Maybe the dream is too small...Instead of a skate park, we should have a skate friendly town! Scatter obstacles throughout the town, and have a long run along haven ave (the "bike path"). Just add some ramps, rails, and a halfpipe. Add 2 skating related things to each existing park, and then put a few strategically planted grind rails between the different parks.

Be a leader, not a politician.

One of the better Letters to Editor that I have ever seen. Too bad he's going to get ignored in OC........skaters don't bring in $$$$$$$. And between the reality and fat cat merchants those kids don't have a chance.......wish they did, but, their screwed...

To G. Palmer: Gillian only cares about the boardwalk, I am so sorry to say
So you can ask forever, but a skate park doesn't pay
You are not the only one who has been so let down
Unless you are a boardwalk merchant, you're nothing in this town

And as I read these comments they are so sad and true! Our mayor could care aless of me or you. Not did he take our skate park away he also gave our city work away! Yes he sent the city cars off shore to the tune of 21,000 dollars when the work could be done by our own lets ask his wife why the chamber of commerce allowed this to be done!! Wit lets ask mr. Hartzell what he knows and more. It is time to bring our city back to us who love the shore and please stop the bullshit and let us all know more. Yes I agree lets start the process now to dig deep and get that skate park back and bigger then ever and get this town back to us locals who council does not care about! It is time to stand up investigate and take our city back!!!!!!!!

Yes Oclocal let's ask Mr. Hartzell what he knows. Of course you will get a long winded, incoherent, endless, nonsensical answer that will make you want to scream for him to please just stop speaking because listening to him is almost unbearable!
So on second thought, please don't ask Mr. Hartzell anything. It is just too painful to have to listen.

OMG, I have to comment on been there, heard that. You are so funny! Unfortunately, you are so true. To go a little off subject here, if one is going to query Mrs. Gillian re: skate part, please ask her why home owners insurance prices will be doubling for "second home owners". When presented with a bunch of BS by LoBiondo, since article written 3/12/13 in oc general news, that the majority of tax payers in Ocean City are second home owners. Now that they are receiving the "doubling, or close thereto, of their insurance premiums, homes are going up for a "fire sale" just to get out. You really can't have a tax base rate increase, an insurance increase and then increase rents (if you rent your property, I do not mine). People can't afford to pay. So, who will end up owning in Ocean City. Perhaps, the Gillians would like to buy my property and all the other ones up for sale and they can own the whole island and pay all the taxes. As far as Hartzell goes, he just loves to talk to hear himself talk. No worries, it just puts people to sleep, better than taking clonapan or any other form of sleeping aid. Just listen to him and that'll work.

the mayor or whoever seriously needs to think about what he invests his money in. taking away things like the skatepark is just another reason for people to not want to go to ocean city anymore. PEOPLE GO TO OC TO GO TO THE SKATEPARK TO HANG OUT AND HAVE FUN! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT KIDS TO DO IN A STUPID PARKING LOT?!!

This summer is going to be one of the most busiest summers oc will ever see considering everyone who normally vacations up north will have to come down south because we got hit less during sandy and will actually be open for summer. So that just means if we don't have a skatepark by summer we will be letting a lot of people down.

He torn down the skatepark so he could have more parking spaces closer to his property. How convent, Right? This guy the city calls mayor is such a joke. He cant even keep a promise..I hope the whole town starts to see that he can't keep a promise. A simple promise at that..Maybe other people will start to see that if he cant keep a promise for something as small as a skatepark then who is to say he can keep a promise for something as big as say a new coastal evacuation route. maybe he will just keep putting that off until another storm comes and does more damage.

Junk that punk a## skate park. The real joke is that weak bike trail. It's a white stripe along the side of the road. They just playing all us tax paying fools.

Once again commenting and expressing opinions about city issues has translated into personal attacks. I am highly offended by the comments, and assumptions regarding the Gillian family. If you truly knew anything about the Gillian family you would realize what you were insinuating was ridiculous.

Frank, since you seem to know so much and have so much information. Let us all know who you are and how it is you have this factual information. You "know for a fact" that the mayor cares. Unless you are the mayor himself, you know no more that he cares than i know he doesn't. caring is a feeling. feelings are internal. the only person who truly knows for a fact how they feel is that individual person. so tell us all frank, just who are you?

My name is Frank just like you are Ken...it is that simple. I do not claim to know so much or have so much information. (no more than anyone else on here) What I do know is that the citizens of this great town should work together to resolve issues and stop making accusations, personal attacks and finger pointing.

Frank, you have stated numerous times you "know for a fact" . That seems to say you have more information than others. I simply asked who you are and how you have these facts. It would certainly be helpful to me and I am simply trying yo be part of the solution. I have called no one names.

Well all things being EQUAL that works but all things are not equal. In this town, the way the government is set up, the Mayor has an extraordinary amount of power. We have seen that at work and we have seen it dispensed disproportionately and many times we have seen that power abused. You have claimed in other posts that you do have some kind of insider information. This forum is for comments. If you are offended by some of the comments, possibly you should refrain from reading them.

I never claimed to "have some kind of insider information". Just like most of you I am merely stating opinions based on my experiences and observations. However, I happen to have a different approach.

Ken you are reading way to much into this...I am just a regular citizen. Yes, you called me a fool.

Well you said you knew "for a fact" that the mayor cares. Guess you were just blowing smoke

After all the Mayor and his Administration did for this City after Sandy how could you think anything else?

Dear Mr frank, I know GP quite well and what he was trying to do was stir up some interest in our long awaited skate park. And also he was trying to do it with humor and good taste. The target or his letter was The mayor, and his administration. Surely when the Jayster signed on for the big job he had to know people would not alwaws agree with him or his actions. He might even be critized on rare occassions. So frank, frankie baby, tell your bud the mayor this is a great chance to debunk the myth that he tore down skate park for more parking close to his pier.(the skaterat community believe thats what happened) Now frank, this noise about personal attack is just a "red herring". Try posting an well thought argument or maybe even an idea instead of your weak defence of your friend and his family. I wish people in Ocean City would realize free speach extends to even what you do not agree with. Excellent most excellent letter GP catch you on the bus.

When you see politicians, people in power, using their positions to further their personal agendas, (be it more parking for their pier so they can put more money into their own pockets,) it is disturbing. When you see council members, misusing their positions to further their personal agendas, or "selling" their votes to special interest groups, with no respect for the concerns of others, it is most disturbing. And if these people cannot stand the heat and anger of constituents that comes with doing this stuff, don't do it in the first place. Behave and then there will not be this anger. Don't use your positions to put more money into your own pockets or the pockets of your friends. Don't sell your votes to special interest groups who whisper in your ear and promise you votes. Don't do it in the first place and then you won't have to worry about the anger that comes with such actions.

Everyone knew when Jay became the mayor that the skate park's days were numbered. His family never wanted the park there from the very beginning. He just took the first chance he could to get HIS parking spaces back.

Well what a good reason to run and become elected Mayor - to make sure your family could get back their parking spaces. He, as those before him, has taken good care of his family and friends. Well done!

$2,000,000 bought we, the taxpayers of OC a parking lot last spring. it will take over 20 years to see an even return on our investment. can someone tell me just exactly where this parking lot is? i have been told one thing, but will not post as i do not know for certain.

bring back ocean city skatepark. RIP

Just to give y'all an update---- I spoke in detail about this issue of re-building the "Skatepark" with Councilman First Ward, Michael DeVlieger last night on the phone--- he said he has brought this subject up many times, but it is not in the budget for this year...... and that there are many other issues pressing Ocean City like getting people into their homes after storm Sandy.... which I can understand and that he is on board with at least getting a plan together.... with that said maybe bringing it up at a few town meetings as to constructing a temporary park with the existing equipment on another site if they didn't throw it all away.... maybe at least it can be repaired and put up next to the Fire House or something.... I would think they could at least do that until a new "SkatePark" could be designed and incorporated into the next budget as Mayor Gillian had promised.... it's all about keeping your promises to the kids as far as I'm concerned!!!

A few ramps and a grind pole or fence wouldn't cost that much and would at least be something the skater's could ride until they get this solved.... or it's another summer of skating in parking lots and endangering the lives of the kids and them being chased from everywhere they try to skate..... so go to the counsel meeting and bring it up in new business until they are sick of hearing it and maybe they'll do something.... how about using that stupid park at 9th and Asbury where the annex used to be--- I don't see not one person going in there to "sit" or do anything for that matter....use that temporarily just for the summer!!!

NO! I do NOT want a tacky skater park at 9th & Asbury!!!!
People do enjoy that park...it is NOT stupid far better than the eyesore that I am very pleased the Mayor tore down. I agree there should be a place for the skaters but not on the prime corner of our Downtown!!!

Like people enjoy the park at 9th and West too---oh spare me---It was a suggestion for a TEMPORARY FIX for the problem----one lousy summer to appease the kids that were promised and the Mayor broke his promise like he always does---and who are you to say a skatepark is "TACKY"---that right there is a biased opinion for somebody that was just suggesting to use that useless plot as a temporary skatepark-----I think it would be awesome to ride into town and see the kids skating and having fun and what a way to draw visitors into the downtown area---- I often sat and watched the kids over at the old skatepark for hours----most were a bunch of good kids that helped the little ones learn how to do tricks and "drop in" and this is supposed to be "America's Greatest FAMILY Resort" ----you should be ashamed Frank for showing your obvious bigotry concerning skaters---by calling a park for them "tacky"---- I guess surfers are "tacky" too?? Hello, this is a beach resort and surfers and skaters usually go hand in hand...get used to it.... you live where kids skate and surf....this ain't an old peoples home or the geriatric ward of a nursing home.....kids need something to do and this was promised to them from the time they tore down the old park for reasons unknown and not warranted except for a loose nail or sand on the park deck.....geez.... go take some Geritol already!!!

Well Frank we agree on something. I like having a pocket park where the city hall annex once stood. It could be put to better use. Maybe in time the City will hold events there if it can resist the compulsion to develop every square inch of the city.

Only thing wrong with that is customers DO UTILIZE that underground parking lot and I know this for a fact b/c when I go to TD Bank I walk the underground lot to get upstairs to SuperFresh to do my shopping---you are a moron for making such a statement!!! That is a very, very, dangerous suggestion from an idiot as far as I'm concerned!! When the kids are skating there they chance getting KILLED when a car heads down there to park .....how ludicrous to put our children in danger the way the cars drive into that underground lot----are you freaking insane???? OMG---I thought I heard everything but you really take the cake on that one!!!!

Oh and that's real nice that you think skaters are annoying ---they obviously annoy you but our children's lives are at stake here and that was the most insensitive, rude, obnoxious, suggestion I have ever heard..... you mister are annoying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And I understand that Sandy has changed things for OC---but that is no excuse for the Liar of a Mayor of this town----he has had 2 years to fulfill his promise to these kids and has done nothing---not a damn thing and don't use Sandy as an excuse for his sorry lying ^^%$#!!!----he's had 2 years to address this and hasn't done squat--and the taxpayers of this town paid for the skatepark--- I guess they don't matter either right???

Denise - You claim I am "insensitive, rude, and obnoxious" for expressing my opinion. However I suppose it is ok for you to call the mayor a "liar" and to call me a "moron"? If you are so concerned about the safety of our skaters why dont you educate them on where/how they should skate. Do you feel it is safe for them to skate down the middle of Asbury Avenue and often in to oncoming traffic? Do not reply with the excuse that the park was removed. I find you to be extremely annoying!!!

They skate on Asbury b/c it is a smooth road and figure at least they are easily visible---and yeah it is ok for me to call the precious Mayor a "Liar"---b/c that is exactly what he is----he promised to "fix' this and give the kids back their skatepark and it's been 2 years already--- I'll call him anything I want to ----it's called ---Freedom of speech in the United States is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution----so yeah I'll call him a "Liar" !!! I call's em as I see's em---- and sorry I called you a "moron" ---but anyone who would suggest that the kids ride their skateboard in SuperFresh's underground parking lot IS a "moron"---Superfresh---which IS private property and I'm sure they, for insurance purposes, don't want the skaters there to get killed---holding them liable and it is posted "no skateboarding" --also--DUH!!! So that's why they "skate" down Asbury---b/c it's one of the only streets that are newly paved and not private property and they can at least be easily seen---do you have brains or what? And excuse me---why do you think they are riding all over wherever they can----b/c THE PARK WAS REMOVED--DUH!!!!!!! That's not an excuse---it's a fact---duh!!! And the feeling is mutual b/c I find you more than extremely annoying ---I find you to be stupidly annoying and dumbly annoying and annoying beyond annoying----I find you to be uninformed and just prejudice against skaters period and biased for "your friend" the Mayor!!!

There you have it - you endorse the skaters being on Asbury Avenue - you dont see that as being dangerous? Of course you have the right to express your opinions. However you do not seem to respect my right to do so. Your opinions are equally biased. I am more informed than you will ever know. I would be proud to call the Mayor my friend. You however I find extremely annoying, and obsessed with skaters.

Denise I would also suggest rather than merely expressing your opinions on The Patch that you address them to City Council. If you are so proudly intent on calling the Mayor a "liar" then why dont you do it in person?

First of all I don't endorse skaters on Asbury Ave or feel it is a safe place to skate but understand why they skate there. I see bicycles on Asbury Ave also and it's not a great place to ride a bike either. I know what was promised and I don't hide who I am--I'd say it right to his face--and I never said you don't have the right to express your opinion --I'm just saying that your "opinion/suggestion" for them to skate at SF into cars speeding down a ramp--is a stupid suggestion and MY opinion--you can't come up with a better idea than that? Frank---if that is your real name---how about the lot that the taxpayers bought at 9th and Wesley.... maybe come up with a plan for either a temp location then maybe a state of the art park and charge just like the city charges for beach tags and parking----kids would pay---I'm saying this was supposed to be addressed immediately and even trying to come up with a temp location and on a smaller scale with a promise of something nicer and better was dangled out there---all LIES--- I know what I was told and that was the Jayster and council were gonna come up with something temp until they could build a brand new park!!! And I have addressed City Council and 2 min were spent on discussion and supposedly to address it again in agenda..... but that never happened and I know for a fact that Keith brought it up a few times also!! But the Mayor never wants to "discuss" it in detail ---only put it on the back burner for the last 2 years!!!!

Why would Frank not be my "real name"?

I also realize that you addressed City Council...I was there. Perhaps its time for you to address them again. I understand your frustration.

Thanks for understanding my frustration---I would love to go to more meetings but I have no way to get there on my fixed income and the Nazi OCPD won't let me ride my E-Bike in this town---although they are ridden everywhere else all over the state and sold as bikes and no other town tickets them--- so until I do my bankruptcy I cannot register my "E-bike" that doesn't go over 20mph and meets all the federal qualifications and is certified as an E-bike but not in this Nazi town so until I get a lawyer pro-bono to do my bankruptcy---been waiting for a year now for South Jersey Legal Services to find one as free legal help has a long waiting list---so until I get that out of the way to register my E-Bike as Mo-ped---I just can't afford to take a cab there all the time----believe me----frustration in this town is an understatement.....even if you file harassment on the officer that targeted me 3 separate times....then after filing charges they don't do anything anyway----they are corrupt as hell too......they wear ya down until you just give up the fight..... this town sucks in a lot of ways.... I love it and I hate it!!!!!

Sorry to hear your troubles. We finally agree on something...yes, this town can be frustrating and I agree sometimes its a battle between love/hate. Honestly, I do think at some point they will provide the promised skatepark.

I doubt it.....lol

Why don't we use the underground parking lot at super fresh? We do BMX and Skate boarders use that area until we started getting kicked out and arrested for that.

A skatepark is no different from a base ball field or a basketball court. Everyone has different passions in life. If the mayor doesn't keep his promise all he is doing is endangering the lives of others. If Skateboarders and BMX riders don't have a designed place to go that is the city pushing those kids and young adults into traffic and parking lots where they risk getting hit by a car because the city didn't have a place for them to go. When a skateboarder or BMX rider goes behind a business to ride their bike or ride their skateboard and do tricks it's only a matter of time till the business owner comes out to tell them to leave or even worse waste the local law enforcement's time by having them respond to the scene and tell them to leave. When you get kicked out of where ever you are they tell you to go somewhere else. They kick you into the streets. That is extremely dangerous and it is absolutely stupid for the city to do that because they are now risking our kids lives.

I think the mayor is a coward for not keeping his promise and i hope a kids life doesn't get taken this summer because the mayor of Ocean City, NJ couldn't keep a promise for giving the BMX riders and Skateboarders a place to go.