Avalon's Community Center hosts Senior Jamboree on May 8 2008.

Harry Clayton of Avalon honored as 2008 Outstanding Senior of the Year

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon resident Harry M. Clayton was honored on Thursday, May 8 as the “2008 Outstanding Male Senior” of the year for Cape May County. Clayton received the honor during the county’s “Senior Jamboree” held at the Avalon Community Hall, at 30^th and the Beach.

Clayton was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1931, and moved to Avalon in 1942 with his wife, Marlene. The Claytons have five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Clayton is a veteran of the United States Army. He is retired from the Avalon Fire company and is a lifetime member of the New Jersey Firemen’s Association.

Clayton has served Avalon as a school board president, a construction officer, and as a fire inspector. He is a member of Habitat for Humanity, and affiliated with the Cape May County Construction Board of Appeals. Clayton is active in Avalon senior citizen organizations. Freeholder Gerry Thornton commented, “Harry is an asset to his community. He is always willing to volunteer, get involved, and give his time for community improvement”.

Each year, the Senior Jamboree is held at the Avalon Community Hall, and is hosted by the Cape May County Department of Aging. The theme for this year’s event was “Senior Sea Cruise”. About 500 seniors came to this year’s event.

meeting for David Lutes, who has worked as a Patrolman for the Avalon Police Department. Lutes was promoted to Administrative Sergeant during a special ceremony held during the Wednesday, May 7^th Avalon Council meeting. His oath was administered by Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi.

Lutes has worked as a patrolman for the Avalon Police Department for 22 years, and was honored for his promotion last night.

The duties of the Administrative Sergeant position in the Avalon Police Department include, but are not limited to:

*Supervise the records division

*Supervise and manage the Avalon Public Safety Communications Center

*Supervise all communications and computer equipment, as well as vehicle readiness status

*Research and apply for available grants

*Oversee the Avalon Police Department’s efforts at acquiring accreditation by the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police and maintaining that accreditation once acquired.

*Requisition equipment, supplies, and services required by the department

Lutes lives in Cape May Court House with his wife and six children. He is a graduate of Basking Ridge, NJ High School and Lutes also has an Associates’ Degree in Criminology from Atlantic Cape Community College. Lutes and his wife have coached youth basketball in Middle Township, and he has also worked with the Cub Scouts as a den leader. Lutes has held offices in local PBA #59, acting previously as treasurer and as recording secretary.

Enclosed are some photographs from last night’s swearing in ceremony, held during the Avalon Council Meeting at the Avalon Community Hall, 30^th and the Beach.

Council President Joseph Tipping congratulates Mayor Pagliughi on his award

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi received a major award during the Avalon Borough Council meeting on Wednesday, May 7^th. Pagliughi was presented with a certificate of recognition from the New Jersey League of Municipalities, inducting him into the New Jersey League of Municipalities Elected Officials Hall of Fame for 20 years of public service to the Avalon community.

The award was presented to Pagliughi by Avalon Council President Joseph Tipping. Pagliughi and Avalon Councilman Richard Dean were the only inductees from Cape May County in the 2008 class. Pagliughi will begin his 17^th year as mayor of Avalon in July, 2008.

The New Jersey League of Municipalities is a voluntary association created to help communities do a better job of self-government through pooling information and brain power, according to the league’s official website. The league has been serving officials throughout the state since 1915, and all 566 municipalities in the state of New Jersey are involved.

Pagliughi has authored a column in the league’s official magazine, “New Jersey Municipalities”, which is mailed to all elected officials in the state. This month’s column details Avalon’s battle with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection over the latest State Aid Agreement. A copy of the “As I See It” column is posted on the Borough’s website, avalonboro.org.

(Avalon, NJ) - The Avalon Volunteer Fire Company and its Ladies’ Auxiliary are teaming up for a Mother’s Day Weekend event this Saturday, May 10^th.

The Avalon Volunteer Fire Department Ladies’ Auxiliary is having a plant sale Saturday from 8am-1pm. The auxiliary is offering many varieties of annual and perennial plants, perfect for Mothers’ Day gifts. And from 9am-2pm, members of the fire department will be holding a hoagie sale as well, with the best hoagies offered at the shore this weekend. All sales will be taking place in front of the firehouse, 3100 Dune Drive in Avalon. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Avalon Volunteer Fire Department.

This big sale event will take place during Avalon’s 14^th Annual Community Wide Yard Sale event, also being held on Saturday, May 10^th, from 9am-3pm, rain or shine. Last year, there were over 125 participants in the event. Yard sale buffs can stop by the Avalon Community Hall at 30^th Street and the Beach to obtain a listing of the addresses of sale participants, and a map of Avalon. Posters will be displayed in the yards of sale participants.

AVALON RECEIVES VERY LOW INTEREST RATE DURING COMPETITIVE BOND SALE

(Avalon, NJ)—The Borough of Avalon was able to receive a very low interest rate of 3.762% during a highly competitive bond sale that occurred Wednesday morning, April 30^th. The low interest rate will be applied to approximately $21.35 million worth of general improvement bonds in Avalon.

"This is great news for the community", said Councilman Chuck Covington, a member of Avalon’s Finance Committee. "The online, open-auction bidding process resulted in spirited competition for Avalon’s bonds, and results in an extremely low interest rate that will save Avalon plenty of money".

The online bond auction was conducted at 11am, and conducted by Grant Street Group, the only company in the United States that hosts open auctions for municipal bonds. The time for the auction was set at 15 minutes. Before the auction closed, a total of 30 bids came in from eight different bidders. The winning bid with the lowest interest rate was awarded to Commerce Capital Markets.

Harry M. Scott, CPA from Ford-Scott Associates was at the auction, and stated "This is a very good interest rate for Avalon. The value of Borough property has risen dramatically over the past decade, and Avalon’s tax collection rate is superb. The management of debt is top-drawer in Avalon. Anyone who made a bid feels very secure that the money will be paid, and (Commerce) will be able to market it well to secondary markets".

Commerce Capital Markets’ initial bid was 3.85%, and through the bidding process, the rate dropped by nearly a full tenth of one percentage point. The bonds will finance various improvements in Avalon, including a floor for Community Hall, beach work, and the construction of a new public safety complex. Work on that complex is underway, and Phase I will be finished later this year. The entire project will be completed in early spring, 2009.

"I’m very pleased with the number of interested parties who actively participated in Wednesday’s bond sale for Avalon", said Nancy Hudanich, also a member of Avalon’s Finance Committee. "The low interest rate results in big savings for Avalon, and reflects Council’s very precise management of Avalon’s finances".

Also this week, Avalon received an Aa3 bond rating from Moody’s Financial Services, which represents the best municipal bond rate of any community in Cape May County.

MOODY’S: AVALON RECEIVES Aa3 BOND RATING, HIGHEST IN COUNTY

(Avalon, NJ)—Moody’s Investors Services announced today that the Borough of Avalon has been assigned an Aa3 rating to its $21.4 million General Improvement Bonds. This high rating will be applied to Series 2008, consisting of $19 million of General Improvement Bonds and $2.35 million of Water and Sewer Utility bonds. Concurrently, Moody’s has affirmed the Aa3 rating on the Borough’s $23.7 million in previously issued and outstanding parity debt. This Aa3 rating remains the highest bond rating of any municipality in Cape May County, and also is among the highest bond rating of any coastal town that borders the Atlantic Ocean.

"This is tremendous news for the taxpayers in Avalon", noted Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi. "The very high bond rating set by Moody’s shows that Avalon’s elected officials and administration have managed tax dollars well, and have kept a very close eye on the money we spend".

Proceeds from this issue of bonds, which is secured by Avalon’s general obligation unlimited tax pledge, will provide $7.65 million in new money for the construction of a new public safety complex, and will permanently finance $13.7 million in Bond Anticipation Notes originally issued for various capital, and water and sewer system improvements. Moody’s says "The Aa3 rating reflects the borough’s sizeable and affluent tax base influenced by its location along the Atlantic coastline in southern New Jersey, healthy financial operations with strong reserve levels, and a modest debt burden with limited future borrowing plans".

Moody’s also reports that Avalon’s financial operations remain strong and stable as conservative budgeting practices and prudent fiscal management have resulted in consistently healthy reserve levels. This year’s tax rate in Avalon is 17.1 cents per $100 of assessed valuation; it’s the lowest overall tax rate in Cape May County.

"Avalon has been able to manage its spending thanks to about two dozen shared services agreements that are in place," said Avalon Council President Joseph Tipping. "And we’re able to keep our own costs down. For instance, Avalon is using approximately $750,000 in funding from the Cape May County Public Improvements Joint Venture Program for our new Public Safety Complex". The first phase of that complex will open later this year; the entire project will be finished in early spring, 2009.

Pagliughi commends Avalon’s Borough Council, Chief Financial Officer Jim Craft, Tax Assessor Jeff Hesley, and auditors Glen Ortman and Harry Scott for achieving Avalon’s Aa3 bond rating from Moody’s.

Pagliughi also says department heads in Avalon government have also worked hard to keep expenses down.

AVALON TO CLOSE BOROUGH HALL ON MAY 12^TH FOR HVAC WORK ON BUILDING

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon will close its Borough Hall on May 12^th for approximately six weeks as some major work is done on the roof of the building. A new heating and air conditioning system is being installed in the building; the work is part of new construction next to Borough Hall that will result in a new Public Safety Complex for the community. The recommendation to close the hall was suggested by the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund, which Avalon is a member.

"Safety is first in all we do. It’s all about safety for the public, and for the people who work in Borough Hall", said Avalon Business Administrator Andrew Bednarek. "We held many meetings with the general contractor for the project, and everyone agreed that safety comes first, and it’s best for Borough Hall to be empty while crews work on the roof and on the ceiling". The May 12^th closure date was selected as a convenience for residents who want to pay their taxes before the May 10^th deadline.

During this major construction project, functions of Borough government will not be interrupted. Avalon will be moving most of its operations to the Public Works facility, located at 13^th Street and Dune Drive. Two office trailers will be put on the Public Works property; a third trailer will be located behind Borough Hall.

Here is a list of where municipal business will be transacted during this closure:

*Public Works Building and Office Trailers, 13^th and Dune Drive—Borough Clerk, Construction, Finance, Planning, Rental Licenses, Tax Collector, Zoning

*Office trailer behind Borough Hall: Mayor, Administration, Municipal Court. For questions regarding court, call 967-4457

*All scheduled Council meetings and Planning Board meetings will be held at the Avalon Community Center, at 30^th and the Beach.

*Senior programs will continue; contact Sue Keen at 967-5924

Construction is currently underway on a new Public Safety Complex located next to Borough Hall, on Dune Drive between 30^th and 31^st Streets. Work on the building began last year, and the first phase of the construction project will be finished by the end of this year; the project will be completely wrapped up early in the spring of 2009. The new Public Safety Complex will house the Police Department, Fire Department, Emergency Management, Rescue Squad, Beach Tag, and Communications functions for the borough.

"We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the closure of Borough Hall during the construction work", Bednarek said. "But safety always comes first in Avalon".

Information on this construction project will be updated on the Borough’s website, www. avalonboro.org.

WHAT’S NEWS IN AVALON—HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME BIG UPCOMING EVENTS TO AVALON, NJ

FRIDAY, MAY 9—The Avalon Chamber of Commerce and Fred’s Avalon Liquor store are teaming up to present a special evening at the Avalon Community Center, at 30^th and the Beach, in Avalon. A big wine tasting event will take place from 7-10pm, with over 120 wines, vodkas, and microbrews available for sampling. There will also be special appetizers from the area’s finest restaurants. Tickets for the event are $40, and available in advance at the Avalon Chamber of Commerce, 30^th Street and Ocean Drive, or at Fred’s Avalon Liquor Store at 2258 Dune Drive, Avalon. Tickets will also be available at the door.

SATURDAY, MAY 10—Avalon will be holding its 14^th Annual Community-Wide Yard Sale. The event will be held from 9am-3pm, rain or shine. Last year, the yard sale was a major success with over 125 participants. Yard sale buffs can stop by the Avalon Community Hall at 30^th Street and the Beach starting at 8am to obtain a listing of addresses of sale participants, along with a map of Avalon. Posters will be displayed in the yards of sale participants. The event is sponsored by the Avalon Garden Club to raise money for beautification projects in the community.

THURSDAY, MAY 15 THRU SUNDAY MAY 18^TH—Matthew Cubbler, a Collegeville, Pennsylvania police officer will be conducting a 72 hour, 70 mile run from the Commodore Barry Bridge to Avalon, NJ. The run is expected to conclude on Sunday, May 18^th, at 1pm at the Veterans’ Plaza in Avalon. Various elected officials from the Avalon and Philadelphia areas will be on hand to welcome Matt at the conclusion of his run. Matt is attempting to raise $50,000 for an organization called C.O.P.S., and for scholarships for children with various physical and mental disabilities.

MONDAY, MAY 28—Avalon will be holding a Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 26, at 9am. American Legion Post 331 will be part of this event, along with elected officials and various other civic and volunteer organizations. The parade will proceed north along Dune Drive from 34^th Street to the 21^st Street Veterans Plaza, where a ceremony will take place. There will be a formal presentation of wreaths in memory of those men and women of the armed forces who gave their lives for our country.

"AS I SEE IT" COLUMN BY AVALON MAYOR MARTIN PAGLIUGHI TO

APPEAR IN THE JUNE EDITION OF NJ LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES

MAGAZINE REGARDING AVALON VS. NJDEP

Municipal leaders are certainly learning this month that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to get sense and reason out of Trenton. We are all dealing with some tough financial choices: Do we consolidate, and at what price and sacrifice? Will local towns be getting the state funding they have counted on for years, or will we have to find ways to learn to do more, with less? Some State leaders believe we are magicians who, with the waving of a magic wand, can cure all of the financial problems of New Jersey on a local level.

If that wasn’t enough, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is taking it a step further. The DEP now wants coastal towns in the state to provide unlimited, unfettered access to beaches, bays, and waterways 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days out of the year. And to accomplish that goal, local shore towns are being coerced into signing a State Aid Agreement that is both vague, and oppressive.

Avalon has never been against public access. That’s not the issue here. The real issue is that the DEP has tried to get shore communities to sign a State Aid Agreement that is broad, vague, and attempts to govern through contract. This is an attempt at social engineering by the state—an attempt to get shore communities to sign an agreement that could expose us to tremendous financial liability through possible land acquisition, insurance costs, bathrooms, and even signage.

When Avalon leaders first examined the State Aid Agreement, we were frankly incredulous. We saw a document that was overbroad, and lacking specifics. And, we also fully understood that if we didn’t sign the agreement, Avalon would risk not getting funding for beach nourishment projects.

Allow me to explain Avalon’s own commitment to beach nourishment and public access. Avalon is one of the leaders in the state of New Jersey, and the entire east coast, with our own local shore management plan. Avalon has no private beaches. Avalon makes it easier for people to go to the beach by offering daily beach tags. The borough has a 900 vehicle parking lot next to the beach, which is free to the public and has no meters. We provide 5,700 parking spaces on the street as well.

Avalon is also very sensitive to the shore environment; in our community, an average of one out of every three acres is preserved, free from future development. Avalon has the highest percentage of open space of all barrier island communities in Cape May County, according to the NJDEP’s own statistics. And, Avalon has spent approximately $14 million in municipal dollars on various beach and dune work.

And here are a few additional facts: Avalon has 62 public access points along our four miles of beachfront, which averages to about 15 access points per mile. Avalon provides more access points per mile, on average, than the rest of New Jersey.

This is clear proof that Avalon not only has no problem with public access, it has a continued, long-standing commitment to providing the access the DEP desires.

But thanks to the wording of the State Aid Agreement, Avalon did not sign it. The agreement deals with issues like public access, parking, and even bathrooms, with no regard to liability or expense. For instance, the State Aid Agreement calls for the public to have unlimited access to waterways, including our beaches, 24 hours a day, all year long, with no discussion whatsoever about danger and liability to the public. If a storm arises on a Saturday night that creates a danger on the beach, the rules prohibit Borough public safety officials from closing the beaches until they are able to reach someone at the DEP who will make the decision, even though they might not have had the opportunity to visit the site and evaluate the condition.

The parking issue is also a major concern. If, in the future, the state decides that Avalon needs additional parking, the Borough could be required to condemn private properties close to the beach and tear down homes to make parking lots.

The private citizen is also impacted by this agreement. Private property owners may also be required to provide 24 hour access to their own property if they have to obtain a CAFRA permit to install a bulkhead or a dock on their property.

I strongly suggest every municipal leader who has a shorefront or a coastline to take a good look at this agreement, and consider the potential exposure for your community.

Avalon had signed three previous State Aid Agreements with the DEP in the past because we truly support beach access for the public. In 2005, Avalon conducted a survey and learned that 71 percent of our visitors come to the Borough to enjoy our white, sandy beaches. Public access to our beaches is part of our community character.

In Avalon, we’re through shrugging our shoulders and trying to figure out what the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is trying to accomplish with this latest State Aid Agreement. Frankly, I’m not sure the DEP even understands what it’s asking shore communities to sign, and the ramifications that could come down the road from lawsuits, orders to obtain more land to provide parking and bathrooms, and the like. This agreement asks local communities to make open-ended financial commitments in exchange for funding for much-needed beach nourishment projects.

We have taken the DEP to court over this matter. There was a court hearing held in our area before Superior Court Judge Steven Perskie. Judge Perskie listened to our arguments, and why we felt it was necessary to challenge the DEP on this State Aid Agreement.

"I don’t understand how any rational person who knows anything about the subject matter could have reached some of the conclusions that the Department has reached in the promulgation of these regulations".

The State Department of Environmental Protection has clearly put Avalon and other coastal communities in New Jersey at great financial risk by threatening to withhold beach nourishment dollars in exchange for signing an agreement whose legality is still pending in the courts.

The future of shore communities is at stake, our tourism economy and public safety is at risk. The Governor has to pay more attention to his DEP, especially since shore communities provide $24 billion in taxable revenue, and the shore economy is responsible for over 300,000 jobs.

We in Avalon are anxious to hear what the Appellate Court thinks of the DEP’s promulgation of such public access regulations. You as elected and appointed officials throughout the state are encouraged to take a good look at the public access regulations as they affect your communities since they are included in the State Aid Agreement. Please consider the ramifications before you sign the agreement, if you have yet to do so. Furthermore, I encourage you to join with Avalon in the legal fight to these vague and oppressive state regulations, and join the political process to challenge the wisdom of the DEP’s arbitrary regulations.

AVALON PREPARES TO WELCOME MATT CUBBLER TO FINISH A 70-MILE RUN TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon is prepared to welcome a very special visitor to the community on Sunday, May 18^th. Matthew Cubbler, a police officer from Collegeville, PA, will complete a 72 hour, 70-mile run on that date when he’s escorted into Avalon by the Avalon Police Department. Cubbler will also be greeted by many local and regional officials and dignitaries who will honor Matt for his tremendous accomplishment.

Cubbler will try to raise $50,000 during his four-day run, which will take place during National Police Week (May 11^th-17^th, 2008). Cubbler will donate the money he raises to a group called C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors), and also to two scholarship funds that are being created in the memory of Andrew Cubbler, Matt’s brother who tragically lost his life in an automobile accident on July 12, 1989, at the age of 21. The money will be earmarked for children who have various physical and learning disabilities. Andrew Cubbler suffered daily from a severe stuttering problem and also had difficult time learning.

"I’m a firm believer that I can do anything once", Cubbler said. "If you say ‘Matt, this needs to be done’, I will do it. The only way to do it, is to do it".

Cubbler selected Avalon as the final destination for his run thanks to his frequent visits to the community. Cubbler has never run more than 10 miles straight in one day, and will warm up for the run by running about five to eight miles every day. Cubbler has broken his ankles a few times, and has gone through six knee surgeries. One of Cubbler’s friends is a doctor, who will travel with him during the run to make sure he’s in good health, and to provide IV’s, as needed, to him nightly. The spot where Cubbler stops each evening will be marked with paint; that’s where the run with commence the next day. The run will start Thursday, May 15^th at Wawa on the New Jersey side of the Commodore Barry Bridge. His route will be down Routes 322, 50, and 9 before coming into Avalon via Avalon Boulevard. The Middle Township Police Department will escort Cubbler’s run to the border with Avalon, and Avalon’s Police Department will escort Cubbler the final miles to his final destination, the Veterans’ Plaza, at 21^st Street.

Cubbler will be welcomed by Avalon residents, visitors, and the business community at the Veterans’ Plaza. Mayor Martin Pagliughi, Avalon council members, Business Administrator Andrew Bednarek, will be among those who welcome Cubbler to town. Philadelphia City Councilman Frank Rizzo will attend the event, and Retired Sgt. Larry Kenney will play the bagpipes. Cubbler will also be presented with a very prestigious honor by Avalon officials during the ceremony.

"Everything I’ve ever done in life has a purpose", Cubbler said. "I’ve always been able to recognize an opportunity and take advantage of that opportunity. But I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve never even planned a birthday party".

For more information about Cubbler’s 70-mile charity run, visit matthewcubbler.com or abrothersloverun.org.

AVALON RECOGNIZES VOLUNTEERS DURING LUNCHEON AT AVALON SENIOR CENTER

(Avalon, NJ)—Avalon Mayor Martin Pagliughi, Borough Council, and Avalon government department heads attended a luncheon on Wednesday, April 23^rd to honor volunteers who have donated countless hours of their time to residents from the greater Avalon area.

"It was a pleasure to honor these very special women with a luncheon", Pagliughi said. "Avalon is a very special place, and the volunteers in our community make it even better. These women are very enthusiastic about donating their time and talents to the Avalon community".

The following is a list of volunteers who were honored, and the activities that they teach residents in the area:

*Theresa Montgomery and Sandy Burns - Bridge classes

*Doris Griffiths - Arts

*Joanna Evans - Piano

*Sue Jacobson - Knitting classes

*Mary Hudak - Mah Jongg

*Jeanne Sykes - Spanish classes

Joining Mayor Pagliughi at the luncheon were Council President Joseph Tipping, and Council Vice President Dave Ellenberg,

Business Administrator Andrew Bednarek, and other department heads from Avalon Borough government. The event was held at the Jeannette Glazier Senior Center, next to Borough Hall.

Avalon’s flood plan is declared amazing.

	Philly.com.pdf = Philadelphia Inquire
	Planning.pdf = Press of Atlantic City
	Editorial.pdf = Editorial from the Press of Atlantic City
	Erodes.pdf = Press of Atlantic City