Analysis: What Energy and Leadership Can Create

CAPE MAY – When Patricia and I came to Cape May County in the 1970s, the City of Cape May was a town in decline. Children played in old, abandoned houses, chasing or being chased by ghosts. When friends, Ed and Diane Hutchinson, moved from Wildwood Crest and purchased a home in Cape May, we could not understand why they would do that.
Property was so cheap that then Herald general manager, Bonnie Reina, purchased a large, old home on two lots just a block or two from the beach, for only $30,000.
But then something very important happened. Energetic and talented people saw the charm and the opportunity and went to work. Cape May became one of the premier Bed and Breakfast destinations in the nation. In support of all the tourists this brought in, restaurants and all other types of tourism support industries grew up.
Over the ensuing years all of those young entrepreneurs grew older and retired or passed away, putting the gem of the city they recreated into the hands of younger people to manage its future. A portion of Cape May’s new energy is being provided under the leadership of Curtis Bashaw. He, along with other visionaries have created an entity called The Fund For Cape May (FFCM).
Seeing how New York City brought new life to their community parks, FFCM is undertaking a similar effort in Cape May. To create enthusiasm and funding for this effort, FFCM hosted an “Ice Ball” on Feb. 6 at Congress Hall, which was wonderfully-well executed. As soon as the attendees stepped into the dance hall, we felt as though we were in a winter wonderland, with the lighting, the wait staff attire and the props all coming together to create a frozen-garden effect. No corners were cut in the creation of this exciting theme.
Patricia and I attended along with several hundred other people. The energy and resources Curtis and the FFCM members donated completely underwrote the cost of this ball. This enabled FFCM to dedicate every cent of the proceeds of the ball, plus all the money raised by donations of park benches, flag poles, etc., to go toward park renovations.
After drinks, hors d’oeuvres and a full sit-down dinner, Curtis and Mayor Ed Mahaney walked the attendees through the vision of the FFCM private-public endeavor. The City of Cape May, with its rich history and seaside location is a rare jewel.
The people of our jewel of a city realize what we have and turned out in large numbers in support for the preservation and advancement of the town. Patricia and I have been to a number of such events, but what set this one apart was the large number of young people; when we talk of the future, it cannot be approached without them.
This is what America is all about. The people’s energy and leadership, in tandem with their government, achieving great things.
From the Bible: Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18
Photo Credit: Aleksey Photography