Sat, 10/04/2008 - 3:57am

The property is state land. The state is responsible for the demolition of all buildings and the maintenance, safety and security of the property. Either the state accepts that responsibility and provides adequate security for the safety of the people who enter and the land itself or just build a wall around it and let it go to wilderness. When the next fire, possibly caused by lightning, occurs we should put all our police and fire efforts into protecting the citizens and their homes that surround the area.

Fri, 10/03/2008 - 6:04pm

If IGNORANCE is BLISS,,,,the poster of 5:21 PM on 10/02/08 must be the most blissful person on earth.

Fri, 10/03/2008 - 9:22am

In regards to the comment from 10/2 What does the township have to do with taking down the property at the old ponder lodge? I was under the impression it belonged to the state and why are the police ***** If you are a resident here and feel the police do not protect you and your family you can move to phila and maybe take that retired super cop that is running for office back with you.

Thu, 10/02/2008 - 5:21pm

If they had just gotten rid of the buildings when they were going to there wouldn't have been this problem that probablly costed the township more money then they would have spent on demolishing the buildings. Our township is stupid and the cops are ***... I'd like to see them try to work up in Philly....***.

Wed, 10/01/2008 - 10:35am

So if I put the word *** in a post it gets asteriks through it. But someone puts in *** and *** and the herald lets that go? Now thats ***up!

Wed, 10/01/2008 - 6:57am

To 11:27am You are wrong. Lower Township residents, of which you are obviously not one, do not appreciate the state having bought the Ponderlodge out from under the township and county. It was a dirty underhanded deal brought about by a higher up policitian with ties to the Sierra club, who wanted to give this "gift" to his lobbyists. That is why it is under Fish and Wildlife and not Parks and Recreation. The people of Lower Twp. had more use for this area as the Ponderlodge, than they ever will as a unmaintained wildlife area. Your allegation that housing developments are destroying habitiat is bogus. Where are there new housing developments that encompassed 258acres around the Villas, North Cape May. There weren't any. Lower Twp. has done more than their "fair share" in contributing their land to "open space" for migratory birds and wildlife. While the birders may come and enjoy Lower Townships many thousands of acres of "open space" such as South Cape May (Lower Cape Meadows), Higsbee Beach, all the meadowland on Ocean Drive, the former oceanfront CG radar station land east of the canal, and the VWMA; the money you say they spend is not going being spent in Lower Township, so there is no "economic benefit" to Lower residents through "ecotourism". This undoubtedly helps Cape May, but does nothing for Lower.

Wed, 10/01/2008 - 12:16am

this place was a great place good fishing nice place to talk a walk ride a bike not many places in the villas can u say that most places have some run down *** begging for money for his beer or drugs . or u wake up at night to your truck on fire ya the villas is a great place huh? GOOD JOB to the firefighters them *** wake up at 12 to put out a fire that last till next day and many go to work that same day, if u asked ppl to wake up at any time of day to run into a burning building for free adn then to go to work same day i bet u wouldnt get many ppl to say yes.

Tue, 09/30/2008 - 2:44pm

That was not a Ranger but a Conservation Officer, there are no State Rangers anymore, they are State Park Police. This is a typical example of North jersey Politiicians not
having a clue about South Jersey, Lisa Jackson is responsible why did it take her 2 years to even look at the place. Welcome to Corzine's New Jersey

Tue, 09/30/2008 - 2:04pm

it's ashame that it took a fire to get something done to that place. now they need to get something done to the other building before this happens again. it'll only be a matter of time before the firefighters are back there again for the other building.

Tue, 09/30/2008 - 11:27am

I think the people of Lower Township should appreciate that they now have a large parcel of PUBLIC open space available to them for their active or passive recreation; something they didn't have before Green Acres purchased the 253 acres. The township had there chance but couldn't put together a solid plan for using the site and keeping costs down. Skinner is just plain crazy. She is just delaying the whole process. If she never would've gotten involved, then the buildings would already be demolished. The former golf course is going to be restored to enhance and restore habitat for wildlife. With housing developments destroying suitable habitat within the lower 10km, this restoration project will provide habitat for thousands of different species of birds which pass through the Cape during migration. And don't forget that when birders come from all over they usually stay in the area and spend there money here. So you all should be supporting ecotourism!

Tue, 09/30/2008 - 10:01am

This is truly a tradegy. Few people who live in the area will never understand the beauty that place once had to offer. Several people celebrated weddings,proms and family gathering there. My family spent many summers in Cape May and Ponderlodge became a part of us. I can not tell you how sadden I am by the events that took place there on Sunday evening.
I am aware of the fact that the state took over the property and never did anything with it. This place had so many facilities that could have been used for the community. It had basketball courts a softball field and a golf course not to mention a home for the animals. It is sad to see it destroyed. But it does not surprise me with the way state and local government runs things.

Tue, 09/30/2008 - 8:29am

Skinner is always getting in the way of progress, whether it's at the Ponderlodge or down in Cape May. When it's Cape May, often progress means fixing and restoring Victorian buildings and Skinner seems to fight it all. Look at her vociferous fight against the Congress Hall renovation, which was done for no reason other than her own house is next door and she didn't want to deal with the people and noise from a successful hotel operation. Guess what? You live next to a hotel that was built long before you were born, that's a price you pay.

It's frustrating to see any project done for the good of the town, continually being derailed by people like Barbara Skinner. More tax money is wasted on legal fees to fight these people than on the actual projects. Why not give the taxpayers a break and keep your mouth shut every once in awhile. And as for the Ponderlodge; it's a shame that it burned down and I would never condone anyone setting the fire for any reason. At least now the buildings can be demolished like they should have been.

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 10:08pm

It never ceases to amaze me that the vast majority of firefighters in the state of NJ are VOLUNTEERS - risking their lives for all of us. (LOSAP doesn't even begin to cut it as just compensation) And the fire companies accept applicants starting at age 16. Imagine...you can't drive w/o another licensed driver in the car with you, you can't purchase or use cigarettes or alcohol, or just do about anything else. But you are more than welcome to risk your life in a blazing inferno. Every taxpayer should say thank you to these brave young people and to all of our volunteer emergency personnel..and say a prayer for them, too. Car accidents, house fires, brush fires...well-trained, unpaid personnel respond...what a bargain!! Stay safe LT Vols!

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 7:17pm

I agree, people look beyond the new article,which is about a fire. These "volunteer" fireman, wake up, go to the fire, put it out. Risk their lives for others. See, a volunteer does things for their love of whatever they are voluntering for, In this case, the love of trying to save lives and property of others. thank god for them and pray you never need there assistance. I am unable to volunteer but am thankful for those who do!!!!

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 3:39pm

in response to Monday 10:36 am. There had been a ranger living onsite until the state removed him approx one month ago.

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 1:22pm

Instead of complaints, how about some big kudos to the men & women volunteer firefighters of our community. They are a strong cornerstone of our neighborhoods. We can sleep well at night knowing they are always there.
The members of these fine volunteer fire departments get up at all hours of the night and day to protect us and our property. We owe them a great deal of thanks and appreciation for all they do.
You are correct that the building was a kettle of trouble waiting to boil over, but there were some plans to use the facility as a positive outlet of training and knowledge. So please let us remember what is important here.
My fellow firefighters, thank you for the outstanding job you did on the Ponderlodge fire and every other call you answer. We of Lower Township and the surrounding communities can rest knowing that you are there for us.
God Bless our Fire Fighters!

Retired Brother
V F D

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 12:30pm

I hope now they will tear down these buildings before someone gets hurt or killed. The money spent on the firefight should justify (even to Barbara Skinner) that its time to do something with this property. Good Job to the Fire Companies involved. Just a note Green Creek Fire and West Cape May were on standby in the Villas and Town Bank Fire Stations not at the scene. WIldwood also had apparatus in Erma's Station

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 10:59am

Maybe Ms. Skinner can bring the inner city kids to come play in the rubble pile.

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 10:43am

Because it is secluded and hopefully people like you don't go there. Also, I don't have to worry about dogs barking at us and it is a nice long walk.

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 10:36am

Isn't there supposed to be a ranger that lives on site in one of the ranchers?
How often does he make rounds of the property? Maybe the state needs to supply more than one ranger to live onsite and patrol the property 24/7. Or get the state police to patrol it 24/7.
The state shouldn't have bought the property if they don't want to take care of it. They should sell it back to the township or the county.

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 9:11am

Local taxes being wasted as usual. What a shame. There were many private orginazations looking to utalize that facility. What benefit is the state giving to Lower Township for this property? It is a disgrace to this community(just like the condition of our COUNTY roads). The fire was bound to happen..thank GOD there was no human tragady.
Now I hope the STATE will open its eyes and maintain its TREASURED property before something worse happens. And by the way...what were the TOXIC chemicals burning that the firemen were warned about when arriving?

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 9:11am

Local taxes being wasted as usual. What a shame. There were many private orginazations looking to utalize that facility. What benefit is the state giving to Lower Township for this property? It is a disgrace to this community(just like the condition of our COUNTY roads). The fire was bound to happen..thank GOD there was no human tragady.
Now I hope the STATE will open its eyes and maintain its TREASURED property before something worse happens. And by the way...what were the TOXIC chemicals burning that the firemen were warned about when arriving?

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 9:00am

The Lower township leaders wanted to demolish these structures..Ms Skinner wanted to make good use of them for our community.Looks like some Jewish lightning to me.

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 8:16am

If you are so sickened by the conditons there why do you go there everyday?

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 7:16am

This is a classic example of why the State of NJ has no right buying up private property. This should have gone out to private bid like every other property that defaults on their taxes. And thus we wouldnt have come to this situation. As a matter of fact, this property would still be open if it was sold instead of seized. Now its an eye sore and always will be. What a waste!

Mon, 09/29/2008 - 5:53am

Well it finally happened. That place is a disgrace. I walk my dog there everyday and have been sickened by the conditions there. What a shame. This is just another example of Lower Township not being recognized by the leaders of our states. They probably don't even know they own this great piece of property. Makes me sick.