Nine weigh in on issues facing the resort in event sponsored by the Ocean City Sentinel
VIDEO LINK: To view the forum on YouTube, follow this link: https://youtu.be/yxN9krSI4sU
OCEAN CITY — Nine candidates for five City Council positions shared their views on issues raised by voters and what they would do to address them during a Candidate Forum on April 27.
David Nahan, editor and publisher of the Ocean City Sentinel, hosted and moderated the event at the Bill and Nancy Hughes Performing Arts Center at Ocean City High School.
In the election May 14, voters will choose between Sean Barnes and Michael DeVlieger for the at-large seat, Keith Hartzell and Paul Stryker in the Second Ward, incumbent Jody Levchuk and Amie Vaules in the Third Ward and incumbent David Winslow and Cecilia Gallelli-Keyes in the Fourth Ward. Councilman Terry Crowley Jr. is running unopposed in the First Ward.
Candidates were allotted 60 seconds for an opening statement, a minute to answer each question posed by Nahan specific to each contest, 30 seconds during a lightning round of questions asked of each and 90 seconds for a closing.
All of the questions were submitted by readers.
At-large race
The at-large race is a battle between an experienced council member and a political newcomer.
DeVlieger was elected three times to City Council, leaving office partway through his third term. “I know the issues, I know how to get things done on a divided council and with a unanimous council,” he said.
DeVlieger mentioned more than once the need for a balance on City Council, not saying what needs to be balanced. He did make some strong statements against Mayor Jay Gillian and some sitting council members.
“What scares me is the intimacy I see between the development community and our administration,” he said. “The mayor is indebted to the developers. Pete Madden is a pawn for the mayor. Tony P (John Polcini) is a super, super nice guy but he is a pawn for the mayor. Dave (Winslow) is a wonderful guy, but he is a pawn. Do you want the fourth person to be a pawn? I showed that I will stand up and I’ll say the things that need to be said when they need to be said. I will fight for the community.”
Barnes described himself as a lifelong island resident who cares deeply about the community.
“I am running because I believe it’s time to bring new vision, new energy and common sense to our city government,” Barnes said, noting those who are fortunate enough to live on the island have “the best life has to offer” and that he wants to work hard for residents to “ensure we maintain this beautiful shore way of life.”
He would do that by protecting the environment, growing the economy and ensuring it remains a safe, vibrant and welcoming community.
Barnes said his day job is budget analysis but noted the skill set he would bring to council is his ability to understand clearly whom he would be working for, the residents.
He said while he is new to politics, he is not new to community service.
“I’ve always been involved one way or another,” he said, noting 22 years ago he was late to a neighborhood meeting and has been president every since.
Both candidates addressed a question about flooding at Third Street and Bay Avenue, where there are no strong bulkheads to hold back the waters of Great Egg Harbor Bay. Businesses in the area have thwarted efforts to address the problem.
DeVlieger said the problem has existed for decades, noting the bulkheads are useless or absent. He said the city tried to work with the businesses there and bridge the divide between government and the owners but they wanted something the EPA would not approve.
Barnes said he is a resident of Snug Harbor, where sediment filled in the boat docking area until a dredging project cleared it.
“Just because it’s a challenge doesn’t mean there is no solution,” he said. “There is always a way to get things done.”
A second question dealt with the $20 million cost of the Klause property, which the city took by eminent domain.
Barnes said eminent domain is a tricky process and he is against its use. He said any time negotiations are delayed, as they were for the Klause property, there is a market risk. He agreed the price tag is large but “we will look back and be glad we did it.”
“Mistakes were made,” DeVlieger said. “The reality is they did not put the money in and it bit us in the butt.”
He blamed the advent of coastal cottages for driving up the value of the property, saying that’s one vote he would like to take back.
A third question dealt with parking.
DeVlieger said he would support new zoning that requires more parking spaces. He said allowing homes with five bedrooms and five bathrooms does not make sense on city lot sizes. He said the zoning board should be examined because a very high percentage of variances are going to a few builders.
Barnes said people have the right to develop their property but is against the granting of variances. He said he does not believe there is preferential treatment.
Finally, the candidates were asked about the use of rising ratables to offset tax increases.
Barnes said offsetting tax increases with rising ratables is not a problem as both the budget and capital budget are revisited every year. He said the city has a $12 billion ratable base and needs to maintain the infrastructure to support that. Great assets must be maintained and it costs money, he said.
DeVlieger said he has been out of office for three years and is frustrated that things seem to be getting rubber-stamped, stressing the need for a balanced council.
Other questions posed to all candidates included the issue of parental rights and accepting sewage from Upper Township to facilitate the development of the Roosevelt Boulevard corridor.
DeVlieger said as a parent, he would give his life for his children in a heartbeat.
Barnes said parental rights need to be maintained at the highest level and that he has faith in the school board and the teachers to do the right thing. His brother, Kevin Barnes, is president of the Board of Education.
Barnes said he does not see any advantage in accepting sewage and he is against anything that would disrupt the wetlands.
DeVlieger said he also is against it, noting the city must have a cushion so it does not exceed capacity at its treatment plant.
“To import sewage from another community would be irresponsible,” he said.
First Ward
Crowley said he has remained steadfast in maintaining fiscal responsibility, infrastructure improvements and independent voting based on information and facts.
He said he has a strong record of service, including previously on the planning board and now on city council.
“I act with integrity and transparency in all of my actions,” he said, noting his main focus is on making decisions that benefit residents of the First Ward and throughout city.
Crowley said independent means doing research and finding answers to questions, not necessarily going against the administration or consensus. He said members have to learn to work together, not opposed, to solve problems
One question asked whether he felt the pay raises City Council enacted last year were justified.
The mayor’s salary increased from $20,600 to $40,000 and council members from $10,300 to $20,000, with dedicated raises yearly.
Crowley said the salary had not be raised for more than 20 years, noting members used to get health benefits but no longer do.
“There is expense that goes along with serving,” he said.
Asked if he thought the city was overspending, he said the numbers show the city is right-sized with its financing and that the bond markets prove it with high ratings.
He said new revenue streams need to be sought, such as a rental tax currently being considered.
Regarding parents rights, he said City Council’s job is to maintain the city, not get involved with the school board.
On the issue of accepting sewage, he said there have been no official talks on the subject but he would be against it. He said it would be more prudent to have a north-south system in Upper Township.
Second Ward
“I love the wonderful town where I have resided for more than 30 years,” Stryker said, noting all of his children have gone to Ocean City schools from preschool through high school. “I know firsthand the concerns of families.”
Stryker, whose son is a city police officer, said he ran a successful restaurant downtown for 17 years and wore many hats and juggled many skills.
“The greatest skill was development and maintenance of relationships with customers,” he said, noting many continue to this day.
He said he has been involved in many community groups, founding a memorial foundation that hosted a comedy night, turning a tragedy into something positive and raising more than $150,000 for OCHS graduating seniors.
He said he is a concerned resident who aspires to serve with honesty and integrity to keep the city safe, its ocean pristine and moving in the right direction.
“We have a vibrant community with beautiful beaches, a great boardwalk and a unique downtown, a community center with a pool, gym, library, museum and a senior center,” he said. “The city is extremely safe and city services are second to none,”
Hartzell, who served 16 years on City Council, said, “the Second Ward is the most cultural and economically diverse, including the beach, boardwalk, downtown and bay. There are a lot of moving parts and it requires lot of experience.”
He said he has always been interested in serving the community, “but at the same time I’m strong enough and independent enough to have my own ideas.”
“It’s OK to disagree, have public discourse. I questioned things, looked at things, researched things,” Hartzell said. “I’m making a comeback because I love this town. It has given me everything that I desired and more than I deserve.”
The first question involved inadequate parking in the ward, which includes most of downtown and boardwalk areas.
Hartzell said zoning changes are required and suggests parking spots be linked to the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. He said he would ban garage conversions to cut down on additional bedrooms.
He said he believes a public/private partnership could be formed to build a parking garage on the 800 block, adding condominiums above would make it feasible for a developer.
Stryker said studies show a parking garage would be a fiscal failure, noting the city is looking into the use of an app to notify people of open parking spots around the city.
A second question dealt with the plan for a public marina at 10th Street.
Stryker said a lot of things are going on with the issue and that he must be educated to make a decision.
Hartzell said there are ways to find things out, noting he wrote to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stating his opposition to turning residential property into commercial property.
“I will do everything in my power to stop this,” he said.
The second question asked whether zoning changes are necessary to prevent the construction of massive homes and preserve historic homes.
Hartzell said historic homes are a big part of his ward and that he thinks large homes should be scaled back and adequate parking must be provided. He said the rules are not stringent enough.
Stryker said there are ways for protecting neighborhoods from oversized homes, claiming any neighborhood can be a historic district if the homeowners wish it. He said there are avenues to be pursued.
Another question asked if the city should rely on rising ratables to offset tax increases.
Stryker said the city is lucky to have a large ratable base and that new construction fuels that. He said the city is not spending too much, noting fixed costs and contracts have to be paid.
Hartzell said he lived through a ratable collapse in 2006 and warned against counting on it rising forever. “It’s no slam dunk,” he said, noting the city starts each budget year with lots of money and should be spending it more wisely.
Third Ward
“Ocean City has been the backdrop for some of the most memorable moments of my life,” Vaules said, calling the decision to move here one of the best she and her husband ever made.
“Service is an important part of our family, and one of the reasons I want to serve on council,” she said, noting she owns and operates three family businesses in Burlington and Gloucester counties.
“On council, I plan to use skills I have learned as a problem solver, an ability to work with others and surround myself with competent individuals,” she said.
She said what makes her different is she is “a positive, approachable and upbeat person, mother, business woman and passionate about the community.”
She vowed to communicate and follow up on concerns. “I plan to do everything to ensure Ocean City is the backdrop for the next generations,” she said.
Levchuk, a graduate of Seton Hall School of Business, said his family opened JiLLy’s Arcade the year he was born and that he opened his own boardwalk business 25 years ago.
“My wife and I, our daughters, moved here 10 years ago and are head over heels in love with this town,” he said. “That’s what got me involved with City Council four years ago and I hope to get your vote for another four.”
Levchuk said he witnessed government overreach firsthand during the COVID-19 pandemic, saw the possibility of affecting change so ran and won.
“I won the position because you all believed in me four years ago and should believe in me more now with the accomplishments I have made,” he said.
The first question asked what should be done with the land the city took by eminent domain bordered by Haven and Simpson avenues, Palmer Field and the Ocean City Community Center.
Vaules said she would love to see it become open space and stay that way, calling it a possible crown jewel of the Third Ward.
Levchuk said he went door to door asking people what they would like to see there and heard a lot of brilliant ideas. He suggested an open forum in which residents could share their ideas. He said eminent domain should be used only as a last resort.
Asked about the value of experience versus new ideas, Levchuk said he is thrilled to have a challenger, saying it is vital to a democratic society.
“There isn’t a person who wants to serve more than me,” he said, noting he has business experience, City Council experience and “it makes the most sense to choose me.”
Vaules said service is part of her life, something she and her husband instilled in their children. She said she wants to show the younger generation the value of service.
“I have experience in business, as a mother, as a woman and can work with everyone,” she said.
Leon Grisbaum donated $3 million to the city to build a new terminal at the Ocean City Municipal Airport, and the city proposed spending $9 million to $10 million for the facility.
Vaules said she believes an updated terminal is a necessity and spending the money is worth it, saying having a restaurant there alleviates some of the jam downtown
Levchuck said it was commendable for the Grisbaum family to donate the money and he does not want to see it squandered.
Fourth Ward
Gallelli-Keyes has been an island resident for more than 30 years and has spent 20 years as a community advocate in various organizations, raising thousands of dollars to support youth. She also served on the school board for more than decade.
“I continue to be approachable and have an open-door policy,” she said. “I want to have an open dialogue. I will work to make sure we have a voice and are not forgotten.”
She said she has no special interest connections and no conflicts of interest, running only for the people.
“I would propose an oversight committee, investigating and eliminating all conflicts of interest and nepotism to ensure decisions are made in the best interest of many, not just an entitled few,” she said.
Gallelli-Keyes took exception with the recently formed political group FOCUS that endorsed a candidate in each race, calling it an example of the “smoke and mirrors mentality.”
She said the group claims to be independent and looking for the best candidates.
“However, within four weeks they managed to create a questionnaire, collected answers and independently formed decisions that were made and shared April 14. With so quick a turnaround and deliberation, it begs the question of how informed and unbiased are those decisions,” she said. “Less than 24 hours later, an invitation for a private event was printed and mailed, postmarked April 15, and they reserved at a private club in a development where FOCUS members live that was a reservation only event.
“Backroom deals have to stop,” she said.
Winslow said he is active in the community, previously serving on the school board. In his career, he said he managed billion-dollar budgets. “I have been diligent on homework, challenging the administration and a visible presence in the Fourth Ward,” he said.
“I urge you to consider what type of person you would hire if you owned a $113 million business. Would it be a friend, a relative or a seasoned professional, one who is able to be a good team members, consider different options and is passionate about success?” Winslow said.
The first question asked whether the candidates supported a plan to build homes on wetlands off West Avenue between 37th and 38th streets and 40th and 41st streets.
Gallelli-Keyes said the island is inundated with overdevelopment and said she does not believe homes should be built on wetlands.
“Nothing should be built that leads to flooding,” she said.
Winslow said he is 100 percent opposed to building on wetlands, noting the owner of the properties has applied to the Department of Environmental Protection to fill the wetlands before building.
“Any more development would exacerbate flooding problems,” he said.
Another question asked about proposed improvements to the 34th Street gateway.
Winslow, who had supported a bid to bring aesthetic changes to the area, said he does not envision more businesses, instead trees, lighting, sidewalks and other amenities to spruce it up. He said it could be done in conjunction with county upgrades to “capitalize on the synergy.” He said there is not a lot of room and that he would keep Roosevelt Boulevard/34th Street residential.
Gallelli-Keyes said she is for beautification but that she asked people in the neighborhood what they want and they said they would like a say in what goes there.
Another question asked what weight should voters give to endorsements from new group FOCUS.
Instead of answering the question, Winslow detailed the process FOCUS purportedly went through to choose its endorsements.
Conversely, Gallelli-Keyes assailed the group for its process.
Gallelli-Keyes said tourism dominates most conversations but more must be done for those who live here. She said an average of $241 per year tax increase is difficult for some homeowners.
She said the budget must be examined closely, noting one line item increased 2,900 percent. “We need to cut the waste,” she said.
Winslow said no one wants to see taxes increase but there are fixed costs that encompass most of the budget. He said he will not compromise safety to save a few dollars.
– STORY by CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
– PHOTOS by CRAIG MATTHEWS/Special to the Sentinel