Councilman Sean Barnes hugs his 7-year-old-nephew, Milo Sean Barnes, after the swearing-in ceremony.
The first new member of what could end up being a significantly different-looking City Council following the May 14 municipal election took office Thursday with the help of his pint-sized nephew.
Sean Barnes, a novice in elected politics, was sworn in by Mayor Jay Gillian as the governing body’s new at-large councilman during a low-key ceremony.
His 7-year-old nephew, Milo Sean Barnes, held the Bible while Barnes took the oath of office. Barnes hugged and kissed his smiling nephew afterward while posing for photos.
Barnes made no formal remarks during the ceremony, but pledged later on in an interview that his priorities as a council member would be the same issues he focused on during his election campaign.
He reiterated his plans to help protect the shore’s fragile environment and his intention to help boost the local business community to keep Ocean City’s economy viable.
“My main priority is to listen to the folks of Ocean City to make sure their concerns are met,” he said in the interview.
Sean Barnes takes the oath of office from Mayor Jay Gillian.The 65-year-old Barnes is now the second member of his family to hold a key elected position in Ocean City. His twin brother, Kevin, serves as president of the Board of Education.
Sean Barnes works as a director at Enterprise Community Asset Management Inc., a financial company that helps investors to build affordable housing developments in distressed areas of the country.
He is also a Coast Guard-licensed boat captain and owner of Sail Atlantic LLC, a local sailing charter business that provides excursions, including sunset cruises, coastal cruising, and corporate/employee team-building opportunities.
Despite being a newcomer to elected politics, Barnes put in a strong showing while defeating former First Ward Councilman Mike DeVlieger in the race for the at-large seat.
Barnes was sworn in Thursday to fill the vacancy created when former Councilwoman Karen Bergman resigned her at-large seat earlier this year to take a job as supervisor of the city’s Howard S. Stainton Senior Center.
The other winners of the May 14 election will be sworn in during Council’s annual reorganization meeting noon July 1 at the Ocean City Music Pier.
Councilman Jody Levchuk says he is "absolutely" the election winner.All four ward Council members are expected to take the oath of office on July 1, but a recount may decide the Third Ward race between incumbent Councilman Jody Levchuk and challenger Amie Vaules.
Levchuk is leading the race by a mere two votes – 402 to 400 – but Vaules announced Wednesday that she will seek a formal recount to challenge the election results.
If Vaules prevails during the recount, she would join Barnes as all-new members of council, significantly changing the makeup of the governing body.
A change is coming in council’s Second Ward following incumbent Councilman Tom Rotondi’s decision not to seek re-election.
Former at-large Councilman Keith Hartzell is set to return as the new Second Ward councilman following his election victory over challenger Paul Stryker.
Incumbent Fourth Ward Councilman David Winslow defeated challenger Cecilia Gallelli-Keyes to retain his seat.
In the First Ward, incumbent Councilman Terry Crowley Jr. breezed to re-election because he ran unopposed.
Council terms are for four years.
City Council President Pete Madden and Councilman Tony Polcini, who both serve as at-large members, did not have to run for election this year. Their terms are not up until 2026.
