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Welcome to the latest addition to our website!
We at the EHT Democratic Club feel that an
informed voter is an intelligent voter. In an effort to keep you
informed, we dedicate this page. We will not fill this page with
gossip or hearsay, only facts. We offer our opinion and invite
you to join us at our monthly meeting to stay informed. We meet
the third Tuesday of every month at the Atlantic County Library on
Ocean Heights Ave.
Dunes, drains don't deter West Atlantic City
flooding
By MICHELLE LEE Staff Writer, 609-272-7256
Published: Tuesday, May 20,
2008
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The underground drains and man-made sand dunes
built on Lakes Bay last year were supposed to stop flooding in the West
Atlantic City neighborhood. But during last week's storm, the
Black Horse Pike was closed off for several hours and residential
streets were covered with water. While most of the dunes, fences and
marsh grass weathered the rains, erosion knocked away large chunks of
sand in some sections.
Now, there are questions floating around about whether
the $2 million project worked and what should be done to prevent future damage.
Five West Atlantic City residents showed up at
Wednesday's township because of the issue and two men complained that
the drainage project failed. Gary Israel, of the West Atlantic
City Home and Business Association, said the big problem is the dunes
were being inundated by water from Lakes Bay to the point where it can
be breached. Israel believes something solid needs to be placed behind
the dunes for protection. "Literally, it's not an option anymore. All
of that work is going down the tubes," Israel said. "All of that work
and effort and money is going to get lost." Bob Fudala, a retired
construction and fire company worker, said the project helped reduce
the amount of flooding in the neighborhood. But he said there are two
main problems with the project: dwindling dunes and backed-up drainage
pipes that push water into the streets during high
tide. Fudala was upset to learn that township
officials didn't put aside money to replenish the dunes or do
additional restoration work after he questioned them during the
meeting. "The dunes are not working. They're washing away, and by the
end of the year they're going to be gone, which is a shame," Fudala
said in a phone interview Monday. "If they had put the bulkheads in,
they wouldn't have had any problem."
Township engineer Jim Mott, whose firm designed the project, said it
withstood the storm and the flooding was caused by a sand-clogged drainage pipe
and valve on Naples Avenue. The contractor, Lafayette Utility Construction,
removed the broken valve Friday.
The company is in the process of trying to fix the valve and install a new 10
by 8 feet concrete pipe chamber to prevent the sand from getting trapped inside
again, David Powell Jr., the Lafayette vice president, said on Monday. Other
work that will be done includes installing another storm drain and restoring the
sand, fence and grass. Mott and Powell said it would cost about $40,000.
Mayor James "Sonny" McCullough said he and Mott have been talking about other
possible solutions to mitigate the problem, such as installing a Geotube, a
large sandbag planted inside a beach to stop erosion. Other communities that use
it include Atlantic City, Sea Isle City and Ocean City.
Mott and Deputy Mayor Stanley "Jake" Glassey said they were advised against
building a bulkhead by officials from the state Department of Environmental
Protection and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service New Jersey field office.
Steven Mars, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist who helped coordinate
the project with other environmental agencies, said a bulkhead wouldn't solve
the problem of backed-up storm pipes. He also said a bulkhead would have be
lower than the dunes, cost three times as much money to build, have an adverse
impact on the wildlife and vegetation, and blocked public access to the water.
Mars said the main reason West Atlantic City and other shore communities
overflow with water is that the wetlands that once lined the coast, what he
called "Nature's sponge," have been filled in with debris during the 1960s and
1970s. After major rains, storms or high tides, the water has no where else to
go, and it sits on the streets and residential lawns. He said the flooding in
West Atlantic City was similar to that of other shore towns, and the damage
would have been greater without the dune project.
Another problem with the drainage project revolves around funding. The
township paid for the work with its own money and it is still waiting for the
state DEP to reimburse them.
Township Administrator Peter Miller said the township mailed a $1.8 million
payment request to the state Bureau of Dam Safety and Flood Control in January,
when most of the project was completed, and never got a reply. Miller said he
called again Monday to request an inspection and that payment be approved so he
could send a second bill for the additional work done in the spring, which was
about $202,305.
But Karen Hershey, a state DEP spokeswoman, said the township hasn't
contacted her office, submitted invoices or progress reports on the project. "We
intend to follow up with the town," Hershey said.
To e-mail Michelle Lee at The Press:
MLee@pressofac.com
Dunes, tempers
rising in West Atlantic City
(Published: Tuesday,
July 01, 2008)
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - The man-made dune along Lakes Bay is rising higher and
the flood-control project is drawing the anger of many residents who live in the
West Atlantic City neighborhood and some township officials.
Construction workers began piling more sand on top of the artificial dune
last week, starting by Fox Avenue and Oxford Place and steadily moved west.
Township Administrator Peter Miller said the state Department of
Environmental Protection met with the township engineering firm, Mott
Associates, about two weeks ago and told the company to raise the wall level to
9 feet 2 inches to meet federal flood regulations. It is unclear how much money
the
new work is costing the township and when the job is to be completed.
But some West Atlantic City residents are complaining that new sand is a
waste of money because it is being added to parts of the dune that are already
working and the higher wall is blocking waterfront views. The other concern
residents have swirls around questions about whether the flood control project
is efficient and if it was designed properly.
One resident, Richard Black, plastered anti-dune posters on his Bay Drive
house and has organized a petition to try and halt the work until the state DEP
examines the site and government officials organize a public update meeting for
the residents.
"I'm not an engineer, but if you build a sand castle next to the water, it's
gone the next morning," said Black, who owns three homes in the neighborhood and
fears the new sand work could lower property values. The petition has 60
signatures and Black delivered copies to township offices Monday.
West Atlantic City is a slender two-mile strip of land that runs along the
Black Horse Pike between Pleasantville and Atlantic City. Flooding has been a
constant problem for many years. In 1999, the state Department of Transportation
installed tidal pipes and other drainage work as part of a $6.4 million
improvement project for the Black Horse Pike.
Last year, the township spent about $1.8 million to build the dune and
install five drainage pipes along Bay Drive. The township project was supposed
to be funded by a state DEP grant. Additional work was done in the spring, which
cost about $202,000, and more money was spent in May to fix a sand-clogged drain
pipe on Naples Avenue. Miller said the township has not been reimbursed and the
DEP will not pay up until the new changes are done.
Complaints about the township project first came up after May 12, when a
storm flooded streets, shut down the Black Horse Pike for several hours and
damaged portions of the dune. Township engineer Jim Mott did not return phone
calls Monday afternoon. In prior interviews, Mott said the project withstood the
May 12 storm and the water problem was caused by the Naples Avenue drain.
Black said the dune worked fine by his home but some of the drains clog up
with sand and funnel water into the street. Black also questioned why an outside
company that designs flood-control projects wasn't hired to work on the job.
Another resident, Mike Price, said flooding got worse in some sections
because of clogged drains, particularly Seville and Brenta avenues. Price was
also concerned that the higher dune could trap tidal water in the streets and
make it harder to drain out.
"My question is, when is this really going to be done? ... Now they're
dumping more money into the project, and my question is, 'Who is paying on top
of all this?'" Price said. "People say a grant. ... It's still taxpayer money."
Township officials, in turn, are upset at state environmental officials.
Deputy Mayor Stanley "Jake" Glassey said he, Mott and Miller met with state
DEP inspectors in May for a review of the site, and Glassey said the township
needed to revise the plans to put something more solid to reinforce the weak
parts of the dune. Glassey said he didn't understand why the sand wall needed to
be raised higher and he wants an explanation."This is an inter-agency fight and
they're putting us in the middle," Glassey said.
Miller said the township engineer Mott designed the municipal project
following the specifications of the state coastal building permit. Miller called
the new height requirement "a classic example of state inefficiencies" and
different environmental building standards.
Mayor James "Sonny" McCullough said that while he understands the residents'
concerns, the township still has to follow state requirements. "I certainly
don't want to see the township out $2 million, and I want a clarification from
the DEP," he said.
Karen Hershey, a DEP spokeswoman, said the department is conducting a review
of the project and how it was implemented. She said DEP officials plan to talk
with township officials soon.
EHT considers artificial turf for new field at high school
By MICHELLE LEE Staff Writer, 609-272-7256
The Press of Atlantic City
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP - In addition
to the football, hockey and soccer fields, Egg Harbor Township High School might
get another place to play sports: an artificial turf field.
The township Board of Education
recently hired M. Disko Associates of Union, Union County, to conduct a
preliminary engineering study to see how feasible it would be to build an
artificial field behind the high school. The study will take two to three months
to complete and cost the district about $16,900.
The idea of having an artificial
turf field has been around for a year, Superintendent Philip Heery said. He said
the cost to build one is estimated to be $800,000 to $1.2 million.
If the project is approved, it
would be the first artificial turf field in the school district. Heery said the
district might hold a bond to pay for the new sports field, and township
government also has offered to chip in some funds.
The Board of Education will get an
update on the study at its Nov. 27 meeting, President Jim Galvin said.
any school officials said there is
a strong need for another sports field and praised the benefits of having one
made of artificial material instead of grass.
High School Principal Darren
Hickman said there aren't enough fields for all the different sports activities
in the township and often the weather contributes to cancellation or delays in
games and practice sessions.
"A lot of times we won't have an
activity because of damage to the field. … If it rained for two days straight,
(it) tears the turf up," Hickman said.
An artificial field, on the other
hand, would have a proper drainage system to prevent flooding, Hickman said. The
school district also could avoid maintenance and repair costs, such as
lawn-mowing and seeding.
The other benefit an artificial
field has, Hickman said, is that it could be used for multiple school and
community events. "You can use more than one area for different activities -
football practice at 5 p.m., soccer 7 p.m., band 7 to 9 p.m.," he said. "You're
not hurting the field. You get more use from it."
School board member John Haines
noted that an artificial field would be more durable and might be safer for
athletes because the field would stay even.
"It's the same surface all the
time and it doesn't change with the atmosphere," said Haines, who also heads the
school district's sports and activities committee.
Brett Charleston, the high school
athletic director, was unavailable for comment Wednesday.
U.S. Investigates Artificial Turf's Lead Levels
By Ian Shapira
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, April
20, 2008; C04
Artificial turf fields in the Washington area and elsewhere may be popular
with players and managers who don't have to fret about bumpy terrain or constant
upkeep. But now the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is beginning to
investigate whether the trendy fields contain lead that could easily rub off and
pose health hazards.
The commission's investigation, still in its initial stages, was prompted
this month by New Jersey state officials who closed some synthetic sports fields
after discovering dangerously high levels of lead. A commission spokesman said
yesterday that it is unclear what, if any, threats exist with turf fields, and
cautioned that parents should not make any rash choices about avoiding the
fields.
"Families should not be scared back into their homes. The health benefits of
getting outside and playing are far too great," said Julie Vallese, a commission spokesman. "There's a number of things
we have to do and determine. What is the interaction between the person and the
product? Are you falling on it? Are you exposed by just walking on it? Is there
dust you can inhale? Can the lead transfer to another object?"
We at the Democratic Club have
concerns over the spending of Township taxpayer money for a million
dollar football field The school is so overcrowded and the money
could be spent elsewhere to benefit a better representation of the
school population. Does anyone remember the tennis courts?
There's a hazard waiting to happen! I haven't heard anyone
championing that cause. If this artificial turf field is so
vitally important, then why not ask the public to vote for it. It
is their money that is building this field! They should have a
say in how it is spent! Of course, the good residents of EHT are
not without blame. We spend more money on education, and everyone
complains that the taxes are going through the roof. Yet,
we have low voter turn out. We have the same few people that show
up at the School Board Meetings. We have the same folks that go
to the Municipal Meetings. We all need to get involved! We need to show up at the School Board meetings and stay informed. We need to hold those, that we elect, accountable for our money! I
hope they don't expect us to think that they could spend one million
dollars in reseeding and mowing the current field. If so, I
would like to put my bid in to be the landscaper for the district.
Apparently, it is a very lucrative job!
From the Webmaster
For years, we here at EHT have shook our heads at the remarks and
actions of James "Sonny" McCullough. We groan when he and
committee members berate and yell at citizens. We shrug our
shoulders when the committee lists golf carts as recreational vehicles
so we the taxpayers can buy the golf carts for a privately owned golf
course. We wince in pain as the committee votes themselves a 50%
pay raise, while our students are in trailers because there is not
enough room at the school. If the Republicans feel we are
overreacting, no we are just tacking this on to the long list of
inappropriate remarks and behavior that is typical for James "Sonny"
McCullough.
Joined by local religious and community leaders, Atlantic County Democratic
Chairman Ronald Ruff says State Sen. Sonny McCullough should apologize for
making a joke about a chinese couple and an African American baby. McCullough
told the joke to PoliticsNJ.com reporter Max Pizarro during an interview in Atlantic
County last week.
"We will not repeat the so-called "joke" that McCullough recounted to the
reporter because it is just too insensitive to do so," said Ruff.
"Unfortunately, we've heard the racially insensitive 'joke'' made by Senator
McCullough once too often," Ruff said. "It is inappropriate for anyone,
especially an elected public official and candidate for office, to make such
remarks. He should offer an apology and refrain from such offensive behavior in
the future. Rather than perpetuating offensive jokes and stereotypes, I wish
that Sen. McCullough would use his brief time in the State Senate to implement
policies and legislation to benefit the district."
"Jokes about color or race in our multi-ethnic society are highly
inappropriate and should be rejected by all people of reason," added Senior
Pastor and founder of Christ Worship Center Worldwide Reverend Reginald Floyd.
"Our elected officials should be leading by example. Racist jokes send the
wrong message to our youth and community that intolerance is acceptable," said
Shermaine Gunter Gary, founder of Rites of Passage in Atlantic City, an
organization that empowers and educates the youth. "We must condemn racism,
intolerance, and sexism regardless of where it's coming from."
McCullough, a Republican, faces Democratic Assemblyman James Whelan in the
2nd district Senate contest.
EGG
HARBOR TOWNSHIP
DEMOCRATIC CLUB 
