Middle Township Gazette - Aug. 26, 2010
Rubber Hot Shingles &
SIDING...WE DO IT ALL! JIM SORENSEN TRADING AS SOUTHSHORE
ROOFING
FOR HALF A CENTURY
JIM SORENSEN
That Says It All Call Owner At...
(609) 675-8687
Chris SPEIGEL
2010 AUGUST 26, 2010 131 Vol. 131, No. 21
Christie meets with the regular guys as well as the big donors
By
CAROLE MATTESSICH
Staff Writer
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE –
News crackled through the county yesterday. Gov. Chris Christie was here, and, before attending an evening fundraiser, he would stop by somewhere to speak with ordinary residents about whatever might be on their minds. At around 5:15 p.m., Christie showed up at the Court House Diner, where he shook hands and chatted with almost every table full of customers – making sure to catch those at the counter, too. “Hi, I’m Chris Christie,” he would say with a friendly smile, as his advance and security personnel, clad in dark suits and coats, stood in various places around the restaurant in more somber fashion, checking the crowd and speaking with one another. Customers appeared pleased that the governor was reaching out to them. A number expressed their approval of the manner in which Christie seemed to care about local issues. Diner owner Joanne Stathakopoulos agreed. “This is a great man, to speak with people like this,” she said. “He’s the first governor who realizes south Jersey exists,” one man said. Later, at the Abbie Holmes Estate in Clermont, more than 400 supporters greeted the governor enthusiastically at an “American Barbecue” held on the estate’s grounds, and a cocktail party – with photo opportunities – held inside the historic home. Attendees paid \$100 to attend the barbecue, and from \$2,500 to \$10,000 for the party. Republican officials say the event raised nearly \$200,000. Funds raised by the event will be used, in part, to assist the campaign of local candidates in this November’s election, including County Clerk Rita Fulginiti, and freeholder candidates Gerald Thornton (an incumbent) and Sue Sheppard. All three were present Monday evening, as was U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, who is also up for reelection this year. Some of those present – like Larry Muentz and Bob Progner of the Cape May Hotel, Motel and Lodging Association – had hoped for a bit more time with the governor, to speak about issues such as the state room tax, but they still weren’t disappointed. “The conversation we had with the governor was positive,” Progner said. “His number one priority is to make sure small business is healthy in the state of New Jersey, and he is arranging a meeting in Trenton for us, and with the lieutenant governor, for early September.” Michael Donohue, chairman of the Cape May County Regular Republican Organization, introduced Christie to the crowd. Christie spoke about New Jersey’s image and the importance of southern Jersey, among other things. Middle Township Committeeman Dan Lockwood, who together with his wife Sylvia was one of the hosts of the cocktail party thrown in Christie’s honor, characterized the crowd listening to Christie as “incredibly enthusiastic.” continued on Page 20
Jen Arthur
Surf Cruisers
Avalon approves merger plan
By
MARY LINEHAN
Correspondent
SEVEN MILE ISLAND —
The Avalon Board of Education followed Stone Harbor’s lead last week, approving a plan to merge the neighboring Boroughs’ schools. The vote was held at a regular school board meeting on Aug. 18. The Stone Harbor Board of Education had already approved the merger plan at a meeting held earlier this month. The approved plan was one of four alternatives suggested by an educational consulting firm hired jointly by the boroughs last October, according to David Rauenzahn, chief school ad-
Jen Arthur
Steve Scattaglia of Stone Harbor rides a wave for as long as he can while Tom Leonik of Cape May Court House drops in on one behind him as they compete in the 20th Annual Brendan Borek High Tides Memorial Fund Surf Contest at 30th Street and the beach in Avalon Saturday. For more photos turn to page 12.
ministrator of the Stone Harbor school district and the Avalon school district, respectively. Under the plan, the two boroughs would form a single pre-kindergarten through eighth grade regional or consolidated school district. The scenario, as set out in continued on Page 21
BLADE-FREE LASIK IS HERE!
Over 8,000 LASIK performed Call for free consultation Ask about our fantastic results
Dr.Michael J. Caruso
board certified ophthalmologist
EyeMax L asik Center
200 New Road, Linwood NJ 08221 609-653-2201
0% Financing
www.DoctorMichaelCaruso.com
<1>
<2>
<3>
<4>
<5>
<6>
<7>
<8>
<9>
<10>
<11>
<12>
<13>
<14>
<15>
<16>
<17>
<18>
<19>
<20>
<21>
<22>
<23>
<24>
<25>
<26>
<27>
<28>
<29>
<30>
<31>
<32>