Letter from Jim: What I’m Hearing from Ocean City Residents, and How You Can Get Involved
Dear Friends, Neighbors, and New Supporters,
I’m proud to say that, thanks largely to your support and amplification, the Jim Kelly for Council campaign is off to a strong start. With four candidates vying for three council seats, we have our work cut out for us. In the coming nine weeks, we will need to reach as many voters as possible and share our vision of strong, responsible governance for Ocean City. I am encouraged and humbled by your support and the commitment so many of you have shown to our community; thank you for being a part of this effort.
Already, my team and I have been getting out into neighborhoods and talking directly to residents, and we’ll continue these conversations in the days and weeks ahead. What I’m hearing is that people across Ocean City want their voices taken seriously by elected officials. They want open, conflict-free decision-making on major issues like Boardwalk zoning, beach replenishment, flood mitigation, and city infrastructure. They want quality of life improvements. But overall, two issues seem to be foremost for people: 600 Boardwalk, and a desire to ensure our city’s affordability, starting by getting control of city spending and the city’s increasing debt. 600 Boardwalk has gotten much airtime, so let this letter focus on the latter concern.
Protecting Ocean City’s Financial Future
The economic landscape has changed significantly in the past few years, and families and businesses alike have had to adapt. Ocean City, like all municipalities, must respond thoughtfully to these pressures. Taxes in Ocean City have increased 17% in the last three years, well above the rate of inflation. Our debt has also rapidly increased and is placing a larger burden on all of us year after year. Ocean City needs clear-eyed financial stewardship to navigate today’s economic realities.
For those of you who may not know much about my professional background, let me share why my experience is relevant to the challenges our city faces. My professional career began as Chief Financial Officer responsible for the stewardship for a large senior living community, including its residents, employees, and stakeholders. Over time, my role expanded, leading to my current position as Vice President of Business Strategy and Administration at Erickson Senior Living. Throughout my career, I’ve led teams responsible for finance, operations, and long-term business strategy. For more than four decades, I have overseen large and complex budgets, and I have worked within communities to elevate their voices and find real, implementable compromises that work from a business and local perspective. My goal as a City Council member will be to bring the same sound management and decision-making practices I’ve relied on throughout my career to the Council’s work.
I also believe that one of my most important qualities as a leader is my willingness to listen. I am genuinely interested in hearing people’s perspectives, and I make a point of learning from the experiences of others. I’m sorry to say that many residents feel this type of engagement has been missing from City Council in recent years. As a Council member, I will listen and ensure your concerns are represented in local government.
How You Can Help
The Kelly for Council campaign is about moving our great city forward with open, independent, and financially disciplined leadership. I’d be most grateful for anything you’re able to do to help get the word out. If you’re interested, here are a few specific ways you can support the campaign:
Forward this email to friends, neighbors, and family members and encourage others to sign up for campaign updates.
Follow the campaign on Facebook and Instagram. Liking and commenting on posts helps them to be seen by more people, as does sharing with friends, followers, and other Ocean City groups.
Volunteer to help knock on doors, distribute flyers, and support other campaign activities. If you’d like to get involved, please sign-up here.
Sign-up for Kelly for Council updates here.
Finally, campaigns are expensive, and I’m not being backed by any of the big Ocean City names. While this means I’ll bring objectivity and independence to the role, it also means I could use your help. If you’re able, a contribution of any size will help us reach more voters.
I am fully committed to this campaign and serving Ocean City. But in order to succeed, I need your help. Thank you for all that you have done and will do as we work toward a victory in May’s election, and a stronger future for our beloved city.
Please reach out any time – I can be reached at jim@kellyforcouncil.com.
Yours,
Jim