Orth not likely to vend bait and tackle in Cape May

Oct, 08-2009 1:05 pm

By CLAIRE LOWE
Staff Writer

CAPE MAY—After months of discussion between the city and Richard Orth Jr. about his proposal to vend bait and tackle on the Cape May beachfront during the fall, winter and spring, City Council was again considering allowing for a trial period during its Tuesday, Oct. 6 meeting.
The ordinance was to be brought up for introduction at the next council meeting, Oct. 20, and for second reading at the Nov. 18 council meeting. It would take effect 20 days after passage.
But just as council thought all the kinks were ironed out on this proposal, Orth asked to be allowed to deliver bait and tackle on the beach and stay open 24 hours. From there, council’s support dwindled.
Orth first proposed his bait and tackle vending idea in July, but it was dismissed in August due to concerns about noise, smell and competition. Orth came back to council in late August to defend his idea and quell concerns from council. City solicitor Anthony Monzo drafted an ordinance with a sunset provision to allow for a trial period for Orth to attempt this new business in Cape May.
The terms included: nothing besides bait and tackle could be sold from the truck, there could be no generators running to produce noise, all products would have to be kept on ice to reduce any odor, the only location would be at Wilmington and Beach avenues and the dates would be from Sept. 15 to May 15.
“I think Tony (Monzo) has made changes that I felt needed to be changed in the ordinance,” Councilman Niels Favre said during Tuesday’s council meeting.
But Orth, owner of Cape May Bait and Tackle in West Cape May, was not satisfied. He told council that he didn’t understand why he wasn’t allowed to stay open for 24 hours.
“If I am able to do it 24 hours a day, why can’t you allow me to be up there 24 hours a day,” Orth asked.
He also said that they never knew, but last striper season he delivered bait and tackle to fishermen on the beach. He added that he solicited his business by handing out business cards all over town.
“We gave you 90 percent of what you asked for,” Mayor Ed Mahaney told Orth. “To change the conditions now, there’s no support here to have you roam the beachfront.
“If you don’t want what we’re offering you, then there’s no point putting this out there,” he said.
Orth said that he would consider what council was offering and be back at the next council meeting in October. Mahaney replied that it may not be introduced.
In addition, Favre asked Monzo to look into the legality of delivering bait and tackle on the beach and between what hours fishermen are allowed to be on the beach. He also asked about the rules on soliciting business in Cape May.


Claire Lowe can be e-mailed at claire.lowe@catamaranmedia.com or you can comment on this story by calling 624-8900, ext. 243.