3 Takeaways From Ocean City Mayoral Debate

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Topics including affordability, keeping families coming to Ocean City and of course, a potential luxury hotel on the Boardwalk were all discussed Tuesday night as the three candidates for mayor sounded off at a debate.

The debate, hosted by Fideri News Network and Ocean City Tabernacle, gave candidates current Mayor Jay Gillian, Second Ward Councilman Keith Hartzell and Council Vice President Pete Madden the chance to share their thoughts on the biggest issues facing Ocean City.

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Boardwalk Hotel

Nothing has been more controversial in Ocean City recently than the potential of Eustace Mita constructing a luxury hotel on the Boardwalk. All three candidates agreed that compromise is needed.

Hartzell suggested that a boutique hotel, similar to hotels Mita operates in Avalon, would be a good idea.

"I think we can get everything we need, which is a vibrant boardwalk and a great luxury hotel with all the amenities and everything you need to have a great vacation," he said.

Madden agreed on working with Mita.

"To be crystal clear, we need to build a hotel," he said. Madden added that it needed to be done sooner rather than later.

Gillian said that the council and Mita should have been working together since day one. If they had, the city would not have been so divided over the concept, he said.

"We have a passionate city, which is understandable," Gillian said.

Affordability

Costs are increasing across the board. When asked about limiting future tax increases, Hartzell said he wanted to look at everything as a whole.

"You don't want to lay anybody off, but can you put some jobs together?" Hartzell said. "Do you have any retirements coming that make sense that you may not have to fill, but do something else?"

Madden said the city had "an expense problem" and that he would work on that.

Gillian noted that it was easy to say you wanted a zero tax increase budget, but it was unrealistic.

When it comes to affordability for young families, Madden said that supply and demand is what drives housing costs. He suggested making schools strong to make the island desirable, and supported multi-generational family living.

"There's no magic pill to try to help," Hartzell said. He said that the city had tried making small affordable cottages, but the market increased their price.

Gillian agreed with extended family living together, adding that in his family he recommended encouraging kids to save early and buy a house as soon as they can.

Keeping Ocean City "America's Greatest Family Resort"

All three men agreed wholeheartedly on one thing: there will still be no alcohol allowed in Ocean City.

"We're America's greatest family resort and we're the stewards of that and it's our responsibility especially as mayor to keep that," Madden said.

Keeping that title is important for keeping tourism alive, the men said.

Focusing on events for kids, parents and grandparents is key, Madden and Gillian agreed.

"We're always looking for something cool and different to do," Gillian said.

Hartzell agreed that having events keeps families returning to Ocean City, as well as the island's safety.

"They want to go down there," Hartzell said of Ocean City. "We've just got to get people here. When we do, we got to keep them busy and active."