It’s History by Fred Miller

Local Ocean It’s History 1970 in Ocean City by Fred Miller

Fifty years ago, this bronze plaque was added to Ocean City’s 50-year-old World War stone monument on Veterans Day 1970.

Fred Miller, 14th Street lifeguard, shows off his award winning rowing techniques during the summer of 1970.

IN 1790, by George Washington’s orders, 650 men on horseback, in stagecoaches and on foot counted almost four million Americans. In 1970, the Census Bureau reported there were 203 million Americans. The report included the following counts: New Jersey – 7,168,164; Cape May County – 59,554; Ocean City –10,575.

Ocean City showed a 39 percent increase in population between 1960 and 1970. Ocean City had the largest population of the 16 municipalities in Cape May County – 421 more people than Lower Township.

Elected officials in 1970: President of the United States Richard Nixon, Vice President Spiro Agnew, Mayor Robert L. Sharp, Commissioner Chester J. Wimberg, and Commissioner David L. Simpson.

Building Inspector Daniel F. Connor reported on January 12 that the construction industry in Ocean City soared to record proportions in 1969 with more new dwellings being built than during any single year in the 53-year history of the municipal building department. There were 347 new dwellings constructed that year.

On January 28, Jaycees president Kenneth Strang presented the group’s Distinguished Service Award to sports reporter Tom Williams.

More than a few eyebrows were raised in late February at the city’s 1970 budget. The $5.35 million budget was up more than a million dollars.

Taxpayers got to see where a lot of their tax dollars were going on March 4 when the city’s dredge, “Sandpiper” began pumping sand from the bottom of the bay onto the 16th Street beach. The dredge sucked up the sand in the Great Egg Harbor bay and pumped it across the island through a 3,000-foot long pipe.

E. Fenton Carey, OCHS swim coach presented varsity letters to Don Hamilton, John Pfaeffli, James Gayle, Dennis Var, Bill Struckell, Jeff Brown, Jim Dull, Lew Barrett, Dave Bruce, Dave Turner, Rich Miller, Steve Brown, Peter Downham and Gary Benzon.

Ocean City’s Guy Gargan won the 112-pound Delaware Valley Golden Gloves championship when he knocked out his opponent in the third round.

OCHS’s Barbara Belyea placed third in the Women’s World Surfboard Riding championships held in Melbourne, Australia.

On May 16, 300 members and guests attended the annual Chamber of Commerce dinner at the Flanders Hotel. The guest of honor, journalist and author Gay Talese, was

The 1970 OCBP competition team won all four South Jersey lifeguard championships. From left to right, Kevin Daly, Mark Nichols, Mike Bradley, Captain George T. Lafferty, Paul Sweeney, Bruce Wigo, Ernie Wakeman, Jack McDermott, John Hellabush, and Bill Lafferty.

Above: During his tenure as mayor, from 1967 to 1971, Robert L. Sharp had the pleasure of presenting many trophies to the Ocean City lifeguards. In this 1970 photograph, Mayor Sharp (left) is presenting the Frank “Dutch” Hoffman Memorial trophy to Captain George T. Lafferty.

Right: An early evening Boardwalk scene was on the cover of the 1970 Vacation Guide published by the Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Association. The 92-page book contained information visitors would need for a wonderful vacation.

introduced by Maxine Hanneman.

Three days before the Memorial Weekend, a 21-year-old Philadelphia man drowned attempting to rescue a young girl off the Ninth Street beach. The girl struggled to shore under her own power.

The OCHS track team, coached by Ted Klepac, won the Cape-Atlantic League championship. The track stars were Dan Curtis, Gene Davis, Jim Murray, John Fitzick, Wayne Winn, Marion Conti, Glenn Darby, Bruce Burdette, Dan McElyea, Tom Shaw, Jim Wilson, Harry Vanderslice, Dave Law, Ron Tilstra, Don Bratton, Charles Jordan, Fred Hastings, Ron Pennington, Dave Bruce, Terry Tracey and Jim Watts.

Mayor Sharp announced on June 29, a two-block section of the beach between the Fifth and Seventh street jetties would be for surfing only.

Robert C. French was chairman of the Night in Venice boat parade held on July 18. The weather was perfect and the spectators were not disappointed viewing the array of 80 decorated boats. Robert Beiswenger’s boat won the Best of Show award.

The most dramatic ocean rescue of the summer occurred on July 24. A small airplane with a family of four aboard crashed into the ocean 100-yards off the 4th Street beach. Lifeguards Jack Neall, Roy Zehner, Michael Eppig, Ron Sawyer and Dave Kelley immediately went to the rescue. Their lifeboats reached the airplane seconds after it went into the ocean. One boat picked up the mother and father, the other the two children.

On August 23, a dozen lifeguards were injured rescuing three boys caught between the 5th Street jetty and its spur. The high seas and strong currents around the rocks made it very difficult for the lifeguards to save the boys who had been swimming in an unprotected area.

On August 14, a crowd estimated to be over 8,000 lined the beach and boardwalk from 1st Street to 3rd Street to watch the 31st annual South Jersey Lifeguard

These lifeguards quickly went to the rescue of a family of four after their plane crashed into the ocean off the 4th Street beach: from left, Roy Zehner, Jack Neall, Ron Sawyer and Dave Kelley.

Championship. OC’s Mark Nichols and Mike Bradley won the doubles rowing race, and Paul Sweeney placed second in the swim, giving the local lifeguards nine points, one more than Atlantic City.

The OCBP swimmers won eight of the nine events to capture their 11th straight South Jersey Lifeguard Swim Meet. The following were on the team: Bruce Wigo, Steve Scibal, Paul McDonald, Dennis Carey, Bill Dorney, Bill Lafferty, and John Hellabush.

The highlight of Veterans Day ceremonies was the dedication of a new plaque attached to the 50-year-old World War stone monument. Mayor Sharp read the inscription: “In grateful memory to the men and women from this community who served in the Armed Forces of the United States during any wars and a lasting tribute to those who gave their lives in the service of their country.”