CREST HAVEN — On July 22, freeholders bid farewell to County Planning Director James J. Smith after 37 years, and said “so long” to Nelson Amey, vice president of the Cape May County Special Service School District, who served for over 26 years.
Smith, of Cape May Point, rose to pay tribute to his mentor, the late Planning Director Elwood Jarmer. He cited Jarmer’s naval background, and likened his department in term’s his predecessor would have used, “We are on course, ship shape, and you have a good crew,” said Smith.
Freeholder Leonard Desiderio cited Smith’s service to the county, which began in 1972.
“That’s 37 years,” joked Desiderio, “He started when I was 4 years old.”
He lauded Smith’s “professional manner” and added he had “done great things to improve the county” which include the county’s Farmland Preservation and Open Space programs and its conservation and natural resources programs.
“Jim took his job very seriously,” Desiderio added. “His reports at the planning board (always in great detail) meant an extra 20-25 minutes, but he was thorough.”
Freeholder Director Daniel Beyel said Smith had witnessed the span of county growth from the time when there were slow periods.
“You are leaving in a bonanza time when land can’t be sold in the open market place, but in the long term, it is good for the county (to acquire rights and set it aside from development.)
Beyel said Smith also worked with the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization, of which he, Beyel, is chairman.
Beyel also cited Smith’s tenure through a number of state administrations, many of which changed planning and environmental regulations.
Because of that, Smith was the county’s point man, explaining to municipalities the changes they, too, had to make.
“Jim would be the messenger from the state. The state would hide from what they thought was good,” said Beyel.
“It’s curious how many times you had to come up with a plan that met their requirements because of new requirements,” Beyel added.
While county officials “wanted to preserve life in Cape May County, we were caught in boondoggles,” said Beyel, citing Smith’s temperament that kept all concerned parties on an even keel.
Among watershed regulations Smith helped guide the county through was CAFRA (Coastal Area Facilities Review Act), saltwater and freshwater wetlands regulations, Pinelands regulations, and the 208 Water Quality program.
“He definitely had a history of dealing with all the things that created another hurdle for us, and you were able to do it,” said Beyel.
Smith smiled through a photo session with freeholders, and departed said, “I won’t be a stranger.”
Kenneth R. Merson replaced Amey, of Upper Township, on the Cape May County Special Services School District at the same meeting. His term will expire June 20, 2012.
Freeholder Ralph Bakley Sr. said that Amey had “improved education in the the Special Services School District.”
Lenora Boninfante, county public information director, also a member of the Special Services School District, said she served on the board with Amey for 17 years.
“Nelson was someone I looked up to for knowledge and advice,” she said. Amey had “a different vision and viewpoint that I had. He always worked for the betterment of the children.”
Boninfante said that on the board, no one had any “special agendas.”
“We are all there to improve the life of very special children,” she added.
Amey had been with the district since it was in buildings “all over the county to the wonderful facility we have today,” Boninfante said.
That facility serves 454 “very special children,” she continued.
Freeholder Gerald Thornton remarked that he had known and worked with Amey for over 25 years, not only in the Special Services School, but also in other human services areas.
Amey was a member of the county Human Services Advisory Council who advised on a variety of dealings of the county with the state Department of Health and Senior Services and Division of Youth and Family Services.
“He was extremely valuable to me and this county,” said Thornton.
Beyel said Amey, as a state employee while a member of HSAC, “looked at the interests of the county and the taxpayers” from a variety of governors who administrations “would fix things that were not broken.”
Amey had a knack, said Beyel, of “working through the maze of bureaucracy” with limited funds.
Amey, an avid Philadelphia Flyers hockey fan, joked that, when that team was in playoffs, and meetings were scheduled, “he was unable to attend or we had quick meetings.”
“When my term was up in June, it was my intention to write and thank you for reappointing me every third year,” Amey told the board.
“I enjoyed doing it. It was a pleasure, and I was proud to be associated with Special Services School District. I’m proud of that institution over there. I learned a lot. I got to meet some interesting people, and I enjoyed most working with the children,” said Amey.
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