Ocean City Council Celebrates Outgoing Councilman Peter Guinosso

Ocean City, NJ -- It was a night of change for Ocean City Council during Thursday night’s meeting at City Hall.

Council said its final farewell to one outgoing councilman, and learned it will have a new president as of next Friday.

Council and residents celebrated Peter Guinosso, who served four years on council representing the Fourth Ward before deciding not to seek re-election.

Residents and council people alike praised his independent spirit, and Council President Keith Hartzell admired the way Guinosso never held a grudge following an argument.

Councilman Michael DeVlieger pointed specifically to his arguments with Guinosso when he was looking to bring the skateboard park to Ocean City, particularly Guinosso’s passion for protecting the Ecumenical Council and the Clothes Closet.

“I never felt like it was personal,” DeVlieger said. “It was always about the issue. He was always passionate about the issues.”

Councilwoman Karen Bergman thanked Guinosso for nominating her for council last year when council was seeking a replacement for Michael Allegretto, who left to join the city's administration.

"Well, it's about time," Guinosso joked.

Guinosso was an active member of the community before being elected to council, and was the city’s Volunteer of the Year in 2007.

He is also a former member of the Planning Board, the Fairness in Taxes group, the American Legion, is a Navy veteran, and worked on behalf of Habitat for Humanity.

When he worked for UPS, he was a coordinator for the Paralyzed Veterans of America Wheelchair Games.
He’s been a full-time Ocean City resident for 12 years.

“When we moved here, we wanted to get involved,” Guinosso said of he and his wife Cathy.

“We might have gotten a little too involved,” he joked.

He said he wasn’t sure what was next, but he would stay involved in the community in one way or another.

Bob Barr will assume the Fourth Ward Council seat when he is sworn in on Friday, July 1, during the council’s reorganization meeting at the Music Pier at noon. Barr won the seat in a three-way race in May.

Council will also select a new president, as Hartzell said he will not seek the position again, in part because he believes everyone on council should get their turn in a leadership role.

He praised the working relationship he had with the rest of council and the mayor’s administration since his appointment at last year’s reorganization meeting.

He also praised Council Vice President Pete Madden, who played a pivotal role in helping him vet potential township clerks, and select Melissa Bovera to succeed, Linda MacIntyre who retired last year.