Voters Prepare To Cast Ballots On May 10

(Check www.CapeMayCountyHerald.com for unofficial results May 10.)
COURT HOUSE – Candidates for governing bodies in three Cape May County municipalities are heading down the home stretch for May 10 elections.
In Avalon, there is no contest. Three incumbents, whose slogan is “Team Avalon 2011,” include Mayor Martin L. Pagliughi, seeking the mayoral seat; Charles P. Covington and Richard E. Dean are virtually assured return to two council at large seats for another four years.
To the north, in Sea Isle City, Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio and Councilman Michael J. McHale are vying for the mayoral post, for a four-year term.
Desiderio is running with Council President William J. Kehner Sr., and Councilman Frank P. Edwardi Jr., under the slogan “Continue the Spirit with Good Government” for two, four-year council at large seats.
McHale, a former mayor, is running with Daniel E. Organ and Barbara A. Drew seeking the council at large posts under the slogan “Fairness, In-tegrity and Fiscal Efficiency.”
In Wildwood, eight contenders seek three four-year terms on city commission. In addition, voters in the city will be faced with two questions, one binding, the other non-binding.
Running as a slate with the slogan “It’s Time…Our Future Is Now,” is Peter Byron, Anthony Leonetti and Ernie Troiano Jr., former mayor.
Running against them as a team under the slogan “Progress Made, Promises Kept” is Mayor Gary DeMarzo, Edward “Chip” E. Harshaw Sr., and Dara Baltuskonis.
Commissioner Al Brannen is running alone as “A Voice for All the People.”
Sandra Richardson also seeks a seat running by herself under the slogan “Proud Again, a Better Wildwood.”
Question 1 facing Wildwood voters regards the police department.
“Should Ordinance 828-10, which revises staffing levels in the City of Wildwood Police Department, be adopted?” The interpretive statement: “Ordinance 828-10 would revise the police staffing within the City of Wildwood. Currently, Wildwood’s code allows for the following positions within the police department: One police chief, one deputy police chief, one captain, five lieutenants, seven sergeants and 38 patrolmen. A “yes” vote would adopt the ordinance and reduce the authorized positions to one police chief, one deputy chief, one captain, one lieutenant, five sergeants and 38 patrolmen.
Question 2, the non-binding one asks, “Should the municipal election day in the City of Wildwood be moved to the general election day in November?” A yes vote supports moving the next municipal election to November 2015. A no vote supports keeping the municipal election in May. Approximately $25,000 would be saved by moving the date of the municipal election to coincide with the general election in November.