Avalon Mayor Fights 2009 State, Federal Budget Cuts in Beach, Tourism

AVALON – Mayor Martin Pagliughi is rallying against state and federal 2009 budget decreases in beach and tourism.
To that end, the mayor is hosting a meeting to engage support in this matter on Tuesday, April 28th, at 6 p.m. at Avalon Community Hall on 30th Street.
“We are calling all organizations to take action against the government,” he said.
“It is my belief that we need a collective effort to fight these cuts and restore funding.”
Pagliughi told the Herald “even the President’s budget is calling for funding cuts to our economic engines: beaches and tourism.”
He said he is going to meet with representatives in Washington, D.C. this Wednesday, April 22 to speak against the funding cuts.
“Under the governor’s plan, millions of dollars will be cut from these programs. Virtually every job in Cape May County is connected to our beaches and tourism,” he said.
Pagliughi said state research shows that tourism was a $38 billion industry statewide in 2007 and a $5.06 billion industry for Cape May County in 2008.
The mayor’s meeting will include elected officials, like Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1st), business groups, chambers of commerce and members of the public and the following:
• Facts about the governor’s proposed cuts to beach nourishment and tourism promotion
• Brief power point presentation that will show how these cuts will affect Cape May County’s economy, employment, and revenue
• Brief comments by a few special guest speakers
• Distribution of a sample resolution that may be used to express opposition to these cuts
• Question and answer/next course of action
“Our intent is to inform and show Gov. Jon Corzine that Cape May County simply will not tolerate these reckless and dangerous cuts in this year’s state budget,” Pagliughi said.
Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 ext. 24 or at: ltruluck@cmcherald.com