Six candidates expected for three at-large positions
OCEAN CITY – Ocean City Council incumbents Pete Madden and Karen Bergman and newcomer John “Tony” Polcini officially announced their candidacies in the May 10 election.
Madden and Bergman, who have served two terms each, are seeking re-election. Polcini is running for office for the first time.
Former First Ward Councilman Michael DeVlieger, who resigned from council last August, also is seeking one of the three at-large council seats. Sitting Second Ward Councilman Tomaso Rotondi has taken out petitions, as has Donna Moore. DeVlieger has turned in his petitions and had them certified.
Mayor Jay Gillian has turned in his petitions to seek re-election. He is facing a challenge from at-large Councilman Keith Hartzell. Michael Mercurio also has taken out nominating petitions, but has not yet turned them in.
The deadline for filing petitions is Monday, March 7.
According to a release issued Sunday by Madden, Bergman and Polcini, they are running on the “same ideals of ‘People over Politics’ are looking to keep the community and its needs front and center in an ever changing landscape of local politics.” Referring to themselves as the “Big Three,” they added they “hope to continue progressing Ocean City forward and representing the taxpayers with transparent communication, inclusive representation and a common-sense approach to politics.”
Bergman is the catering coordinator for the Flanders Hotel, Madden is broker/owner of Goldcoast Sotheby’s International Realty and Polcini formerly operated Tony P’s House of Pies on the boardwalk and now works in sales. They said they all understand the importance of family and family values in a town like Ocean City and their bid for election.
By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff