OCEAN CITY – Often, when a city government meeting is standing room only, it means some topic has citizens up in arms. When it’s necessary to squeeze into a typically empty council chamber, that often means an evening of controversy and anger.
At the Jan. 11 City Council meeting in Ocean City, that scene meant the council had scheduled honors for several people. They recognized several who helped save a life and an officer who decided not to issue a summons.
City officials lauded police, firefighters and emergency responders, including eight who saved a life in November. The man, Jim Sweitzer of Ocean City, was present to thank those whose quick response kept him alive.
There was a little controversy at the meeting over a city action, but honors and recognition dominated most of the meeting, which also included resolutions honoring two local Boy Scouts for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the organization.
Things began with a special presentation from Bob Marzulli, the commander of Ocean City’s American Legion Post 524, honoring the responders who saved Sweitzer, along with recognizing Patrolman Thomas Strunk for his work in an Oct. 16 incident, in which officials say he went above and beyond to help a Navy veteran.
Sweitzer, too, is a veteran, and the American Legion post thanked the emergency responders who helped them both.
On Nov. 4, Police Patrolman Brendan Gheen was the first on the scene for a medical call in which Sweitzer was found unresponsive in the passenger seat of a vehicle.
Gheen began CPR and set up a defibrillator while medical crews were en route.
Ocean City Fire Capt. William Martin, Firefighter George Karpinski and Firefighter Ryan Lenegan in Engine 1, and Firefighters Matthew Slaughter and Jason Boyle in Ambulance 2 took over the treatment when they arrived, according to the city proclamation.
The ambulance crew took Sweitzer to AtlantiCare Medical Center Mainland Division, where AtlantiCare paramedics Sandy Monaghan and Lauren Lasassa also cared for Sweitzer.
At the meeting, Sweitzer shook hands with each of the responders. His wife, Nancy, embraced them each while those at the meeting applauded and photos were taken.
The man Strunk helped did not attend.
As described in the city’s proclamation, Strunk was first on the scene after a report of disorderly conduct, to find a man trying to lift the front end of a car, saying he was trying to save a baby. But there was no baby in sight.
Strunk was able to calm the man and spoke with the owner of the vehicle.
“Patrolman Strunk knew that he was dealing with a suspect with mental health and substance abuse issues; and whereas the vehicle owner did not wish to sign a complaint, and Patrolman Strunk decided that the man needed help and not a disorderly person offense,” reads the proclamation in part.
Strunk and Sgt. Tyrone Rolls took the man to Cape Regional Medical Center for treatment. After Strunk learned that the man was a Navy veteran, and eligible for (U.S. Department of) Veterans Affairs benefits, “Patrolman Strunk went above and beyond the call of duty by calling a representative at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center to arrange for the veteran’s further counseling and treatment,” reads the proclamation. He got permission to drive the man to Philadelphia for appropriate care.
In addition to firefighters, police and their families, a strong contingent from Boy Scout Troop 32 also turned out to see two of their own honored. Council also recognized new Eagle Scouts Nicholas Theis and Andrew Leonetti at the meeting, citing the integrity, perseverance, sacrifice, and service needed to achieve the rank.
Leonetti, 16, is a junior at Ocean City High School, where he is a coxswain on the crew team and a trumpeter in the marching band. He’s also a drummer in his own band, and helped advocate for young performers as City Council considered an ordinance on boardwalk buskers.
For his service project, a necessary step to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, Leonetti built a portable custom coat rack for patrons of the Ocean City Free Public Library.
Theis is a freshman at the University of Missouri, where he hopes to study business. For his Eagle project, he came up with and launched a new program to loan life jackets to boaters in Ocean City.
He also plays guitar, according to the resolution in his honor that was unanimously approved by the council.
To contact Bill Barlow, email bbarlow@cmcherald.com.
Wildwood – So Liberals here on spout off, here's a REAL question for you.
Do you think it's appropriate for BLM to call for "Burning down the city" and "Black Vigilantes" because…
