Charged Event
WOODBINE — The county MUA is hosting a ribbon cutting, or as staff has referred to it a "switch pulling" to introduce its new methane-to-electricity generating station at its sanitary landfill here April 20 at 10 a.m. The station went on line in early March and transforms methane gas into electricity for the MUA's needs, and then puts what it doesn't need into the grid to be used by other customers of Atlantic City Electric Company. Invitations have been sent to public officials and the public is also invited to attend. Since space is limited, please call the MUA office at 609-465-9026 to let it know how many are in your party.

Trolley Ho!
STONE HARBOR — Borough council tied up the other end of a package April 3 by adopting its portion of the agreement to provide trolley service this summer that travels between Avalon and Stone Harbor. Avalon put in place everything it needed to go forward a week before by adopting a resolution for an interlocal agreement and by authorizing the contract with the Great American Trolley Co., Inc. That's the same that Stone Harbor did, each community paying the trolley company $2,800. This year the trolley will travel farther south and have a stop at the Bird Sanctuary, since a lot of work has been going on down there to clean it up.

Replaces Gormley
TRENTON — The retirement of state Sen. Bill Gormley, R-Atlantic, had left an opening on the powerful Senate Budget Committee, which Sen. Nicholas Asselta has now been selected by his party to fill. This insures that concerns of south Jersey will continue to compete with those of north Jersey, and will not be drowned out completely.

Stop and Arrest
OCEAN CITY — traffic stop here April 8 led to the arrest of Keith S. Allen Jr. on a warrant out of Atlantic County. After being stopped by Patrolman Karl Ruf, Allen allegedly gave a false identification and police learned that he was wanted for a drug possession charge in Atlantic County. When arrested, police report Allen had marijuana and a box cutter on him. He was lodged in the Atlantic County jail on $200,000 and charged by city police here with obstruction of justice, drug possession and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

They're Off!
COURT HOUSE — The dye has been cast, two Middle Township Democratic residents, Bob Jackson and Steve Bacher are challenging Republican freeholders Ralph Bakley and Gerald Thornton this November. Bakley, of Cape May, was elected to his first three-year term as freeholder in 2003. Thornton, from here, first served as freeholder from 1975 until 1987, and as director for two years during that time. He was reelected to the board in 1995. Jackson, who lives in Del Haven, served as mayor in West Cape May and ran an unsuccessful campaign for a seat on the board with Middle Township Committeeman Steve Barry in 2005. They lost the challenge to Director Dan Beyel and Freeholder Ralph Sheets by just 2,000 votes. Bacher lives here and is the director of the Center for Community Arts in Cape May. Freeholder Leonard Desiderio, reelected last year, rounds out the five-man, all Republican board that currently runs county government.

Won't Take It Anymore
OCEAN CITY — A female police sergeant who has been on the city police force here for 20 years has filed a lawsuit against the police department for what she alleges has been decades of sexual harassment by her colleagues. Sgt. Catherine "Kate" King named Chief Robert Blevin, and individuals Joseph Beisel and Steve Ang, and the city, along with the department claiming it had a "one female only" policy, meant to keep women from being assigned together. Five women currently serve of the 62 full-time officers. She also claimed that her authority over subordinates was undermined and that she has had to put up with disparaging remarks and attitudes for years.

Vote Next Tuesday
COURT HOUSE — School elections will be held countywide on April 17. Voters will have a chance to accept or reject budgets for their local districts, and decide on whom they want to serve on school boards. Candidates running for board seats are listed on page A3. Times and polling places may differ from town to town. It is best to call the local school or board of education.


Four File for Primary
NORTH WILDWOOD — Second Ward Councilman Joseph Duncan, 64, was the only Democrat who filed to run in the June 5 primary race. Republicans Edwin Koehler, 64, Robert Maschio, 39, and political newcomer Tony D' Alicandro, 72, have also tossed their hats into the ring in hopes of filling the at-large, 1st Ward and 2nd Ward seats, respectively. Currently, Koehler represents the 2nd Ward and Maschio is the city's at-large councilman, but they decided to switch places following Councilman Walt Larcombe's decision not to seek reelection. The primary election is June 5, followed by the general election Nov. 6. Independent candidates have until June 5 to file to run in the election.

Sex-Offender Restrictions
WILDWOOD CREST — The borough introduced an ordinance April 4 that would alter its sex offender residency law, in keeping with similar legislation that is making its way through the state. The new ordinance would ban sex offenders from living within 500 feet of schools, park, playgrounds and recreational centers. Anyone living within that area, prior to the new law, could stay. That's a change from the law passed in the summer of 2005 that restricted registered sex offenders from living within 2,500 feet of any school, park, playgrounds or recreational centers. Since the borough is just 1.1 square miles and 4,200 feet at its widest point, areas considered off-limits encompassed most of the town.

Brass and Grass
ERMA — Ralph W. Shuman III, 25, of this town, was arrested and charged with drug and weapon charges and endangering a child, following an investigation by the Lower Township Police Department and county Narcotics Task Force. Shuman was arrested in his Railroad Avenue home at 10 p.m. April 2. According to reports, police found 13 ounces of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and brass knuckles. He was held in the county jail on $25,000 bail.

Lock Car Doors
MARMORA — State Police are warning residents to lock their car doors after reports of five car burglaries on April 3. According to reports, a thief, or thieves, stole from unlocked cars parked in driveways on Park Avenue, Pine Place and Run Creek Road. Police said that golf clubs, a car stereo and compact disks were among the stolen property. Anyone with information is urged to contact State Police at 861-5698.

Trim and Lean
WOODBINE — Woodbine Board of Education reduced the tax increase to about 5 cents by trimming about $90,000 from its $3.8 million budget. The tax levy was cut to $1.1 million, leaving a proposed tax rate of about 5 cents per $100 of assessed property value. Despite the leaner budget, the board can still hire two new teachers as planned.  

Assault Case Dismissed
COURT HOUSE — On April 5, the county Prosecutor's Office dropped charges against Daniel E. Weyant, 55, of Wildwood, who was scheduled for trial on sexual assault charges for a second time. Weyant was charged for the alleged assault of a 10-year-old girl, who was a friend of his children, in 2003 and 2004, when she spent the night at his home. The case went to trial in August 2006, but ended in a mistrial after the jury ended at an impasse. After that a jury heard a second set of charges, involving a different young girl, in January. In that case, a jury took less than an hour to find Weyant not guilty of sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child.    

Five for Fraud
COURT HOUSE — Joseph Venziano, 66, of Wildwood, was sentenced to five year's probation April 5 for insurance fraud. Venziano admitted that he had lied about remaining married to his former wife so she would be eligible for spousal health insurance benefits. He was actually divorced in 1998, but Aetna, the health insurance provider, paid $9,393 to various health care providers for services rendered to his former wife between 2002 and 2003. In addition to probation, Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten ordered Venziano to pay $9,393 in restitution to the insurance company.   

Lifetime of Supervision
COURT HOUSE — Robert Hedley Sr., 75, of West Cape May, was sentenced April 5 to parole supervision for life after he admitted to improperly touching a mentally handicapped woman. Hedley admitted he touched the woman sexually on various dates in June 2005 in his home and a trailer on his property. During his sentencing, Hedley told Superior Court Judge Carmen Alvarez that he knew the 22-year-old victim, who reportedly has the mental capacity of a 12 or 13-year-old, was not capable of consenting to such activity. In addition to a lifetime of parole supervision, Hedley must register as a sex offender under Megan's Law, pay $2,107 in restitution and have no contact with the victim. 

 

Mall Plans
CAPE MAY —  Tomorrow at 7 p.m., the Washington Street Mall Revitalization subcommittee of the city's Revitalization Committee will hold a public meeting in City Hall Auditorium to present a conceptual design for the mall with three or four various options with cost comparisons.

A Moot Point
VILLAS —  At an April 2 Lower Township Council meeting, Deputy Mayor Robert Nolan proposed council members make a sacrifice and no longer take both salary and medical benefits from the township. He said mayor and council should choose one or the other. All council agreed. The problem is not one council member or the mayor takes both a salary and medical benefits. Council members collect a $1,500 reward per year for not taking the medical benefits plan.

Talking Dirty
VILLAS — Robert Hartman, retired Lower Township police officer, is calling for the county Prosecutor's Office to investigate what happened to tons of dirt removed from the Freeman S. Douglass Memorial Park at Bennett's Crossing. Playing fields flood after rainfall and township council is bonding $660,000 to replace the soil and sod after it is ripped up in the process. "It appears to me to be a theft, it's a criminal matter," said Hartman. "We're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars of dirt we are going to have to bring back in to fix this mess." He said if there was a theft of dirt, someone can be charged. Township Solicitor Paul Baldini will examine Lower's contract with the bankrupt contractor, Fondacaro Construction.

Insurance Fraud
TRENTON —  Joseph Venziano, 66, of Wildwood was sentenced for health insurance claims fraud April 5, according to state Attorney General Stuart Rabner. Venziano was sentenced to five years probation by Superior Court Judge Raymond Batten in Court House. He was also ordered to pay $9,393 in restitution to Aetna Life Insurance Company. Venziano was sentenced pursuant to a guilty plea to third-degree theft by deception. At his guilty plea hearing on Feb. 1 before Batten, Venziano admitted that, between Oct. 19, 2002 and Dec. 30, 2003, he falsely represented that he was married to his former wife so that she would be eligible as a dependant spouse for health insurance benefits. Benefits were provided through Venziano's employer by Aetna Life Insurance Co. Venziano was divorced in 1998, but Aetna paid $9,393 to various health care providers for services rendered to the former wife.

Marijuana Arrest
ERMA —  Ralph W. Shuman III, 25, was arrested April 2 and charged with possession of over 50 grams of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a prohibited weapon and endangering the welfare of a child. Lower Township police, county Narcotics Task Force and county Regional SWAT team executed a search of a house in the 600 block Railroad Avenue where they discovered 13 ounces of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and brass knuckles. Shuman was lodged in the county jail under $25,000 cash bail.

House Fire Death
WILDWOOD — Joseph Miller Jr., 51, was founded dead in a cottage at the rear of 311 W. Magnolia Ave. by firefighters and police who responded to a structure fire. Attempts to resuscitate Miller were unsuccessful. He worked as a tattoo artist in Atlantic City.

New Podcast
RIO GRANDE — Apple announced Monday that the 100 millionth iPod had been sold, making the iPod the fastest selling music player in history. You don't need an iPod to listen to the Herald's podcast, your computer will do nicely. Go to www.capemaycountyherald.com and listen to our interview with Tommy James and The Shondells, set to play the Sensational Sixties Concert at the Wildwoods Convention Center, April 28. Give the podcast some time to download if you have DSL or a dial-up connection.

Lot of Clams
NORTH CAPE MAY —Rutgers University Multi-Species Aquaculture Demonstration Facility, here is more than three years behind in opening and now lacks an operating budget. The facility needs $350,000 from the state legislature but no money has been earmarked. The 52,000-square-foot, $7.8-million facility is on Cape May Canal, behind Channels Apartments, off Bayshore Road. The purpose of the facility is to encourage cultivation of clams and oysters as a farming industry, providing information and seed clams.

Let's Go Surfing
OCEAN CITY — The city's Beach Patrol announced three guarded surfing beaches for the 2007 season: Waverly Boulevard, Seventh and 16th streets. Beaches will be guarded form 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and until 5:30 on weekends. A few beaches will be guarded until Sept. 23. The city will receive $4.5 million from the state Department of Environmental Protection for beach renourishment, which will require Ocean City to contribute $1.5 million, up from $1 million. Congress must approve the appropriation. 

Park It
OCEAN CITY — The city has tabled raising parking meter fees from 25 cents to 50 cents per hour along Asbury Avenue. The increase in meters costs was hoped to create shorter parking times to make available more spaces. Meanwhile, meters will be reconfigured to accept only quarters. This year, meters will provide a 15-minute grace period before expiring. The $135 parking pass fee for the transportation center will be dropped to $100.

‘Donate' Now Playing
CAPE MAY — The Beach Theatre Foundation has had additional talks with Franks Theaters concerning a final lease with option to purchase. Steve Jackson, foundation president, said he is hopeful an agreement will soon be reached. The marquee of the theater is displaying donation information, as are movie poster cases outside the building. More information is available at: www.beachtheatre.org

 
Plan Prayer Vigil
MARMORA — A candlelight prayer vigil will be held April 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Church of the Resurrection, 200 W. Tuckahoe Road to honor Jacqueline Becker's 18th birthday. The teen and her sister were killed Sept. 27 in a collision with a State Police cruiser at a local intersection. The Mothers for Peace will sponsor the vigil.

Curious Acts Lead to Bust
OCEAN VIEW — Department of Corrections personnel, in search of an escaped convict, who was located in Newark, made a drug bust in the local Wawa parking lot April 3. Officers spotted a van carrying eight males, who acted in a suspicious way, there. Investigation led them to arrest one for heroin possession. Seven others in the van, from a Cumberland County halfway house, were not charged.

Lone Dem Challenger
PETERSBURG — Democrat Robert Vicario, 60, of Tuckahoe, will carry his party's banner in the November race for one of two Upper Township Committee seats. Norman Matz, Democratic municipal leader, stated it was unlikely Vicario will have a partner in the race. Seeking reelection will be Republicans Jay Newman and Curtis Corson Jr.

Forget Speeding on Route 52
OCEAN CITY — Motorists who violate the posted 35 mph speed limit on Route 52, which is undergoing a major renovation, face no slack if caught by police. A three-car accident on April 2, which closed the highway for 15 minutes, resulted in a renewed warning from police not to speed.

 
Dominos Robbed
MAYVILLE — On April 6 at approximately 11:12 p.m., two male subjects robbed the Dominos pizzeria here at gunpoint. The subjects, one in a red hooded sweatshirt and one in a tan hooded sweatshirt, entered the store and demanded money. One subject brandished a semi-automatic handgun. After the employees complied, the subjects fled the scene on foot with an undetermined amount of cash. A K-9 unit assisted Middle Township police in a search of the area, but the subjects remain at large. Anyone with information regarding the robbery is urged to contact the township's major crimes unit at 609-465-8700.

Family Members Arrested
NORTH CAPE MAY — A man and his uncle were arrested 24 hours apart at a home on Haverford Avenue over the weekend. John Jacobus, 38, called Lower Township police at around 10 p.m. on April 6 saying his nephew Michael Jacobus, 21, was "going nuts" inside the residence. Michael Jacobus was arrested for criminal mischief, but attempted to escape from police while handcuffed and was also charged with eluding police and resisting arrest. He was treated and released into custody from Cape Regional Medical Center for minor injuries sustained while resisting arrest. The next evening at 9:45 p.m. township police again responded to a call from the Haverford Avenue address. This time, John Jacobus was reported to be "highly intoxicated and out of control." He was arrested and charged with criminal mischief. He was processed at the township police department before being transferred to the county correctional center with cash bail set at $1,000.

Mayor Forum Set
SEA ISLE CITY — The Women's Civic Club is sponsoring a public forum to introduce the mayoral candidates to interested city voters. All three candidates, Leonard Desiderio, Donald Laricks and George Haffert, have been invited to attend. The forum will be open to the public and will consist of moderated discussion of questions submitted by attendees. The forum will be held on April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Sea Isle City Public School at 46th Street and Park Road. For more information, contact President of the Women's Civic Club, Joy Sumski, at 609-624-2080.

First of Two
SEA ISLE CITY — The Sea Isle City Taxpayers Association (SICTA) will be hosting its first of two "Meet the Council Candidates" forums on April 14 in the Community Lodge at 300 JFK Blvd. This follows its March 24 mayor's forum that drew around 140 residents and taxpayers to the Townsends Inlet Civic Center. There will be three major topics discussed at the forum: business development, parking and communications. With 20 candidates, this meeting will have a different format than the mayor forum where only two candidates took part. SICTA will host its next meeting on April 28 at the Civic Center and will focus on financial management and municipal salary/benefits and will have an open discussion.

Committee Race Set
DENNISVILLE — Two Republicans have joined forces against the two Democrat incumbents, John Murphy and Ruth Blessing, in the race for two open committee seats to be decided this November. Former mayor and committeeman Bob Grace and Vineland attorney Teri Calloway will be attempting gain a Republican foothold in a committee that is now composed of five Democrats. Al DiCicco defeated the lone Republican committeeman Ed Beck in last year's election. Grace is an experienced long-time resident of the township while Calloway is a relative newcomer. Grace served three non-consecutive terms on the committee as well as a stint on the school board. Calloway's first attempt in office came when she threw her hat in the ring to finish out the school board term vacated by Larry Lapidus when he resigned earlier this year. Elizabeth "Betsy" Brown beat out Calloway for the spot and was appointed to the board.

Wal-Mart Accepting Aps
RIO GRANDE — After sitting nearly complete for a year, the Wal-Mart superstore on Route 9 here should be opening soon. The opening was held up by the state Department of Transportation over access and road issues. The company has said it would be hiring around 400 people to staff the giant store. So far, it has accepted over 200 applications for positions including cashiers, courtesy desk associates, people greeters, supervisors, maintenance and stockers, according to Assistant Manager Lee Conpento. Wal-Mart will continue to accept applications at 1304 Route 47 South or on its Web site at www.walmart.com/apply.