbled to be elected. “I will always do what I feel is right and honorable for the city and the people that reside here.”
He also questioned the negativity directed at the mayor in spite of the state of the city, that homes are well valued, the town is clean and safe, has the best police and fire protection, and that taxes are reasonable.
“Nobody’s asked me to do this. I don’t need to defend anybody. I’m just speaking from my heart and speaking truth,” he said.
Polcini also questioned all the anger directed at Eustace Mita, who owns the Wonderland property and was willing to invest as much as $150 million to build a luxury hotel there. He did add that Mita could have responded to critics by saying, “Hey, people of Ocean City, I respect your doubts, your fears, but I’m going to address (them).”
Because critics have questioned the integrity of City Council members and the administration, Polcini said he spoke of his father, who taught him to work hard and be respectful, and the Manco family, who offered the same message.
He concluded by mentioning the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who said she forgave her husband’s killer. “That, to me, is the example of integrity and doing the right thing,” he said.
It wasn’t until a little later in the meeting that he spoke up to add that he would not be seeking re-election because that was in the best interest of his family.
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
