Amusement Park Not amusing to some

Some homeowners in Sea Isle City oppose amusement park
By BRIAN IANIERIStaff Writer, (609) 463-6713
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Updated: Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Alex Alexander bought a house in the northern end of the city for its peacefulness.

It was unlike the Philadelphia resident's previous perception of Jersey Shore resort towns as a conglomeration of boardwalks and bells, she said.

She does not want the sounds, lights and traffic that would come with an amusement park in that setting, she said.

“It's quiet. It's beautiful. It's one of the places left on the Jersey Shore that's not commercial,” said Alexander, who splits time between Philadelphia and Sea Isle City.

Kathryn Doyle and Alexander, who listed addresses in both Sea Isle City and Philadelphia, sent Sea Isle City a letter opposing the building an amusement park on Landis Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets.

Last month, Sea Isle City disclosed that an amusement park company, Atlantic Pier Amusements, was interested in opening a park on a former landfill.

City Commissioner James Iannone said the city is still waiting for its requests for proposals from amusement companies that might want to use the former landfill. Iannone said several companies have expressed an interest.

“I think it's a wonderful idea, something we need,” he said.

Alexander's objections include increased traffic on Landis Avenue, noise pollution, increased trash and negative impacts on property values, according to the letter.

“I don't really want it in Sea Isle. I like the quietness, and the fact it's about sailing, it's about swimming, it's about sitting on the beach,” Alexander said. “It's pretty laid back.”

Alexander also said the two-lane Landis Avenue would be gridlocked in the summer if amusement park traffic would have to compete with the normal congestion.

About six years ago, the city lost Fun City, a popular family recreation spot that was sold and developed.

Iannone said the city will take the letter into consideration.

The site had been looked at for a golf course but was too small for a nine-hole course, Iannone said.

If the city does approve an amusement park at that site, it would likely lease the land, perhaps for 30 years or longer, Iannone said.

Avalon OKs beach project
The borough will spend $2.8 million for an emergency beach fill.
By BRIAN IANIERIStaff Writer, (609) 463-6713
Published: Thursday, February 9, 2006
Updated: Thursday, February 9, 2006

The borough approved a $2.8 million contract with a dredging company Wednesday night, settling an issue that threatened beaches, tourism and property, Avalon officials said.

Avalon negotiated a contract for an emergency beach fill with Weeks Marine Inc. to pump 350,000 cubic yards of sand from Townsends Inlet to beaches between Ninth and 18th streets.

“The last thing we can afford to do is not do anything on that beach,” Councilman David Ellenberg said.

The borough, which voted to borrow money for the beach fill last year, is paying for the project by itself, unsure of federal funding that is fickle and often threatened with cuts.

Storms and encroaching ocean have decimated beaches in Avalon's northern end.

Most access paths are closed because the ocean chewed steep cliffs into the dunes late last year.

Just reaching north-end beaches is difficult now.

“There are public safety issues, as well as economic issues we are addressing to get the beach back in shape by the summer season,” Administra-tor Andrew Bednarek said.

Avalon has sought to restock the beaches but had trouble finding a dredging company to do the work—and for about $3 million.

After two unsuccessful attempts, the borough entered negotiations.

The borough also considered backup plans, which would have included trucking in sand from outside of Avalon, if dredging were not available.

However, those options would deliver less sand and cost more per cubic yard.

Weeks Marine spokesman Chris Champigny said dredging will likely begin in a few weeks.

The company is currently working on a federal beach replenishment project in Brigantine.

High Speed Internet Service

Broadband Wireless Internet Service Now Available in Sea Isle City
SeaWaves Technology, a new computer and internet services company located in Cape May County, New Jersey, is proud to announce that it is now offering high speed internet service to certain locations in Sea Isle City, NJ.

(I-Newswire) - Sea Isle City, NJ ( I-Newswire ) February 08, 2006 -- Sea Isle City beachgoers rejoice! Gone are the days of spending a week at the beach without high-speed broadband internet service. Now you can check your email and browse the web without the inconvenience of a slow dial up internet connection.

SeaWaves was born out of real world needs: many people are not able to sacrifice an entire week of high-speed data communications. Business people vacationing at the beach need regular communication with their co-workers and customers. But up until now, a trip to Sea Isle City effectively meant a compromise: no high broadband internet in exchange for a vacation. But now you can have both!

SeaWaves technology, a leader in South Jersey internet and computer technology, has launched a new wireless internet service in various locations throughout Sea Isle City. All you need is a wireless enabled device such as a laptop or PDA and you're all set to hook up...wirelessly!

SeaWaves employs Sputnik's state of the art wireless internet technology to securely provide service to all WiFi enabled devices within range. Sputnik's architecture will enable SeaWaves to grow its network transparently as demand increases.

Due to limitations in wireless technology, not all areas in Sea Isle can receive service.

SeaWaves Technology was formed in January of 2006 as a complete computer technology company. In addition to wireless internet service, SeaWaves Technology provides custom web development, web hosting, web promotion, and a variety of other computer and internet related services.

SeaWaves Technology
43rd St.
Sea Isle City, NJ 08243

Contact at:
http://www.sea-waves.net/contact.php

If you have questions regarding information in this press release contact the company listed below. I-Newswire.com is a press release service and not the author of this press release. The information that is on or available through this site is for informational purposes only and speaks only as of the particular date or dates of that information. As some companies / PR Agencies submit their press releases once per week/month or quarter, make sure check the official company website for accurate release dates as our site displays the I-Newswire.com distribution date only. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of information on or available through this site, and we are not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions in that information or for actions taken in reliance on that information.

More Information
SeaWaves Technology
Published on:
2006-02-08

Strathmere wants different revaluation

Strathmere group wants Upper to scrap reval
By MICHAEL MILLERStaff Writer, (609) 463-6712
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Tuesday, February 7, 2006
Updated: Tuesday, February 7, 2006

The newly formed Strathmere Taxpayers Association wants the Township Committee to throw out the latest property revaluation and start over.

This group of property owners is convinced the latest property assessments have no basis in reality.

“We're convinced and our professionals are convinced,” group spokesman Randy Roash said. “It's going to cost homeowners to file an appeal. So we're asking (the township) to throw it out and redo it.”

The association has 163 members.

Mayor Richard Palombo said any revaluation was bound to draw criticism — and has. He has gotten complaints about inflated home values from homeowners in the development-restricted Pinelands and mainland homeowners whose property consists primarily of wetlands.

He conceded a majority of complaints have come from Strathmere, a small barrier island north of Sea Isle City.

“The problem is it's not up to us to make a determination to throw it out,” Palombo said.

Palombo noted the township's tax office has worked closely with property owners and the revaluation company, CLT, to resolve differences. Homeowners who dispute their property value can appeal to the Cape May County Board of Taxation, he said.

“We want a fair assessment across the board,” Palombo said.

In a letter dated Feb. 2, township Tax Assessor Kristen Errickson told the tax group she was not aware of any state law that would allow the township to set aside the results of the revaluation.

“April 3 is the deadline for people to individually appeal their tax assessments,” Roash said. “That's for me to go in with my lawyer paid at my expense and fix the mess they made.”

The tax group plans to meet again 2 p.m. Saturday at the Strathmere fire house to offer residents help in filing tax appeals, Roash said.

Wetlands Institute

Institute celebrates World Wetlands Day
By DEBRA RECHFor The Press, (609) 463-6719
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Monday, February 6, 2006
Updated: Monday, February 6, 2006

Madison Blithe, 2, didn't know she was learning about the importance of preserving the wetlands on Thursday at the Wetlands Institute. She just enjoyed “fishing” for wooden fish, then matching them in a puzzle board.

Madison's grandmother, Elly Poupard, of Dennis Township, brought her granddaughter to the institute to celebrate World Wetlands Day, which raises awareness of the value and benefits of wetlands. Although the event has been held since 1997, it was the first time for Cape May County.

The event marks the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Erica Hartman, educator and events coordinator at the Wetlands Institute, said the goal is to make people aware of how the wetlands interact with the ecosystem.

“It's important that people know how valuable the wetlands are,” Hartman said. “We decided to hold this event and see how much interest we could generate. We also wanted to give Groundhog Day a run for its money.”

Admission was free for the day, and, although the event started out slowly, with only a few families attending, a crowd did show up for the live animal programs in the evening. Every hour, a different wetlands creature was featured, including crabs, horseshoe crabs and seahorses.

In “Wetlandia,” a room with exhibits and hands-on activities for preschoolers, there were coloring pages and learning “blocks,” wooden tables that have interactive displays for little hands including puzzle boards that showed the ecosystem and how animals in the wetlands live.

A large felt board offered children the chance to create their own wetlands, and in one corner, children could use a miniature telescope. The room was built about a year ago and funded through an anonymous donor. Poupard said Madison was having a great time.

“She just loves animals so I knew she would be interested in coming here,” Poupard said. “She's had the run of the place and is having a great time.”

For more information on the Wetlands Institute or to order a brochure of upcoming events, call 368-1211.