Promising a return to ABCs ("accountability, balance and character"), Ed Price announced his candidacy for the Fourth Ward seat on City Council in a news conference Friday morning at the Ocean City Free Public Library.

Four seats on the seven-member City Council will be decided in the municipal election on May 8. The seats represent the city's four wards. 

The deadline for City Council candidates to submit petitions is March 5, and Price left the news conference at the library to turn in his petition at City Hall.

Price's announcement sets up a Fourth Ward race with at least one other candidate. Central Avenue resident Pete Guinosso announced his candidacy for the Fourth Ward seat on Jan. 27.

The Fourth Ward includes all homes from the south side of 26th Street to the south end of the island (and the Ocean Reef community off Tennessee Avenue).

Price chose to hold his news conference outside the library where he has served on the Board of Trustees for 10 years (as president for three years). Price helped guide a $15 million renovation of the Ocean City Community Cultural Center, which includes the library, the Arts Center, Historical Museum, Aquatics and Fitness Center and Senior Center.

Price, 52, is president of Computer Service and Support, a medical software company. He lives in the Ocean Reef community with his wife, Veronica (Vonnie). He has two children: Madeline, a freshman at Wake Forest University; and Jackson, a junior at Ocean City High School. 

Price is a past president and member of the Ocean City Exchange Club, past master of the Ocean City Masonic Lodge and past president of the Ocean City Masonic Club. He is also a new member of the Sons of the American Legion. Price has served two terms on the Ocean City Aviation Advisory Board and is currently a commissioner on the Housing Authority. He serves on the Board of Directors of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Atlantic and Cape May Counties.

"Over 130 years ago, the Lake Family founded Ocean City," Price said on Friday. "I am proud to be here as a descendant of the Lake family to announce that I am running for the Fourth Ward City Council seat in the very town that my ancestors founded so long ago."

Price went on to describe his platform of ABCs:

"The cornerstones of my campaign and my service are accountability, balance and character. That's right: ABC. It's time to get back to the ABCs of government. We have for all too long not held our government officials and employees accountable for their work and behavior. I want to work to change this situation. Balance is the word I like to use to describe government. Our city government is a balancing act between many people and many groups. If we use a balanced approach to our problems and work together, we can solve any issue. Divisiveness has no place in America's Greatest Family Resort. I pledge to work for balance in all matters. Character is an inner strength and discipline that we need more of in all people. I feel that I have the character to make a difference in Ocean City. 

Price touted his public advocacy in Ocean City for a system of RFP's (Request for Proposals) for public contracts, for stronger "pay to play" laws, for the removal of a boat ramp building on Tennessee Avenue that he says had been constructed without proper approvals.

He said that in March 2007 he fought the New Jersey American Water Company, resulting in a recalculation of more than 11,000 water bills and a collective savings to Ocean City residents of more than $100,000.

He has also cited his research as a public watchdog on overbillings in the city's Department of Law.

This is Price's first run for public office.