Strathmere Improvement Association April 11, 2017

Strathmere Improvement Association

 April 11, 2017         sia1912@comcast.net

     

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Passover Greetings to you and yours.  May you share a joyous holiday with friends and family.

News from the Township Meeting of 4/10/17: Bridge Toll Stance; No Fee on Bayview Ramp; Jitney Action
   
SIA President Linda Bateman spoke at the Township Committee meeting Tuesday night and asked the Committee to publicly oppose the proposed County Bridge Commission toll hike (recently postponed until August). The Committee voted to create a resolution voicing opposition to the proposed 66% increase to be voted on at the next Township meeting. Then we asked for a clarification on whether Bayview's boat ramp would have an attendant on duty to collect a fee and the Committee decided it would not be economically feasible to charge. They voted to keep both the Taylor and Bayview Avenue ramps open and free.                     
Also, Christine Furey of Sumner Avenue, spoke about the jitney and concerns about noise, drunken behavior and litter, while balancing the safety benefits of the service. She also noted that without a police force in town, Strathmere cannot be compared to other towns whose police handle routine nuisance calls. The Committee approved a jitney ordinance that licenses jitneys to operate in Upper Township and acknowledged they were aware of Strathmere residents' concerns. They are developing a plan for where the jitney will stop, and noted they plan to have at least one stop in Whale Beach. Email the Mayor and Committee with your comments or attend the next meeting on April 24, 7:30 pm where the anticipated route and schedule will be announced. 
 
 Easter Sunrise Mass in Strathmere
 
The Church of the Resurrection, Saint Maximilian Kolbe Roman Catholic Parish, will celebrate Easter sunrise mass on the Williams Avenue beach @6 am Easter morning. Bring a beach chair! All are welcome.

Please Take a Quick 10 Question SIA Survey:  
   As we plan this summer's meetings and programs, we'd like to ask for your input about when meetings are scheduled, how often and what topics you're interested in hearing more about. It takes less than five minutes to complete. Simply click on the link or paste it into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/66H3CZ3  

SFEC Beach Planting and Clean up-Join In
    On April 29 from 8-11 am, the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club is seeking volunteers to help pick up trash, weed, and plant native plants at our 17 beach entrances. Meet at the Tecumseh beach entrance for instruction and assignments and wear gloves!

Back by Popular Demand: SIA Yardsale Returns Memorial Day Weekend
   As you open up for the summer season, don’t trash that treasure you don’t need anymore, sell it at the yardsale. Think about taking a table at the sale on Saturday, May 27. Set up time is @7:30 am, with doors opening at 8. We’ll publicize it in local papers and with signs throughout town to draw in the crowds. More details to come-save the date!

Dues are Due!
   Once again, the SIA is asking you to renew your membership or to join the Strathmere Improvement Association for the low, low price of $10.00 per person. With your dues payment, we are able to bring you the newsletter throughout the year (also facebook and website), as well as two summer meetings with programs of local interest. The SIA co-sponsors the July 4^th Parade and the annual Christmas party where this year, Santa brought gifts to more than 20 children and past programs such as the Star Party and beach party, and this summer’s acappella concert. As a dues paying member you’re also entitled to a vote at the meetings.

   Mail a check to: SIA, PO Box 57, Strathmere, NJ 08248. Please include names, addresses and emails. If you’re not receiving the newsletter, we’d be happy to add your email.  
Ours is sia1912@comcast.net 

Thank you for your support!

Strathmere Improvement Association
PO Box 57
Strathmere New Jersey 08248

Strathmere Improvement Association Spring Newsletter

Strathmere Improvement Association Spring Newsletter

March 23, 2017       sia1912@comcast.net

Two Important Local Issues and a Gem of a Whale Beach/Library of Congress Connection

Surprise Announcement of Closure of Taylor Avenue (Whale Creek) boat ramp
 In a move that surprised many in Strathmere and Whale Beach, the Township Committee announced its decision at its February 27 meeting to close the Taylor Avenue boat ramp next to the Whale Creek Marina. It would still allow kayakers to launch from there, but would send all boaters and jet skiers to the newly installed Bayview Avenue ramp in Strathmere where a toll attendant will be on duty. It should be noted that during the summer town hall meeting hosted by the Citizens for Strathmere and Whale Beach (CFSWB), there was no mention of plans to close the ramp, nor did the Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club (SFEC) have any knowledge it was going to happen. Here's a link to the story explaining the Township's reasoning: 

http://www.shorenewstoday.com/upper_township/news/taylor-ave-ramp-in-strathmere-to-be-closed-to-boats/article_6a2718b0-33ed-5f20-885d-e5d5cceb12da.html

 Board members of the Strathmere Improvement Association sent a letter to Mayor Palombo voicing concerns about the ramifications which include increased boating traffic and congestion at the Bayview ramp; a lack of parking for the increased amount of vehicles and trailers caused by the closure, potential safety issues in times of storms when boaters need to quickly get their boats out of the water, and the drastic affect on those with boats docked at the Whale Creek Marina and at private homes along the bay. Additionally, it will make it more inconvenient for boaters to gas up and will impact the Marina's business serving day-trippers and regulars in need of bait, gas and other supplies.         
 In addition to the letter, the SIA will be represented at the upcoming Township Committee Meeting where, during the public open session, we will join with the (SFEC) and other organizations in town to voice our opposition to the ramp's closure.  The meeting is at Township Hall in Petersburg at 7:30 pm, on April 10. If you attend, you do not need to speak, but your support in filling the seats is needed. 
Sallie Callahan, President of the SFEC, reports that her organization has met with Township Engineer Paul Dietrich about their concerns regarding the new boat ramp on Bayview but as yet have not received any additional information. Please follow the SIA on facebook for current updates and feel free to contact Township officials by phone or email. That information is readily available on the Township website: http://uppertownship.com/en/

CMC Bridge Commission Proposes Toll Hike on Five County Bridges, (including ours)!
A proposed toll hike of $1.00 will bring the cost of driving over the Corson's Inlet Bridge (and four other county bridges) this summer to $2.50 and in the off season,  drop to a fifty cent increase making it $2.00 per ride. For those who use ticket books, the current discount price of $1.20 means the increase is actually $1.30 once you begin using E-ZPass. (Tickets will be honored until the books are sold out.) The Bridge Commission voted earlier to bring E-ZPass to the bridges to help with traffic flow and to attract drivers to the bridges. Bridge attendants will remain on duty, yet some part-time and seasonal workers may be cut. Here's a recent story from the Cape May County Herald:

http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/news/government/article_d5aecd20-fd7f-11e6-9d97-cf0696ed288c.html

The Bridge Commission meets on Thursday, April 27 at 2:30 pm at the Administration Building, 4 Moore Rd, Cape May Court House, to approve the plan. A public hearing is "tentatively scheduled" for 1:30 pm. During that time, you are invited to speak before the Commission. The SIA Board will represent members and plans to voice opposition to the hike which places an unfair burden on Strathmere and Whale Beach residents who must use the bridge daily for work or doctor's appointments, shopping or Parkway access. During high tide flooding, it is the only choice out of town. The increase places a burden on many of our residents on fixed income and puts the off season increase squarely on our backs. The Commission last raised rates in 2009. Additionally, a letter will be sent to the Commission and local newspapers and politicians by the SIA board.

Please share this news with any Cape May County resident or visitor, as it is a county-wide issue, not one that we are fighting on our own. If you cannot attend the meeting, you may want to email your thoughts to the Bridge Commission: Karen Coughlin, Executive Director; kcoughlin@co.cape-may.nj.us and/or Will Morey, Freeholder Liaison; morey@co.cape-may.nj.us.  Also, the public time slot is still tentative as of today, so please follow us on facebook for updates or check the Bridge Commission website, http://capemaycountynj.gov/647/Bridge-Commission

      Special Delivery!     Library of Congress Curator of Maps Finally Receives his Strathmere Hoodie!

Ed Redmond, Curator of Maps, Library of Congress, visited by Linda Bateman, SIA President

Ed Redmond grew up summering in Sea Isle and Whale Beach, where his mother still owns a home. Today he lives in Virginia and works as Curator, Vault Collections, Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, in the James Madison Building, across the street from the Library of Congress and the US Capitol Building. Ed ordered a hoodie during our summer fundraiser but was unable to make it to the Jersey shore this summer so it only seemed right to make a personal delivery. Ed has an amazing job and generously gave a private tour through maps of Cape May County (including Strathmere), an early map drawn by George Washington of his farm, a Gettysburg map signed by General George Meade asserting its accuracy, and a few other treasures such as a map of troop deployments for the first and second waves of  D-Day, one of only two maps in the world of Vietnam done in Latin, French and Vietnamese, and brought out an ingenious deck of cards distributed by the USO to troops in France during WWII. Once the cards were soaked in water, maps emerged and were assembled for soldiers to find their way through unknown French territory. There is a beautiful assortment of globes, including one of that is a map of the ocean floor. Incredible treasures with fascinating stories of origin and acquisition.

Ed, a graduate of the University of Delaware with a degree in History Education, taught Social Studies for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Diocese of Wilmington before earning a full time appointment at West Chester University where he earned a graduate degree in Early American History. Following graduation, Ed joined the Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division in 1989 and, over the last 27 years, his research and publications have specialized in the cartographic career of George Washington (1732-1799).
Today, he is the internationally recognized expert on George Washington's cartographic career. An essay Ed authored on the topic may be found via
https://www.loc.gov/collections/george-washington-papers/articles-and-essays/george-washington-survey-and-mapmaker/

As Ed said, "Not bad for a kid whose family spent summers in Sea Isle City before moving to Whale Beach." Finally, Ed said that if anyone is planning on visiting Washington, DC, he is more than willing to share the collections of the Library of Congress.  He can be reached directly via ered@loc.gov

 

An exhibit Ed helped create

for display in the Library of Congress Building.

 

Majestic Ceiling of the Library of Congress.

Easter Sunrise Mass Once Again Comes to Srathmere Beach

The Church of the Resurrection, Saint Maximilian Kolbe Parish, will celebrate Easter sunrise mass on the Williams Avenue beach @6 am Easter morning. As the date nears, please consult their website for up-to-date information on the actual time for mass to begin and to be sure the Plovers' nests haven't changed the location. Last year Mass was celebrated at the Point with the dredgers idling behind the celebrant. Bring a beach chair! All are welcome.  www.http://saintmaxkolbe.com

Strathmere Improvement Association
PO Box 57
Strathmere New Jersey 08248

SIA Newsletter 12 24 2011 - Merry Christmas!

To All Strathmere and Whale Beach Homeowners and Visitors,


This newsletter reminds us of the movie "Groundhog Day"...
We're writing (again) about replacing the bridge railings, beach replenishment, trash pickup, replacing the bridge railings, beach replenishment, etc., etc......

The work on the bridge continues to progress, although after almost three months of work, you have to wonder if they'll complete it in the five months left until Memorial Day.

It does look nice, though (comparing the old and the new)...

 
 
As mentioned in our last newsletter, the dredge has arrived and has now begun our beach replenishment. Here's the view from ground level...

 
 
 
and here are bird's-eye views, compliments of Ted Kingston:
 

 
 
 
 
Since both Christmas and New Year's Day fall on Sunday, the Township has a holiday on each of those Mondays. Normally we would only have trash collection on those Tuesdays, but in response to our inquiry about going three weeks without a recycling pickup, they agreed to send a recycling truck over later in the day on each of those Tuesdays.

Consequently, we will have both trash and recycling picked up on Tuesday, December 27 and Tuesday, January 3.



We continue to have (relatively) mild nights, so we "Strathmorons" are still taking daily outside showers. Although tonight (Christmas Eve) is forecast to go below freezing, it won't be enough to freeze pipes, so it looks like we can continue to shower outside right up to the end of 2011. Lucky us!

To everyone, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Thanks to all for your continuing support of the SIA!

SIA Newsletter 12/1/2011 - Santa Needs Your Help for the Christmas Party!

In this issue: Christmas Party; Food Drive for the Needy; Work Progressing on Bridge; Dredge Still on the Way.

The Strathmere Community Christmas Party, sponsored by the SIA and our Volunteer Fire Company, will be held at 6 pm on Saturday, December 10.

So Santa can complete his list for the party, please let us know the name and age of any child (ten or under) who will be attending, so we can help him with that list!

Santa and his helpers need to get that information from you as soon as possible. Please let us know by replying to this newsletter, emailing Donna Diefenderfer at donnad921@comcast.net  calling Donna at 215-801-5876 (cell) or 609-263-3620 (home); or dropping her a note at PO Box 57 Strathmere, NJ 08248.
Thanks for your help - and we'll see you all on December 10!


As you know, the Holiday Season this year will again be very tough for many who have been adversely affected by the economy.

The Strathmere Fishing and Environmental Club is having a food drive this Saturday, with donations going to the Community Food Pantry at the Church of the Resurrection in Marmora. If you can donate, please bring non-perishable food items or make a cash donation (make checks out to COTR - Food Pantry) to the firehouse on December 3 around 4pm. Here is an article on the SFEC website with shopping suggestions and an opinion piece from the Press indicating that writing a check may actually be better than donating food...
While you're at the website check out what big "stripers" look like (Riordans and Last Cast articles) and some great sunrise pictures by Greg Bennett.

 
 
Work on the bridge railings continues to progress. Here workers have removed the railings on the Ocean City side of the toll booth and prepare for the new posts...

Here are some of the new posts, and a comparison of old and new at this stage.

 
 

 
 

The dredge for our beach replenishment has been delayed, but work has progressed on getting the pipes set up.
 The dredge is now passing Cape Hateras and is expected to arrive the week of December 5 and begin pumping sand the week of December 12...
Timing will continue to be weather-dependent...

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For those of us who are "year-rounders", one of our fun things is to see who can be the last to take daily outdoor showers. Since we still haven't had any hard freezes, the 2011 competition continues!

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Don't forget our big Christmas sale on Strathmere portable coolers. We're offering them at $25 each or $22.50 a piece for two or more.

Great gifts - no wrapping required! Just reply to this newsletter and we'll hold them for you.

 
 
Thanks to all for your continuing support! If you never got around to paying your 2011 dues, there is still time to send a check ($10 per adult family member) to SIA at PO Box 57, Strathmere 08248. It's not deductible, but it will be a big help with our projects like the Christmas party and the Fourth of July parade. We don't dun you individually - we just hope you enjoy our work and our newsletters and think $10 is a bargain!.




Thanks to all for your continuing support!
Butch Vandegrift - President
Linda Bateman -Vice-President
Donna Diefenderfer - Treasurer
Dorothy Addario - Recording Secretary
Ken Weaver - Corresponding Secretary

Story from The Press about repairs being made to our bridge and others in Cape May County

Cape May County bridge projects will improve vital links at the shore

Some of the photos from the story -

Posted: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 12:00 am

Cape May County bridge projects will improve vital links at the shore By MICHAEL MILLER Staff Writer
UPPER TOWNSHIP — At least seven bridges in Cape May County will undergo repairs, demolition or new construction next year, underscoring the importance these spans have in daily life here.

The Corsons Inlet Bridge reopened late Monday after workers set up concrete barriers and traffic lights to regulate one-way travel on the span through Memorial Day. Workers will spend the winter replacing the bridge’s dilapidated railings, damaged Feb. 1 when a sport utility vehicle crashed through them and plunged into the bay, with sturdier ones in a $2.3 million project.

Two Sea Isle City teenagers were injured in the crash.
Residents of Cape May County’s four barrier islands normally come and go freely from the beach to the mainland via a network of causeways and bridges, but Hurricane Irene was a reminder to Charlie and Janet Nesbitt, of Bloomsburg, Pa., that they spend half the year on a vulnerable barrier island.

“It does reinforce it,” Charlie Nesbitt said. “You take it for granted sometimes.” The couple took down their sunroom Tuesday at the seasonal Ocean Beach Trailer Resort in the Strathmere section of Upper Township.

The biggest of all the construction projects in Cape May County is the new $400 million Route 52 causeway, which is slated for completion by Memorial Day 2012.
Meanwhile, the $3.3 million widening work is continuing on the Avalon Canal Bridge at the entrance to Avalon on 30th Street.
And four of the Ocean Drive bridges owned by the Cape May County Bridge Commission will undergo work ranging from new boat fenders to structural repairs. The work includes:

* $2.3 million this fall through spring to replace railings on both sides of the Corsons Inlet Bridge
* $2.8 million in the spring to repair the bascule bridge at Townsends Inlet
* $250,000 in the spring to repair the substructure to the Grassy Sound and Corsons Inlet spans
* $500,000 to repair boat fenders this fall on the Middle Thorofare Bridge in Lower Township

Cape May County also plans to demolish part of the Beesleys Point Bridge this fall.

“The good news is the work is being done when there are such budget constraints and funding is not often readily available,” Upper Township Mayor Richard Palombo said.

He and other township officials had lobbied to save the Beesleys Point Bridge, but plans to repair it were scrapped last year when cost estimates increased by more than 60 percent.

The county bonded $1.2 million to demolish the drawbridge portion of the bridge this year.

Palombo said he wants the county to spare a section of the bridge as a new pedestrian attraction with benches, lights and maybe even concessions.
“People like to stroll out there and take advantage of the bay view,” he said. “The area would be nice for recreation if we can make it a fishing pier.”
Palombo said this span might need some modest work to ensure the safety of pedestrians. But since it would not have to bear the weight or wear of vehicles, it should be relatively inexpensive, he said.
A fishing pier could be the keystone of the point’s other attractions, which include a boat ramp, public beach, bayfront restaurant, and private Jet Ski rental, the mayor said.
“I was hoping the county would take the initiative through open-space money,” he said. “I think it would be a real sad thing if they decided to take the bridge down without utilizing it.”

County Administrator Stephen O’Connor said he would talk to Upper Township about the idea but was doubtful that repairing the bridge for pedestrian use would feasible.
“I don’t think it’s likely. We’re lobbying for that bridge to be demolished as part of the new Garden State Parkway bridge construction,” he said. “It would cost too much to make it safe for pedestrians.”

Meanwhile, residents of Strathmere are adjusting to the alternating one-way traffic on the Corsons Inlet Bridge. Workers installed new lights to regulate traffic during the six-month construction project.

“It’s a lot of grief, but it’s a job that needs to be done,” said Lynda Brown, owner of the Deauville Inn, which overlooks the bridge.
Keeping the Corsons Inlet Bridge open this fall is especially important, she said. The restaurant normally closes on slow weeknights, but this year it is expecting large crowds of fans for Major League Baseball's playoffs.



Contact Michael Miller:
609-463-6712
MMiller@pressofac.com

SIA Newsletter 9 7 2011 - Bridge Will Be Closed Monday; Lane Restrictions Until Memorial Day - No Tolls

Corson’s Inlet Bridge to Close Monday - Lane Restrictions Until Memorial Day 2012



Cape May County will close the Corson’s Inlet Toll Bridge from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on Monday, September 12 in order to install concrete barriers and portable traffic signals. When the bridge reopens, traffic will be controlled by the portable traffic signals, which will control the one open lane on the bridge.

These lane closures will continue until Memorial Day Weekend 2012. The lane closures are necessary to replace the deteriorated bridge railing.


No tolls will be collected during this time.



Thanks for your continuing support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!

SIA Newsletter - February 14, 2011 - The Bridge Is Open!

The Bridge opened today (Monday) at 9:45. Finally!

Actually, it's hard to blame anyone for the timing - only that the communications were a little fogged up...

We saw activity on the bridge Wednesday morning, and then nothing until Saturday. Turns out you can't buy those posts and railings - they had to be fabricated in Allied Painting's shop in Cherry Hill and it took until Friday. They then worked all day Saturday and Sunday (into the dark Sunday), completing it and passing inspection this morning.

Here are the newly fabricated posts and railings ready for installation on Saturday:


 
 
Drilling holes for the posts on Saturday
 

Installing the rails on Sunday...

The finished product (Monday morning).





Removing the barricades ("Tear down that wall!").

The Bridge Commission website has the "Open" announcement: http://www.followthegull.org/news.asp?id=28

Next step: the Commission meets Thursday morning to consider new bids on total replacement of the railings. It's not clear if they have the money to do it regardless of how low the bids are...



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Thanks for your support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!

Butch Vandegrift - President
Linda Bateman -Vice-President
Donna Diefenderfer - Treasurer
Dorothy Addario - Recording Secretary
Ken Weaver - Corresponding Secretary

SIA Newsletter - February 11, 2011 - Bridge May not Open Until Tuesday (2/15)

Still no change in the bridge!


 

 
 
We have seen no activity on the bridge since what looked like a survey team was up there Wednesday morning.
With a call to the Bridge Commission this afternoon, we learned that they have been told the contractor is having difficulty obtaining materials for the temporary repairs and the contractor told the Commission today that repairs would take until Tuesday.

The Bridge Commission website (below) says that the bridge will open late on Saturday (tomorrow), but it sounds like they have just not updated it with this latest information...
http://www.followthegull.org/

 
Don't slay the messenger!!



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Thanks for your support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!

Butch Vandegrift - President
Linda Bateman -Vice-President
Donna Diefenderfer - Treasurer
Dorothy Addario - Recording Secretary
Ken Weaver - Corresponding Secretary
 
 
 

According to the Cape May County Bridge Commission -

From their website as of 2/11 - http://www.followthegull.org/news.asp?id=28

CORSONS INLET BRIDGE STATUS UPDATE...
The Corsons Inlet Bridge, connecting Ocean City with Strathmere, remains closed to traffic. Emergency repairs are being made to the bridge. The completion of the repairs and the re-opening of the bridge is now scheduled for late in the day on Saturday February 12. For more information, feel free to contact the Commission at 609-465-7806 during regular business hours.


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Personally, I wouldn't count on it being open in time. If you're going to Strathmere, go in through Sea Isle.
 
 
 

SIA Newsletter - February 8, 2011 - Bridge Should Be Open By Saturday

Here's our bridge today:

And here is an article that was in today's Press of Atlantic City, indicating that temporary repairs on the railing should begin tomorrow and complete on Friday.

Hope they're correct!

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/upper_capemay/bridge-commission-oks-emergency-repairs-to-corsons-inlet-bridge/article_b5fc5768-3305-11e0-ad5c-001cc4c03286.html

Again, you can check to see when the bridge opens at the Bridge Commission website here:

http://www.followthegull.org/


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Thanks again for your support of the Strathmere Improvement Association!


Butch Vandegrift - President
Linda Bateman -Vice-President
Donna Diefenderfer - Treasurer
Dorothy Addario - Recording Secretary
Ken Weaver - Corresponding Secretary

Some more stories about the bridge in local papers

• Eyewitness account of bridge accident - from Shore News Today

• Officials: Broken window may have saved passengers’ lives - from Shore News Today

• Corson’s Inlet Bridge closed a week for repairs after accident - from Shore News Today

• CAPE MAY CO. BRIDGE COMMISSION APPROVES REPAIRS FOR CORSONS INLET - from NBC40 along with a short news clip - http://www.nbc40.net/news/16354/video

• County Awards $19,400 Contract to Fix Corson's Inlet Bridge by Friday - from Ocean City Patch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corson’s Inlet Bridge Set to Reopen Friday

From the Cape may County Herald - by Al Campbell

https://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/government/strathmere/69470-corson’s+inlet+bridge+set+reopen+friday


STRATHMERE — Corson’s Inlet Bridge, linking this Upper Township community and Ocean City via Ocean Drive, will tentatively reopen Fri., Feb. 11 after emergency repairs to replace a rusted railing through which a Sea Isle City teen brother and sister’s vehicle crashed Tue., Feb. 1. That left a gaping hole temporarily fixed by county crews.

On Mon., Feb. 7, the Cape May County Bridge Commission met in emergency session to award the repair contract.

According to commission Executive Director Stephen O’Connor, the commission solicited proposals from qualified contractors who “have a successful history of doing work for the county.”

The lower of two bidders was Allied Painting, Inc. of Cherry Hill. Its bid was $19,400, with a four-day completion.

The other bid was submitted by IEW Construction Group, Inc. of Trenton. Its bid was $24,875, with work to be done in 10 days.
“We expect the repairs to be made and the bridge reopened Friday,” O’Connor stated.

Chairman William Henfey convened the emergency meeting after a required “Sunshine” notice had been sent on Thur., Feb. 3 to the Herald. The meeting took place at the commission’s headquarters, 153 Crest Haven Road, Crest Haven.

On Oct. 19, the county Bridge Commission received bids from five contractors to repair Corson's Inlet Bridge.

Those base bids ranged from $3.36 million to $4.4 million.

All were rejected, since they came in $1 million higher than the commission expected, O’Connor confirmed.

At 12:54 p.m. Feb. 1, State Police at Woodbine station received a call that a vehicle had crashed on Strathmere (Corson’s Inlet) Bridge.

In the interim, alert Strathmere residents heard the crash, and quickly reacted, grabbing blankets to warm the crash victims.
Police reported that, for an unknown reason, the 2006 Ford Expedition, operated by Nicole Crudele, 18, of Sea Isle City, a senior at Ocean City High School, and in which her brother, Michael, 18, was a passenger, veered off the bridge deck and plunged into the 36-degree back bay water.

The siblings, niece and nephew of Freeholder Vice Director and Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio, safely exited the sunken vehicle, and swam to safety. On the beach, residents aided them.

Both were transported to by Ocean City Fire Rescue AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division for non-life threatening injuries, which included lacerations and exposure.

The vehicle was recovered by N.J. State Police T.E.A .M.S. Unit, Strathmere Fire Company, N.J. State Park Police and Cape May County Road Department.

Also responding were N.J. State Police Marine Bureau, Sea Isle City Police, and Ocean City Fire Department.
Cape May County Engineer Dale Foster responded to the scene, and after surveying the damage, ordered the bridge closed, pending a thorough inspection and repairs.

Trooper Jason Barker headed the investigation.

Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com