Hoffman seeking 1st Ward seat

Written by Ann Richardson Tuesday, 21 February 2012 11:02

OCEAN CITY — Concerned about a host of quality of life and infrastructure issues, Fred Hoffman threw his hat in the ring for the 1st Ward City Council seat.

“I learned a long time ago from my mom and dad that if you’re going to complain and moan and groan, you better stand up and do something about it,” Hoffman said.

The 78 year-old father of four and grandfather of one lives on Second Street with his wife Joan. He served one term on the local school board and ran unsuccessfully for one of three at-large council seats in 2002.

He was a professional baseball player for five years before becoming a teacher and department supervisor in the Upper Moreland School District for 37 years. He has lived in Ocean City full time since 1990.

He’s been active in youth sports in Ocean City, running a pitching clinic at the city’s Civic Center and serving as the president of the city’s recreation board.

While on the school board, he served on a committee for the Middle Atlantic States Evaluation.

Hoffman said he thinks the city is ripe for a fresh approach.

“I want us to start to think out of the box,” he said. “We need to start to think realistically about the problems that take place in a city like this, with a year round population, and a tourism industry.

“It’s time to stop debating the needs of tourists and the business community versus the year-round resident. They’re all important, but we need to take care of our year-round community,” he said.

Hoffman said there are parking issues in the city’s north end that need to be addressed.

“Maybe we can institute a parking permit program like they do in Old City Philadelphia, let’s just try something,” he said.

The city’s infrastructure, he said, is in dire need of an upgrade.

“I say this again and again, you can’t ride from one end of the island to the other without a front-end alignment and new tie-rods,” he said.

Developers that cut streets open for utility work and don’t repair the street have Hoffman upset.

“If you cut the street, fix it right,” he said. “We have to start taking care of year-round residents who have to live with that. It’s not happening, they’re supposed to fix the streets and they don’t.”

Hoffman turned in his petition to the city clerk on Friday, Feb. 17.

“I’m going to do my best for the 1st Ward, throw ideas out there and be open to new ideas,” he said. “I’ve never been afraid to speak my mind, I’m going to be an advocate for the first ward residents.”

Hoffman campaigned at the Post Office Tuesday morning, and plans to walk street by street, door-to-door to speak to as many first ward residents as possible.