Residents Urge: Focus on Better Rule Enforcement

SEA ISLE CITY – Lack of enforcement of rules and regulations pervaded the discussion as well as citizen comment during the public portion when Sea Isle City Council met Aug. 25.
Bikers, Walkers Disregard
Council member John Divney said he wanted to broach the idea of placing cameras on Sea Isle Boulevard while construction takes place along this main artery.
“We’re going to be living with this construction for the next five to six years. It’s a multi-jurisdictional situation with N.J. State Police, Dennis Township, the Sheriff’s Office, and  the county all having responsibility for what goes on there. I’m still receiving concerns and complaints from city residents who are citing the danger of pedestrians and bikers continuing to use the boulevard even though there is absolutely no shoulder for them to travel on,” said Divney.
“Up to now, I’ve noticed very little state police presence. In the beginning there were some patrols but now nothing really,” he continued.
Council was in accord with Divney’s proposal to start working out details with public feedback and see what plan emerges.
“Business Manager George Savastano will contact the relevant agencies to research their suggestions as well in an effort to work out options for what, by all accounts, is a dangerous situation and perhaps even life threatening as cars swerve to avoid the rule-breakers,” summed up Council President John Gibson.
Residents: Enforce Code, Zoning
During public comment, a resident complained that her co-tenant has disregarded SIC code and zoning ordinances and yet “You continue to issue him a license to rent out his property” looking at council and Savastano.
“It is fundamentally unfair that this individual has trash and weeds accumulated, earns significant rental income each year and yet his filth means I am fighting mice and trying to keep my property maintained despite the fact he is in foreclosure and doesn’t seem to care.”
Savastano promised the resident to look into the matter and effect improvements in line with city regulations. Echoing the resident’s frustration with a lack of enforcement, another resident stood to voice her frustration with a lack of overall “respect for city ordinances by some while most of us are diligent in obeying the law. I am really tired of the discretion that prevails in respecting the city’s rules.”
Hold Line
As a line item on the general agenda for this meeting and in compliance with the requirements of the Open Public Meetings Act mention was made of Resolution 137 “authorizing a closed executive session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations – Sea Isle City FOB and Superior Officers.”
Referring to this item, during the general comment period open to the public, a resident queried council, “Are you going to hold the line during these contract negotiations which are coming up with city public staff? This is a big nut and it keeps increasing including the debt service to support it. Gov. Christie has repeatedly criticized state public employees for having the best health care costs and most expensive of any state, this is an area where you can hold costs down even if you can’t reduce salaries, which also are way too high, and I strongly ask that you bring down these benefits to the U.S. average.”
There was no comment from any council member nor from Savastano on their reaction or the likelihood to take up the recommendation.  
Points out Gaps
Another recommendation for improvement of city management was made during the public portion by a resident whose elderly father in a wheelchair “has great difficulty in enjoying the beach.”
There are a limited number of beach wheelchairs and it’s hard to pick them up, use them and then get them back to lifeguards by the 5 p.m. turn-in time.
“We decided to buy one for my father, they are expensive, $900, but it’s made a big difference,” she said.
The resident continued with her explanation of the difficulties by noting “these are elderly people who have been paying city taxes for decades and now they can’t really get to the beach. Only certain blocks, and there aren’t that many, are accessible to their wheelchairs and then there are no toilet facilities for them either.
“Most times they just give up and say they can’t make it to the beach because of all the inconvenience,” she continued.
Savastano noted that as part of SIC’s strategic plan handicapped-friendly accessibility is available at 32nd, 40th, 44th, and 85th streets. Soon 63rd Street will be included after it is upgraded.
Solicitor Paul Baldini mentioned that an upcoming Eagle Scout project is focused on creating a hand-out for visitors and residents about all city and private facilities which are elderly and handicapped friendly.
 To contact Camille Sailer, email csailer@cmcherald.com.