Koehler, Martin Race for At-Large Seat

NORTH WILDWOOD — Independent candidate Kathy Martin is throwing her hat into political ring for a second time.
This time her opponent will be Republican Councilman Ed Koehler.
Koehler currently represent the 2nd Ward, but decided to run for the at-large seat that is being vacated by Republican Councilman Bob Maschio. Maschio decided to run for the 1st Ward position after Councilman Walt Larcombe, who currently holds the post, opted not to run for re-election.
Koehler and his family moved to the borough from Philadelphia over 54 years ago. He and his wife Maryjane said they have been fortunate to see their four children and seven grandchildren attend the borough’s school systems.
Koehler is a member of the Emerald Society, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Loyal Order of Moose, and Elks club. He has been a member of St. Ann’s Parish since 1948.
He has been involved in local government since 1994 and said he is thankful to the voters of North Wildwood for the opportunity to continue to serve the town that he admires.
“I’m particularly fortunate to be serving under the Bill Henfey administration,” Koehler said.
He told the Herald that he agrees with the mayor’s assessment that infrastructure is a number one priority.
“We have 13 streets that are going to be worked on this winter,” he noted. “And $5-million was committed during the first two year’s of the administration toward street work.”
“You’ll never catch up,” Koehler said of the city’s infrastructure work, “but you’re constantly trying to get there.”
Koehler said that ongoing construction and development is being controlled and guided through recent changes to land use regulations. He added that projects, such as the redevelopment of Seaport Pier, dubbed the WB Project, is a “glimpse into some of the future.”
Koehler said that he isn’t quite sure if the state will allow the height of the building, which is currently being planned at 160 feet, but he said he realizes that developers are planning on making a profit by “building up.”
“The price of land is so expensive that building out isn’t really happening,” he said.
The WB Project, Koehler said, will also provide parking that “is sorely needed on that end of the boardwalk.”
“Having a project like that toward the north end of the boardwalk will really breathe some life into the area,” he said.
He said the voters could visit www.teamnorthwildwood.com for more information on his campaign.
Martin’s first foray into the local political scene was in 2006, after becoming involved with FOWL, Families Opposing Waterpark Liquor, which tried to stop the city from allowing the sale of alcoholic beverages at the 25th Avenue waterpark, Ocean Oasis.
Martin, 44, then ran unsuccessfully for the 2nd Ward council seat held by Council President Patrick Rosenello.
The election she said is an “unusual race” because Koehler, her opponent doesn’t have to give up his 2nd Ward seat to run for the at-large position, which doesn’t expire until December 2008.
Marti said if he is successful and win’s the at-large seat, partisan officials would appoint someone to fill Koehler’s unexpired term.
Martin said her campaign is about “smart progress” and is relying on her Web site www.kathyforcouncil.com to get her campaign information out to voters.
She told the Herald that is turning her attention to the proper redevelopment of Seaport Pier, which she currently argues does not serve the best interest of the city or the public, lowering property taxes and keeping the building heights in line with the surrounding neighborhood.
“We need the type of progress that is carefully thought about,” she said. “We need to think about what kind of impact this will have on everyone in the city.”
Martin said she doesn’t believe the current administration has considered the impact on water, sewer, streets, flooding or fine in conjunction with development like those proposed at Seaport Pier.
“The taxpayers cant bear the burden of the costs needed for infrastructure,” she said.
Additional, Martin said, the redevelopment of the pier isn’t a dining, entertainment or retail facility that would bring money back to the city.
“The waterpark isn’t going to be available to the taxpayers or residents,” she said.
Martin added that her vision of smart progress also considers the impact on the surrounding neighborhoods and the city as a whole before spending taxpayers’ money on a Master Plan revision to create a high-rise zone.
“Buildings heights to 150 feet will literally sandwich in the existing three story condominium buildings and drastically reduce their property values,” she said.
Martin said she believes it makes “more sense to have higher buildings on the Boardwalk and step down the heights as you go west.”
Martin is a past president of the Greater Wildwood Jaycees, the vice president of the Margaret Mace Home & School Association, served as a board member and treasurer of the Greater Wildwood Youth Soccer League.
Martin is a graduate of Lower Cape May Regional and has lived in this city for 14 years. Her husband, Don Martin, is a former councilman and they opened a real-estate business in the city in which she is the manager of the vacation-rental department.
Martin also has a 14-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old son.
Contact Suit at: (609) 886-8600 ext. 25 or lsuit@cmcherald.com