CREST HAVEN – In many cases, it seems criminals have more rights than their victims. This week, April 19-25, freeholders have proclaimed as Crime Victims’ Rights Week. The resolution passed unanimously at the board’s April 14 meeting.
It notes “Every individual, family and community in America have the right to live free from fear and harm and, while most crimes continue to decrease in our nation, U.S. residents still experience close to 35 million criminal victimizations, including nearly 9 million violent crimes.”
The resolution also noted that various agencies and victims have worked for over a quarter century to ensure that victims’ voices are heard, and that over 30,000 federal and state laws have been passed that define and protect rights of crime victims, and over 10,000 national, state and local agencies provide support and services to those victims.
“The voices of victims offer important insights into the personal pain and loss that victims endure and are expressions that deserve our nation’s attention and respect,” it stated.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
In a similar vein, the board passed another resolution that designated April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the county. The designation is part of a national one that renews the commitment to protect “our most vulnerable citizens from harm, and to accept the responsibility of working together as a community to eradicate child adversity of any kind.”
“We pledge as a community to help our children to be safe and happy, and succeed in school, we encourage parents, caregivers and neighbors to provide our children with love, security, emotional support ad a strong connection to their extended families and communities.
As part of the observance, April 17 was designated as Dress in Blue Day, and the wearing of blue ribbons was encouraged to heighten awareness to prevent child abuse.
Van for Oyster Growers
To aid growers of oysters as part of the county’s economic development plan, the county accepted an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to buy a refrigerated vehicle for use by the Cape May Oyster Cooperative. The $35,240 grant is through the Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program.
It will allow growers to be able to convey their oysters to metropolitan markets at a safe temperature.
In other actions the board:
• Established the title of Cape May County Historian, “who shall serve without compensation,” and will be responsible for preserving, storing and making available material regarding local history. Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton said the county clerk will hold the title.
• Approved contract documents for the new county correctional center and authorized bids to be accepted for its construction. Bids will be received June 3 at 2 p.m.
• Reappointed Robert P. Rixey as member of the county Planning Board for another three-year term expiring Feb. 10, 2018.
• Reappointed Thomas Shaiko of Ocean View and appointed Antwan McClellan of Ocean City to the Pollution Control Financing Authority. Terms of both will expire Feb. 1, 2020.
• Adjusted the price of inmates’ meals at the Correctional Center to $1.543 per meal and staff to $1.876 per meal effective April 1 through March 31, 2016. The contract is held by Trinity Services Group, Inc.
• Awarded to Smeltzer and Sons, Inc. of Court House, a one-year contract with one, one-year renewal option to furnish and deliver animal food and supplies to various county departments.
• Authorized competitive contracting to provide planning and engineering services for the Green Creek tidal estuary sustainability project.
• Authorized aerial dispensing for mosquito control to the department that bears that name.
• Renewed shared services agreement with Atlantic County for use of its detention center known as Harborfields through Dec. 31, 2015.
• Consented to Water Quality Management Plan by Carol Lynn Resorts East, Woodbine, to modify its wastewater treatment plan to include discharge of 29,748 gallons per day from its treatment plant to groundwater. The borough previously approved the plan.
• Authorized agreement with Vasil ID Training LLC to provide “We Check for 21” training at Wildwoods Convention Center June 16 for $650.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
