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OC COVID Response Wins Praise

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By Bill Barlow

 To access the Herald’s local coronavirus/COVID-19 coverage, click here.
OCEAN CITY – As New Jersey begins what is expected to be a long, slow process of reopening, city officials praised Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian’s efforts through the process and took on the critics.
“I know the mayor is getting it from all sides, and while much of the criticism is unfair and ill-informed, I also know that he accepts it, owns it, and won’t complain about it. He knows it’s part of the job,” said City Administrator George Savastano, at the May 14 City Council meeting.
In public comments since the emergency declaration, in March, Gillian stressed that Ocean City would put public safety foremost in every decision. The city was one of the first in the area to close its beaches and boardwalk, and one of the last to reopen.
On social media and around town, some have criticized the city’s response as too extreme, while others argued the city did not go far enough, suggesting closing the bridges to cars with out-of-state plates, a step Gillian has said is outside of his constitutional power.
Crowds turned out on the boardwalk on its first open weekend, with images of the Ocean City Boardwalk appearing on CNN and other national media. Crowds were expected for Memorial Day weekend, usually seen as the kickoff for the tourist season, even though this year’s memorial events have been canceled in Ocean City and throughout the region.
With newly-reported infections dropping, Ocean City has cut some of its restrictions. The city skatepark and dog park reopened, as did the golf course, with new restrictions in place. For instance, only 10 people are allowed in the skatepark at one time.
“We’re trying to give our kids in this community some peace of mind,” Gillian said, at the meeting. That includes getting recreation fields and tennis courts back in use, he said, adding a promise to get the popular pickleball courts open as soon as possible.
As of May 18, retail stores, like the ones along Asbury Avenue, could sell items for curbside pickup.
 “That’s a start, but that’s still not good enough. We want to get these small businesses open,” Gillian said.
He said he has recruited doctors and specialists to advise him on the reopening.
“They really opened my eyes to a lot of things,” he said.
Like in the past, Gillian chastised those who have attacked others on social media posts, including the year-round residents who have commented about second homeowners. He said being stuck inside seems to have brought out the meanness in some.
“It’s going to be another month of trying to get things open, but that warm weather and sun are amazing,” Gillian said, suggesting people spend time outside, “and just be human again and stay off our computers and stay off our phones and just communicate with your neighbors again.”
Gov. Phil Murphy has announced plans to reopen the economy in phases. Gillian continued to call for caution, citing Ocean City’s large population of senior citizens, but he began to bring in a sense that the worst may be over.
“It is a tough time, and I know there’s a lot of people suffering, but we did the right thing, and whether you agree with it or not, or whether you want to believe anybody, this could have been worse,” he said.
At the start of the meeting, Savastano said he has spent a large part of his career in Ocean City and has never seen anything like the coronavirus emergency.
“We’ve gone through so many things over the years here: An oil spill on the beaches right before Memorial Day, several blizzards, countless nor’easters, a mass evacuation in the summer, a great recession, and a superstorm that changed the landscape of our city, along with an untold number of minor crises that are just part of life,” said Savastano, “but none of those experiences compared to such an unprecedented situation that we would not have imagined we would be dealing with now.”
He said the mayor relies on his professional staff and gets feedback from people around the city.
“Even with all that human contract, I know his job is the loneliest,” he said.
Gillian said he appreciated Savastano’s comments.
“We’re not going to do anything unless it’s well thought out and it’s safe,” Gillian said.
Councilman Keith Hartzell praised the way the city communicated with business owners, which included offering viable reasons for each rule.
“I think on a national basis, that’s not occurring. People, after they see some of our officials talk, they walk away confused,” he said. “It will never be the same as last summer, but at least we’ll be more prepared.”
Councilwoman Karen Bergman also praised the communication from the city.
“I know that you’re stuck in the middle of two different ways of seeing this, and I know how hard that is,” she told the mayor.
“I would just implore folks to follow the rules, use common sense, have patience,” added Councilman Bob Barr, “so that we don’t have to make any decision we don’t want to, and we can have the kind of summer we’re looking forward to.”
At least at this virtual meeting, there was support for the city’s efforts.
“Mayor, thank you so much for all that you’re doing. I fully support everything you’ve done and I think you’ve kept us safe,” said resident Suzanne Hornick. “My family and I appreciate you.”
To contact Bill Barlow, email bbarlow@cmcherald.com.

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