OCEAN CITY, NJ — Four were sworn in to the Ocean City Council at their recent reorganization meeting, though it was not without some tension with regards to an ongoing lawsuit challenging the results in the Third Ward.
Sean Barnes, who joined as an at-large councilman following the resignation of Karen Bergman, was sworn in back in June as that seat had been vacant since she left. At the reorganization meeting, Terry Crowley Jr., Keith Hartzell, Jody Levchuk and Dave Winslow took their seats.
Each spoke to the public to thank them and to outline some of their goals during their terms.
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Levchuk referenced the lawsuit filed by his competitor, Amie Vaules, in his remarks. Vaules, who lost by just two votes, claims in the lawsuit that two mail-in votes that were disqualified should have been counted, and that a vote cast by Levchuk’s brother, Randy Levchuk, should be thrown out due to him allegedly actually residing in Kenilworth.
“Some people haven’t done their homework, and it’s a shame what that man is going through,” a visibly emotional Levchuk said.
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“Shame on you!” He said angrily.
Crowley, first to be sworn in, reflected on the experiences that had led him to this moment, including marrying “a girl from Ocean City” and the longtime friendship of former Egg Harbor Mayor James “Sonny” McCullough, who encouraged him to get into politics.
The First Ward councilman said he was committed to listening to everyone, while knowing that they would not always agree. Crowley looked back to the island’s previous politicians, whom he called “gentlemen.”
“It will benefit City Council, it will benefit the city but most important, it’ll benefit the people of Ocean City,” he said.
Hartzell, returning to City Council after a failed bid for mayor in 2022, attributed his success to being raised in a “God-fearing home.”
Now serving the city’s Second Ward, Hartzell promised to host lots of meetings with residents that he would make sure would be accessible to all.
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“I can only succeed if I take direction from each and every one of you,” he said. “That’s how important you are.”
“I will do my best to preserve the family values and heritage of Ocean City while ensuring a vibrant quality of life,” Winslow said in his remarks. The Fourth Ward councilman voiced optimism, saying he saw an “incredibly bright future.”
“Many call Ocean City their happy place, their paradise,” Winslow said. “Let’s all work together so that we can preserve our happy place, our paradise, now and for future generations.”
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