3 councilmen sworn in; Crowley to lead council with Winslow as vice president
OCEAN CITY – Jay Gillian was sworn in July 1 for his fifth consecutive term as mayor of Ocean City. He joined the three at-large councilmen also elected in May, Sean Barnes and Tony Polcini, entering their second terms, and newcomer Jim Kelly.
At the reorganization meeting at the Music Pier, Terry Crowley Jr., nominated by Fourth Ward Councilman Dave Winslow, was unanimously chosen to continue as council president.
Winslow, in turn, was unanimously approved as vice president after being nominated by Third Ward Councilman Jody Levchuk.
Gillian was first elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. He defeated Councilman Keith Hartzell in 2022 and, in a three-way race in May, beat Hartzell, who challenged him a second time, and council Vice President Pete Madden, who chose to run for mayor after three terms on council.
Gillian said he was deeply honored by the trust placed in him by voters.
“Your vote was not just about the past, it was a vote of confidence in the future we can build together,” he said.
Gillian thanked his family, volunteers and the people of Ocean City and said he looked forward to working with the new council.
Working together, he said, “we can achieve great things.”
He said much progress has been made in Ocean City “and we’re going to get right back to work.”
Among the work is finishing the beach replenishment, adding to sand stockpiles to maintain healthy beaches, starting complete renovation of Sandcastle Park at 34th Street and working to get the lights on the Route 52 causeway fixed.
He noted the state was going to fix the lights this summer, but it would have meant closing a lane on the bridge all summer when tourism season makes it the busiest. The bridge lights will be worked on after September, he said.
Listing more than 240 events the city hosts every each, from parades to a pie-eating contest, he added, ‘There is a lot of fun to be had here.”
Gillian pledged more services for everyone who lives in the city, keeping taxes low and the bond rating exceptional.
“We’re all very fortunate to live here in Ocean City. It’s an amazing place to live,” he said.
Barnes thanked family and friends for their support “for the moments when public service isn’t always easy.”
He said he was grateful for those who put their trust in him. “I don’t take that trust lightly,” Barnes added.
When people have congratulated him on his election win, they also ask what he called a fair question: “Why on Earth would you do this?”
Being on council isn’t the easiest job, he said, “but I always give the same answer. I absolutely love serving this community.”
Barnes said the reasons for his service are that he loves the people and making them feel seen, heard and valued; that he loves solving problems; and that he loves the town.
Growing up here, he said, “Ocean City gave me a wonderful childhood and shaped the person I would become.”
He wants Ocean City to continue to be a place where people have a voice and know they belong.
“Over the past year we’ve seen tremendous civic engagement in our city. People have shown up, spoken up and participated. I find that incredibly helpful,” he said, referencing the issue of a proposed hotel replacing the former Wonderland Pier amusement park site without mentioning it.
“Democracy works best when people care enough to get involved.”
Barnes asked citizens to stay involved.
In brief comments, Polcini said he didn’t take the privilege of being sworn into his second term lightly.
“The past four years have taught me that the best ideas for this town rarely come from behind a desk, they come from you,” he said, pointing to the audience.
He tries to lead by listening first.
Polcini thanked his family, friends and fellow councilmen, the administration “for always keeping the lines of communication open” and the people of Ocean City for the honor of serving.
“Let’s keep building this town we all love and are privileged to call America’s Greatest Family Resort,” he said.
Kelly said he is eager to begin working with his fellow councilmen and the administration and he thanked his team for the work to get him elected. He gave personal thanks to his wife, Donna.
“As a councilman, all people will continue to be important to me,” he said, acknowledging that in elections there are those who supported him, were undecided or chose someone else, but they all matter.
“Public servants,” Kelly said, “are the stewards of a community’s well-being …. As a member of City Council, I’m committed to open, independent, informed decision-making, fostering robust public engagement and protecting our city’s financial strength and resilience.”
– By DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff