Once again this year, it is my pleasure to write the Christmas message for the non-partisan group called Cape Issues.
Cape Issues began in March of 2008 at a luncheon meeting I attended with Art Hall and Fred Coldren. I’ve known
both gentlemen for about thirty years, having met Art through advertising and Fred through our similar jobs in city government.
I’ve always admired both of these men, considering both to be hard-working honest family men. Our group was soon enlarged to six with the inclusion of former West Cape May Mayor Bob Jackson, former Dennis Township Mayor Bob Grace, and former Wildwood Beach Patrol Capt. John McCann.
I knew these three men well through athletics, public works, and lifeguarding respectively. Our initial goal was to identify issues
of concern to the people of Cape May County and then utilize our experience to gather and organize information so that the
average person, as well as their public servants, could better get a handle on the problems of the day.
It was a difficult task and it took us a while to identify local and regional initiatives of greatest concern to the public.
As our first Christmas approached in 2008, we decided to send a message clearly indicating that we were not a group that intended to throw stones; rather, our intent was to organize information in such a manner as to bring hope and positive change.
We recognize that the vast majority of our public servants are people of good will. In 2009, we expanded our group to include 11 men and women. We made sure to include persons with great experience in the private sector.
John McCann took a brief leave from the group in order to seek public office and will return in 2010. Our group benefitted from the addition of Gary Egnasko of Sea Isle City, Eileen Fausey of Middle Township, Tom Henry of Sea Isle City, Larry Kratzer of Stone Harbor, and Janice Pitts of Lower Township.
Things started to come together for us in 2009. With the leadership of Fred Coldren, all the municipal budgets were posted on the Herald Web site, many meaningful charts were made available and disseminated, and most recently, police salaries have
been examined.
I know from experience that it is very difficult to compare the expenses of municipalities, even if they are both small resorts in the same geographic area. Each entity is unique.
Nevertheless, some operations are run more efficiently and it is up to all of us to insure that efficient practices are
emulated and inefficiency and waste are eliminated.
The priorities of life came into sharp perspective for every member of our group this year when our leader, Art Hall, lost a precious son in a terrible tragedy.
We all stopped and took a look at what was really important in life. We noted how Art and his family, obviously people of great
faith, where able to keep going for the love of their children and grandchildren.
The losses and mysteries of life take on new meaning at this season of the year. To paraphrase Dickens, “want is keenly felt and abundance rejoices.” Many of us in the Cape Issues group have friends and loved ones who have experienced loss this year.
Deaths, broken relationships, job losses, economic reversals, health issues… the list goes on. How wonderful
that hope and renewal come into the world at this time of year.
How remarkable that each of us has known loss and yet knows of the great potential for new life. (Pastor Charles Stanley always says, “Any of you out there that haven’t known loss yet, you just haven’t lived long enough.”)
In 2010, Cape Issues hopes to continue to encourage all of our hardworking public servants and to remain open to your
advice, help and criticism as we continue, in our small way, to search for solutions to governmental, social and economic problems.
Please join us in getting a head start on tackling problems next year by making the most of this holiday season. Take time off. Warm the fires. Light the dark places. Turn up the music.
Draw near to home and family. Enjoy all good things in moderation. Spread hospitality, merriment and open-heartedness.
Bless the poor. Bring a smile to your children. Try to forge a magic moment when everything you ever loved comes together in a meaningful way.
Cherish your fondest holiday memories and create similar ones for your children. Far more talented pens will fill this issue of the Herald with faith-based stories of inspiration.
My friends and associates on Cape Issues want to be on record expressing our great admiration for the Hall family and all of you who have worked to keep Joy in the world despite pain in your heart.
May God bless you and yours this holiday season.
(Thomas Flud writes from North Wildwood)
North Cape May – Another shout out to Officer Bohn, the school resource officer at LCMR. I admire his hard work and devotion to the students and staff as I see him every morning and afternoon, snow, wind , sleet or…
