West Cape May Team Runs on Record

WEST CAPE MAY — Incumbents Mayor Pamela Kaithern, Commissioner Peter Burke with newcomer Ramsey Geyer are facing only one challenger in the May 12 election. It is a smaller field than previous elections.
Kaithern and Burke are running on their record of achievements of the past four years with Kaithern’s record extending back eight years from a term as deputy mayor with former Mayor Bob Jackson.
The incumbent team’s platform is focusing on maintaining the historic nature of the borough, promoting and incorporating Green Energy initiatives, developing and implementing zoning for responsible growth, promoting low-impact business growth and supporting development in areas of the borough that have water/sewer service.
Kaithern, Burke and Geyer’s campaign brochure asks, “What do you want West Cape May to be like? What legacy will we leave for our children and grandchildren?”
Burke said a lot of the commission’s energy went into winning a “Builder’s Remedy” lawsuit from Sixth Street Partners that wanted to build 70 townhouses on less than six acres on Sixth Avenue.
“I really believe that we listened to the voice of the people who put us into office to maintain the character of our town,” said Kaithern.
The plans of Sixth Street Partners were far beyond what is in character with West Cape May, she said.
Kaithern said even though there were litigation costs, the cost of putting in a sewer line up Sixth Avenue would have exceeded the amount of legal fees. As a byproduct of the litigation, the borough has a fair share affordable housing program.
“The goal in the last election was to reunite the community and I think we have,” said Kaithern.
She said there is a feeling of pride of living in West Cape May and not embarrassment due to political controversy that once took place here.
Kaithern said she is proud of the borough’s successful weekly farm market. She said the community has benefited by the teamwork of borough commission during the past four years.
Borough Commission has laid the groundwork to stabilize the tax rate with a voter referendum that approved the sale of two liquor licenses which could bring the borough over $1 million for long term property tax relief, said Kaithern. She said the licenses would be offered for sale as soon commercial zoning changes are established.
Burke said receiving plan endorsement from the state Office of Smart Growth would make grant funding available to the borough that won’t be available to other communities. West Cape May is one of only seven towns in the state to receive that approval, said Kaithern.
She called serving as mayor as a huge commitment of time and of “the heart.”
With consolidation hanging over the head of West Cape May Elementary School due to state mandates, Kaithern noted any change to the school would cost taxpayers more money and lose representation for the borough.
She said operation of the borough has been streamlined by using highly qualified professionals on a part time basis rather than full time employees for a savings over full time salary and benefits.
On the topic of eliminating parking restrictions in the business district, Kaithern said it is important to acknowledge the historic nature of Broadway where it is hoped business owners would keep existing historic buildings by the borough not making them meet 20th century parking standards. A business owner that wants to tear down an historic structure would first need to come before the Historic Preservation Commission, she said. A new structure would have to meet modern parking requirements, said Kaithern.
She said parking changes to the commercial district would be gradual.
Burke said he is seeking reelection because he wants the borough to continue in the direction set in the past four years.
Ramsey Geyer is making his first run for office. He has 35 years experience as a worldwide business and government operations manager with Hewlett Packard.
Geyer served as president and chairman of the board of Hospice Caring Inc. of Gaithersburg, Md. He holds a degree in business management from Virginia Commonwealth University.
He also attended Brookings Institute in Washington, D.C. studying military funding and appropriations and Analysis of the Office of Management and Budget. Geyer served on the board of directors of the West Cape May Taxpayers Association. He stepped down from the board since the organization is nonpartisan, he said.
Geyer and his wife, Joan, retired to West Cape May where they created a backyard featured on the Nature Center Garden Tour.
Geyer has been active in the borough having served as chairman of the Revenue-Finance Commission which has been looking at the possibility of creating a public parking lot to assist the commercial district and to reserve parking for residents. He said he has assembled information for the Special Master in the COAH litigation relating to how much new construction had been undertaken in the borough as it relates to affordable housing potential.
He said a lot of building permits issued in the past two years were for demolition to build new houses on properties but a lot of that construction did not take place due to the poor economy.
He worked as volunteer with the Shade Tree Commission and has researched solar and wind energy.
Geyer said he wants to be proactive and anticipate potential problems such as water rate increases.
“The types of elements that are in place and going forward in West Cape May are exactly what need to happen to maintain its character and to help it move into the future without damaging the historic nature or the culture of the town,” said Geyer.
On the topic of lack of communication between the borough and the West Cape May Volunteer Fire Company, Geyer said he has tried to work on the situation as a private citizen. He said he would like the fire company to be able to take full advantage of FEMA grant money, which other local fire companies are receiving.