Times Talk
IT’S MAYOR MCCORRISTIN NOW
It’s official. In the wake of Martin Pagliughi’s decision to leave his office after 32 years, Avalon has a new mayor.
On July 3, Pagliughi swore in longtime Councilman John McCorristin as mayor. The outgoing mayor’s wife, Lynda, presented the new mayor’s wife, Lisa, with congratulatory roses.
McCorristin immediately began his duties as he swore in incumbent council members Barbara Juzaitis and Sam Wierman to new four-year terms. Both were joined by their families at the ceremony. All three ran unopposed in the May election.
The Borough Council reorganization resulted in a new president, Jamie McDermott, and vice president, Mari Coskey.
At the ceremony, Pagliughi was honored by American Legion Post 331 for his contribution to the community over the past three decades.
On July 12, Chet Johnson was appointed councilman, filling the seat vacated by McCorristin. Johnson is expected to run for a full four-year term in the November election.
The final phase of the beach fill project, pipe removal.
STONE HARBOR BEACH FILL COMPLETED
On the morning of July 17, the Stone Harbor beach fill operation was completed. Pipes were cleaned to be disassembled for removal, which began on the south side and moved north. Beaches remained accessible to the public as the demobilization took place after beach hours.
The beach fill operation began in early June by the Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corporation. The pipes were removed from the beach on July 19. The pipes from 115th to 119th Street were removed last, as they were cut down. The 123rd Street beach and parking lot remained closed for the demobilization of pipes, supplies, and equipment. The removal of equipment began July 20.
Said Stone Harbor Mayor Judith Davies-Dunhour: “Now that the beach nourishment project is complete, our residents and visitors are enjoying beautiful and enhanced beaches that offer valuable protection to our coastline. The restored beaches provide a better beach experience, but most importantly they build up the dunes to safeguard inland public and private infrastructure, including houses and roads.
“Although weather and equipment maintenance caused some delays in the timing of the project, we understand the impact on vacationers and homeowners and sincerely thank them for their patience and support in making this project possible.”
Avalon first responders approach the boat in distress.
AVALON FIRE DEPARTMENT’S SEA RESCUE
On July 18, Avalon first responders were dispatched to Townsend’s Inlet after the Cape May County Office of Emergency Management received a report of a 30-foot single-masted sailboat that was stranded in the inlet and pitching violently due to the rough surf, with two people onboard. This was in the midst of a massive thunderstorm, with strong winds and frequent lightning.
Avalon Fire Chief Ed Dean assumed command of the incident from First Avenue and the inlet. The U.S. Coast Guard Cape May and Sea Tow were on the scene but due to the shallow tide could not access the inlet quickly enough and requested WaveRunners. The Avalon Fire Boat responded with three rescuers and launched both WaveRunners.
Incident command was established on land with “eyes on” the rescue area and Fire Boat 11 joined with the on-scene Coast Guard to coordinate the rescue. WaveRunners are nimble and maneuverable in rough surf conditions, as well as drafting very little water, making them the perfect vehicle to affect a rescue on the sand bar at such a low tide.
The WaveRunner crews assisted the owner of the vessel in anchoring the sailboat and removed both individuals who were onboard.
Said Dean: “It was satisfying to see the training, planning, and accumulated experience come together in a cohesive rescue operation involving the fire department and the United States Coast Guard.”
No injuries were reported. The Sea Tow removed the vessel shortly after.
Viviana Sudell, Jackson Hickey, and Max Szyfman
LOCAL STUDENTS EXCEL IN ‘MARATHON KIDS’
Led by Max Szyfman, Jackson Hickey, and Vivianna Sudell, the students at Stone Harbor Elementary School placed first in the state in the Marathon Kids program.
Marathon Kids is a nonprofit organization, founded in Austin, Texas, with a mission to get kids moving. In 2020, it introduced Marathon Kids Connect, a digital platform and scanning app that allows coaches to track physical activity effort and measure the progress of goals.
Stone Harbor Elementary School (grades K-4), joined the program a few years ago and developed a weekly event called Lap Day. During their physical education classes, students completed as many laps of the school track as possible to try to reach their individual and collective goals. Students get recognized for their improvements and achievement of goals in the Runners Wall and Hall of Fame.
This year, the Stone Harbor Elementary School achieved a total of 4,476.15 miles, far surpassing the goal of 4,000. Since a marathon is 26.2 miles, that meant the students ran the equivalent of 170 marathons, with every student totaling at least one marathon. The fourth-grade class completed a total of 1,036.65 miles. The top three runners for Stone Harbor Elementary were Szyfman (114.90 miles), Hickey (106.35 miles), and Sudell (81.75 miles).
Alex Mann is sworn in as an honorary member of the Avalon Police Department.
MANN ON A MISSION BECOMES HONORARY AVALON POLICEMAN
Alex Mann, who has visited more than 350 police departments in five states, was sworn in as an honorary member of the Avalon Police Department on June 26 by Mayor Martin Pagliughi.
Mann, 23, of Malvern, Pa., has autism and is on a mission to promote positive interactions between law enforcement and individuals who have a disability. He hopes his efforts will help officers better understand what it’s like to interact with an individual with a disability.
After Mann was sworn in, Avalon Police Chief Jeffrey Christopher pinned a police badge on him to commemorate the occasion and welcome him to the ranks.
The ceremony was a way of showing the Borough of Avalon and the Avalon Police Department’s appreciation and support of Mann’s efforts.
Post 331’s Jon Ready presents Home Depot Store Manager Christina Quigley with an appreciation plaque.
POST 331 HOSTS HOME DEPOT APPRECIATION DAY
June 21 was celebrated as Home Depot Appreciation Day by the Stephen C. Ludlam Post 331 of the American Legion, which hosted festivities at its headquarters in Stone Harbor.
Last year, The Home Depot Foundation awarded Post 331 a service project grant to renovate the post’s 1895 lifesaving station as part of the company’s many efforts to help America’s veterans. The grant was sponsored by the Team Depot Volunteer Project and Christina M. Quigley, manager of The Home Depot in Cape May Court House.
About 80 local officials and guests attended the June 21 event that served as a thank you to the team and supporting contractors who volunteered their time and resources for the Stone Harbor landmark.
The day’s festivities began at 11am with a presentation of the national colors, followed by the recognition of local officials. Quigley was then presented the American Legion Appreciation Award for her leadership within The Home Depot Foundation team. In turn, The Home Depot team presented Post 331 project task leaders Kevin Coyle, Tom McCullough, and Jon Ready with Home Depot aprons that had been imprinted with their military service logo.
McCullough, the post commander, presented more than $32,000 in donations to the Vineland Veterans Memorial Home, Veterans Haven South in Winslow Township, and the Citizens/Veterans Advisory Committee.
The day’s events were capped by a Mission BBQ lunch.