Cape Island News

New Deputy Mayor Takes Oath

Susan Tischler — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:25:19 +0000

Cape May – Former Deputy Mayor Niels Favre took back the title yesterday at the City’s Reorganization Meeting July 1. Favre replaces Councilmember Linda Steenrod who took the helm at last year’s July 1 meeting.

Council also announced the settlement of a 20-year lawsuit between East Cape May Associates, owners of the 96-acre Sewell Tract located east of Pittsburgh Avenue, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. It was back in the ’80s when the city first received an application to develop the tract, which originally called for 366 residential units.

The announced settlement calls for limited development of 18 acres, including 71 residential homes and 14 affordable housing units, plus the addition of a 78-acre tract of land which will become the Sewell Point Wildlife Sanctuary.

Mayor Edward Mahaney and Councilmember Terri Swain received certificates of merit from Rutgers University for completion of university’s municipal training course fro newly eelcted officials.

In other council business, Mayor Mahaney gave his State of City address in which he emphasized council’s placing the construction of Convention Hall at the top of their priority list. Mayor Mahaney said he hops bids will go out in August, with the hope that demolition can begin soon after the Labor Day holiday.

Council also approved the first budget for the Washington Street Mall Management Company, the city’s first Business Improvement District (BID). The $58,000 budget is expected to go toward the marketing and enhancement of the Washington Street Mall.

Headlines from the Cape May Star and Wave, July 2

Susan Tischler — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:02:01 +0000

Agreement reached with state on East Cape May. Cape May – Mayor Edward Mahaney announced an agreement between development corporation East Cape May Associates and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection that will end a nearly 20-year old dispute over a significant portion of a 96-acre site east of Pittsburgh Avenue known as the Sewell Point Tract. Cape May Star and Wave 7/2

Free summer jazz starts. Cape May – A new initiative by the Cape May Jazz Festival is bringing jazz to Cape May during the summer. Cape May Star and Wave 7/2

New vision for Beach Theatre. Boutique hotel adds innovative touch. Cape May – The Beach Theatre Foundation presented a vision for developing the site and saving the historic theater, June 27, and believe it fits with its creative and innovative beginning. Cape May Star and Wave 7/2

Beach safety a vital concern. Cape May – Before the two city schools recessed for the summer, a team of fighters and lifeguards visited the schools and talked tot he students about beach safety. Cape May Star and Wave 7/2

Rocky gets home makeover. Tiger’s new digs include a waterfall. Cape May Court House – Talk about an extreme home maekover. Cape May Star and Wave 7/2

Agreement to Preserve 78 Acres of East Cape May Reached

Susan Tischler — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:47:27 +0000

Cape May - Following 17 years of litigation between the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and developers, East Cape May Associates, an agreement has been reached to preserve 78 acres of 96 acre Sewell Point for open space. capemaycountyherald.com 7/2

Coast Guard’s Dependable Cutter Changes Command

Susan Tischler — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:44:12 +0000

Cape May - The sun shined on the base here as guests arrived before 11 a.m. on July 1 to witness the Change of Command ceremony for the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dependable, but once everyone gathered under the tent erected for the event, a steady rain began to fall and thunder boomed in the distance. capemaycountyherald.com 7/2

Approach of the Tuna

Charlie Langan — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:58:23 +0000

Yellowfin tuna

On Tuesday, 6/23 Capt. Bittmann took a family out to the reef for a six hour charter. After a few hours of bottom fishing that produced several flounder and 30 Sea Bass, they decided to troll for Bluefish. Within an hour they caught 28 Bluefish. Lots of action and lots of fun was had by all.

The Tuna fish are now approaching our waters. There were incidental reports in the past week or so, but now we have a strong report from Capt. Sowerby on the Hooked Up II. He caught 25 Yellowfin on 6/24…one weighed 37 lbs (pictured right).

Another sign of warming waters: on Saturday 6/27, Slammmer weighed a 13.6 Dolphin caught by Joe Laird of Gilbertsville, PA. Our 8-hour party boat Porgy IV weighed another huge Flounder this week:,9.8 pounds caught by Rick Moody of Philadelphia.

Do you want to join in on the action? Call our South Jersey Marina Charter Agent at 609-884-3800 for rates and availability.

W. Cape farm market opens today

Susan Tischler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:34:33 +0000

West Cape May – The Backyard Park will come alive again today as the West Cape May Farmers’ Market begins its eighth season. The Press of Atlantic City 6/30

Lower eatery liquor license renewed – conditionally

Susan Tischler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:28:17 +0000

The owners of CJs American Grill in North Cape May must reduce noise and outdoor activity at the restaurant, after neighbors complained. Lower Township – Township Council on Monday renewed the liquor license for CJs American Grill on Bayshore Road, but not before putting in conditions to appease the neighbors. The Press of Atlantic City 6/30

End near for nonoperating school districts in N.J.

Susan Tischler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:25:21 +0000

West Wildwood, Cape May Point among towns to be affected. Nonoperating school districts must be eliminated in a way that has the least financial and education disruptions under a bill approved by the state Legislature last week. The Press of Atlantic City 6/30

Coast Guard wants the rudder from Lady Mary

Susan Tischler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:19:50 +0000

Evidence from the rudder, which lies in 210 feet of water, could confirm that the scallop boat was hit by another vessel. Cape May – The U.S. Coast Guard is making arrangements to salvage the rudder and other parts from the Lady Mary to try and determine what sank the scallop vessel. The Press of Atlantic City 6/27

Owner’s theory says ship’s wave sank boat

Susan Tischler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:11:46 +0000

A group of divers believe a collision sank the Lady Mary, but Royal ‘Fuzzy’ Smith Sr. says the collision was preceded by a large wave coming off the bow of an incoming container ship. Lower Township – Royal ‘Fuzzy’ Smith Sr. believes a big wave may have killed his two sons, a brother and a distant cousin, as well as two missing crewmen, int he pre-dawn hours on march 24 far from his dockside home here on Schellenger’s Landing. The Press of Atlantic City 6/27