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Not too many Dennis teachers taking buy-outs
By LAURYL DeSANTIS Staff Writer

DENNIS TOWNSHIP--Only three school employees have taken advantage of the district’s early employment separation initiative package as of Wednesday morning, according to school officials, which may not be enough to go through with the Dennis Township School Board’s plan to save money and generate funds for projects. According to Superintendent George Papp, so far two teachers and one bus driver have submitted letters of interest for the buy-out initiative approved May 15. The quota for non-certified employees may have been met, Papp said, but unless more administrators and certified employees accept the proposals by the end of the day (too late for this paper’s deadline), the district could decide to eliminate the proposal completely. How many certified employees the district needed to accept the proposal was not disclosed, but Papp said it was more than the two received. “It’s been slow so far,” Papp said. “We really didn’t know what to expect since this is the first time we’ve ever done this. We certainly have people that meet the qualifications for the buy-outs, but whether they are at a point in their career that they want to take it, I don’t know.” The School Board approved the initiative at a special meeting earlier this month with the goal of raising funds for several capital improvement projects to the district’s schools. Employees who have 15 years in the teachers’ pension and annuity fund, or employees with 15 years in the public retirement system were offered the early retirement or buy-out package. Certified employees, which included administrators, would receive a buy-out amount at the end of the school year and receive pay accumulated from their sick days one year later, according to the contract. Administrators were offered $20,000, teachers would receive $15,000 and non-certified employees like bus drivers, custodians and cafeteria employees would receive $5,000 to leave their position and accept the offer. All positions would be replaced, Papp said, but new employees would be hired at lower salaries. There are currently 135 employees in the township’s school district. Papp said if the buy-out initiative is successful; the surplus of funds would be used for several needed improvements to the schools, but most importantly a new roof. “We’re going to need a new roof at the school in a few years,” he said, “so hopefully this will generate enough money to do that—if not, we’ll have to look at other improvements needed.” But, unless several employees held off until the last minute to accept the proposals, the plan may be squashed and the district will have to find another way to pay for a new roof and the other improvements needed. “The board will have to approve the resignations and discuss the buy-outs this week in closed session,” Papp said, “but whether it’s worth it to follow through will the agreement we’ll have to discuss at the meeting.” Whether the initiative is followed through will not affect any staff members, however, according to Papp. There will be no layoffs, he said, and no changes in any programs will occur. This year’s $14.2 million school budget was passed without any cuts to programs or staff members, and in fact, included the hiring of one additional full-time special education teacher and a part-time basic skills teacher. The buy-out initiative, Papp said, was simply an additional way to raise funds for the district. Return to Story Index

Lauryl DeSantis can be e-mailed at lauryl.desantis@catamaranmedia.com or you can comment on this story by calling 624-8900, ext. 250, or visiting www.shorenewstoday.com and clicking on the Speak Out link.

STONE HARBOR—The new kiosk-style meter devices recently installed in parking lots by the beach here caused confusion for some visitors, vacationers and beach-goers over the weekend, officials said, but beware; police are enforcing the law as stringent as usual. Police Chief William Toland said the new devices did manage to baffle residents and visitors anxious to hit the beach this Memorial Day weekend, but many of them had never seen the machines that may eventually replace all meters, and some people weren’t aware of them at all. “We’re still in the testing phase so I don’t really have an evaluation on it yet,” Toland said. “We did get a few complaints from citizens who had a hard time using the machines, but again, it’s just the beginning.” Some residents said signage in the parking lot did not explain the concept well enough, officials said, while other people did not know the parking lot was no longer free. But Toland said tickets will be issued as usual to anyone who has not paid the meter, so it is important to learn how to use them. Whether additional signage will be added to the lot explaining the new machines will be at Borough Council’s discretion, he said, but council members were unable to be reached as of this paper’s deadline. One kiosk was installed at the parking lot between 95th and 96th streets and the beach where visitors may park all day if they choose. Officials said the performance of the new device will determine whether the borough will go forward with installing them throughout the island. The parking lot is divided by a cement median, but one kiosk is used for both areas, according to Toland, and each space is numbered. Visitors who want to park must enter the number of their parking space and deposit money into the machine. The cost is 25 cents per half hour, time is unlimited and a receipt will be printed upon payment. In addition, the machines accept everything from coins and cash to credit cards. When or if a kiosk replaces metered parking, visitors no longer have to scramble for quarters or clock-watch to refill the machine, officials said. According to the borough’s business administrator Ken Hawk, cars may even be left there overnight, but police will begin checking the machines at 9 a.m. “We thought it best to just keep in sync with the other meeting to avoid confusion,” Hawk said. “No one really stays at the beach later than five or six anyway, so we thought this was the best way to go for now.” Corresponding to the meters throughout the borough, the parking space must be paid up until 9 p.m. and visitors may add money as additional time is needed. “It’s actually very simple,” Toland said. “We have a hand-held computer and it monitors the parking lot by connecting to a website and telling us which spots are not paid—if a car is parked there, it will be ticketed.” If the machine proves to be successful, borough officials said they would eventually replace the majority of the town’s meters with kiosks. Officials said the goal of the kiosk is to bring in additional revenue, while also requiring less policing. Each kiosk costs $16,000. The borough has purchased one this year. A total of approximately 152 are available between the two lots, which does not include spaces reserved for employees and handicap spaces. Return to Story Index

Lauryl DeSantis can be e-mailed at lauryl.desantis@catamaranmedia.com or you can comment on this story by calling 624-8900, ext. 250, or visiting www.shorenewstoday.com and clicking on the Speak Out link.

AVALON MANOR—Middle Township may soon undertake a dredging project that would allow boaters a safer and more manageable voyage when traveling through the township’s back bay channels and harbors. Right now, proposals are being accepted at Township Hall for a person or business to survey the water regions within and around Avalon Manor including Leonard Thorofare, South Channel and Avalon Manor Lagoon or Sterback Harbor. According to business administrator Jim Alexis, the scope of the project is not yet known, however, once a proposal is accepted and the survey is complete borough officials will know how big the dredging project will be, or if it is needed at all. “Once we know the depth of the water we’ll know if we need to do the project,” Alexis said. “We haven’t received any proposals yet, so I really can’t answer anything right now.” Alexis said the township is requesting a survey of the water’s depth be done because several boaters have complained that boating in the back bays has become increasingly more difficult. Boaters have also said that docking at marinas like Avalon Point Marina in Avalon Manor is often impossible at low tide. Marina owners have also voiced concern that business will suffer if boaters can’t get to them. The township will request the help of the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Protections Coastal Engineering to assist in the project’s funding, Alexis said. If the survey confirms a dredging project is necessary, Alexis said it will be in conjunction with one done about seven years ago in Bidwell’s Creek along the Delaware River. A combination of rebuilding the jetties along around 1,000 feet of the watershed, as well as dredging sand away from the shoreline was completed. Alexis said the project was necessary to provide refuge—the area is commonly known as “the point of refuge”—to boaters unfamiliar with the area to seek shelter during storms. “There are two marinas along that area that, if boaters who don’t know the area well, are used to shelter anyone caught in a storm,” Alexis said. “The water level at one point had gotten so high that boaters couldn’t get to the marinas, which could be extremely dangerous during a bad storm—especially if they are not familiar with the area.” If granted, the new project would be the area adjacent to the one in Bidwell’s Creek, along 600 to 800 feet in the channels in and around Avalon Manor. Certified and licensed engineers must show they have the qualifications to complete the hydraulic survey. Interested parties must also show they have experience in hydraulic surveys as well as dredging activities in the county. Proposals must be submitted by 10 a.m. on Friday, June 8. Instructions on the submissions of proposals, what the proposals should include and the criteria for review are stated in Resolution 231-07 on the township’s website at www.middletownship.com by clicking on the “proposals” link. Return to Story Index

Lauryl DeSantis can be e-mailed at lauryl.desantis@catamaranmedia.com or you can comment on this story by calling 624-8900, ext. 250, or visiting www.shorenewstoday.com and clicking on the Speak Out link.

Putting their stamp on Star Wars

Jen Arthur Local students participated in a Star Wars Stamp art contest and the winners were announced at the Whitesboro Post Office Saturday. Bridgette Easley, 8, of Whitesboro, left, took home the grand prize for her rendition of Yoda. Other participants, Safiya Anderson, 5, Kalijah Anderson, 9, Sofia Lomax, 9, Gage Warner, 6, Lyly Anderson, 12, and Nya Anderson took home prizes and participant awards. Not pictured, Brandon Sudan, 12, and Hannah and Tamara Farrow, 8 and 5, respectively, and Sabina Brown also participated in the event, organized by acting postmaster Melissa Lomax, who also donated the prize packs. Denise Bose, member of The Concerned Citizens of Whitesboro, took the honor of judging the contest. Return to Story Index

Three Republicans vie for two seats on SH council

STONE HARBOR—Two incumbents and one challenger will compete for the two seats up on the all-Republican, six-member council. Incumbents Barry Mastrangelo and Randall Bauer and challenger Karen Lane will be the three candidates on the ballot for the June 5 primary election. Mastrangelo is running for his third term, while Bauer will vie for his second term. Return to Story Index

Former farm operator arrested for assault, disturbance

GOSHEN—A former farm operator was arrested May 23 for allegedly causing a disturbance, criminal mischief and engaging in a fight with at least two other people on the farm field located on the 400 block of Route 47. According to police, a witness called police to report a fight and disturbance around 10:27 a.m. at the farm. The caller told police that one of the subjects was fighting with the others, and when the altercation escalated he got into a vehicle and began driving around the farm field, tearing up the grass, running over irrigation equipment and then struck a farm worker. According to police, Ting C. Xian, 50, of New York City, was stopped moments later on Route 47 in Dennis Township and arrested after being identified as the suspect. Xian was the former operator of the farm, police said, but his lease had been terminated. Xian was also accused of causing damage on the property on several previous occasions, police said. Xian was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, criminal mischief and defiant trespass. His bail was set at $15,000 and he was lodged at the county jail. The victims of the altercations and the person hit by Xian’s in the vehicle either refused treatment or were treated at the scene and released by the Middle Township Rescue Squad. The case is currently under investigation. Return to Story Index

Pick-pockets increase as summer season approaches

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE—Middle Township police are investigating at least two related incidents involving the thefts of handbags or wallets from customers at two local supermarkets, and four more unrelated incidents that involve reports of stolen or lost wallets at various other stores within the township. According to police, a customer reported his or her wallet or handbag had been stolen while shopping at the Acme Supermarket in Court House just before noon on Sunday, May 20, while about a half hour later another report was made by a customer shopping in the Shop Rite supermarket in Rio Grande. Police said they believe the same person was involved in both incidents, and have a clear image of him on the stores’ surveillance tapes. The suspect was described as a black male possibly in his 30s and about 5-foot-8. The tape also reveals the suspect had short hair which is balding and was wearing a yellow golf shirt and dark pants. The suspect is clearly seen reaching into a handbag and removing a wallet while the victim was looking away. He then hid it in a newspaper, police said, and left the store. Last week, police said an additional four other unrelated reported thefts or loss of wallets has also been reported throughout local stores in the township. The incidents are under investigation and police said purse thefts seem to increase during the tourism’s summer season. Everyone is urged to keep their personal belongings in sight at all times and to call police at 465-8700 with any information regarding these incidents. Return to Story Index

Local residents arrested for drugs, possible gang activity

GREEN CREEK—Police arrested two local residents for possession of drugs on May 18 at a residence on North Blueberry Lane where they believe gang related activities may have also occurred. According to police, a two-month-long investigation led the Cape May County SWAT team to execute a search warrant for drugs and the alleged distribution of controlled dangerous substances. According to police, the search unveiled quantities of marijuana, cocaine, PCP and Vicadin, along with distribution related paraphernalia and money which was all seized at the residence. The home’s occupants Brian R. Holten, 31, and Diane Crew, 21, were both arrested. Holten was charged with possession of controlled dangerous substances which included marijuana, cocaine and PCP with the intent to distribute, as well as possession of paraphernalia. Holten was also arrested due to outstanding bench warrants, police said, and lodged at the county jail on $100,000 bail. Crew was also arrested and charged with the same offenses, and also released on indictable summonses. Additional information and evidence found at the scene implicated that gang related activities were also occurring, police said, which is still under investigation. The case is being investigated by Middle Township Ptl. Mark Higginbottom and members of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Narcotics Force. Return to Story Index

Motorcycle theft thwarted

RIO GRANDE—Police on May 11 recovered a stolen motorcycle and arrested a local man in a local motel on Route 9. According to police, a 1996 Kawasaki was reported stolen from a parking lot outside of the Rio Station Restaurant on Route 9. The following day, police received information the motorcycle was being stored in a nearby room at the Economy Motel on Route 9. Officers and detectives proceeded to the motel room, according to reports. When police made contact with the occupant, Jed Allen Barton, 36, of Rio Grande, he fled outside via a rear bedroom window, police said. Police caught and arrested Barton a short time later and confirmed the motorcycle was the one reported the night before. Barton was charged with theft, processed at the local jail and released on a summons. The motorcycle was returned to its owner. Return to Story Index

Magazine solicitors arrested for scamming residents

STONE HARBOR—Authorities arrested three people for allegedly falsely soliciting magazine subscriptions on May 24. According to police, several reports were made from residents that suspicious individuals had been going door to door selling magazine subscriptions they claimed would benefit various organizations. Residents told police the subjects said the proceeds from the magazine subscriptions would assist inner city youth, a girls softball team and the Penn State lacrosse team. Police found the claims to be fraudulent and with further investigation located Derrick T. Toliver, 28, of Chicago, Brandi L. Manuel, 22, of Indianapolis and Warren D. Payen, 26, of Fredericksburg, Va. The individuals had receipts, checks and cash for the magazine and book subscriptions purchased by residents from Stone Harbor, Avalon and North Wildwood, according to police. Toliver and Payne were arrested and charged with theft by deception, conspiracy, attempted theft by deception and soliciting without a permit and lodged at the county jail with a $15,000 cash bail. Manuel was arrested and charged with the same offenses and lodged at the county jail on a $5,000 cash bail. Residents are reminded that solicitors going door-to-door are required to have borough issued permits and to contact police to report any suspicious activity. Return to Story Index

Local teens arrested for burglary, drugs

STONE HARBOR—Police arrested two local teens for burglarizing a local residence on May 19. According to police, around 3 a.m. they were summoned to a residence in the 1500 block of Second Avenue where a reported prowler had awakened a resident, who said after looking out of a second floor window, a prowler had been seen climbing over the top of an outside shower stall. The resident said he or she scared the prowler off and quickly called police. After searching the area, police heard a loud muffler as a car started in the 200 block of 106th Street and stopped the vehicle before it could go far. A short investigation led to the arrest of Christopher M. Cotton, 19, of Cape May Court House, and a 16-year-old Swainton resident. The two initially gave police false information, they said, but further investigation led to the discovery that the two had burglarized the residence and attempted to steal a surfboard there. Cotton was charged with burglary, theft, theft with means of conveyance and hindering with apprehension, along with various other motor vehicle offenses. The juvenile was charged with burglary, theft, possession of identification belonging to someone else, theft of a means of conveyance, hindering apprehension, possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. The juvenile was released to the custody of his parents and Cotton was released after posting 10 percent of his $15,000 bail. Return to Story Index

Man attempts to sexually assault local woman

STONE HARBOR—Police arrested a local man for several sexual assault offenses after he allegedly forced himself on the victim. According to police, they received a report of a disturbance around 9:15 p.m. on May 15 at a private residence. The caller reported his wife was being “messed with” by an unknown male. When police arrived they arrested Anastacio Remero-Garcia, 25, of Stone Harbor, for allegedly attempting to physically assault a woman when she refused his sexual advances. Remero-Garcia was charged with attempt of aggravated sexual assault, aggravated assault, burglary, criminal mischief and harassment. He was lodged at the county on $25,000 bail, where the assistance of a translator was needed. Return to Story Index

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE -- The initial draft of the independent study of the prosecutor’s office is recommending that the office staff be increased up to nine additional civilians and 11 new investigators. The Police Executive Research Forum was assigned to conduct the staffing level study as part of last year’s settlement of a Bigley action brought to the county by County Prosecutor Robert Taylor. With a couple of exceptions and clarifications to be reconciled before the final report is complete, both the Prosecutor’s Office and the county appear to be satisfied with the results. Taylor said, “I am pleased that our office will be given the additional staff it needs to adequately carryout its law enforcement functions as well as the expanded responsibilities evolving from Homeland Security mandates. I also welcome some suggestions within the study that will shift some duties now being carried out by investigators to civilian staff. This will allow better use of our sworn personnel in responding to criminal activity in the county as well as enhancing our efforts on crime prevention.” Similarly, county administrator Stephen O’Connor indicated that the county freeholders were pleased with the in-depth review that identified its burgeoning responsibilities at the county, local and state level. “Before making any substantial longterm increases to the budget, the freeholders wanted the taxpayers to be assured that additional staff was necessary to fulfill the prosecutor’s responsibilities. After reviewing the independent study, it is clear that besides increasing case loads and other county law enforcement issues, there is a growing reliance on the Prosecutor’s Office from both the local police departments as well as the state’s Homeland Security Department. The study effectively demonstrates that increased tax dollars should be appropriately provided to the Prosecutor’s Office,” O’Connor said. Besides comprehensively identifying the multitude of responsibilities falling under the Prosecutor’s Office, the 88-page report offered suggestions that could reduce the number of additional staff needed. For example, less staff would be needed if the function of finding, extraditing and transporting fugitives was shifted to the Sheriff’s Department. The study also identifies technology related duties that both the prosecutor and county administrator believe can be shared with other county departments to reduce the overall costs. Generally, both the prosecutor and the freeholders see the study more of a guide than a mandated assignment of personnel. Taylor said, “In preliminary discussions with the county administrator, I believe our office and the county feel the best approach to increasing the specified staff levels is through discussion and mutual agreement. I’m confident that we will be able to cooperatively identify the precise number of staff needed and develop a phase-in approach that will work best for both the Prosecutor’s Office and county government.” O’Connor expressed the board’s approval of this method in resolving the staffing issues. “I don’t anticipate any difficulties in achieving a resolution on additional staffing that both the prosecutor and the freeholders will find satisfactory,” O’Connor said. O’Connor concluded that is was too early to specify the amount of money that the new staff will cost. He said, “Until the prosecutor and county agree on the specific number of staff and the salary ranges appropriated for each new employee, it’s too imprecise to identify a dollar amount. Until there’s agreement on the phase-in period of the new employees, it’s also uncertain whether an amendment will be needed for this year’s budget.” Both Taylor and O’Connor said discussions on these issues are already taking place and they should be resolved within the next couple of weeks. The nine civilian staff the study recommended include two confidential clerks in the narcotics and intelligence divisions, an intelligence analyst, an agent in litigation and another in financial crimes, an additional chemist and technician and two research analysts if the fugitive unit is retained in the Prosecutor’s Office. Return to Story Index

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Registrations are now being accepted for the tutoring program held at the Community Christian Library each summer. This free program, called Tutoring Tuesday, is available to any child who has completed kindergarten, first or second grade. Local teachers volunteer their time to help students maintain or improve reading skills during the summer months. The hour-long sessions will begin July 3 and will conclude Aug. 21. The Community Christian Library is located on Hand Avenue at Route 9. For more information, call 465-5511 or 463-9405. Return to Story Index

MAYS LANDING—Atlantic Cape Community College awarded nearly 700 associate in arts, associate in applied science and associate in science degrees at the school’s 40th anniversary commencement May 24. This was the college’s largest graduating class ever. The Lindback Distinguished Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Marilyn Malerba Keiner, of Linwood, associate professor of paralegal studies. The Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Francis Rauscher, of North Cape May, English instructor. High Honors student Jessica Westerland, of Wildwood, who achieved a perfect 4.0 grade-point average, delivered the class farewell. Westerland, a NJ STARS scholar, received an associate in science degree in General Studies. She plans to continue her education through the NJ STARS II scholarship program at Rowan University, where she will study journalism. She hopes to write novels and work for a local newspaper when she completes her education. “We all ran the same race and we all had our own individual obstacles and triumphs, but what is most important is that we all persevered, and we all arrived at this point,” Westerland said. “For some of us, this is the end of the race, and for others we are still running and this is just another mile marker. Whichever way you look at it, we all made it this far and that is an accomplishment to be proud of.” Return to Story Index

The following Cape May County residents were among the graduates:

Cape May-- Shannon Ackerman, Christine Altieri, Heather Carroll, Kira Carter, Ashley Carty, Jennifer Cowan, Marc Jason Flores, Brandon Gevaudan, William Harron, Kathleen Isabella, Pete Koslowsky, Michael Leyman, Thomas Franklin Miller Jr., Christen Otter, Mary Joan Piechocki, Kristy Pollard, Jennifer Slaney, Christina Tosto, Brad Lee Wise.   Cape May Court House Alina Vorobeva, Patricia Attenborough, Casey Rennie, Kristina Garlick, May Amos, Reinel Azaula, Priscilla Bennett, Rosemary Camizzi, Kimberly Day, John Donley, Amelia Fasciano, Brian Fike, Dawn Gaghan, Lauren Halbruner, Antonio Huynh, Kimberly Klug, Quenesha Knight, Charlotte Konopka, Marsha Martell, Kevin McLaughlin, Lisia Swecker, Beth Taylor, Blake Winters, Beverly Herman.

Del Haven-- Daniel Geiger, Richard Gilbert, Jefferey Robinson.

Dennisville-- Michelle Riggins, Wendy J. Roman, Nicholas Villano.

Erma-- Frank Cerbo, Faith Gager, Lucas McCann.

Marmora-- Kelly Broomell, Marissa Ashley Georgetti, Barbara Gerson, Joseph Koch, Erin McIntyre, Ryan T. Perezluha.

North Cape May-- Sheri A. Beamon, Kelly Coulter, Kelly Edmunds, Sherri Diane Holmes, Kristen Sharp North.

Wildwood-- Tim Fynes, Corie McGonagle, Lauren Zuccarello.

Ocean City-- Donna Marie Camarota, Mary Ann Cesanek, Tom Chin, Allison Dilks, Lori Fulton, Sherri Fulton, Brendan Gheen, John Hanlon, Sarah Harris, Ewa Jaros, Timothy Shawn Morris, Deborah Pestalozzi, Randy Smith, John Vaughan, Sean Wagner, Marki Lyn Warlow, Sandra Wilson, Matthew Wira.

Ocean View-- Ashley Adams, Mary Blaine, Christopher Canderan, Cynthia Dull, John Low, Ginger Mullins, William Myers, Wendy Singleton, Dawn Stark, Kathy Thompson.

Palermo-- Lois Battle, Sean Dwyer, Lucy Koch.

Petersburg-- Kiesha Bond, Dina Forvour, Helen Kelly, Tracy Parkin, Joseph Sullivan.

Rio Grande-- Theresa Croitor, Crystal Harper, Jay Polli.

Sea Isle City-- Rachel Ward.

Seaville-- Amanda Lynn Decker, Amber Harrison, Karen Elizabeth Larson.

Stone Harbor-- Daniel Longstreth, Timothy Longstreth.

Swainton-- Maggie Sheehan.

Villas-- Michael Joseph Carducci Jr., Emily Hansen, Brittany Jones, Scott Krissinger, Ioannis Maniotis, Samantha McCarraher, Mark McCarthy, Jane Norton-Fernandez, Megan O'Donnell, Leanne Revak, Alicia Richardson, Amanda Sippel, Benjamin South, Timothy Sunden.   Whitesboro Rachanda Fitzpatrick

Wildwood-- Zachary Borden, Rachel Drabich, Thomasina Edwards, Melissa Mahoney, Elizabeth Troiano, Jessica Westerland.

Wildwood Crest-- William Gianakopoulos.

Woodbine-- Jennifer Spaulding. Return to Story Index

THE WILDWOODS -- Classic cars, antiques, street rods and custom cars cruised the Wildwoods May 10-13 as the New Jersey Hot Rod Association kicked off its 2007 slate of events with its 15th Annual National Car Show and exhibits on the Wildwoods Boardwalk. The event drew hot rod, muscle and classic car owners and enthusiasts from throughout the East Coast. Local winners include: Ozzy Sandora, of Wildwood Crest, 1940 Ford, Coupe; Ed and Dan Hoffner, of North Wildwood, 1957 Triumph, TR3A; Joe DeGirolamo, of North Cape May, 1939, Ford CAB and Louis Altobelli, of Rio Grande, 1969 Ford, Mustang Fastback. Return to Story Index

WILDWOOD CREST -- The Legal Secretaries of Cape May County will be having their monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 19 at the Two Mile Landing in Wildwood Crest. The Legal Secretaries’ Scholarship will be awarded to Shannon Grace Kelly, of North Wildwood. Elections of 2006-2007 officers will take place. There will be a swearing-in of new members and special awards will be awarded to the 2006-2007 officers and general members. Cost for the dinner is $27. R.S.V.P. by June 15 to Michele Devine-Hartnett at 846-0969. Return to Story Index

OCEAN CITY -- Applications are available for the Miss Cape May County Pageant to be held on the Ocean City Music Pier on Saturday, July 14 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Interested girls must be between the ages of 17 and 23. A mandatory orientation will be held on Wednesday, June 20 at 4 p.m. when all paperwork will be due and pictures will be taken. To get an application or information call Betty Pruitt, executive director, at 390-0860. No applications will be given after June 8. Return to Story Index

CAPE MAY – The Nature Center of Cape May invites you to a day of fishing fun on Saturday, June 9 at our first Family Fishing Clinic. The clinic will begin at the nature center at 10 a.m. with some basic fishing “how to” lessons, such as how to bait a hook, how to tie knots, how to cast and reel in your catch, and how to identify the fish you land. After a picnic lunch, participants will board the fishing charter boat the Fiesta, moored at South Jersey Marina, next to the Lobster House, for a four-hour fishing trip. Jeff Bursick, captain of the 75-foot long Fiesta, says all participants need to bring is themselves. “We provide all the equipment necessary, along with experienced mates to lend a helping hand. The Fiesta is definitely a family-friendly operation – all ages are welcome,” he said. The Fiesta’s destination will be the artificial reefs in the Atlantic, about a 50-minute boat ride away, where participants will fish for black sea bass. The Fiesta is fully outfitted with all safety equipment and features a comfortable indoor cabin. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. The boat will return to the dock at 5 p.m. Preregistration for the clinic is required. The clinic fee is $45 per person, including the charter boat trip. Participants should bring their lunches and are advised to wear soft-soled shoes or sneakers and bring a light jacket. For more information on the Family Fishing Clinic, call Linda Dill at the Nature Center of Cape May, 898-8848. The Nature Center of Cape May is located at 1600 Delaware Ave., in Cape May. For additional fun family programs at the nature center, visit our website at www.nj.audubon.org/centers/nccm. Return to Story Index

THE WILDWOODS -- The Wildwoods Convention Center’s Oceanfront Arena is set to start its new Summer Concert Series on July 3 with the much anticipated Summer of Love Tour. The 40th Anniversary Tour is scheduled to take attendees back to the ’60s with original Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted artists including Jefferson Starship, Big Brother & The Holding Co., Quicksilver Messenger Service, the Grateful Dead’s Tom Constanten, and the music of David and Linda LaFlamme. This concert is guaranteed to be the perfect addition to your memorable Fourth of July holiday week. Jefferson Starship, a collaboration of celebrated musicians that play from the rich songbook of its legendary forefathers Jefferson Airplane and the original incarnation of Jefferson Starship, prevails as one of the most critically acclaimed touring acts today. Steeped in the fantastic realms of science fiction and the contemporary American shadowland, Jefferson Starship features a stellar cast of old and new players, including songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Paul Kantner, vocalist Marty Balin, both of whom founded Jefferson Airplane and were crucial in developing the renowned "San Francisco Sound.” Also evolving out of the San Francisco rock scene of the 1960s, Big Brother was in the forefront of the psychedelic music movement. The band was formed by Peter Albin, Sam Andrew, James Gurley and Chuck Jones. The first official Big Brother gig was at the Open Theater in Berkeley, January 1966. Within a short time they became the house band for Chet at the Avalon Ballroom and began to develop a loyal following, largely due to the charismatic, pioneering guitarwork of James Gurley. The band had what Sam Andrew callled a "progressive-regressive hurricane blues style," playing such tunes as Hall of the Mountain King, Coo Coo, That's How Strong My Love Is, and Down On Me. Quicksilver Messenger Service was one of San Francisco's original psychedelic bands of the late ’60s. Essentially a jam band, their early albums and live shows contributed to some of the best instrumental jams of the period. They were popular around the Bay Area but did not reach the national popularity achieved by their San Francisco contemporaries, Jefferson Airplane, Grateful Dead and others that are also featured in the concert. The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in San Francisco, California. The band was known for its unique and eclectic songwriting style that fused elements of rock, folk music, bluegrass, blues, country, jazz, psychedelia and gospel, and for live performances of long musical improvisation. Tom Constanten is best known for playing the keyboard with the Dead from 1968-1970. In terms of recorded output, Constanten became more active in the early 1990s, releasing an album of classical sonatas, as well as two albums mixing original material with a few Dead songs, and one album (Dead Ringers) entirely composed of Dead and Bob Dylan songs. Constanten has toured several times over the last 10 years. As of 2006, Constanten plays keyboards in the current lineup of Jefferson Starship. . Those halcyon days of the late ’60s produced more than their share of San Francisco bands. It’s a Beautiful Day was one who definitely left its mark. Most famous for its song White Bird, a melancholy ballad that stood out not only for its memorable vocal melody and "seize the day" message, but also for front man David Laflamme's slow-burning violin solo. The band's sound effortlessly moves from an almost folksy sound to ethereal jazz to psychedelic to straight on rock & roll performing selections from over nine albums. This concert will begin at 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 3. Tickets can be purchased for $40, $35 or $25 through TicketMaster at 1-800-736-1420 or www.TicketMaster.com. The Wildwoods Convention Center Box Office is open on Saturdays from noon – 8 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information about The Wildwoods visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call (609) 729-9000. Return to Story Index

If you think you can or can’t you are right

Successful people work through their fears and hesitations. Even when they don’t feel like giving 100 percent to a project, they do it anyway. Just because you’ve failed once does not mean you will never succeed. On the contrary, these little failures help guide us to our final success, but the only way to get there is by constant determination and persistence. There will be times in any person’s life where they just want to throw in the towel. When it comes to your children, they need to learn that copping out is not an option in the real world. Just because something is hard doesn’t mean you should give up. In fact, often times the most difficult things are the most rewarding. Persistence takes a lot of patience. For example, if your child is struggling with math, throwing the pencil and claiming that he or she “can’t” do it is not going to make the problems any easier. If you teach your children to struggle through little trials like this at an early stage in life, the bigger hurdles will seem less intimidating. The biggest mistake you can make is letting your children believe they “can’t” do something. This often means that they are simply too frustrated to continue trying. Frustration is normal when we are tackling something we find difficult, so help them work through their frustration. Maybe take part in an activity that releases pent-up aggression or practice a breathing exercise that helps calm your nerves. If you work through the frustration with them it will make the task ahead a lot less daunting. The only way your children will succeed in life is if they take the challenged head on and persevere even when they think they can’t go on anymore. This ability to persist is what will make the difference between achieving their goals and not achieving their goals. One way to motivate your children is to track their progress on whatever challenge it is they are trying to overcome. In the example of the math problem, you could mark on a calendar how many problems your child got right on his or her homework each day. Seeing their improvement on paper will only make them want to get even better. Letting them give up on their goals because they get too difficult is cheating your children out of reaching their full potential. You may know how it feels to think “what if” after you have given up on a goal. “What if I had tried to make it to the Olympics?” “What if I had tried to keep my grades up to get into a good college?” We want our children to be able to live with as few regrets as possible and the only way they will be able to do that is by giving their all into everything they do. Persistence through even the hardest of times will yield a sense of accomplishment that makes it all worth the struggle. Return to Story Index

Contributed by Solomon Brenner Author of Black Belt Parenting “the art of raising children for success” Master instructor Action Karate can be reached at 215-355-5003

The second annual Amazing Race for the Middle Township Foundation for Education and Culture was held during a very chilly evening on May 18. This was a very successful fundraiser for the foundation. Eleven teams began at Elementary No. 2 where the groups met in the school cafeteria and received their first challenge stop clue. The challenge stops and the volunteers who manned these nine spots were (1) Acme with Sabrina Hand, (2) Goshen (Davies Complex) Recreation Center with Roy Smith and Dave Smith, (3) Avalon Golf Club with Cathie Smith and Karen Buckingham, (4) Burke Motors with Dave Hand, Andrew Sellers and Kathy Sellers, (5) Klenswite Pool & Spa (this is where one member of each team got wet) with Joel Novick and Jonathan Hirsch, (6) Alfredo’s with Taylor Robinson and Debbie Anselmo, (7) Michael’s with Chris Catanoso, (8) Whitesboro Recreation Center with Caryn Rixey and (9) the Court House Fire House with Allyn Penkethman. Each team carried a passport that was stamped upon reaching each challenge stop. The 10th stop was to qualify for a bonus drawing. That was to obtain my signature. I was stationed near the corner of Boyd and Mechanic where I sat at a picnic-style table on the library grounds reading a copy of “The Middle Township Gazette.” Nine of 11 teams found me during the course of the race from 6:30 until 8:15 while 10 of 11 teams completed the nine challenge stop portion of the event. First prize was awarded the “Road Racers” team of Kate Ranalli, Sue Cawley, Ted Cawley, Maureen Cawley and Amy Adair. Second prize was awarded to the “Desperate Housewives” team of Lisa Salvadore, Shelly Mills, Dina Zieamba and Krista Lind. Third prize was given to the “Graduation” team of Terri Matthews, Jim Matthews, Jane Menear and Ren Menear. The “Most Spirited” was awarded to the “Wild West Woodland Ocean Women” team of Renee Forrest, Kim Fiore, Debbie Guiliano, Michele Guiliano and Stephanie Thomas. The “Pink Ladies” team of Nancy Simmerman, Ali Doyle, Susan Davis, Maureen Gibboni, Anne Colin and Rich Costa won the bonus prize, for not only finding me, but for driving me to Atkinson’s. The other teams who participated were the “WWW.Com Wise Women” team of Gail Wood, Verlee Henry, Berniece Bright, Sandra Kurtz and Andrea Davis; the “Life is Good” team of Shelley McFadden, Karen Ortman, Jen Pfander, Amy Casterline, Chris McMullen and Nancy Rosenberg; the “Leidies with Their Big Kahunas” team of Lisa Novsak, Steven Novsak, Donna Cullen, Linda Guido, Roxanne Anagnou and Mars Anagnou; the “Bramble’s Bunch” team of Megan Bramble, Julie Moore, Margie DeLollis, Karen Langley and Jay Wynn; the “Hawaiian Hula Girls” team of Ronna Pomykacz, Sandi Gallo, Terri Sheptock, June Camizzi and Ellen Wolfe; and the “Tie Dye” team of Scott Novick, Tracy Yearicks, Dave Moyer, Ruth Norton and Paul Norton. A sponsorship donation was given by Dr. David Hirsch of Parkway Veterinary Hospital. Each of the following businesses donated a gift certificate: Erma Deli, Steel Pier, Hair Cuttery of Rio Grande, Ocean Nails, Hugit’s, Jackson Mountain and Border’s Books. The Bellevue and Garden Green House each donated two gift certificates. The purpose of the Middle Township Foundation for Culture and Education is to give out grants to teachers who have a creative idea proposal that would not normally be funded by the school district. These creative ideas are then turned into innovative educational projects courtesy of the funding provided by this foundation. Mini-grants are also given to teachers to attend various educational workshops courtesy of this foundation. The foundation committee that organized this fun-filled fundraiser included president Sandra Novick, vice president Chris Catanoso, treasurer Eleanor Hack, secretary Susan Shepherd, Sabrina Hand, Cathie Smith, Allyn Penkethman, Debbie Anselmo, Caryn Rixey and Pam Remy. Sandra Novick announced the winners and awarded the prizes at Atkinson’s where all of the participants and foundation committee members enjoyed an evening of eating and socializing along with dancing. I was asked twice to go on the dance floor and did the “Cha Cha” and “Twist” among my dancing debut. Sandra also announced about an individual who walks around Court House and has over the course of time done extensive coverage of the positive activities in the schools featuring the students and teachers as well as PTA events that is published weekly in “The Middle Township Gazette.” She then announced my name and asked me to walk up to the stage where she presented me with a gift certificate to Hugit’s on behalf of the Middle Township Foundation for Culture and Education. I then heard a loud round of applause. I want to thank the Foundation and all of the attendees for honoring me in such a wonderful way. It means so very much to me! Thank you! Return to Story Index

Alan Morris can be e-mailed at gazette@catamaranmedia.com or you can comment on this story by calling 624-8900, ext. 250, or visiting www.shorenewstoday.com and clicking on the Speak Out link.

To the Editor: Well, like clockwork, America’s nutty season is beginning to loom over the horizon like an ogre clouding men’s minds before it strikes, strikes on the day America votes. Votes to do nothing more than to put the lesser of two evils in power, in power on an ego trip to mess up this nation and the entire world to boot. Power in Washington is absolute power, and as you all know by now, absolute power corrupts. The really sad part of America’s voting community is that they choose their contestants (candidates?) on how they appear to be, not what they really are. They opt for sight, not substance. E.g.: Just suppose a John Wayne-type ran against a Ross Perot-type, John would win by a landslide, hands down. This is bad news for America’s voters, voters being led down the garden path, the proverbial garden path to nowhere, no change for the better, “the beat goes on!” By golly, at last a kindred spirit. I am speaking of Larry Savadove’s “savvy” of May 3 in which he writes of America being an oligarchy. By golly once more as I came to that conclusion a few years past that our county never was a democracy, it has been an oligarchy from day one. Again, absolute power corrupts, absolutely. Return to Story Index

Jim Carroll III Green Creek

To the Editor: “One man’s meat is another man’s poison.” So the saying goes. I’d like to relate it to what municipal funds should be spent on. Currently in debate is the fishing pier at Heather Road in Wildwood Crest. Should it be refurbished? Should it be demolished? What value is it if not for fishing? Would it have any value or use? We all seem to agree to the need for schools. But what about parks and libraries? Nice, but not really needed. Not every facility will be used by every citizen. But where do we draw the line? To those who oppose the pier because it will cost money I wonder if they forego dessert and entertainment due to cost. To be able to sit by the ocean’s edge and enjoy its splendor (sight and sound), out of the sand-blowing wind, to see both sun and moon rise, to be able to appreciate close up the magnetic pull of the seas is greatly the reason why so many have chosen to live at the shore. Return to Story Index

Tony Eisele Wildwood Crest

To the Editor: In response to Messers. Steve Bacher and Bob Jackson requesting the county to follow the Kyoto Protocol, I question the merits of signing a Treaty to tax the American people indefinitely, with the scientific community divided by actual fact that manmade greenhouse gases are causing global warming. Science is a general truth and validated by continued example. I often wonder about the reality of global warming, our predictions and forecasts of the next 50 years are often tempered and offset by accurate weather forecast for the next seven days. The Kyoto protocol convened in 1997, how many of the concerned countries of the world have embraced the dictates of the protocol? Exactly what does the protocol attempt to accomplish? If greenhouse gas control is the goal, why are Russia, China and India exempt from the protocol? Why is the world resolute for the U.S. to become a signatory? Yes, ladies and gentlemen, if we sign the Kyoto agreement we have additional energy taxes. The tax will be determined and administered by the same cabal of thought, the U.N. The same cabal who administered (kicked back) millions to Saddam. and themselves, for the oil for food program. Energy emission trade purchases from Russia or India since they may not use all of the credits furnished them. For the U.S., we must reduce our fossil fuel usage by approximately 25 percent. Which means if we need to maintain the 25 percent reduction we must purchase emission credits! Which means less energy for our industries, and the personal reduction of energy use by the American people. The protocol believes the best way for compliance is by taxation. Emission credit purchases via investors and traders, similar to our petroleum traders, will go to the highest bidders, will be an estimated $2 billion industry for Russia. The estimated costs to the U.S. will be an estimated 25 to 30 percent to our heat, electric, gasoline and natural gas. Diesel fuel may be slightly higher at 35 percent. Is that a problem? Your food costs, building materials, services, furniture, clothing and basic comfort will increase accordingly. Is it not the goal to reduce emissions, then why not a realistic baseline? Our hopeful freeholders explain that by signing on to the protocol, we will create a better economy. The fact is our present economy, for the past several years, has also produced significant environmental results. The U.S. has reduced greenhouse gas emissions from 2000 – 2004 from the 1995 to 2000 emission baseline. Incidentally the E.U. has doubled their greenhouse emissions during the 2000 – 2004 timeframe. Recording artists and actors in the scientific community implore our sense of necessary carbon footprint reductions. They concede that paying the carbon tax is their way of giving back. Their mansions, private jet travel, limos … justify the personal several hundred dollar tax. So remember when you reduce for heat and cooling, use energy saving lamps, purchase your hybrid vehicle, you could save some effort by paying the additional taxes, unless you are in the trenches, doing a real job As a footnote, the presumptuous political and Hollywood theorist fail to consider in their effort to entertain you, produce 140,000 metric tons of industrial pollutants, 8 million tons of greenhouse emissions generated by pyrotechnics, idling vehicles and generators, special effects, and general electrical use per year. Return to Story Index

Al Crossen North Wildwood

To the Editor: On a recent trip to Wildwood I had no idea where I was. There were no familiar landmarks, just condos everywhere. I don’t know why the governments of all the Wildwoods didn’t impose a building moratorium. Last year a headline in The Wildwood Leader stated “No Room at the Inn.” All the rooms are at a landfill including most of the history of the Wildwoods. I’m glad Cape May didn’t take the same attitude. At least you can find old houses there. You would be very hard pressed to find that many old houses in Wildwood. I believe the damage to the Wildwoods of building so many condos will hurt tourism. Wildwood should change from the Doo Wop capital of the world to the Condo Capital of the world. Return to Story Index

Patricia C. Ennis Bear, Del.

To the Editor: The recent article in the Star Ledger “Indiana Toll Road lease holds lessons for N.J.” leaves many questions unanswered. For example, Indiana was given $3.8 billion up front to be used for highway and bridge projects over 10 years. The foreign investors are required to invest $4 billion over the 75 years of the lease; however, if the facts, as presented, are correct, the foreign operators will earn $130 billion in profit after they break even in about 15 years, or approximately $9 billion a year for the remaining 60 years. Sounds like a great deal for the foreign investors. Gov. Jon Corzine and his pin-striped suits from Wall Street almost sound like the alleged Nigerian lottery scam being pedaled thru the Internet. They have made it sound great, as though they have found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Listening to them, it sounds sweet; the state gets billions of dollars without raising taxes; private companies get long-term leases on the toll roads that are guaranteed to provide them with a nice profit year after year. Of course, the bankers, financial analysts, lawyers and consultants get unbelievable healthy cuts of the billions of dollars being transferred. Everyone is happy, except you and me. Why is that so? Think for the moment about the toll roads. They depend on the users who have little or no choice but to pay to get to where they need to go. Tolls have been and are an appropriate way to build and maintain roads. When the financing is paid off the toll eventually becomes a users’ fee. Yet the road still provides billions of dollars that can be used for the toll roads and also for building and maintaining other roads throughout the state. How can foreign investors provide the state with all this up-front money? It comes from higher tolls by our citizens and out of state users of the toll roads. In other words a special user tax. What our governor and the Legislature believe is that we are all dumb enough not to realize that the long-term lease offers a way for New Jersey to privatize a tax hike. The interesting thing about it is that the higher tax will be paid solely by the users of the toll road, while income to the state will benefit everyone in the state. The state of New Jersey is in dire need of hundreds of billions of dollars to balance the budget; to build highways and bridges; to maintain them and to build and/or maintain other transportation infrastructure. The current gasoline tax cannot generate the money needed, especially when the Highway Trust Fund is constantly tapped with the funds being used by the General Fund. This raiding of the Trust Fund has taken place under both Democratic and Republican administrations as a result it never has been funded properly. The New Jersey Gasoline Tax for years has been at 14.5 cents per gallon and ranks at least 4th lowest nationally. By the same token New Jersey’s cigarette tax stands at $2.575 per pack of 20 cigarettes. Our state officials claim that it would be political suicide to try raising the gasoline tax. That really doesn’t make sense. We have seen gasoline prices jump 30 to 40 cents a gallon in a week or so. Why is it that we New Jerseyans are not smart enough to accept a 12- to 15-cent a gallon increase over 10 or so years, with all the income dedicated to be spent on transportation projects as the Highway Trust fund states. The governor and the Legislature should do what is right – they should consider the needed step of increasing the gas tax thereby not turning to an inefficient method of raising needed funds through leasing toll roads and the captive market to private money making consortiums. Return to Story Index

Louis C. Ripa Ocean City

The following are results from recent action in the Atlantic County Baseball League, an adult wooden bat league that includes teams from Atlantic and Cape May counties: Mays Landing 7, Wildwood 6: Dustin Sturm had two hits for Wildwood in the loss. Ray Fitton’s two-run single in the seventh gave Mays Landing the win. Margate 4, Cape May 3: Brad Mountain struck out seven but four Cape May errors and two hits apiece by Scott Evangelist and Jason Law allowed Margate to get the win. Dan Faith hit a two-run triple and a single in the loss. Ventnor 2, Wildwood 1: John Coyle singled and tripled in the loss for Wildwood, which led 1-0 going into the bottom of the seventh. An RBI double by Mike Miklenevich tied the score before Ed Sutor’s bases-loaded single sent home the winning run for Ventnor. Egg Harbor City 3, Cape May 2: Joe Will hit two doubles and a single and Geoff Degener added two hits in the loss for Cape May. Egg Harbor City 3, Cape May 1: Geoff Degener’s RBI single in the sixth inning was Cape May’s only hit as EHC’s Ryan McGowan tossed a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts. Northfield 1, Wildwood 0: Marc Szczur struck out seven and allowed just two hits but took the hard-luck loss for Wildwood. STANDINGS: Northfield 3-0, Margate 3-1, Hammonton 3-1, Ventnor 2-1, Egg Harbor City 2-2, Absecon 1-2, Mays Landing 1-2, Cape May 0-3, Wildwood 0-3. Return to Story Index

We tend to glorify the accomplishments of the high school basketball coaches in this area. We look at Tom Feraco at Middle Township and Dave Troiano at Wildwood and marvel at the 500-plus victories, numerous league and sectional crowns and multiple state titles. We watch Fran St. John at Wildwood Catholic, the only high school coach in Cape May County history to win more than 100 games as a boys and girls basketball coach, and marvel at his continued passion and energy. And we observe Dave DeWeese at Wildwood Catholic, who’s already led his program to numerous division titles and two sectional crowns in what is still a relatively young coaching career. You look back at the former successful leaders in all sports – the Bernie McCrackens and Frank McAlarnens in basketball, the Bill Garrisons in football, the Jack Weekses in baseball and the Gerry MacFarlanes in soccer just to name a few – and it’s easy to see that we’ve been blessed with tremendous high school coaching talent in this area. But you can make an argument – and I’ll certainly make one here – that John McGrody may have been the best high school coach regardless of sport this county has ever seen. McGrody, who was honored for his 13 years of service as the swimming coach at Wildwood Catholic at the school’s all-sports awards banquet last week, is the kind of coach that you’d want your son or daughter to compete for. There is probably no compliment greater than that for a coach. McGrody’s teams won. Wildwood Catholic’s four straight state championships early in his career, the narrow miss of a fifth this winter, and the program’s development into one of the best swim programs in South Jersey prove that. McGrody also generated interest among the school’s students, as evidenced by his ability to take a program that had less than 20 swimmers when he took over in the mid 1990s and turn it into one that is now attracting more than 50 student athletes each year. That increased interest has allowed Wildwood Catholic, already one of the smallest schools in the state with a swim program, to field separate boys and girls teams. But most of all, year in and year out, McGrody has churned out what can be considered the model student athlete. Almost every year during his tenure, you could just about bank on the fact that about half of the students ranked in the top 10 academically at Wildwood Catholic were swimmers. Did McGrody have everything to do with that? Of course not. But it’s easy to see that his system of hard work, dedication and unwavering commitment has paid off not only in the pool but outside of it as well. Without disrespecting athletes from other sports, successful high school swimmers probably put more time into their craft than anyone. At Wildwood Catholic, McGrody instilled a system in which his athletes could practice for more than an hour before school each morning and then again for a couple of hours after school each afternoon. Then the most dedicated swimmers would remain at the pool for a couple of hours after that, working out for McGrody’s Crest Dolphin swim club team. Somehow, these same kids found time for their schoolwork, other sports and some semblance of a social life. McGrody’s record of sending athletes on to college is nothing short of remarkable. He has sent probably somewhere around 10 of his swimmers, perhaps more, on to Division I college swim programs. He’s probably also sent perhaps as many as a couple dozen more on to Division II or III college programs. And not only do his swimmers attend college, but nearly all of them also participate in swimming for four years and end up graduating with a degree. It’s all a reflection on one of the greatest high school sports coaches this area has ever produced. Return to Story Index

The Cape May County American Legion Baseball League, which includes teams from Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties, began its season late last week. The following are results from some of the early action: 17 AND UNDER Southern Cape 16-12, Egg Harbor Township 6-6: Matt Morey slugged a home run in each game and registered nine RBIs over the two games to pace Southern Cape to the sweep of the doubleheader. Morey went 2 for 3 with four RBIs in the opener before going 3 for 3 with five RBIs in the nightcap. He also hit a double in each contest. Jordan Morey also homered and Brian Hrubos added a double and three RBIs for Southern Cape in the first game. Hrubos also went 3 for 3 in the second game. Brian Moya (Game 1) and Kevin Hrubos (Game 2) were the winning pitchers. For EHT, J. Pittner went 2 for 2 with three RBIs and A. Rodriguez had two hits and two RBIs in Game 1. Pittner also doubled in Game 2. (Note: In order to get results published, American Legion baseball coaches are encouraged to e-mail information on games to cmcgazettesports@yahoo.com by Sunday evening each week. Call 624-8900 ext. 242 for further information.) Return to Story Index

Chuck Mussachio looks like he’s going to have a pretty busy summer. The undefeated professional light heavyweight boxer from the Wildwoods is tentatively scheduled to fight four times before the end of August. Just one of the four fights will be held in this area, as Mussachio is set to travel out of the South Jersey area for the first time as a pro. The first of the four summer bouts will be held Saturday, June 23 in Whippany against an opponent to be determined. Less than two weeks later, on Friday, July 6, he’s scheduled to appear on another card at the Wildwoods Convention Center, the site of his last fight in early April, in which Mussachio decked Don Labbe in the second round. Following that fight, Mussachio will be headed west. Just eight days after the July 6 card, he’ll fight again Saturday, July 14 in North Dakota. Then on Saturday, Aug. 18, he’s scheduled to appear on a card in Lake Tahoe, Nev. Mussachio said the fights in North Dakota and Lake Tahoe are expected to be a part of a pay-per-view television series on up-and-coming boxers. The Wildwood High School graduate said he is looking forward to this summer’s challenge. “It feels like it’s taking off because I’m traveling now,” said Mussachio. “I got my feet on the ground. Now it’s time to start running.” Following his busy summer, Mussachio said his next tentatively scheduled fight is slated for Thanksgiving weekend in Las Vegas. Mussachio said he’s looking to organize fan buses for his June date in Whippany. He can be reached at 425-1558. “As always, I’m looking to get some fans up there,” he said. Return to Story Index

The three area high school baseball and softball teams that qualified for the state playoffs were each eliminated in their respective opening-round games. In baseball, Middle Township was knocked out of the South Jersey Group III playoffs Friday by West Deptford, 3-0. Second-seeded West Deptford got a sensational pitching performance from Alex Dalsey, who allowed just one hit, a double by Mike Sidero, to shut down the seventh-seeded Panthers. Dalsey and Jake Rifkin also hit RBI doubles for the Eagles. Scott DeCecco pitched a strong game in the loss for Middle (13-12). In softball, Middle Township was eliminated by Kingsway in the Group III Tournament in Thursday, 8-2. Kingsway held a 1-0 lead until the fourth inning, when the second-seeded Dragons opened the game up by scoring six times. Danielle Rice had a career game in the win, going 4 for 4 with a home run and two doubles. Middle Township scored two runs in the top of the seventh to avoid a shutout. The Lady Panthers finished their season at 14-10. The 2006-07 high school sports season officially came to a close Tuesday afternoon when the Wildwood Catholic softball team was eliminated in the first round of the south Jersey Non-Public B playoffs by Gloucester Catholic, which posted a 5-0 victory. Wildwood Catholic threatened to take an early lead in the contest when Allie Weiser and Brittany Toland each singled and Jill Shoffler walked to load the bases with no outs in the first inning. However, Gloucester Catholic pitcher Brittany Carosia induced a 1-2-3 double play and recorded the final out of the inning on a ground out to get out of the jam. Gloucester Catholic (16-5) went on to score three times in the third inning and twice more in the fifth, while Wildwood Catholic managed just one more hit after the first inning. The Crusaders finished at 11-10, the first winning season in program history. Return to Story Index

While many of the rest of us were enjoying the long holiday weekend, high school track and field athletes throughout the state spent Friday and Saturday competing at sectional championships, with the hope of qualifying for state championship meets. Eight athletes from this area – five girls and three boys – have earned the right to compete at states this weekend following strong performances at South Jersey championship meets. In order to advance to the state meet, athletes must have finished among the top six in their respective events. Wildwood senior Desiree Elam is the lone area athlete to qualify for states in two events. Elam placed fourth in the triple jump at a distance of 32 feet, 10 inches and was sixth in the 400-meter run in 1 minute, 3.94 seconds to advance in Group I. Lower Cape May has sent two girls through to states in Group III. Both are freshmen. On Friday, Alex Steiger tossed a personal-best 113-3 in the javelin to place second in that event. That distance also leaves Steiger less than five feet off the school record in the event, which was set by Cynthia Warrington in 2003 at a distance of 118-0. “She got (113-3) on her final throw and that was her personal best by more than seven feet,” Lower coach Scott Oster said. Gabby Whalen, another freshman, placed fifth in the shot put at a distance of 32-6, also a personal best. Oster said Whalen already holds freshmen school records in the shot put and discus. Middle Township also sent two girls through to states in Group III. Senior Katie Cimini cleared a height of 9-6 to finish in a second-place tie with Helene Riggs of Kingsway in the pole vault. Another Cape May County competitor, Ocean City’s Allie DeCredico, won the event at a height of 10-6. And junior Rachel Mooers broke the school record in the girls javelin with a fourth-place throw of 109-0. The previous school record was set in 1999. Among area boys, Lower Cape May’s Alexis Alfonso, Wildwood’s James Bevans and Middle Township’s Kevin Hebron have each qualified for the state meet, Alfonso and Hebron in Group III and Bevans in Group I. Alfonso, a senior, placed fourth in the long jump with a leap of 20-9. That distance was just five inches off the first-place finisher. Bevans, a junior, also posted a fourth-place finish. He posted a time of 51.96 seconds in the 400. Also of note, Bevans broke the Wildwood High School boys record in the 400 in a meet earlier this month. Hebron, just a freshman, finished fifth in the discus throw at a distance of 135-4. Return to Story Index

Early in the high school baseball season, Lower Cape May Regional’s Matt Szczur generated some interest among professional baseball scouts. But with a combined football and baseball scholarship to Villanova already in his back pocket, there initially didn’t seem to be any way Szczur would become a professional baseball player right out of high school. All that could change, however. Thanks to an outstanding senior season and some excellent performances at private workouts, interest in Szczur as a pro baseball player has increased dramatically over the past couple of weeks. He’s already had private workouts for scouts from the Cleveland Indians, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets (at Shea Stadium, no less) and was scheduled to go through another workout for the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday afternoon at Lower Cape May. Scouts from the Milwaukee Brewers also turned up at numerous Caper Tiger games this spring. They’ve been coming out in droves for good reason. Despite being walked 30 times in 20 games, Szczur managed to belt out 32 hits in 47 at bats for a .681 batting average as a senior. Twelve of his hits went for extra bases, including four home runs. He scored 34 runs, had 24 RBIs and stole 19 bases. For his career, Szczur produced hits in 283 at bats for a .495 batting average. Over his four-year career, he hit 22 home runs, collected 114 RBIs, scored 129 runs, stole 65 bases and struck out only 11 times. He was recently named a first team Cape-Atlantic League all-star and will make his third straight appearance in the Carpenter Cup, an extremely rare feat. Szczur is also expected to be named a first team All-South Jersey selection when the all-star team is announced in a couple of weeks. “I have no clue what might happen,” Lower Cape May coach Mike Kuemmerle said of his star player’s draft status. “I thought he might (be drafted) late but lately it seems like there’s some serious interest out there. I think he’s going to get a shot.” Szczur, a catcher, said most of the private workouts have included batting practice with a wooden bat, a few throws from home to second base and a 60-yard dash. At his workout for the Mets at Shea Stadium last weekend, Szczur hit several line drives, one of which landed over the fence in left field. “The one at Shea Stadium this past Saturday, I think that was my best workout overall with running, throwing and batting,” Szczur said. “I thought I did real well.” Despite all the increased interest and, of course, the level of excitement that goes along with it, Szczur still remains rather committed to accept his scholarship to Villanova. “I was just talking about this with my dad (Marc) and Mr. Bailey (Lower football coach Lance Bailey) and we were trying to think of a number just to cover college if I were to sign (a pro contract),” Szczur said. “We figured a Villanova education might be around $250,000 over five years, so it would be really hard for me to sign to give that up. A signing bonus to cover that would be a good chunk of change. I’m still set on going to Villanova right now unless something drastic comes up.” That something drastic could be a high draft selection. Szczur said he’s been told by some scouts he could be picked among the first 10 rounds of the 50-round First-Year Player Draft, scheduled for next Thursday and Friday, June 7-8. The first round of the draft will air live on ESPN2 at 2 p.m. next Thursday. The entire draft is also available online at www.mlb.com. “Right now, from what I know, I could go in the top 10 rounds,” Szczur said. “At least that’s what they’re telling me. They could be bluffing, I don’t know. … But when I had my workout for the Dodgers, their national scouting director came all the way here to see it.” Szczur has yet to make specific plans for draft day. “I have no idea what I’ll do yet, but I’m sure I’ll be getting a lot of phone calls that day,” he said. “I know this is a big deal, but it’s probably a bigger deal to other people than it is to me. I’m set to go to college, so no matter what happens, I’m going to be coming out ahead. “I think this whole thing has been incredible. My life goal always was to become a professional athlete, just as it would be for anyone else who’s into sports. Now that it’s opening up, I’m really able to see myself as a pro athlete. It’s getting so close to my dream it’s ridiculous. It’s kind of shocking. My parents, especially my mom (Kathy), are getting all worried because here I am a 17-year-old kid who’s about to get drafted. It’s unreal. It’s all happened so fast.” Szczur quickly reeled himself in again, however. “It’s only a possibility (to sign) if I get the right money,” Szczur said. “Unless it’s a fair deal, I’m going to Villanova.” If selected, Szczur will be the first Cape May County baseball player to be selected since current Lower Cape May assistant coach Dan Olson was selected in the sixth round following his junior season at Indiana State University by the Chicago White Sox in 1996. Return to Story Index

The Wildwood Catholic boys and girls track teams produced several strong performances at the South Jersey Non-Public meet at Richard Stockton College last weekend. On the girls side, Tiffany McKenna earned a first- and second-place finish and set a pair of school records. She won the 800 meters in 2:22, which tied her own school record. McKenna also placed second in the 1,600 in 5:19, which broke her own school record by two seconds. Teamamte Kellianne Gawarzewski was fourth in 2:28. In the 3,200 meters, Tara Wuko set a school record time of 11:40 with her second-place finish. Teammate Chrissy Casiello was fifth in 12:21. Kelly Wade placed among the top five in two events, finishing second in the 400 in 1:01.8. she also was fifth in the 200. Kristen Panny placed fifth in the high jump at 4 feet, 8 inches, Destinee Caffarella was sixth in the 400 hurdles in a personal-best 1:12 and Regina Feola placed sixth in the discus. Brandon McLaughlin starred in the boys meet for Catholic. He won the high jump at a height of 6-0, placed second in the 400 hurdles and finished fourth in the 110 hurdles. Evan Wade posted a time of 2:08 to place second in the 800 and also set a personal best in the 1,600 with a fourth-place time of 4:42. Pat Dillon was among the top six in two events, taking fourth in the high jump and sixth in the triple jump. And Aaron Cowan ran a personal-best 11:39 in the 3,200. Wildwood Catholic finished fifth as a team in the girls meet and fourth as a team in the boys meet. Return to Story Index

AVALON – Anthony Raffa received one last standing ovation as a high school athlete last week. Raffa, arguably the best player and certainly the best guard to ever play basketball at Wildwood Catholic High School, was bestowed one of the greatest honors a high school athlete can receive when the school announced at its all-sports awards banquet Thursday night at the Whitebriar that it was retiring his No. 11 jersey number. Raffa and his parents received the news with great surprise when school principal Richard Turco made the announcement toward the end of the evening’s ceremonies. Turco rattled off a number of Raffa’s career accomplishments, including his 1,893 career points and his role in leading the Crusaders to two straight South Jersey titles, before unveiling a pair of framed jerseys. Turco announced that the framed home jersey is to remain at Wildwood Catholic, while the framed away jersey was presented to Raffa and his parents. Much like they did when Raffa made a spectacular play on the court, those in attendance stood and applauded as Turco unveiled the two framed jerseys. “Halfway through all the stuff (Turco) was saying I knew something was going on,” Raffa said. “I heard people saying I was probably going to get my number retired someday, but I never thought it would be this soon. It really shocked me.” Raffa has accepted a basketball scholarship to attend the University at Albany in the fall. He is in the process of trying to become academically qualified to accept the scholarship. Raffa becomes just the second boys basketball and fifth athlete at Wildwood Catholic to have his jersey number retired. Other retired numbers at Wildwood Catholic belong to Carol “Budy” Blum (45, girls basketball), Mary Gavin (10, girls basketball), Dan Leahy (10, boys basketball) and Patrick MacFarlane (23, boys soccer). In addition to handing out Most Valuable Player and Coach’s awards for each sport, Wildwood Catholic also announced its major sports awards winners at the event. John Maloy, who will attend and swim for Boston College, was awarded the school’s highest athletic honor for the second year in a row as he was presented with the Distinguished Crusader Athletic Award. Maloy starred in cross country, swimming and tennis during his athletic career at Wildwood Catholic and also will graduate ranked No. 1 in his class academically. The Maloy family has had a stranglehold on the award for three straight years as John’s older brother, Joe, who currently swims at Boston College, also was given the honor in 2005. Brian Namiotka (soccer, swimming, tennis) and Tiffany McKenna (cross country, swimming, track) were given the respective boys and girls Most Valuable Athlete Awards. McKenna won the award for the second straight year. Patrick Smith (soccer, basketball, baseball) and Chris Garriott (cross country, basketball, track) tied for the boys Sportsmanship Award. Kellianne Gawarzewski (cross country, track) was presented with the girls Sportsmanship Award. The most emotional point of the evening came when Turco had to fight back tears as he spoke of the accomplishments and dedicated service to the school by retiring Crusader swim coach John McGrody. McGrody was presented a nice plaque commemorating his 13 years as coach and received a standing ovation and hugs from many of his swimmers and school administrators after he addressed the audience. Frank Accardi and Jodie DiEduardo of the Boardwalk Basketball Classic committee presented the school with a check for $14,500, which was raised at the tournament in December. That money is earmarked for college scholarship money for Wildwood Catholic students. Temple University head men’s basketball coach Fran Dunphy was the guest speaker at the event. Return to Story Index

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