Gannon Honored for Military Service

CREST HAVEN – Freeholders passed a resolution Oct. 8 honoring Roland “Rocky” Gannon, of Ocean City.
The resolution, read by Freeholder Jeffrey Pierson, noted Gannon, 94, enlisted in the Army Air Force as an aviation cadet May 13, 1943 while he was a junior in Ocean City High School. He was sworn in as a flight officer Nov. 20, 1944.
Gannon served 37 years of active duty in the Air Force, with an accumulated foreign service of 14 years, one month, and 10 days. He served in various positions including as a pilot, director of operations, air operations officer, and air traffic control staff officer during the periods of World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War. He retired as a Lt. Col. May 2, 1980.
Gannon received numerous awards including the Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters, Air Force Unit Award with valor, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with nine oak leaf clusters, and Air Force Commendation Medal.
He also received many civilian awards and honors including the Eagle Scout Badge. He continues to be involved in lecture series to various service organizations and to the Boy Scouts of America.
Pierson said Gannon, who he met during an Eagle Scout meeting 25 years ago, plans to move to South Carolina.
“I just wanted to honor this person’s service to the state, the community, and the nation,” Pierson said.
The resolution designated March 25, 2020, Gannon’s 95th birthday, as Roland J. “Rocky” Gannon Day in Cape May County.
In other action, the board:
* Reappointed Maria Kellett and Melanie Collins to the Cape May County Women’s Advisory Commission, with terms expiring Oct. 8, 2022 (Collins) and Oct. 25, 2022 (Kellett).
* Authorized a lease agreement with Acenda for integrated behavioral health services on premises Cape Counseling occupied. Cape Counseling merged with Robins’ Nest and NewPoint Behavioral Health Care to form Acenda in July 2019.
* Authorized the use of competitive contracting for the provision of a recovery resource program for county residents. Allison Hansen of the Purchasing Department reported that the program will be grant funded, “and services will include medication, bus transportation, sober living vouchers, driver’s license restoration, etc. to aid in maintaining recovery.”
* Authorized a labor contract with the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) through Dec. 31, 2022.
* Authorized a shared services agreement with the Borough of Stone Harbor for dispatch services. Services will include police, fire, and emergency medical services. Stone Harbor Borough Council approved the agreement Sept. 3.
* Awarded a contract to Stone Harbor Theater, LLC, of Rehoboth, Del., for the provision of operation and lease of an entertainment venue, for a term of 15 years with a five-year option. Hansen told freeholders that the grand opening is slated for spring 2020. The entertainment venue will be a part of County Commons in Rio Grande (http://bit.ly/33ja1xd), at the site of the former Frank Theaters.
* Modified no-passing zones on Court House South Dennis Road (CR 657) to include north of Pine Hollow Court, extending south to Pine Hollow Court, and northbound beginning south of Pine Hollow Court, extending north. The action was taken on the recommendation of I.H. Engineers, which the county hired to conduct an engineering study of the road.
* Closed the contract with Urban Engineers, Inc., of Cherry Hill, for general engineering services for missing bicycle link improvements on Seashore Road (CR 626) in Lower Township, with a final payment of $1,172.
* Awarded an $8 million contract to South State, Inc., of Bridgeton, for Avalon Boulevard (CR 601) over Ingram’s Thorofare deck reconstruction. Five bids were submitted Sept. 19.
* Authorized a shared services agreement with the City of Wildwood and Atlantic County Improvement Authority for a municipal redevelopment initiative, pilot program. According to the resolution, the county will use Pacific Avenue as the pilot project.
* Awarded a $46,900 contract to Tracker Software Corporation for the provision of work order software for the Public Works Department for a one-year term, with six one-year options. Three proposals were received Sept. 11. “Tracker had the lowest start-up costs, as well as the best pricing for the duration of the contract, and will provide a clear channel of communication and documentation in compliance with state Department of Environmental Protection requirements,” explained Hansen.