Fare Free Drivers Praised for ‘Roadeo’ Wins

CREST HAVEN – Rodeos typically include horses and bulls, but in Cape May County, they include buses. 
Freeholders celebrated the results of the roadeo July 9, in which Fare Free bus drivers compete in local, state, and national competitions.
Daniel Mulraney, director of Fare Free Transportation, said the roadeo is something the department enjoys taking part in, but that it also provides a training opportunity for drivers.
“We talk about training all the time,” said Mulraney. “We train to proficiency. We make a point of maintaining that training and excellence every day of our lives because what we do is very important.”
Some county drivers went to the state roadeo, which the county has won 11 out of the last 12 years, according to Mulraney. This year, they took three out of the first four places.
Mulraney recognized Brian Fitzpatrick, who has won five of the last six state roadeos, and David Bavuso, a new driver with the county. Both Fitzpatrick and Bavuso represented the county at the state and national roadeos this year. The national roadeo was held in Palm Springs, Calif. 
The national roadeo includes representation from all 50 states, as well as Canada, with 60-some drivers, said Mulraney. Fitzpatrick placed fourth.
“I would like to show my appreciation for David and Brian, the great work that they do every single day, but they’re only two of the 34-35 drivers that we put on the road every single day,” said Mulraney.
Fare Free drivers run 110,000 trips every year and drive over 1 million miles, “and we are setting the standard for transportation in the State of New Jersey,” he continued. 
Mulraney concluded by thanking Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, who oversees the department, for her support.
“I refer to our Fare Free drivers as our ambassadors of the county,” said Hayes. “They are out there every day, even when the weather is bad, they know that people have to get meals, and they are out there, so when you see them, give a wave, and let them know that you appreciate them because they are absolutely wonderful.
“I am very proud of what that department has done, and I thank you, and I’m proud to be your freeholder,” she continued. 
In other action, the board:
* Awarded a contract to USA Environmental Management, Inc., of Philadelphia, for non-friable floor tile abatement of 3801 Route 9 South, Rio Grande for $249,200.
* Appointed Lewis Smith III as forensic chemist in the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office effective July 5, 2019.
* Authorized membership in a mutual aid and assistance agreement with other counties for emergency situations.
According to the resolution, “It is deemed to be in the best interests of the residents of this county to enter into a mutual aid and assistance agreement with other counties in New Jersey, but not limited to, law enforcement, emergency medical services, fire service, public works, and emergency management to provide additional protection against loss, damage or destruction by fire, catastrophe, civil unrest, major emergency or other extraordinary devastation, damage or destruction to person and property, in those situations when outside aid and assistance is needed.”
The agreement will expire Dec. 31, 2020.
* Consented to the proposed Cape May County Water Quality Management (WQM) plan amendment.
Per the resolution, “the state Department of Environmental Protection requires that proposed wastewater treatment and conveyance facilities and wastewater treatment service areas, as well as related subjects, conform with an approved WQM plan.” Cape Regional Medical Center prepared the amendment “for the purpose of its incorporation into the applicable WQM plan.”
* Authorized a memorandum of agreement between the county Department of Mosquito Control and the state Mosquito Control to provide for the collection and testing of mosquito specimens for identification of various arboviruses.
* Authorized a sub-contract for $34,400 in federal funding, with an $8,600 county in-kind match for the period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020 to improve the efficiency of the region’s transportation network and system by participating in sub-regional transportation planning efforts.
* Celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Cape May County 4-H Foundation and 4-H Fairgrounds, 355 Court House-South Dennis Road, Court House.
* Declared an emergency for the 96th Street Bridge in Stone Harbor due to deterioration and distortion of the outer web support plate of the southwest bascule leaf, and authorized the county to engage a bridge consultant for the repair.
An “inspection deemed the damage too extensive to risk routine opening of the bridge,” according to the resolution, and Coast Guard and freeholders were notified “that opening will cease until either a repair is in place restoring the integrity of the bascule or a structural analysis confirms the opening of the bridge under normal frequency will not jeopardize further damage or the safety of the public.”
The emergency “declaration will permit the county to bypass normal bidding procedures and immediately authorize Michael Baker International, Inc., of Hamilton, to proceed with the design of emergency repairs and provide repair documents suitable for securing quotes from at least two contractors to proceed with the emergency repair implementation.”
Amount to be charged is $30,000.
* Approved contract documents with Greenman Pedersen, Inc. for deck reconstruction of Ingram’s Thorofare Bridge on Avalon Boulevard, and authorized advertisement for bids for the work.