New Digest 2/1/2006

They were reportedly shocked to find out that not only did Alessandrine’s Campaign Manager Ed Price buy rights to a Web site in his boss’s name he also purchased rights to Perillo’s and McCall’s monikers on the World Wide Web. While they both are demanding a return of their names, Price claims the names were there for him to purchase for a reported $9.95 per site and said he couldn’t buy his own name because it’s already owned by someone else, maybe another Ed Price.
Need Sand in Time
AVALON — Working against a calendar that brings the summer season ever closer, borough council here is doing all it can to get sand back on its weather-ravaged beaches before sunbathers and beach goers return. Frustrated by lack of bidders for a 300,000 cubic feet of sand dredging project, estimated to cost over $2 million, council approved a $388,000 contract Jan. 25 with Albrecht and Heun, Inc. of Court House to assist in these efforts. Hatch Mott MacDonald, borough engineers, were also authorized to prepare plans for bids to spread and grade imported beach quality sand between Ninth and 18th streets. Borough Administrator Andrew Bednarek has been authorized to negotiate with a dredging company and hopes to attract one currently working in Brigantine to head south to move sand here.
Delay  Sentencing
COURT HOUSE — Tagaloa George Burgess, former Wildwood recreation director and school board president, was granted a delay in sentencing on Jan. 13 to June 9 because he had repaid about half of what he took from the city, according to attorneys. Burgess admitted stealing $112,122 from Wildwood between October 1999 and July 2004 by cashing paychecks made out to employes who were no longer working at the city’s recreation department. First Assistant Prosecutor J. David Meyer said that Burgess had repaid $50,000 so far. Meyer said he agreed to the delay because it would allow Burgess additional time to make restitution.
Not Responsible
WILDWOOD — A state appeals panel agreed with a lower court decision on Jan. 24 that found Wildwood not responsible for injuries suffered by a woman who fell on the city’s boardwalk in 2002. According to reports, Gertrude Moody of Neptune fell when she “got hooked on one of the boards” as she was walking with her family along the boardwalk near 26th Avenue. Moody reportedly was left with a broken left arm along with bruises on her elbows and knees. She sued the city, and argued that Wildwood permitted dangerous conditions to exist on its property. The court ruled that Moody never identified the alleged defective board or places where she fell and did not present sufficient evidence that the city’s actions were “palpably unreasonable.”
Rowdy Party
NORTH WILDWOOD — Kathleen Distro, a property owner, was charged with a disorderly persons offense and one count of making real property available to consume alcoholic beverages after a fight broke out following an underage party that was held at an apartment building she owns. According to reports, police responded on Jan. 20 to a large party in the 300 block of East Juniper Avenue. While en route, they received another call reporting a fight in the same area. Police said that they found several people leaving the area, and two males that had sustained head injuries in the fight. Both men were treated at the scene by Wildwood Fire Rescue and refused medical treatment. Further investigation found that the fight was the result of a large number of underage individuals at the party.
Amusements Anyone?
SEA ISLE CITY — A former landfill on Landis Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets may soon be home to an amusement park. The company that owns the Steel Pier in Atlantic City proposed the idea to Mayor Leonard Desiderio, who welcomed the potential tourism boost. Carmen La Rosa, an architect for the amusement company, said the 14-acre site would include a roller coaster, Ferris wheel, other rides and a potential park.
Robbery a Fib
WILDWOOD CREST — Mahmoud Neim, 46, was arrested Jan. 24 for lying to police about a robbery that took place Christmas morning. Neim claimed that two men robbed him at gunpoint at his townhouse at 202 E. Columbine Road. He said the men took more than $1,000 and personal property. The police noticed inconsistencies in Neim’s story and further investigated, eventually they discovered that he had been involved in similar incidents. Niem was charged with perjury and making false statements to police.
Keys Please
SEA ISLE CITY — The city is considering valet parking as a means to solve summer parking problems. City Zoning Board Solicitor Ellen Nicholson Byrne suggested the city try a pilot valet program this summer. Mayor Leonard Desiderio supported the idea. Another idea involves turning the site of the former power plant on 48th street into a parking lot that would provide shuttle service to the downtown area. The city has another meeting scheduled for Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. in the Public Safety Building.  
Burned in Scam
COURT HOUSE — Middle Township police arrested Michael Harrison, 39, of this community, and a 12-year-old boy who, they allege, solicited over $300 from over 30 individuals in the name of Hurricane Katrina victims beginning in October 2005. No money was sent to storm victims, police said, nor were any goods delivered to households here. Harrison and the boy were charged with theft by deception. Harrison was additionally charged with employing a juvenile and failure to make proper disposition. He was released on summons pending a court appearance. The juvenile was released to his parents’ custody. Victims have been located here, as well as in Burleigh, Rio Grande, Erma and Cape May. Persons who may have been contacted by either of the pair to buy products should alert Patrolman Steven Novsak at 465-8700.
Lieutenants Retire
COURT HOUSE — Middle Township Police Lt. Timothy Moore and Lt. Fred Teasenfitz will retire today after 30 and 31 years of service, respectively. Moore was born and raised in the township and graduated from Middle Township High School in 1976. He started in traffic enforcement in 1976, became a patrolman in 1980, and in 2001 was promoted to sergeant. In 2003, he was promoted to Lieutenant. Moore was a member of the SWAT team and one of the original officers assigned to the motorcycle squad. Teasenfitz graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1971, and joined Middle Township police in 1975. He became a corporal until 1985 when he was promoted to sergeant, and assigned to the Juvenile Unit. He was the township’s first D.A.R.E. officer, in 1994, when the unit was combined with detectives; he became a supervisor there. He was promoted to his present rank in 1996. He was a member of the S.W.A.T.team and its dive team.
Digest/zelnik/2-01-06
$8M, but Not Fore
VILLAS — Freeholders voted Jan. 24 to apply to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program for loans or grants to purchase the 235-acre Ponderlodge Golf Course here. The hope: Green Acres pays half of the estimated $8 million price and the other half is a grant-loan that would be paid off from the county Open Space program. But if it happens, don’t get out your golf clubs. Freeholder-Director Daniel Beyel told this newspaper that “preliminarily, we are not interested in running a golf course. We see every other county golf course losing money and they were acquired at far less.”
Freeholder Appointments
CREST HAVEN — Freeholders Jan. 24 reappointed  county Administrator Stephen O’Connor to a second five-year term and county MUA commissioner George Betts, on the board since 1985, to a five-year term. He’s been chairman since 1998. They also named John Rechner, head of the Consumer Affairs Department, to replace Michael Brogan, who retired. Both are from Lower Township.
Spar over Cospar?
SEA ISLE CITY — Mayor and Freeholder Leonard Desiderio will be asked by the county Open Space Review Board to make the short walk from his freeholder office to the Intermediate Meeting Room where Open Space meets to update the board on what is going
on at the former Cospar property, on the city’s beachfront, which Sea Isle City, in getting $1.5 million from Open Space, said would have a gazebo, band stand, etc.  Hasn’t happened.
Beautiful but Wet
EDGEWOOD — The county Open Space Board Jan. 24 turned down an offer to consider purchase of about an acre on 11th Avenue east of Route 9 here from owner Ronald Bunting.  It was described by Open Space Director Barbara Ernst as “environmentally beautiful,” but as for a key requirement, developmental pressure, she said, “I would have my doubts.”  Reason: wetlands. Ernst reported Open Space has $4.5 million of which $1.4 million is “available.”
Coon/Tick Controversy?
COURT HOUSE — It’s called Coon Trap Road/Tickneck Road, but attorney Fred Schmidt, who lives at the end of it, asked the county Open Space Review Board for an easement so property owners can widen and maintain it. The board decided in closed session to wait until County Counsel John Porto reports whether the county legally owns it as part of an adjacent open space purchase.
OK Fishing Loan
CREST HAVEN — Freeholders Jan.  24 approved a $150,000 loan to Michael Genovese of Court House, owner of White Dove Inc., under the county’s Commercial Fishing Revolving Loan Program. The money, at 5 percent interest for seven years, will go toward the purchase of the fishing vessel White Dove Too. Key purpose of the program is to maintain or increase employment opportunities for low and moderate income residents.
Record Budget
CREST HAVEN — Freeholders introduced their record high $124-million budget, with a record low 17.13-cent tax rate,  Jan. 24. The new tax rate is a reduction of 3.48 cents and amounts to a tax of $171.30 for each $100,000 of assessed value. Public hearing and likely adoption is set for 4:30 p. m. Feb. 28.
$8M, but Not Fore
VILLAS — Freeholders voted Jan. 24 to apply to the state Department of Environmental Protection’s Green Acres Program for loans or grants to purchase the 235-acre Ponderlodge Golf Course here. The hope: Green Acres pays half of the estimated $8 million price and the other half is a grant-loan that would be paid off from the county Open Space program. But if it happens, don’t get out your golf clubs. Freeholder-Director Daniel Beyel told this newspaper that “preliminarily, we are not interested in running a golf course. We see every other county golf course losing money and they were acquired at far less.”
Freeholder Appointments
CREST HAVEN — Freeholders Jan. 24 reappointed  county Administrator Stephen O’Connor to a second five-year term and county MUA commissioner George Betts, on the board since 1985, to a five-year term. He’s been chairman since 1998. They also named John Rechner, head of the Consumer Affairs Department, to replace Michael Brogan, who retired. Both are from Lower Township.
Spar over Cospar?
SEA ISLE CITY — Mayor and Freeholder Leonard Desiderio will be asked by the county Open Space Review Board to make the short walk from his freeholder office to the Intermediate Meeting Room where Open Space meets to update the board on what is going
on at the former Cospar property, on the city’s beachfront, which Sea Isle City, in getting $1.5 million from Open Space, said would have a gazebo, band stand, etc.  Hasn’t happened.
Beautiful but Wet
EDGEWOOD — The county Open Space Board Jan. 24 turned down an offer to consider purchase of about an acre on 11th Avenue east of Route 9 here from owner Ronald Bunting.  It was described by Open Space Director Barbara Ernst as “environmentally beautiful,” but as for a key requirement, developmental pressure, she said, “I would have my doubts.”  Reason: wetlands. Ernst reported Open Space has $4.5 million of which $1.4 million is “available.”
Coon/Tick Controversy?
COURT HOUSE — It’s called Coon Trap Road/Tickneck Road, but attorney Fred Schmidt, who lives at the end of it, asked the county Open Space Review Board for an easement so property owners can widen and maintain it. The board decided in closed session to wait until County Counsel John Porto reports whether the county legally owns it as part of an adjacent open space purchase.
OK Fishing Loan
CREST HAVEN — Freeholders Jan.  24 approved a $150,000 loan to Michael Genovese of Court House, owner of White Dove Inc., under the county’s Commercial Fishing Revolving Loan Program. The money, at 5 percent interest for seven years, will go toward the purchase of the fishing vessel White Dove Too. Key purpose of the program is to maintain or increase employment opportunities for low and moderate income residents.
Record Budget
CREST HAVEN — Freeholders introduced their record high $124-million budget, with a record low 17.13-cent tax rate,  Jan. 24. The new tax rate is a reduction of 3.48 cents and amounts to a tax of $171.30 for each $100,000 of assessed value. Public hearing and likely adoption is set for 4:30 p. m. Feb. 28.