Leader Newsnotes 10-7-09
Oct, 23-2009 10:43 am
Officer in ‘fair’ condition after rollover
WILDWOOD CREST – Early this week, Police Officer Matthew Barnett of this community remained in fair condition at Cape Regional Medical Center after a serious accident Saturday afternoon, Oct. 3, in which his police vehicle was broadsided by another vehicle at the intersection of Rosemary and Seaview avenues.
Police said Barnett’s vehicle flipped several times before coming to rest a block away, at the intersection of Forget-Me-Not and Seaview avenues.
The identity of the driver of the other vehicle, who was not injured, has not been released.
The accident continues to be investigated by the Wildwood Crest Police Department and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office.
Special budget meeting set for Thursday
WILDWOOD – Facing a state mandate that they either formally adopt a 2009 budget or face personal fines of $25 a day for every day after Oct. 9 that no budget is in place, commissioners here will convene a special meeting on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 3 p.m., to approve a budget.
They’ll vote upon the budget that was formally introduced back in May, with Mayor Ernie Troiano and Commissioner William Davenport voting in favor of its introduction. Commissioner Gary DeMarzo abstained from the May vote, based upon an ongoing judicial ruling that he may serve as a commissioner while on unpaid leave of absence from his job as a city police officer only if he refrains from voting on police and union matters.
The budget introduced in May includes a spending plan that necessitates an 18.2-cent hike in local purpose taxes.
In the months since its introduction, bitter charges were exchanged by commissioners about why the budget wasn’t being formally adopted. DeMarzo charged that Troiano and Davenport did not want to publicize the tax raise to the public during the course of a public recall effort against those two commissioners, while Troiano and Davenport charged that DeMarzo was attempting to hasten adoption simply to fuel the recall effort.
Under state law, this year every municipality was required to introduce its current budget no later than March 17 and to adopt it no later than April 18.
In September, the state Department of Community Affairs stepped in and directed that Wildwood adopt a budget. When commissioners missed the first state-imposed deadline, the state formally set the tax rate at a level that includes the 18.2-cent raise, and tax bills reflecting that hike were distributed to Wildwood property owners last week.
It may be that DeMarzo will participate in Thursday’s vote despite his previous abstention. City Solicitor Mark Karavan has opined that in light of present circumstances, the “doctrine of necessity” may enable DeMarzo to vote despite the judicial restriction.
Potential candidates retrieve election packets
WILDWOOD -- Next Thursday, Oct. 15, is the deadline for candidates who wish to run for the position of the two commissioner seats up for grabs in Wildwood’s recall election scheduled for Dec. 8.
The two seats are currently held by Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano and Commissioner Bill Davenport, who were the subjects of successful recall petition effort this summer. Organizers gathered the signatures of some 700 registered voters who supported each recall effort.
Troiano and Davenport challenged the petitions, unsuccessfully, in Superior Court. Although they said they intended to appeal the court’s decision, they did not appeal within the allotted appeal period.
By law, the Dec. 8 ballot will include two parts. A voter must first state whether he or she wants Troiano, or Davenport, to be recalled. If a majority of voters answer “No” to that question for either commissioner, he would remain in office.
But a voter who votes in favor of the recall of Troiano or Davenport will proceed to the second part of the ballot, where he or she will see the name of persons who file their candidacy petition before Oct. 15.
Eleven electoral packets have been picked up at the City Clerk’s office by persons who may or may not actually be intending to run. Each packet contains a petition that must be signed by 25 registered voters who support the candidacy of the filer.
Davenport and Troiano each have retrieved a petition. Others picking up petitions include Al Brannen, Michael DellaVella, Levon Edwards, John Roat, Ernesto Salvatico, Todd Stevens, and Anthony Totah, thought The Leader has learned that at least two of these individuals currently do not intend to run in the election.
Party to raise ‘recall awareness’
WILDWOOD – A Beef & Beer will take place this Friday evening, Oct. 9, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., at the Moose Lodge, 314 Spruce Ave., North Wildwood, for those interested in the recent recall efforts challenging Mayor Ernie Troiano and Commissioner William Davenport. A donation of $20 is requested.
Organizers say they’ll use the event to raise “recall awareness.”
Wildwood resident Kathleen McCullough explained that she’s preparing “posterboards and stuff” that will show details of the growth in the city’s tax levy and the local purpose tax rate over the past ten years, as well as current city spending.
The data will help voters understand the city’s workings and make informed decisions, McCullough said, but the evening won’t be just about finances.
“There will be food, beverages, music, and a Chinese auction with some really great stuff that some second home owners have been donating,” McCullough said.
For further information, call 425-5308.
Moreys says good-bye ‘til Spring
WILDWOOD – Moreys Piers will hold a closing celebration on Sunday, Oct. 11, to mark the last day of their lengthy entertainment season.
But the organization’s employees may not get much rest over the winter.
In recent months, it has been gathering the necessary approvals for adding some new rides (including go-carts), a rock climbing wall, and a restaurant at Adventure Pier and, as reported in last week’s Leader, an elaborate new Mirror Maze planned for Hunts Pier.
The Wildwood Planning Board gave final approvals for both projects Monday night, Oct. 5, according to Planning Board President Michael Porch.
Porch said that, judging from the plans, the new additions will be top drawer.
“It’s really to their credit that they keep reinvesting millions and millions of dollars into this island,” Porch said of the Moreys Organization.
Saturday’s closing celebration will be held at Mariner’s Landing Pier, located at Schellenger Avenue and the Boardwalk. Organizers say that between noon and 10 p.m., wristbands will be discounted and other specials will be available.
While Mariner’s Landing Pier is open for this weekend’s activities, Moreys’ adjoining major areas – Raging Waters Waterpark, Surfside Pier, Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Beach Club, and Adventure Pier – already have closed for the season.
Sunset Lake Hydrofest set for Oct. 10-11
WILDWOOD CREST – The borough is preparing for the annual Wildwoods Hydrofest, which will be staged Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Sunset Lake, located along New Jersey Avenue between Rambler and Miami roads.
This year’s competition will serve as the American Power Boat Association’s National Championships.
The two-day event features powerboat racing, with hydroplane and flat-bottom race boats competing at speeds of 80 to 140 miles per hour. Racing action will occur from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Craft, merchandise and food vendors will be on hand from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Admission is free, but pit passes for those seeking to get as close to the action as possible are available for $10. Closed footwear is required in the pits.
Call (609) 886-8156 or log on to www.visitwildwoodcrest.com or www.sunsetlake.us for further information.
Prepare to chowder up this weekend
WILDWOOD – The Second Annual Wildwood Seafood and Music Festival will take place this Saturday, Oct. 10, between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger avenues.
Last year’s festival was a huge success, and organizers say this year’s version will provide as many – and perhaps more – vendors and entertainers.
Children can have fun at a Kids’ Korner featuring pumpkin painting and face painting, as well as on a kiddie train ride and with carnival games. Five live bands will appear during the day, on two outdoor stages.
Events such as pie-eating contests also will occur, with the festival highlight being a clam chowder contest pitting the chowders of local restaurants against each other. Participants will be asked to sample chowders and vote for their favorites.
Boardwalk Pumpkin Run planned
WILDWOOD - The Inaugural Wildwoods Boardwalk 5K Pumpkin Run & 1-Mile Walk, benefiting the island’s K-through-8 schoolchildren, is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009, beginning at the Wildwoods Convention Center at 10:00 a.m.
The Gazette Leader Newspaper and Coastal Broadcasting have teamed up with the Lunch with Lynch Foundation/CMC Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #7 for the very first "running of the pumpkins."
With a focus on island unity, the event will benefit the educational foundations of Wildwood’s K-through-8 schools, including Margaret Mace, St. Ann's, Crest Memorial, Glenwood Avenue and the Wildwood Middle School.
The event, intended for the entire family, will include four divisions: a 5K Run, a 5K Stroller Run, a 5K Beginners Fun Run, and a 1-Mile Boardwalk Family Pumpkin Walk.
The fee to participate is $25.00 for adults and $10.00 for students 18 and younger. All participants will receive a Pumpkin Run tee shirt. In keeping with the spirit of Halloween, all runners and walkers who dress in costumes will be entered into the Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run Halloween Costume Contest.
For more information please visit www.LunchWithLynch.com/Run
Locals win some Classic Car Show awards
WILDWOOD – Last weekend’s 16th Annual Classic Car Show entertained thousands of car enthusiasts with a collection of completely restored classic cars.
The show’s top “Best in Show” honor went to a 1957 Olds 98 Starfire owned by Daryl Matthews from Pennsylvania. The “Best in Show” honor was selected from the winners of seven categories: Top Gun, Ladies’ Choice, Best Interior, Best Paint, Most Likely to Get Pulled Over, Club Participation Award and Best Engine.
The top 40 winners included the following Cape May County entries: a 1937 Ford Pickup owned by Edward G. Mascia of Ocean View; a 1951 Kaiser Delex owned by Michael Vicario of Wildwood; and a 1948 Lincoln Continental Convertible owned by Bruce Smith of Wildwood Crest.
Condo president faces embezzlement charges
NORTH WILDWOOD – Ann Marie Kelly, 52, of Gilbertsville, Pa., has been charged by the Cape May County Prosecutor with embezzling thousands of dollars from the homeonwers association of the Anglesea Lodge Condominiums here.
Kelly allegedly took funds totaling $56,000 during her tenure as association president in 2006 and 2007, by writing association checks to herself.
Kelly denied all wrongdoing during an investigation of condominium books and records. Her case will be referred to Superior Court, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.
