Flood Takes Aim At Gillian Over 6th Street Restroom Project

OCEAN CITY, NJ — John Flood fired the first shot in this year’s Ocean City mayoral election on Tuesday when he accused Mayor Jay Gillian of “using public funds for private gain,” when it comes to the 6th Street Restroom project.

“I’ve heard of gutter politics, but never toilet politics,” Gillian said in response.

Flood is challenging Gillian for the open mayor’s seat that carries a four-year term in the May 8 non-partisan elections. It is the only contested seat in Ocean City this spring. The two are scheduled for one debate so far, to be moderated by the League of Women Voters and hosted by Fairness in Taxes on Friday night, April 27, 7 p.m. at the Ocean City Free Public Library.

But the back-and-forth dialogue began in earnest on Tuesday, when Flood called the restroom project “a violation of public trust.”

The project is among the proposed Boardwalk improvements that are part of the administration's $100 million, five-year capital plan unveiled earlier this year.

Flood says the restrooms will directly benefit the mayor, who owns Gillian’s Wonderland Pier and 6th Street Grill.

“The 6th Street Restroom project is an example of self-serving backroom deals that are deliberately hidden from the public and cost the taxpayers greatly,” Flood said. “As your mayor, I will bring a transparent, data driven approach that actively seeks public input, feedback and vetting to all public projects. I used a similar approach as President of the Library Board, during the planning stages of the Library and Community Center renovation and the results speak for themselves.”

He said it is built on public property, but sits on the property line shared with Gillian’s Wonderland Pier.

“The bathrooms at the end of Sixth Street are a small part of a $100 million capital plan and they serve an area that is busy with traffic from the beach, boardwalk, school complex, Carey Stadium, and many events throughout the year,” Gillian said. “ … For eight years I have tackled long-neglected projects that benefit the entire community, and I will continue to do so.”

Flood said the project, which will include 21 stalls on the women’s side and 17 stalls and urinals on the men’s side, as well as two family units and three showers, will cost $1 million.

This includes construction, architect fees, restroom demo and new restroom piling and decking. He also factored in change orders, which cover costs for unforeseen issues that arise during the course of the project.

He also said taxpayers would pay for 100 percent of the ongoing costs such as the water, sewer, electric, gas, cleaning and maintenance.

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