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March 25-31
County Commission Skirmishes
This week the county commissioners proved again that almost anything goes even in public. Silliness included.
At the recent public meeting of the commissioners, Will Morey, the most accomplished businessman on the commission, asked simply why the audio recordings of the commission meeting could not be made available to the public as soon as the meeting is over. He pointed out that the recording would not change from what they are and that there was no reason to make the public wait two weeks for the recordings because the formal minutes of the meeting have not yet been approved.
The response was that that is the way the county does things. The public was told that there is a resolution that states the recordings will be available two weeks after the meeting. Is it possible the commissioners are unaware that they can change any such rule at any point that they choose? Of course they know, but why hand Will Morey a win? He is the duly elected commissioner who has fallen from the good graces of the powers that be.
All the largest of the county municipalities allow for some form of remote access to their governing body meetings, most do so with video, and they all make that record available immediately. There is no sense to not doing it, except that the commissioners don’t want to.
But that wasn’t all.
The county bridge commission voted prior to the commissioners meeting to make county administrator Kevin Lare its new executive director. This is not a change of jobs. Lare will now hold both positions and get compensated in some form for both.
At the commission meeting Morey raised a concern that the county’s governing body had not discussed or approved the hiring of its own administrator to a second county job. Morey raised concerns about how Lare would split his time between the two positions. But the hiring of Lare for the bridge commission position was already a done deal.
For Morey this change involved a policy decision that necessitated a role for the commission. Commissioner Bobby Barr said he didn’t know why Morey was bringing this up. So the county’s chief administrator takes a second job and the county’s governing body has no say in the matter? That isn’t how it works. Someone said yes to the move. It’s just that no one bothered to involve Will Morey and no one bothered to make the decision to OK this move a public one.
Why Leave NJ?
A new Monmouth University poll finds 48% of New Jerseyans say they would like to move out of the state. Property taxes (39%) topped the list of reasons.
Like all issues at this moment in time, there is a partisan hue to statistics. Of those looking to move out of state, Republicans (60%) are more likely than independents (57%) with Democrats (31%) far less likely to relocate.
Forbes tells us that interstate migration is often motivated by a desire to own a home in areas where that is easier to do. Job and career issues are also high on the list of motivating factors.
International Van Lines reports that “Things that have directly impacted people’s decisions to move are the cost of living, real estate costs, taxes and job opportunities.”
A group concerning to state officials is comprised of individuals who would rather retire elsewhere. An attempt to make New Jersey more attractive as a location to remain rather than leave is the basis for the new state program Stay New Jersey, an effort aimed at lowering property taxes for seniors. The program is scheduled to start in 2026 provided the state can still afford the program then.
The Monmouth University Quality of Life index helps fill in specific factors that influence the positive or negative view of life in the Garden State. Asked about the most important issues facing the state, property taxes were number one, but they were followed by a more general sense of unease about the state economy and cost of living.
Rhythm of the Shore Interrupted
As Cape May County municipalities prepare for the influx of second homeowners and summer visitors, a voice may be heard calling for attention elsewhere.
The activities at the New Jersey shore have their own rhythm and these are months filled with tasks to prepare beaches, boardwalks, and recreational facilities. This is a time for filling the holes in summer staffing. Contractors are frantically completing construction projects. Municipal road work is getting its finishing touches. Preparation is aimed for ceremonies across the island communities where mayors and other officials “unlock” the beaches.
The voice one might hear is that of international scientific organizations who are telling us that climate change is happening at a faster pace than they had predicted. The World Meteorological Organization’s annual State of the Climate Report for 2023 warns that major indicators of climate change are “off the charts.”
We are told 2023 was the warmest year in recorded history. We are also told that ocean temperatures are rising at a rate that endangers basic currents impacting world weather, and that sea level rise is accelerating.
Maybe it is time to look in on the status of all of the separate municipal plans for resiliency and adaption. Couldn’t hurt.
Happenings
Lower Cape May Regional High School students are engaging in a hands-on farm-to-table initiative, utilizing hydroponics to grow produce for their culinary program and cafeteria. Led by teacher Kevin Hildebrandt, the project integrates various disciplines, promotes sustainability, and enriches the educational experience.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed a gas tax bill to fund New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund and introduced a $250 annual fee for electric vehicle registration. Gas tax revenue targets will gradually rise, potentially increasing by 2 cents per gallon annually, but uncertainties remain due to declining gasoline consumption from electric vehicles.
The Cape May County Board of County Commissioners passed a temporary budget on March 26 ahead of its $214.5 million 2024 budget adoption on April 9. The budget reflects reduced expenses due to the privatization of Crest Haven Nursing Home and a decrease in operational costs, resulting in a 2-cent drop in the tax rate.
The Cape May County Board of County Commissioners opposed renaming the Ocean View Service Plaza after Bruce Willis, proposing instead to name it after Civil War veteran Sgt. Andrew J. Tomlin for his bravery during the Second Battle of Fort Fisher. This decision diverges from the New Jersey Highway Authority’s initial plan to name plazas after celebrities like Willis.
Following a six-month investigation, Steven DiPeso was arrested by the North Wildwood Police Department and Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office in Wildwood on charges including theft, money laundering, and computer crimes. DiPeso faces second to third-degree charges and is detained in the Cape May County Correctional Facility.
Sea Isle City Council introduced a 2024 municipal budget with an 11.3% increase in the local purpose tax rate, resulting in a $315 hike for a home assessed at $750,000. The budget, totaling $30.15 million for the general fund and $10.4 million for the water and sewer utility, prioritizes funding for first responders and seasonal employees, with a public hearing and vote scheduled for April 23.
Avalon officials delayed action for months after discovering an unauthorized lawn in protected dunes, only citing the property owners after the state’s involvement. Communication gaps between Avalon and the DEP prompted efforts to improve communication.
Spout Off of the Week
Wildwood – The Wildwood School Board has proposed a 24M budget. As a retired senior, living in Wildwood, I can say honestly, this is a bit excessive, given the few numbers of students, per dollar ratio to educate and staff with administrators, those employed by the School Board. Perhaps it IS time to outsource our educational system, and save BIG$$$$, so the taxpayers can catch a break. Think about what they are proposing-$24,000,000.00 for the fiscal year! That is astronomical and for those trying to make ends meet, a total disregard for those footing the bill! We need tax reform, time for cuts!!!
Read more spouts at spoutoff.capemaycountyherald.com.
