Change Seats
WILDWOOD – Wildwood School Board members unanimously elected Sandra Hall to replace William Mitchell as board president at the April 26 reorganization. Mitchell has been a member of the board since 1979, although he did take time off from 1995 to 2002. Hall has been on the board since 2001. James Nanos replaced David McDonald as the North Wildwood school board representative. Theresa DiFalco, a board member since 2001, was unanimously reelected vice president.
Another Bullet Dodged
CREST HAVEN – “We seem to have dodged the bullet again,” said Superintendent William Desmond at the April 26 Technical School District Board of Education meeting. He referred to the threat to cut Perkins funding for school programs. The subject looms large in each annual federal budget. Reassuring letters were received from U.S. Senators Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez, telling of funding, at least for this year. The budget ax, if it falls, is likely a year away, Desmond said. “We’ll keep our fingers and toes crossed that it stays the way it is,” said Desmond.
Old Factory Burns –
TUCKAHOE – No injuries were sustained in an abandoned cranberry factory blaze April 28. Tuckahoe fire crews responded by 12:30 a.m. and nearly 100 volunteer firefighters from Marmora, Dennisville, and Belleplain also came to control the blaze. The fire was prevented from reaching the heavily-wooded area surrounding the former April Brothers Cannery on Weatherby Road. Firefighters cleared the scene by 5:30 a.m. County arson investigators are looking into the cause.
Raid Nabs Two
VILLAS – An East Delaware Parkway home was raided by police and county Sheriff Department’s K9 Unit April 27, netting two arrests. According to police, Adar Mayes, 20, was charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held in county jail on $25,000 cash bail. Arlene D. Richardson, 33, was charged with possession of marijuana and endangering the welfare of a child. She was released on a summons. According to police, the 3-month-old infant was placed in the custody of the state Division of Youth and Family Services. Wildwood Crest police assisted in the raid.
Shhh! Frank Needs $60
VINELAND – Tina LoBiondo, wife of U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd), sent a mass mailing last week to announce, “Shhh! Someone is Turning 60…” That would be her husband, and Tina urged constituents of the six-term congressman to write their comments on an enclosed “birthday wish card” and include a $60 birthday wish, or other birthday wishes for $100 or $200, etc. He needs it, Tina explained, “to pay for the campaign lawn signs, the mailings, and to keep the lights on at LoBiondo campaign headquarters.” LoBiondo, whose birthday is May 12, reportedly has $1.6 million in his campaign treasury.
We Won’t Pump
TRENTON – This county’s state legislators agree on one thing: No self-serve gas stations. State Sen. Nick Asselta (R-1st) and Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew and Nelson Albano (D-1st) issued press releases and the assemblymen introduced legislation to “bolster the laws” prohibiting self-serve. All three said it would inconvenience seniors and the disabled, in particular; eliminate jobs; and save drivers no money.
Lay Back and Relax
COURT HOUSE – Chiropractor Dr. Christopher Chase has announced his office will feature a new way for patients who may fear chiropractic treatment to “relax.” He’s put a TV on the ceiling. Presumably it’s not tuned to Survivor, Prison Break or 24.
Gross Not Incompetent
OCEAN CITY – Administrative Law Judge Richard F. Wells last week told the state Medical Examiner’s Office to restore autopsy privileges to Dr. Elliot Gross, of here, former county coroner who admitted to a mistake in an Atlantic County death investigation in 2001.The judge said Gross’ error was not “gross incompetence” and Gross and then-state Medical Examiner Dr. Faruk Presswalla had “an acrimonious history.”
Cancel Zoning Meet
SEA ISLE CITY – The city zoning board meeting, scheduled for May 1, was cancelled. The board didn’t believe it would have a quorum. All matters scheduled for May 1 will be automatically continued to the next meeting, June 5 at 7 p.m.
Charge in Sex Assault
WOODBINE – Carlos Cotto, 23, of Millville was charged with sexual assault after a 15-year-old girl filed a report with State Police April 21. The report alleges that Cotto and the girl had a sexual relationship dating back to February. Police claimed Cotto admitted to having sex with the girl, and was sent to the county jail in lieu of $15,000 bail. Detective Robert Coia is investigating.
‘Yes’ to Budget
OCEAN CITY – Council voted 4-3 to approve its $52 million budget April 27. The budget will raise the tax rate nearly a cent to 44.2 cents per $100 of assessed property value. Council also approved an ordinance that would allow it to go over the 2.5 percent spending cap. The budget was introduced six weeks ago.
Indict Forest Worker
COURT HOUSE – A customer service representative who worked at the Belleplain State Forest, was indicted April 25 on charges that she failed to deposit money she collected for several things including campsite deposits. Cynthia L. Malernee, 48, of Millville allegedly committed an “unauthorized exercise of her official function” to benefit herself between July and December 2005, according to the indictment. Malernee also faces charges that she took property from the state, valued at over $500. Although the funds Malernee allegedly took had not been equated, it is estimated to be in the thousands.
Propane Leak
VILLAS – A leak in a home propane tank caused an evacuation of a two-block area near 6 West Tampa Avenue April 26 in the early afternoon. A small hole was found in the lower portion of the tank. Traffic was diverted from Bayshore Road. Villas, Townbank, and Erma Fire companies responded along with U.S. Coast Guard HazMat team. Evacuated residents were housed in the Lower Township Recreation Center.
Weather Channel
OCEAN CITY – A familiar face from the Weather Channel, Dr. Steven Lyons, the network’s tropical storm and severe weather expert will speak at Ocean City High School, May 11 at 6 p.m. The event is open to the public and is hosted by the Ocean City Office of Emergency Management and the National Weather Service. The school is located at 501 Atlantic Ave.
Oil Spill
ATLANTIC CITY – The U.S. Coast Guard, state Department of Environmental Protection, and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control are working to clean up an oil spill that occurred April 25. The oil is in the main shipping channel east of Port Mahon, Del. Oyster beds in upper Delaware Bay have reopened. Samples of oysters showed no evidence of petroleum. Oil skimming boats are on the scene. The owners of the Bermuda Islander, a 340-foot container vessel, registered in the Netherlands, are accepting responsibility for costs related to the clean up. The Coast Guard suspects the vessel may have been involved in the oil spill. Positive identification is awaiting the result of laboratory tests. Clean up crews are working on shorelines in Delaware and on Gandy’s Beach in Cumberland County where some tar balls have been found. There have been no reports of wildlife affected by the spill.
Avalon – It absolutely makes sense for means testing for Social Security. We need to trim benefits for anyone 50 or younger, and give them better savings options. Anyone 50 or older should be grandfathered….
