Guinosso's First Fourth Ward Meeting Focuses on Flooding

Most of the fourth ward residents who came out to Councilman Pete Guinosso's first Fourth Ward meeting came for one reason: To talk about the flooding that residents say has impacted their lives for years.

Guinosso, who made it clear at that flooding and drainage were two of his top priorities, started the conversation about flooding, saying that he has talked to a number of people in the city's administration, and that they have told him they are interested in making sure the situation is being corrected.

"Hopefully, we're going to see a difference," said Guinosso. "If not, we're going to have to proceed from there."

Guinosso said that the way that flooding has been addressed recently by the city is not effective. He used the example of Merion Park, a community in which many Fourth Ward residents who were at the meeting live, saying that the area has seen more flooding since the area of Bay Avenue and 36th Street was raised to combat flooding.

"Then you raise Merion Park and all the water will run back into Bay Avenue," said Guinosso. "Why don't we look at this whole area and figure out what we're going to do about it?"

Fourth Ward resident Brian McPeak, a former city councilman in his hometown of Audubon, NJ, said that the problem might require outside help from experts.

"How can we continually spend money without having the right professional guidance," he said. "How did that happen?"

Many residents said that these flooding issues have been going on for decades and that they are only getting worse.

Sue Warner said that she has been writing letters to the city for years asking for them to address flooding issues near her Bayland Drive home. Now, she said, what was once a problem only during storms, has become a problem every high tide.

"Something does need to be done," she said. "I'm a little skeptical that anything will be done."

Marty Mozzo, a member of the flooding committee of the Ocean City Community Association, said that his organization has tried to meet with the city and that many retired people are willing to help address flooding issues.

"We don't seem to be getting anywhere," he said.

Eric Sauder, a Fourth Ward resident, suggested that people get more involved by attending City Council meetings and expressing their concerns.

"We need to speak our concerns as a group," he said. "I don't see any other way of making anything happen."

Guinosso agreed.

"I would like you folks to get more active in the situation," he said. "Petition and start complaining. We need to have reverse workshops; all you folks coming and talking about this. This is the conduit for you people, for our taxpayers and our citizens to have some kind of voice in town."

Guinosso said he will talk to both the city's administration and the rest of the City Council about the issue, but said that residents must continue to be involved.

"Unless everybody starts to raise their anxiety on this, nothing's ever going to happen," Guinosso said.

Newly elected first ward Councilman Michael DeVlieger was also present at the meeting.