OCEAN CITY – Mayor Jay Gillian painted a rosy picture at his annual address to the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce at the April 12 lunch meeting.
He cited extensive infrastructure improvements undertaken in his eight years as mayor and described the city’s financial condition as strong.
But the main topic of conversation at the meeting was the site of the meeting: the newly-dedicated Morvay-Miley American Legion Post 524 at 46th Street and West Avenue.
The building was years in the planning and construction. The post, named for two local men killed in Vietnam and founded in 2000, has used several buildings since its inception but wanted its own building.
The large, new building will allow the post to better serve its members and local veterans, said Steve Cole, the R-and-R chairman for the post.
Member Rob Cozen, who heads the Building Committee, welcomed the local business organization and thanked members for their support.
“You have absolutely no idea how happy and proud we are at American Legion Post 524 to welcome you all here today. This is a proud, happy moment for all of us,” Cozen said.
He said the post had a vast list of people to thank, but some deserved special mention. In particular, he cited Post Commander Robert “Bob” Marzulli, who promised to have the post completed before he died.
Marzulli was present, surrounded by members of the post. Cozen said he deserved thanks and congratulations more than anyone else.
He also praised Gillian, saying he’d been there from the first and describing him as “A guy who understood right from the very beginning the need and the importance of what is going to be represented” by the post and the building. “He stood by us from the very beginning to the end.”
“I’m sure that I speak for every member of Post 524 in thanking Mayor Jay Gillian,” Cozen said.
Five years ago, he said, he spoke to the chamber at a meeting at The Flanders Hotel, and announced plans for the building.
At that meeting, he said, he made three promises: that the building would be built without city money, that the post would not neglect the things it does for veterans such as the Run for the Fallen or the care packages that carry supplies to those serving overseas, and would continue to provide scholarships and other services to the community at large.
Cole said the building would be for those now serving overseas and that members of the post will do all they can to welcome home the returning veterans and help them readjust to civilian life.
Before beginning his prepared comments, Gillian also spoke to the Legionnaires.
“We keep talking about this room. And that’s nice. I appreciate that. When we started this out, the lessons we learned were amazing. It brought the good out of people, but it also brought some of the bad out of people,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s a building. And when I look at the commanders of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) and the American Legion, it’s about the people. And about the men and women who served.”
He said the efforts are under the radar, adding that while the building is beautiful, it would be nothing without the people involved.
Turning to his prepared statement, Gillian said he promised to unify the community as mayor, describing the new American Legion hall as a perfect example of what can be done as a community.
Gillian said the veterans’ groups, the chamber, the city staff, and residents had accomplished more in recent years than ever before.
Gillian has been mayor for eight years, and this year he is seeking a third term in the non-partisan May 8 election.
He’s challenged by John Flood, a former city councilman who served as council president. Both grew up in Ocean City in families that have been in town for generations.
Gillian made no mention of the campaign or Election Day in his comments, although he did say he wants to see the work continue. He also left his prepared speech at one point to praise the current members of City Council and the city staff.
As he has in several other public comments, Gillian spoke of the extensive infrastructure improvements undertaken in recent years, including back bay dredging, street and drainage work, boardwalk reconstruction, and beach restoration. The city has a $100 million capital plan outlining coming projects.
Gillian announced that the city had acquired the former Getty station on Ninth Street, part of an effort to spruce up several abandoned gas stations along the main entrance to town. Landscaping will begin immediately so the site will be improved for this summer’s visitors, he said.
“The things we’ve accomplished together are the reason why people love Ocean City so much,” Gillian said. “The best beach, the best downtown, the best boardwalk, the best place for women-owned businesses. Year after year, it’s the same success story.”
Gillian’s wife, Michelle Gillian, is the executive director of the chamber.
She opened the meeting and praised the American Legion members and veterans.
To contact Bill Barlow, email bbarlow@cmcherald.com.
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