Herald Prayers Answered; Assumption Remains Open NEWS By LAUREN SUIT merge with St. Ann Church in Wildwood and last April, Galante has been met with protests would remain open only part of the year, under at his public appearances. DI GESTS WILDWOOD CREST — The Church of the the diocese’s original restructuring plan. On June 11, Assumption parishioners fi lled Assumption won’t have to close its doors in this A parish merger was one fate that some the sanctuary pews in an effort to show Galante borough at the end of the season. churches in this diocese face during a process that their parish is fi ghting to keep their spiri- On Guard Bishop of Camden Joseph A. Galante an- called “gathering God’s gifts.” The restructur- tual identity as many churches in the Diocese CREST HAVEN — County Health De- nounced Aug. 26 that Assumption would be ing is a response by the Catholic Church that of Camden are looking toward restructuring. partment tests of 69 ocean and bay recre- allowed to hold services through the whole has more parishes than there are worshipers, Outside, hundreds of parishioners walked ational sites Aug. 22 found 10 locations that year. priests, or money to sustain them. past members of other churches in the diocese exceeded the state-set limit for enterococcus The Church of the Assumption was slated to Since the restructuring plan was announced (Page A4 Please) bacteria of 104 per 100-milliter sample. Those readings dropped to acceptable levels since that date. For updated reports, call the hotline: 465-2422. Bathers are cautioned to swim at guarded beaches, which will be (Page A5 Please) Today’s Select Spout Off Is there any law about bike riders at night having to have a refl ector on their bike? People ride down Bayshore Road at night and you can’t even see them. They ride in the middle of the street. When I was growing up, if you didn’t have a light, you couldn’t go out. —Villas Turn to Page A18 for more Spout Offs or log onto www.CapeMayCountyHerald.com to see them all! PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY BY THE SEAWAVE CORP. Vol. 44 No. 36 Copyright 2008 Seawave Corp. All rights reserved. September 3, 2008 1508 Route 47, Rio Grande NJ 08242-1402 All Beaches Open, ’08 Season Closes, N. Wildwood Still Seeking Clues Backs ‘Opt Out’ By LESLIE TRULUCK Of Civil Service AVALON –– Beachgoers enjoyed the ocean from a distance Aug. 29, as lifeguards stood By LAUREN SUIT guarding the high water mark of the surf. Swimming was off-limits as the result of more, NORTH WILDWOOD — City Council this time different, pieces of medical debris passed a resolution Aug. 19 supporting legisla- that washed up along the borough’s coast tion that would allow municipalities to opt out that morning. As Labor Day weekend began, of the Civil Service System. offi cials worried about the safety of borough The system covers individuals who are beaches. hired on the basis of merit, which is proven The entire Avalon beachfront was closed by the use of competitive examinations. It also to bathers until noon Aug. 29 when Mayor involves the process of promoting and hiring Martin Pagliughi decided to open beaches from government employees based on their ability 32nd to 80th streets. Beaches north of 32nd to perform a job, rather than on their political Street remained closed until Aug. 30 as more connections. sweeps were conducted. Mayor Bill Henfey said that when Civil Debris recovered Aug. 29 is not consistent Service was originally created it was certainly with the medical waste that previously washed needed, but now it was time to move on to onto the Avalon beaches from Ninth to 24th Leslie Truluck something better. streets, Aug. 23-26. Anthony Cozzan, 5, of Avalon, tests kindergarten seat at Stone Harbor Elementary City Administrator Ray Townsend said the The Aug. 29 syringes was consistent with School. Most Cape May County opened today for the 2008-09 year. Cozzan was more system had provided a layer of protection to debris that was found in Ocean City on the excited to ride the bus than just about anything else. public employees. In today’s work environ- beach at 36th and 39th streets Aug. 28, forcing ment, Townsend said, unions and employment the city to close its beaches for safety inspec- practices have taken its place. tions. Sea Isle City's First Street, 47th to 52nd He called the Civil Service System “just (Page A33 Please) New Year, New Faces, New Software another layer of government” that was “out- dated.” By LESLIE TRULUCK For the 86 students enrolled at Stone Harbor Without the Civil Service System, munici- County, FOP Pen Elementary School, it is their fi rst day back palities would be able to hire new employees STONE HARBOR –– As aromas of Labor to school. However, teachers have long been (Page A4 Please) 4-Year Contract Day barbeques dissipate, they are replaced by preparing for the young faces seated before the familiar smell of new textbooks, crayons them. By AL CAMPBELL and pencils. Relaxed beach days become Educators attended a workshop Aug. 28 to ‘Let’s Share’ Say sparse as fall schedules dawn and the big yel- learn the school’s new On Course software, CREST HAVEN — Going to work can be low school buses circulate through borough which works as an electronic grade book to Cape May, Sea Isle tough; going to work in jail can be grueling streets today. (Page A6 Please) even on good days. By JACK FICHTER That’s how 67 employees in the Sheriff’s Department spend their workday; they are Geography Factors in Education Cost CAPE MAY — Following the resignation of correction offi cers and correction offi cer ser- Business Administrator Terri Nowotony effec- By JOE HART The other K-6 districts in this county Cape geants. tive Sept. 15, Cape May Elementary School May, ranked 56th, and Lower Township, Freeholders, on Aug. 26, approved a four- Board of Education is seeking to share a new COURT HOUSE — What is the cost to Cape ranked 34th, had per pupil costs of $16,264 year contract with those offi cers who watch business administrator with Sea Isle City El- May County residents to educate their 13,000- and $12,110 respectively. over an average 300-plus inmates at the Cape ementary School. plus public school pupils? May County Corrections Center, which was To judge education costs as this 2008-09 (Page A5 Please) (Page A6 Please) designed in 1981 to hold 180. school year begins, the Herald looked at two The contract was negotiated with Fraternal indicators — per pupil costs and tax rates. Per Pupil Costs in Cape May County Schools Order of Police Lodge No. 7. One local school district, the tiny elementary Union members voted 67-0 in favor of the school in Sea Isle City, was notorious last year $50,000 pact, which will become effective Jan. 1, 2009 for having the highest per-pupil cost of educa- and continue until Dec. 31, 2012. $45,000 tion in the entire state — $35,209, or nearly “They are going to experiment with 12-hour three times the state average. $40,000 shifts,” said Stephen O’Connor, county admin- The Avalon School District also had one istrator. Many police departments and correc- $35,000 of the state’s highest costs for taxpayers at tions centers are on such shifts, he said. Cost $29,793 per pupil. $30,000 (Page A7 Please) Both of these local barrier island schools $25,000 are K-8 districts with under 90 students. Sept ember 3 - 9, 2008 $20,000 It's Inside. They had the two highest costs of 67 ranked schools in their category — K-8 with less than $15,000 400 pupils. With the exception of the Woodbine School $10,000 Dining, District’s cost of $10,016 per pupil, the $5,000 other county schools in that category were also Entertainment, among the state’s highest: North Wildwood’s $0 $19,094 ranked 62nd; Stone Harbor, $21,434, Shopping, 64th; and Wildwood Crest, $17,118, 57th. Upcoming Events Avalon For more events s ee What’s On Deck calenda r B23 - 25 Thurs. through Sun., Dennis and Upper township schools had Sept. 4 - 7 Weekly Features Roar to the Shore ...... B13 THE GRID ........ ......................... B23 - 2 5 May Cape Saturday, Sep Fishing Line ...... t. 6 ......................B1 8 - 19 Wildwood Fishing Mumm Antiques Woodbine ers’ String ....................... Ocean City Band ........ ................B20 ............... B12 Dining .......... over 400 students and lower costs, $12,492 for Sunu ......................... rday, Sept. 6 Shop B23 - 26 P ping ................ izza ...... Sea Isle City , Pins & Coke .... B10 ................B21 Recreation ........... ..........................B22 wwwwww.CapeMayCounty.CapeMay the former and $10,449 for the latter. Harbor Stone CountyHerald.cHerald.comom and More... Vocational Cty. West Cape May Cape West Wildwood Crest Wildwood Upper Township The West Cape May School District also had Township Lower North Wildwood Dennis Township the highest cost per student, $24,983, of the Middle Township Cty. Special Services Cty. Index...See Page A3 62 K-6 districts in the state. Regional Cape Lower Districts Source: N.J. Department of Education A2 www.CapeMayCountyHerald.com Herald Newspapers September 3 2008 G ENERAL STORE PET • LAWN & GARDEN • PAVERS & WALLSTONE (609) 465-4500 1139 Route 9 South • Cape May Court House, NJ 08210 3/4 mile south of NJ Inspection Station Open 7 days a week • 8 a.m.-5 p.m. SALE STARTS TODAY ENDS SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 NEWS BULLETIN!! Due to the upcoming closing of Bob’s Pet Shop in Rio Grande, Smeltzer & Sons will be stocking reptile & aquatic supplies including fresh crickets by the each or by the thousand.