Let’s Grow Together!

To The Editor:
It was with great interest but some disappointment, that I read Nancy Rump’s April 26 story on Herald.com titled “Wildwood Candidates Back Consolidation.”
We may recall that in an earlier published letter I mentioned that all candidates would agree that our record-breaking property taxes need to be reduced. And we may have heard them agree loud and clear on the 12th of this month during the Chamber of Commerce “Meet the Candidates” event.
As Rump reported, all the candidates agreed that consolidation of the four townships would reduce taxes. Unfortunately, the candidates did not provide us with an action plan on how they would accomplish this. Several candidates touched the surface and admitted that we need to clean up the city. Nothing new here; we all know that already.
Commissioner Al Brannen acknowledged that consolidation could become a reality while maintaining the unique identity of each of the four towns. We all know that the notion to consolidate is not new and has been discussed in the past by the current and previous Wildwood City administrations. Unfortunately when asked how and what the action to make this happen is, the answers always seem to be the same. It seems the city administration always finds consolidation discussions too difficult to give it any priority.
I find the notion, shared by most of the candidates, but clearly stated by Ernie Trioano that, “those residents in the other towns, they don’t want nothing to do with us” totally unacceptable. It confirms an attitude that until this happens, consolidation is off the table and City Council action will be taken. It is true that when asked if they approve of consolidation, the majority of our fine neighbors respond negatively. But I am also convinced that these same neighbors are sophisticated enough to realize the implications.
I would rather see our next administration committed to immediately start a frank and cordial dialog with their counterparts. A dialog that is focused on the notion that what is good for Wildwood is good for all. And I expect them to do this in parallel with an effort to improve our city and not wait for the city to be perfect. I have faith that when a genuine effort is made by the Wildwood City Council to discuss consolidation, our neighbors will listen and help us a solution that benefits all the towns.
Our neighbors know that it is as much in their interest as it is in ours to see Wildwood prosper. I am sure they realize, and I hope we also do, that we cannot do it alone to make Wildwood a better community to live.
Let’s show action and not merely rhetoric by working together to better this great island. Let us start a genuine dialog to improve the Wildwoods. I know that Al Brannen knows how. I will vote for him and hope you will too.
KLAAS KRAMER
Wildwood