Ocean City Council Names Leadership For New Terms

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Mayor Jay Gillian and City Council members Sean Barnes, Tony Polcini and Jim Kelly were sworn in Wednesday during an inauguration ceremony followed by Ocean City Council’s reorganization meeting.

The event was held at the Music Pier.

City Council voted unanimously to re-elect Terry Crowley as council president. Dave Winslow was selected as vice president.

In remarks after taking the oath, Gillian said, “I stand here today deeply honored by the trust that you have placed in me.”

“We’ve made great progress in improving every aspect of life in Ocean City and we’re going to get right back to work,” Gillian said.

Gillian outlined several priorities, including finishing the beach replenishment project, adding stockpiles of sand, starting a renovation of Sand Castle Park at 34th Street and continuing flood mitigation work. He also said the city would work with a new governor, the state Department of Transportation and other elected officials on bridge lights.

About the bridge project, Gillian said, “After September, we’re going to get the bridge lights back on.” He also said Ocean City would continue to host “more than 240 family events each year.”

“I absolutely love serving this community,” Barnes said. He described his commitment for the next four years by saying, “I will listen. I will work hard. I will continue to ask questions. And I will strive to be a voice of reason and thoughtful decision-making.”

“Four years ago, I stood before you and took an oath to serve this town that I love. Today, I got to take that oath again,” Polcini said.

“Let’s keep building this town we all love and are privileged to call America’s greatest family resort,” he said.

“I ran for office because I believe in public service,” newest councilmember Kelly said.

He said he is committed to “open, independent, informed decision-making, fostering robust public engagement, and protecting our city’s financial strength and resilience.”

The ceremony concluded with a benediction and a performance of “God Bless America.”