Low-Speed Vehicles, Good or Bad In Busy Summer Traffic Season?

CAPE MAY – A private company would like to set up a business renting low-speed vehicles – golf carts –to visitors in Cape May. Mayor Edward Mahaney, Jr. urged council at its regular meeting June 2 to consider the matter since it is likely to reappear in various forms.
Laws and regulations regarding the use of low-speed vehicles by individuals are under state regulation. Council can seek some degree of control over this matter through its authority in areas of zoning and public safety. Since this is a proposal by a business, it would have to conform to zoning regulations.
In a brief discussion, a number of concerns were aired:
* Would such vehicles help relieve or add to the existing congestion in the busiest months?
* Would renters be familiar with state law governing use of the vehicles on streets and have appropriate safety equipment, such a child car seats?
* Would those vehicles end up competing with cars for parking spots and exacerbate the existing parking problem?
These and other concerns indicated the need for a more in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of this proposal. Council agreed that this would be an agenda item at the next working session in July. “It’s a little late for this season,” Mahaney said, “but we should get out ahead of this issue (for next year).”
Summer Work Travel Program
Cape May, like other shore communities, depends on a large number of seasonal workers to help meet demands of the tourist season. An important means for gaining those workers is the Summer Work Travel Program. Created by Congress in 1961 as a cultural exchange effort, the program allows an influx of international students who staff various service jobs that are at the heart of the tourist economy.
Fearing that this program will get caught up in comprehensive immigration reform legislation in Washington, council passed a resolution opposing the program’s inclusion in the federal deliberations.
Of particular concern as well is the FORE Act which would make the guest worker visa program so burdensome that it might have the effect of mortally crippling the program.
The resolution from the city is unlikely to have a major impact in shaping federal legislation, but it is a sign that current deliberations on immigration reform could have an unintended and serious impact on the tourist economy of the county.
Restaurant Changes Hands
After almost 40 years, Frank Hineline is retiring and selling his restaurant, The Pilot House. Open all year, The Pilot House is a fixture in the local restaurant scene and Mahaney took time to thank Hineline for his service to the community. Council also approved a resolution allowing a person-to-person transfer of the liquor license to the new ownership group headed by Jeffery Gernitis of the Peter Shield’s Inn.
Senior Freeze
City Manager Bruce MacLeod alerted citizens to an extension of the deadline for property tax reimbursement under what is known as the “Senior Freeze,” a program for those over 65 who meet residency and income requirements. New Jersey has extended the deadline for filing this year’s application to Sept. 15.
Cape May Government Online
During public comment, council was alerted to the fact that a glitch prevented the posting of the May 20 meeting video to the city’s website for public viewing. Also, for the second meeting in a row, a request was made for more detail online concerning ordinances and resolutions up for consideration at council meetings. Mahaney expressed some concern that some efforts can cost more than they are worth and that there was a need for balance in the continuing efforts to improve citizen online access to information. With the action to add video streaming of meetings this year, council has succeeded in reaching out to the public. The price of that success may be the request for more.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.