WILDWOOD ─ The public comment forum took center stage during the Aug. 24 City Commissioners’ meeting.
A lively exchange between Mayor Ernie Troiano and resident Al Brannen covered a variety of issues plaguing Wildwood, including “slumlords” who do not care for their properties and the lack of manpower in the Public Works Department.
“Our business owners do not clean up,” said Troiano. Troiano spoke candidly on Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood’s “distancing” themselves from Wildwood: “If it wasn’t for Wildwood, they wouldn’t be half the towns they are.”
Brannen, armed with panoply of questions, asked the commissioners if someone could attend to the lot on Oak Avenue. “Can you cut the grass?” Brannen asked, stating that he owns property on the same street.
According to Troiano and other public officials, the lot has been attended throughout the summer.
Troiano replied that he accompanies Public Works as they clean up properties throughout the city. “If I could burn or bulldoze these properties down, I would be out there with a match,” he said.
In spite of his desire to “clean up” Wildwood, Troiano admitted that the legal process must be followed in dealing with landlords and tenants who break the law. “The law protects these dirtbags,” Troiano added.
Brannen concurred and spoke of the certain “element” increasing in population in Wildwood. “They’re making a village out of Wildwood,” he said.
Troiano agreed, saying the “element” consists of “all shapes and sizes,” regardless of nationality and origin.
“I took great offense to your letter in the paper,” Troiano continued. According to Troiano, Brannen’s letter to the editor contained a reference to “not blaming” sister communities for wanting to distance themselves from Wildwood. Brannen countered, saying he was “leaning” on the business community, not the city, about conditions in Wildwood.
John Davis, code inspector, said he deals directly with property owners who do not obey city codes.
Troiano then compared the Wildwoods to a car: “We are the engine,” he said.
Mark DaMico, the superintendent of Public Works, approached the board and presented a few statistics on behalf of the department regarding questions of cleanliness in the city.
“I haven’t said anything outside of this room for five years,” DaMico began. According to DaMico, only 34 employees are in Public Works, a reduction from the 65 when he took his position in 2010.
DaMico gave the statistics of trash and debris cleared by Public Works: over 640 tons of trash had been collected as of Aug. 10.
Removing 64 damaged trees after the latest wind storm also filled employees’ time. “There are spots that look like North Wildwood,” DaMico said, defending the department.
He cited the city having the largest beach on the island as well as 614 trash cans to empty.
Wildwood is an urban center, according to Troiano and DaMico. DaMico praised Public Works for its work in setting up and taking down venues for public events, such as the Tim McGraw concert July 4.
When asked why sections of Wildwood are in poor condition, Troiano attributed the problem to lax property owners and lack of manpower. “The town could be cleaner but not because of lack of effort of the city,” Troiano said after DaMico’s presentation.
According to Troiano, he recently received a call from an individual who said that both Wildwood and the people there are “ugly.”
However, Troiano spoke of a female resident who took up the position of “street captain,” reporting issues to authorities in her community and also praising the city for progress.
Another resident purchased a “dump property” and is revitalizing the land, he said.
After passing resolutions and one ordinance, the meeting adjourned into executive session.
DaMico told the Herald that Wildwood has “too many landlords who do not maintain” their properties.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.
Wildwood – So Liberals here on spout off, here's a REAL question for you.
Do you think it's appropriate for BLM to call for "Burning down the city" and "Black Vigilantes" because…
