Cape May Council Reorganizes; Mullock, Sheehan Take Seats

CAPE MAY – Cape May residents packed the City Hall auditorium Jan. 1 for the 2019 City Council reorganization meeting. 
With almost every chair taken, three members of City Council took their oath of office.
Shaine Meier, reelected for another term, relinquished his role as deputy mayor, and nominated Patricia Gray Hendricks as deputy mayor. Hendricks was unanimously confirmed by council.
New Members
Two new members of council were sworn, replacing Bea Pessagno and Roger Furlin. Neither stood for reelection.
Zack Mullock and Stacy Sheehan assumed their seats on the governing body.
A moment of silence recognized the passing of former mayor William G. “Jerry” Gaffney, who died Dec. 28.
The newly-constituted governing body then turned its attention to a list of 40 resolutions that comprise the normal start of a year’s housekeeping.
The resolutions renewed annual appointments for professional service contracts, appointed members and council liaisons to commissions and boards, established a temporary budget, designated legal firms for specialized services relating to bond activity and labor contracts, and established business hours and meeting times for the year.
Frank Corrado was reconfirmed as city solicitor and Mott MacDonald continues as the municipal engineering firm.
State of the City Address
As is the custom at Cape May’s reorganization, Mayor Clarence Lear delivered the State of the City Address. He proclaimed the municipality “sound and stable.”
Speaking of “The best little almost-year-round resort city” in the country, Lear paid particular attention to the many citizens who volunteered for service on one or more of the advisory committees or formal commissions and boards.
“Two years ago,” Lear said, “I promised you a more inclusive and more transparent city government. We are achieving that promise together.”
Lear cited the over 160 “community stewards” who serve on the various committees as evidence that the city had “broadened participation in public discourse” and “deepened citizen understanding” of city policy.
Lear declared that the past year had witnessed “far more ups than downs.” He admitted, “We may have missed an opportunity or two,” but he argued that those experiences allowed the city to grow and “be wiser and stronger in meeting the opportunities of the coming year.”
Lear pointed to increases in the occupancy tax revenue, new construction and renovation projects across the city and the successful implementation of the new Fire Protection Bureau, fully supported through its own fees.
Lear said the city’s municipal tax ranks as the best among those municipalities that have a paid fire department and who provide police services.
He cited the success of the city’s concert series and noted the many organizations that consistently rank the city as one of the best seashore vacation spots in the country.
Lear also called the city a “birding mecca” and reminded citizens of the growing importance of eco-tourism as another facet of what the resort has to offer.
Saying, “We are proud of our history,” Lear spoke of the city’s legacy of preservation.
He spoke of “community resilience” with respect to the fishing industry and of the pride the city takes from its special relationship with the Coast Guard.
For Lear, Cape May is a “happening place,” a community that benefits from an active and involved citizenry.
The new year, Lear said, holds no shortage of challenges.
He spoke of the need for decisions on a public safety complex, potential new uses for the Franklin Street School and “exploring new opportunities with and for the Housing Authority.”
He spoke of the need to continue refining creative approaches to beach maintenance and safety.
Lear cited the need to keep working at remedies for the city’s parking problem, progressing on the Lafayette Street Park project, and exploring how the city should respond to the pending legalization of marijuana.
Lear’s list went on as he described an ambitious agenda and a formidable list of challenges. 
He reminded all that the level of civic energy is also high and its dedication remains firm to achieve new goals while remaining true to the city’s history and “that which distinguishes us from other resort towns.”
“We know we cannot move forward by standing still,” Lear said, “yet we want to assure that each step forward honors those taken in the past.”