WILDWOOD — “For those who opposed us, it’s time to bury the hatchet,” said Wildwood’s new Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. to an overflow crowd at City Hall, Tue., May 17 at reorganization ceremonies.
“We need your help. We need to move forward, I ask, we beg for your help,” Troiano said during post-oath comments.
Flanked on his right hand by Commissioner Peter Byron and on his left by Commissioner Anthony J. Leonetti, Troiano offered, ‘I extend my hand in friendship.”
“I don’t want to go through what I went through before,” said the city’s new chief executive.
He offered to “work hard” with communities “north, south and over the bridge.”
Troiano said he “walked out of here (City Hall) 17 months ago, I never knew if I could come back. A lot has changed, the world changed, I’ve changed,” he added, reflecting on the passing of his father and father in law in that interim.
To city employees, Troiano vowed, ”Fresh air in this building again, I kid you not.” He cited unity between firefighters and police officers the likes of which he said, he had not seen previously.
Byron was selected vice president of the Board of Commissioners.
James Cafiero, retired state senator and lifelong friend of the Troiano family, administered the oaths to the new commissioners.
“It’s unbelievable. I can’t express how good it feels,” said Leonetti, adding it was time to “move the town forward.”
“It’s unbelievable,” he restated.
“There’s not enough time to thank everyone who helped us,” said Byron. “But I saw the weather forecast coming here, ‘’Plenty of sunshine and blue skies. Come to Wildwood.’”
Among items falling under “new business” during the first session was:
• Regarding ambulance billing, Troiano indicated since most cases were covered by insurance, “They have a lot more money that we do,” he urged raising the ambulance charges.
• Planning and Zoning boards will become separate entities, not a united board.
• Defeated school budget will be taken under consideration at a special 4 p.m. meeting in City Hall on Wed., May 18.
No decision was made regarding increasing parking meter fees, but Troiano indicated he favored charged an amount equal to that in the City of Philadelphia, which is 25 cents per 10 minutes. Commission at its next meeting, prior to the Memorial Day Weekend, will make a decision on meter fees.
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@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…
