Senator Van Drew Addresses 200 at Stone Harbor ROA General Meeting on June 13
Mayor Walters Provides Borough Update

Following a pre-meeting slide show of aerial shots of Stone Harbor, courtesy of Peter Svanda and son, and an updated slide show of enhancements to the Bird Sanctuary by Dede Harris, ROA President Larry Kratzer relinquished most of the remaining time to Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters and Senator Jeff Van Drew.

Senator Van Drew had brief opening remarks, and then focused the remainder of his talk responding to questions and concerns. Some issues discussed:

• The Senator first addressed the beach access issue in that those regulations are part of a Public Trust Document that asserts that all citizens should have access to the natural resources of the state such as the ocean(beach) and the bay. Strict interpretation of the law which is access 24/7 is not practical and has a variety of safety concerns. Legislation was introduced and passed that marinas would be exempt. Another concern is industry along the water should be exempt because of public safety issues.
• economic issues: New Jersey is in the top tier of states with significant economic issues: spending too much, borrowing too much over the years. Legislation was introduced and passed to require a public vote on any additional debt, also to reduce state fleet of vehicles. Taxes on liquor and tobacco will be going up.
• there will be a public vote concerning school consolidation in 2010 Shared services is a feasible and practical option.
• some money from the Federal stimulus package will be used for the Ocean City causeway which will free up some funds for other projects in South Jersey.
• we are involved in the Beasley Point Bridge because it’s a vital component to a large scale evacuation. While the Parkway and Rts. 55 and 47 will be north and west traffic only, Rt. 9 is the route for relief traffic to come in. The state will pay 2/3 of cost, the county 1/3. Operations will be funded by tolls.
• responding to questions about Rt 55 completion; the project would cost over a billion dollars. There are numerous environmental issues that need to be resolved. It is one of the most environmentally sensitive areas in Cape May and Cumberland Counties. There have been discussions on having some of the highway raised to reduce the environmental impact . . .but of course that will only add to the cost. A private company may get involved.
• Exit 10 overpass: the funding is in place for this project and the final engineering plans are being completed for exits 9,10, & 11 on the Parkway.

Mayor Walters Remarks

• Encouraged everyone to visit the Borough web site to view the Master Plan, and attend the public meeting to discuss it.
• beach replenishment between 98th & 111th Sts. will most likely occur in September/October, 2009
• Borough is waiting for the decision on the appeal for the new library, expect to hear in mid-July.
• The street construction project to prepare for proper drainage of storm waters to the Bay in preparation for the removal of outfall pipes will also occur in the fall, followed by the removal of the outfall pipes(most likely after the beach replenishment is completed)
• Shelter Haven Park has been created at 96th and 3rd thanks to various donations. The corner lot is much improved and will be the site for programming over the summer on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
• Site 103(back bay) is full(dredge spoils) and must be off-loaded. Monies are available through a grant to do that.

Borough Landmark Owner and Wife Pass within Days of Each Other

There probably isn’t anyone who lives in, full time or seasonal, or visits Stone Harbor that doesn’t know BUD’s Market at 83rd and 3rd Avenues. It was there long before WAWA, and was there long after Burnley’s on 96th Street.

Mario “Bud” Zuccato, from Stone Harbor, and his wife, Harriet Dillon, from Wildwood (previously from Trenton), met while on separate vacations in Florida. They married in 1951 and settled in Stone Harbor, going into business together operating a grocery store and meat market.

Bud died on May 30th from complications of Alzeheimer’s, and his wife died June 1st from lingering complications of a stroke she suffered this past January. Their family says they did everything together, and were not surprised by the proximity of their deaths. They are survived by two sons, Michael and Mario “Rick”, and a daughter, Donna Whiteside.
Bud’s Market continues to be a vital part of serving the needs of Stone Harbor’s residential and vacation population, and is operated by Bud’s son, Michael.

ROA General Meeting, President Larry Kratzer Makes Several Announcements, Including Support for Shelter Haven Park

Following introductions of ROA Trustees and Borough Council at the June 13th General Meeting of ROA, President Larry Kratzer informed those in attendance about the local coverage on Channel 2 for Stone Harbor, Avalon, and Sea Isle City. The channel will have weather on the 7’s, and 20 minutes of announcements and updates for each community. It can also be accessed through ROA’s website: www.stoneharborroa.com

Larry also asked those in attendance to consider nominating someone for “Person of the Year”, which is announced at the September General Meeting. Nominations can be made through ROA’s website.

Larry then announced ROA’s decision to help fund the park at 96th and 3rd Ave. He explained that the Trustees agree that the owner should have had the responsibility to fix it up himself, but thought in the greater interest and good for the community, to provide a more desirable appearance to the entry of Stone Harbor, that something should be done. His statement representing the Trustees position follows:

The ROA trustees debated and voted to support the Borough’s effort to make something more attractive out of this space for the summer. One of the ROA’s core missions is the betterment of our community, and helping to make this property more attractive is an opportunity to send a message to all the people of Stone Harbor. We agree that the owner should have been held accountable for the condition that existed. We believe, however, that the opportunity presented itself to improve the condition of a very public location given that the borough entered into a lease arrangement. It was in the best interests of the town, the residents, and our guests to have a downtown experience that we have not had for a very long time when it comes to this particular property.

Updates

• Library-awaiting decision on appeal which should come in mid-July. If it is not granted the next decision to be made would be whether to select another site, or explore other options.
• Beach replenishment-for 98th to 111th is now scheduled for September/October as part of a project that will start with Strathmere, Sea Isle City, North Wildwood, and then Stone Harbor.
• Outfall pipes-project is now slated for the fall, 2009. The street work will happen first to put in pipes to transport storm water to bay, then the pipes will be removed following beach replenishment.
• Shelter Haven-All permits are in place as well as funding, construction scheduled to begin in the fall.

Log on to ROA’s website for updates on these projects and other happenings in the Borough as well as to inquire or comment about other issues such as: What is your opinion about the Dog Beach, 80th-82nd, now that it has been here for a year . . .what do you think the ROA should focus on . . . how many times a year do you think the ROA should send out a printed newsletter??
www.stoneharborroa.com

Stone Harbor Police Department Makes Some Changes

Personnel changes for Borough police were made official at Borough Council’s June 2nd meeting. Officer Gregory Jackson, a 12 year veteran in Stone Harbor was promoted to Sgt. Jackson has a degree in criminal justice from the University of Delaware and also graduated from the Cape May County Police Academy. Also promoted to Sgt. was Officer Christopher Palmer. Palmer graduated from Elizabethtown College, then earned a Master’s degree from Seton Hall University, and also attended the Cape May County Police Academy. Council also appointed two new patrol officers: Daniel Peters, a former professional hockey player, has a degree in economics and graduated from the Cape May County Police Academy; Christopher Robertson, has an associate degree from Burlington CCC, a bachelor’s degree from Rowan, both in criminal justice, and attended Burlington County Police Academy.

Coming Up In Stone Harbor

• June 28 through September 6th:Farmer’s Market-Sundays; 8am-12:30, 96th and 2nd Ave.
• June 29th through August 31st:Family night at Firehouse parking lot-7:00pm on Mondays
• July 10-11: Antiques Show by Women’s Civic Club at Stone Harbor Elementary School, 93rd and 3rd Ave.
• August 1-2: Annual Arts and Craft Show-10:00am-5:00pm, 80th St. Recreation fields
• August 29-30: Merchant’s Day Sidewalk Sale
• September 12: ROA General Meeting-Stone Harbor Elementary School; 8:30 coffee, 9:00 meeting
• Sept. 12: Nun’s Beach Surf Invitational
• Sept. 19-20: Wings and Water Festival