CREST HAVEN – Cape May County government had a fresh face March 25 during Student Government Day. Over the course of the day, 18 students from nine county high schools got an inside view of how the government works that maintains roads and bridges, oversees health care and transports many residents.
Two county school budgets were approved as was the county’s 2014 budget after a hearing at which no questions were asked by the public.
Representing their schools was:
Cape Christian Academy, Timothy Kanengiser, Whitney Driscoll
Cape Education Compact High School, Katie Laine, Alana Kurtz
Cape May County High School, Cheyanne Vance, Timothie Conover
Cape May County Technical School, Monica Powers, Kevin Rescigno
Lower Cape May Regional High School, Victoria Jacoby, Jenny Weidman
Middle Township High School, Adriano Colombo, Sarah Marano
Ocean City High School, Jacquelyn Davis, Samuel Palombo
Wildwood High School, Ben Errickson, Alex Helm
Wildwood Catholic High School, Molly McNulty, Eileen McNulty
The students shadowed county officials and conducted the caucus and regular meeting, with freeholders and other officials standing behind them.
During the day they saw a K-9 Unit demonstration from Sheriff Gary Schaffer’s department. They learned about government jobs and careers from Jeff Lindsay, human resources director.
As they had lunch, Director Gerald Thornton instructed them on the role of freeholders. Surrogate M. Susan Sheppard and County Clerk Rita Fulginiti gave overviews of what they and their departments do for constituents. Patricia Devaney, director of Human Services, and Linda Thornton, Crest Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center outlined their tasks.
After lunch, tours were made that included the Treasurer’s Office conducted by Chief Financial Officer Francine Springer, about purchasing by Purchasing Agent Kim Allen, through the Engineer’s Office by County Engineer Dale Foster, and then to Planning where Leslie Gimeno, director, shown about GIS mapping. Ann Marie McMahon Facilities and Services director outlined her department’s functions.
During the course of the meetings, budgets for the Cape May County Special Services School District and Technical School District were approved after presentations by Superintendent Barbara Makoski and Superintendent Dr. Nancy Hudanich, respectively.
Special Services School District’s $11.9-million budget was approved with the county paying $3,974,832, the same amount the county has provided for the last five years.
Technical School District’s $16.4-million budget required $7.3 million from the county. That was the district’s seventh consecutive year seeking no increase in the levy.
An in-depth report on the two districts will be printed in the April 2 edition.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
