Tony DeLuca
Tony DeSanctis
John Gehrig
Denis ‘Bubba’ Jenkins
George Leukel
jake Mitrecic
Larry Yates
City Council: four seats, seven contenders By Bethany Hooper Associate Editor
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ith seven candidates, including two incumbents, vying for four open seats, at least two new faces will be on the council once this year’s election concludes. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Town of Ocean City will hold its municipal election, with the mayor’s office and four council seats up for grabs. The mayor’s term is for two years, while council members have fouryear terms. Two of the seven council candidates — Tony DeLuca and John Gehrig – will be seeking re-election to another term. DeLuca, who moved to Ocean City in 2008 after retiring as the head of franchising for KFC, was first elected to the council in 2014 and serves on the Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Trans-
Q. What in your background and life experiences distinguishes you as a suitable candidate for the Ocean City Council? DeLuca: I bring a strong business background, having worked for Fortune 500 companies like PepsiCo and YUM Brands, Inc., where I gained valuable leadership experience. As head of franchising for KFC, I oversaw operations for half of the United States, delivering proven results. My extensive experience in managing large teams and navigating complex challenges has equipped me with the skills needed to serve on the Ocean City Council. Importantly, I have no personal interests in real estate, hotels, or businesses in Ocean City, which ensures that I approach decisions with no conflicts of interest and a clear focus on what’s best for the community.
portation Committee and the Green Team. Gehrig, a two-term councilman and owner of D3, a digital marketing agency, currently serves as chairman of the town’s Recreation and Parks Committee and was a three-time past president of the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce. Also vying for seats are Tony DeSanctis, Denis “Bubba” Jenkins, George Leukel, Jake Mitrecic and Larry Yates. A Baltimore native and longtime businessman in the sales, marketing and finance sectors, DeSanctis serves as a member of the OC Beach Heroes litter cleanup group and his condominium board. Jenkins, recently retired from Worcester County Public Schools following a three-decade career in education, has en-
DeSanctis: I have been married to my wife Janet, for over 40 years and we have raised 3 children, including our oldest daughter, Dana, who has Down Syndrome and lives with us. I have a BS in accounting from the University of Baltimore and I have over 50 years of business experience with both large and small companies, as a financial and marketing analyst, salesman, sales manager, district manager and regional manager. I am also a business owner, having successfully owned and operated four different businesses, retiring as an Allstate agent, but more importantly, I became part of those communities. As a community volunteer, I have worked on behalf of the United Way, The ARC and others as an organizer and fundraiser; raising over a quarter million dollars for charity. I also have over 15 years of experi-
tertained an interest in running for local government since moving to the area. Rounding out the list of candidates are Leukel, a 40-year resident of Ocean City and owner of a photography business and publication; Mitrecic, a third-generation building contractor, current member of the county’s Board of Zoning Appeals and an alternate on Ocean City’s Board of Zoning Appeals and son of County Commissioner Joe Mitrecic; and Yates, a retired police captain and deputy chief with the Rockville, Maryland Police Department, member of Atlantic United Methodist Church, the Montego Bay Neighborhood Watch Program and two city boards. OC Today-Dispatch asked each candidate a series of questions with a 175-word maxmximum limit for responses. The following are their responses.
ence on three HOA Boards, including 12 years as president. My honesty, my integrity and my experience combined with the above skills will allow me to make an immediate and positive contribution to our council and town. Gehrig: My primary experience is my success as a current council member for the past 8 years. I am very comfortable with every issue before us and have been a key member of the team that has solved important problems such as keeping Ocean City safe and clean, eliminating the unsanctioned car event, and attracting respectful guests. I am a 29 year resident, 55 years old, and married with two teenage children. My father also lives in OC. Therefore, I understand and appreciate the quality of life concerns of 3thrteegenerations of residents.
In 1995 I founded a local business named D3. With 38 employees, I have experience with managing people, leadership, working as a team, making payroll, managing revenues and expenses, ensuring positive cash flow and profits, customer service, pivoting with changing times, developing and nurturing new ideas, and more. These are all critical skills in government leadership. Finally, I have served on many non-profit boards in the area and have developed wellrounded life experiences that guide my principles as I serve our community. Jenkins: I will start by stating that I am not a business owner in Ocean City, nor am I seeking this position to protect any interests other than whatever is best for the residents and the town as a family resort.