FREE FISHING will remain possible in New
Jersey's coastal waters thanks to new legislation signed by Governor Chris
Christie. The legislation requires the NJDEP to create a free registry
for recreational salt water anglers. Creating the free state registry
preempts a $15 federal registry fee that would have been imposed had the
state not acted. Data from the state registry will be shared with the
National Marine Fisheries Service to help manage fish stocks.
PARKWAY CONSTRUCTION at exits 9, 10, and 11 is
projected to begin in September 2012, with completion expected in December
2014. Delays in the original timeline occurred so designs could be
modified to accommodate Homeland Security requirements near the National
Guard Armory at Exit 11.
If all goes according to the current plan, a construction contract will be
awarded in June 2012.
"I DO!" Did you know that Cape May County
beaches are among the top three wedding destinations in the country?
So says Diane Weiland of Cape May County's Department of Tourism.
According to Weiland, local beaches are behind only Las Vegas and Disney
World for destination weddings.
FRED'S TAVERN in Stone Harbor has closed for
major renovations. Fred's will reopen in late April with a new bar and
dining area. The liquor store will remain open during the renovations.
WHAT'S HOT: Avalon Real Estate Agency has
placed six beachblock single family homes under contract since December!
Since August, Avalon Real Estate Agency has maintained an amazing 70% market
share in the beachblock category! Data was obtained from the Cape May
County Multiple Listing Service.
FIND YOUR PLACE in the sun! Enjoy summer
at the shore--call me to get started!
BEACHFRONT LIBRARY: Officials expect to
break ground soon on a beachfront library in Stone Harbor. The
proposal had been delayed more than two years during the appeal of
construction permits that had been initially denied by the NJ-DEP. The
two-story library will have decks on each level offering an unobstructed
ocean view, as well as outside restrooms for beachgoers and the general
public. What a place to read a book!
AVALON'S 2011 BUDGET will not be increased
over 2010, however the local tax rate may have to be raised by 4 cents due
to lower property assessments. The borough completed an in-house
reassessment of properties last year, and saw ratables decrease by about 20
percent. The tax rate will increase only enough to keep total tax
receipts revenue-neutral. Individual property owners may see an
increase or decrease in their property tax bill, depending upon exactly how
much their assessment changed.
THE BAY-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY has signed a
contract to bring the symphony to Avalon for a fifth season. The
orchestra will perform on July 16 and August 27.
THE SUPERFRESH grocery store in Cape May Court
House will close this spring due to a
corporate re-structuring.
THE CORSON'S INLET BRIDGE linking Strathmere
and Ocean City will reopen Friday after being closed for emergency repairs.
A vehicle crashed through the bridge railing last week, landing in 15 feet
of water. Both occupants of the car escaped and were rescued.
HUNDREDS OF TREES were cut down along the
Garden State Parkway in Somers Point, to the dismay of nearby residents and
environmental groups. The New Jersey Turnpike Authority says its part
of the "Clear Zone Maintenance" program, designed to remove trees deemed too
close to the highway. Residents have complained of noise from and
increased visibility of the Parkway.
WIND ENERGY got a boost from the US Department
of the Interior and the Department of Energy. The Interior Department
identified four offshore sites as prime locations for future wind farms,
including the coast of New Jersey. The Department of Energy will spend
$50 million over five years to speed the development of the farms. The
wind farms are expected to be 10 to 20 miles offshore so as not to destroy
the ocean view of beachgoers.
NEED WORK DONE? Now is the time!
Fix the screen door, paint the trim, and clean the carpets now, before the
spring rush. Need a good contractor? Call or email me and I'll
give you some recommendations.
MARKET STATS: Number of properties
placed under contract in the local market during January 2010: 13.
Number of properties placed under contract in the local market during
January 2011: 23. Data was obtained from the Cape May County Multiple
Listing Service.
AN SUV PLUNGED off the Corson's Inlet Bridge
after skidding and crashing through the bridge's side rails on Tuesday.
Both occupants, brother and sister and each 18 years old, survived a 20 foot
fall into the water, escaped from the car and were rescued. They were
later released from the hospital. The vehicle has since been recovered
from water about 15 feet deep. The Corson's Inlet Bridge, which links
Strathmere with Ocean City, has been closed until the damage can be
evaluated and repaired.
BEACH PERMIT APPLICATION: the Borough of
Avalon has applied for a permit to replenish its north end beaches using
sand from the south end. If approved, sand would be trucked from
larger south end beaches to those areas in the north end in need of sand.
CAPE MAY COUNTY generated an estimated $16
billion in tourism revenue last year, about 41 percent of New Jersey's total
tourism revenue. This year, the state will restore funding for its
national tourism marketing campaign. Last year's marketing budget was
cut due to economic pressure, but the NJ Division of Travel and Tourism will
unveil a new multimedia marketing campaign in March.
SICK OF THE SNOW, ice and rain? Let us
help you plan your summer vacation! Call or email me to get started,
or visit
www.RandyLeiser.com. There's no better way to beat the winter
blues!
MUNICIPAL AID grants have been awarded to
Avalon and Stone Harbor by the New Jersey Department of Transportation.
Avalon will receive $195,000 and Stone Harbor will receive $200,000; the
funds will be used for road reconstruction. Avalon will rebuild 34th
Street between Dune Drive and Ocean Drive and Stone Harbor will reconstruct
sections of First Avenue.