Leeann

NOTICE: There will be no interruption of trash & recycling for the week of October 10th to 14th. GME will be running on a normal schedule.

County and local officials call for task force to investigate pop-up car rally mayhem

Officials urge teamwork ‘to ensure this can never happen again in our hometowns’

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Citing the need for a county-wide approach to address residents’ and visitors’ concerns, Middle Township Mayor Tim Donohue was joined by County Commissioner Len Desiderio and County Office of Emergency Management Director Martin Pagliughi in calling for the formation of a regional task force to investigate the events leading up to a weekend of lawless and unsanctioned pop-up car rallies in Cape May County.

The chain of events that spanned the weekend of Sept. 23-25 left two people dead and several others seriously injured, and caused extensive property damage in Wildwood.

“While the Wildwood Police Department struggled to maintain order, Middle Township and other Cape May County communities were also forced to mobilize extensive resources, call for mutual aid and fund staff overtime to deal with a constant barrage of challenges and complaints related to these flagrant violations of the law, all coordinated via social media,” Donohue said. “The criminal element within these groups, from outside our county, with absolutely zero respect for the law or for the safety and welfare of our communities, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent.”

Desiderio indicated that task force organizers would reach out to local and county elected officials and law enforcement agencies to discuss details on the makeup and mission of the proposed group.

“The people we serve are rightfully demanding answers,” Desiderio said. “We must be open and transparent as we take steps to determine how and why these dangerous and ultimately tragic events occurred.”

Pagliughi said his office is already coordinating with the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office and the CMC Chiefs of Police Association to gather data and statistics from several municipalities on their response to the so-called H2Oi car meetups.

“We need to build consensus on a regional plan to ensure this can never happen again in our hometowns,” Pagliughi said. “This task force will be challenged to develop an effective and unified approach that leaves no window of opportunity open in any Cape May County municipality for a recurrence of this type of dangerous mayhem and lawlessness.”

Middle still accepting member applications for Rio Grande Community Partnership

Final passage of ordinance to create board is expected at Oct. 5 Township Committee meeting

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Members of the newly formed Rio Grande Community Partnership will be appointed on Oct. 17.

As Middle prepares for final passage of the ordinance to create the Rio Grande Community Partnership, residents have one last chance to submit membership applications.

Township Committee plans a second reading of the ordinance to create a nine-member volunteer board at its Oct. 5 meeting. Board members will be appointed on Oct. 17.

The creation of the board was spearheaded by Middle Township Committeeman Jim Norris, who grew up in Rio Grande and is pursuing a collaborative approach to address quality-of-life concerns in the Township’s southern business district.

“We look forward to final passage and the creation of this board to focus on the issues in the Rio Grande area,” Norris said. “Bringing all interested parties together to deal with these multifaceted concerns provides our greatest opportunity for success.”

The Rio Grande Community Partnership will create a structure for Rio Grande residents, business owners, social-service agencies and local government to work together on addressing challenges such as homelessness, petty crime, drug use and an ongoing housing shortage.

Representatives and advisers from local and county government and the Middle Township Police Department will be on the board. The Township will appoint a staff member as secretary to the board and provide legal counsel from the municipal solicitor.

Residents and business owners interested in serving in the Rio Grande Community Partnership may contact Deputy Business Administrator Suzanne Schumann at 609-465-8853.

TRAFFIC NOTICE – South State will be implementing a single lane, alternating traffic pattern utilizing dedicated flaggers on the Ocean Drive Bridge over Great Channel in order to collect field dimensions for upcoming steel repairs. The flagging pattern will be active Thursday – Friday (10/6 – 10/7) from 7AM – 5PM.

Please be advised that due to impending inclement weather the Township Committee Meeting scheduled for tonight will be rescheduled to Wednesday October 5^th at 6pm.

Middle honors longtime commissioner with proclamation

Gerald M. Thornton is county’s longest-serving official with a combined four decades in office

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Gerald M. Thornton has advocated for veterans, seniors and students with special needs throughout his years as Cape May County Commissioner.

Commissioner-Director Gerald M. Thornton, an influential figure in Cape May County politics since the 1970s, will retire at the end of the year – but not before being honored by his hometown of Middle Township.

Middle will issue a proclamation to mark Oct. 10 as Gerald M. Thornton Day in honor of the Commissioner’s “hard work and dedication to Cape May County throughout an illustrious career in service spanning 40 years.”

“On behalf of all the residents of Middle Township, I want to say how honored we have been to have Jerry Thornton as our ‘hometown’ Freeholder/Commissioner for so many years,” Mayor Tim Donohue said. “Jerry has always stood up for what is right and has been a fearless fighter for our Township in our shared mission of constantly striving to improve the quality of life for all of our residents. Thank you, Jerry, for your forty years of service to Cape May County.”

Thornton is the longest-serving county official, who originally served as county freeholder from 1976 to 1987. After a break from elected office, Thornton successfully ran for freeholder again in 1995, and was re-elected to eight consecutive three-year terms. New Jersey changed the name of the position from freeholder to commissioner in 2021.

In addition to his public service, Thornton served for 12 years in the Air Force and has consistently advocated for fellow veterans. The creation of the Cape May County Veterans Cemetery is a highlight of his legacy. Thornton proposed using county-owned land to build the cemetery and worked with the state and veterans organizations to bring the project to fruition. When the cemetery opened in Cape May Court House in 1980, Cape May County was one of only two counties in the nation with a local cemetery for its veterans.

Thornton counts his work to help create the county’s Special Services District and senior centers among his other proud accomplishments.

As Commissioner, he is responsible for overseeing areas such as Finance & Purchasing, Emergency Management, Culture & Heritage, Tourism and Public Information. He is a liaison to a number of organizations and institutions, including the Pinelands Commission, Atlantic Cape Community College and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization.

Thornton’s long record of service has earned him previous honors, including the Board of Directors Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Jersey Association of Counties (NJAC). He also is a member of the NJAC County Commissioner Hall of Fame.

Middle Township introduces online portal for convenient access to records

Licensing program makes it easier to obtain routine paperwork

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The Middle Township Municipal Clerk and Vital Statistics Offices recently launched a modern convenience that could eliminate quite a few trips to Town Hall.

The Township now offers online access to vital records and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests through GovPilot, an online municipal licensing program.

The program allows residents to request and pay for copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates, as well as public records.

Township officials welcomed the opportunity to update services and bring this level of convenience to the community.

“We are excited to incorporate these technological upgrades and service improvements in the county’s busiest Municipal Clerk’s office,” said Mayor Tim Donohue. “I want to thank our excellent administrative staff for their hard work and forward-thinking approach to making this vision a reality.”

Deputy Business Administrator Suzanne Schumann kept citizens’ needs in mind when considering the new program.

“We always strive to bring convenience to the community,” said Schumann. “Now we can offer our customers the same type of experience they get in the private sector.”

The service will expand to offer online dog licensing beginning Jan. 1 for the 2023 licensing year.

The Township can now accept credit cards in the office as well as online. A convenience fee applies to all credit card transactions. A $1.50 fee is charged for every credit card transaction up to $57, and a 2.65% fee is charged on every transaction greater than $57.

To use the online portal, go to opens in a new windowmiddletownship.com/departments/clerkregistrar/

Middle resolves to seek preventive strategies after brush with rogue car rallies

Mayor praises police response, expects criminal charges after chaotic weekend

Middle Township is participating in a multi-agency investigation after a weekend of unsanctioned car rallies that menaced area streets and killed two people in nearby Wildwood.

The Township is also exploring possible ordinances like those enacted by Ocean City, Md., following similar gatherings.

Mayor Tim Donohue recounted Middle’s response to the “lawless mayhem” that descended on the area Friday night in a Facebook post:

After drivers filled the Lowe’s parking lot, Middle adopted a proactive approach to prevent gatherings in other large parking lots across the Township’s 72 miles, Donohue said. The Middle Township Police Department was prepared to control all major parking areas overnight with the help of staff and vehicles from Public Works. Twelve units from the New Jersey State Police assisted the Township on Sunday morning.

“While local and state law enforcement agencies were aware of this unsanctioned event coming to our area, no one anticipated the sheer volume of cars arriving so suddenly from multiple states,” Donohue said in the statement. “We can state that due to our best efforts, there were no serious injuries or major property damage in the Township.”
Donohue said the Township is praying for families and victims of the out-of-control car rallies on Saturday night in Wildwood, where a number of people were seriously injured in addition to the two who were killed.

“The criminal element within these groups, from outside our county, with absolutely zero respect for the law or for the safety and welfare of our communities, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The message must be loud and clear,” Donohue said.

The Township plans to share any relevant updates with residents, but for now, is awaiting the outcome of the investigation. Donohue issued a statement in collaboration with Chief Christopher Leusner, Deputy Mayor Ike Gandy and Committeeman Jim Norris.

“As we are involved in an ongoing investigation, in partnership with several law enforcement agencies and the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, we will have no further comment at this time.,” the statement said.

Middle Township takes collaborative approach to downtown planning

Process to include partnership with county, survey of residents and businesses

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Middle Township wants residents’ input on how to make downtown Cape May Court House more walkable, business-friendly and visually appealing.

Middle Township officials seek to maximize the appeal of downtown Cape May Court House – and they’re looking for suggestions.

“Before we draw conclusions, we want to get input from the businesses, from the people that live in that area, and from the people who visit the downtown,” said Mayor Tim Donohue.

Cape May County will join the Township in exploring possibilities to bring more cohesiveness to Mechanic Street and the surrounding intersections in Cape May Court House.

“The County has a strong presence and a keen interest in ensuring that ‘Downtown Court House’ evolves into an even more vibrant, walkable, and appealing downtown,” said Commissioner Will Morey. “We are enthusiastic to collaborate and invest with the Township to explore ideas and strategies for enhancing circulation and aesthetics in the area while maximizing opportunities for compelling and productive public spaces.”

The downtown area is a blend of retail, residential and government spaces. Cape May Court House is the county seat, and the area houses Superior Court, the County Clerk’s Office, the Board of Elections and other county offices. The quaint downtown area also houses a branch of the Cape May County Library and Middle Township’s municipal offices.

Although the downtown flow is disrupted by some empty storefronts and retail spaces, especially along Route 9, the Township sees plenty of potential.

“Some changes have been happening organically, so it’s a great time to help that along. We’re looking to harness the energy that’s already there to create a true sense of place,” Donohue said.

The Township is circulating a survey to residents, visitors and business owners. Participants will be asked what changes they think would make downtown more convenient and attractive.

Revitalization efforts might include more parking and additional green space and walkable areas.

“This process goes beyond bringing in more businesses,” Donohue said. “We want to enhance the quality of life for all of those who live in and use the area.”

Anyone who visits downtown Cape May Court House or lives or works in the area can take the survey at opens in a new windowDowntown planning survey (surveymonkey.com)

Contact the Middle Township Construction Department to add your property to the Yard Sale List for this weekend!!

List of Properties registered

17A 4^th Ave, CMCH

14 W Atlantic Ave, CMCH

204 E Atlantic Ave, CMCH

101 Bay Breeze Blvd, CMCH

634 Dias Creek Rd, CMCH

217 Fairmont Rd, CMCH

400 Hand Ave, CMCH

502 Hand Ave, CMCH

514 Hand Ave, CMCH

602 Hand Ave, CMCH

990 Hand Ave, CMCH

5 W. Hereford Ave, CMCH

55 Honeysuckle Lane, CMCH

301 Indian Trail, CMCH

101 S Main St, CMCH

28 E Mechanic St, CMCH

208 Mechanic St, CMCH

1 New River Road, CMCH

20 Old North Wildwood Blvd, CMCH

313 E Pacific Ave, CMCH

327 E Pacific Ave, CMCH

1262 Route 9 South, CMCH

194 Route 47 S, CMCH

317 Route 47 S, CMCH

531 Route 47 S, CMCH

 15 Ryan Lane, CMCH

31 Sand Castle Drive, CMCH

220 Schoolhouse Lane, CMCH  

32 W Shellbay Ave, CMCH

36 W Shellbay Ave, CMCH

1 Solar Way, CMCH

22 Springers Mill Rd, CMCH

30 Springers Mill Rd, CMCH

166 Springers Mill Rd, CMCH

791 Stone Harbor Blvd, CMCH

314 Swainton Goshen Rd, CMCH

350 Swainton Goshen Rd, CMCH

16 Woodview Lane, CMCH

24 Woodview Lane, CMCH

28 Wynndemere Court, CMCH

63 Wynndemere Court, CMCH

64 Wynndemere Court, CMCH

69 Wynndemere Court, CMCH

 20 Eldredge Rd, Del Haven

 206 Ridge Rd, Green Creek

1461 Burleigh Ave, Green Creek

118 Route 47 N, Goshen

280 Route 47 N, Goshen

13 Woodland Rd, Goshen

14 Woodland Rd, Goshen

21 Woodland Rd, Goshen

 304 N 2^nd Street, Rio Grande

105 Aberdeen Way, Rio Grande

111 Aberdeen Way, Rio Grande

121 Aberdeen Way, Rio Grande

122 Aberdeen Way, Rio Grande

301 Aberdeen Way, Rio Grande

304 Aberdeen Way, Rio Grande

309 Aberdeen Way, Rio Grande

310 Aberdeen Way, Rio Grande

323 Aberdeen Way, Rio Grande

337 Aberdeen Way, Rio Grande

44 Church Rd, Rio Grande

17 Davis Rd, Rio Grande

107 Davis Rd, Rio Grande

110 Edgewood Ave, Rio Grande

15 Falkirk Drive, Rio Grande

 20 Falkirk Drive, Rio Grande

1 Glen Cove Court, Rio Grande

6 Glen Cove Court, Rio Grande

26 Lochalsh Lane, Rio Grande

35 Lochalsh Lane, Rio Grande

100 N Railroad Ave, Rio Grande

46 Secluded Lane, Rio Grande

 8 Avalon Woods Court, Swainton

14 Avalon Woods Court, Swainton

5 Avalon Woods Court, Swainton

17 Avalon Woods Court, Swainton

4 Avocado Rd, Swainton

5 Faith Run, Swainton

1 Fox Run Rd, Swainton

1401 Route 9 N, Swainton

1411 Route 9 N, Swainton

1531 Route 9 N, Swainton