Middle Township Targets Non-Profit Organizations

To The Editor:
On May 3, the Middle Township Committee approved across the board price increases on business licenses and permits affecting many people, small businesses and charitable organizations in Middle Township and Cape May County. Area churches, the hospital, the Wetlands Institute, the arts councils, the Lions and others are affected by this action. The missions these organizations serve in Cape May County are well recognized. The previous Middle Township administrations valued these organizations and did not charge a fee for sign permits consistent with practices in other communities.
We understand that the current economy has placed a burden upon all of us and we all must share the pain. However, we must object to the committee’s action to levy a large tax on temporary sign postings. This action specifically targets the non-profit organizations on Seven Mile Island and Middle Township who post signs along Stone Harbor and Avalon Boulevard. These thoroughfares are the main arteries onto the island. Non-profits post their signs to attract visitors to fundraisers and area cultural events. The organizations have been hit extremely hard in these recessionary times with decreased donations and markedly diminished funds from cultural grants. Since many operate on small budgets, the result will be decreased revenue to the communities.
It is these organizations whose dedicated volunteers have spent countless hours attracting visitors to the shore communities and whose donations have helped the needy in Cape May County. Attracting visitors to the shore communities and creating an environment to get them to come back stimulates economic growth and creates jobs for all. Sign posting permits were free to non-profits in Middle Township up until now.
The committee’s energies should be on business growth and jobs and not considering an across the board price increase on business licenses and permits for small businesses and charitable organizations. We recommend that the Middle Township Committee reevaluate this decision.
STEPHEN MALYSZKA, JR.
Avalon
(ED. NOTE: The author is with the Avalon Arts Council, and refers to Middle Township Committee’s May 3 sign ordinance amendment that imposes a $50 fee for all temporary signs, including those on causeways advertising events in neighboring municipalities. There is no general business license in the municipality.)