Herald • Lantern - Dispatch 20 November '85 23

' W'- • J The Wildwoods • ^ , k .fc =- X ^ ^ Thomas Parsons ft A. 889-0138 ^

r Several years ago, I was attending a meeting and among those in attendance ' was Vic DiSylvester. At J that time, DiSylvester was either PR director for the | City of Wildwood or treasurer of the Parking Authority, in any event, he was something, and the subject of the discussion was the courage shown by the city's founding fathers. We marveled at the insight and tenacity of the long-ago city officials as they undertook such major projects as the now. famous Wildwood Boardwalk'. Decades had passed since any administration and/or group undertook any project on the scope of the "wooden walk". Elected officials of days gone by had certainly left their mark. Just imagire if feasibility studies, petty politics, and power plays had permeated those early administrations. Perhaps the Boardwalk never would have been completed. The ramifications of that consequence are staggering. DO YOU REALIZE how many millions of dollars have been made by the decision to construct a Boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean in Wildwood? I sometimes wonder if the individuals involved many, many years ago had any idea of what would transpire as a result of their ideas and planning. Perhaps the last major project to be undertaken was by Mayor Charles Masciarella. He felt that the construction of a Convention Hall would be as dramatic and as valuable as the construction of the Boardwalk five decades earlier. Masciarella was as tenacious as his long past predecessors and he prevailed. We now have a Convention Hall despite an incredible amount of debate and disagreement. In fact, the debate and disagreement still continue to this day and very few of the arguments have changed. However, very few can deny that Convention Hall has afforded many Flea Mart At Starn's RIO GRANDE - The employes of Starn's Shoprite Market here will sponsor a flea market 8 a.m. -7 p.m. Sunday on the parking lot of Starn's. Dealer's spaces are available the day of the flea market. Set up will start at 7 a.m. No reservations are necessary All proceeds benefit the March of Dimes. The employes from all four Starn's stores work all year round to raise the funds presented the telethon each year. PTA Benefit PETERSBURG - The Upper Township PTA will sponsor it's annual Christmas craft and flea mart 10 a.m. -4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 at the Middle School here. There will be baked items, Santa's Secret Workshop, and a variety of crafts and gifts for sale. Call 624-9075 or 390-3919 for information.

business owners and innkeepers with additional revenue when it is needed most. NOW TO THE point and to tie this brief meandering passage into a focal stage. Confronting the City of Wildwood, right now, is a project of magnitude. The proposed expansion of the Boardwalk into the Center City area and the concurrent mall-style development of that area is a concept that rivals the insightful projects of the "Good Old Days." This past week, DiSylvester, now Mayor of the City of Wildwood, unveiled the plans to the community. Slated to cost in excess of $3 million, the tie-in between the Boardwalk and Pacific Avenue is unique, to say the least. The tree lined mall development from Spencer Avenue to Glenwood is perhaps what is needed to revitalize a center city business district that has suffered greatly over the past few years. DiSYLVESTER NOW has the opportunity to sell the project and join the ranks of those who have made a difference. It won't be easy! I spoke to several in attendance at the town meeting and several stated extreme pessimism concerning the project's viability and its ability to lengthen the season. They seemed to be more concerned abut the increase in taxes that the project could create. Enter opponent #1 — "Resident Opposition". The basic concerned citizen, if you will. As if that weren't enough, more than a handful of those in attendance noted that while DiSylvester spoke of the unified effort necessary to complete the task, the members of City Council, the other half of the government, were not invited to speak. DO WE HAVE a team ef fort or do we have a quarterback who is going to take the ball and run yjjih it? Many wonder! Hfter nemesis #2. "Political Rancor," or the proverbial "skunk spitting contest". Egads! I offer no opinion of the project. After all, what can you expect from a writer who was willing to parcel off the Boardwalk to a bunch of Philadelphians wearing gold necklaces who live on the corner of something or other. What should be said is that it is an idea worthy of consideration. Any idea is worthy of consideration, and respectful consideration to be sure. The very first day after the /public unveiling of the project, the community began to scurry to respective corners. CENTER CITY merchants want the project at any cost. Boardwalk shop owners are concerned that it will funnel traffic off the wooden way and they oppose that. Taxpayers are cautious. Council followers are wondering where their guys were the other night. In short, the potential for a very divisive series of events is apparent. What is hoped is that the project, no matter who pro-

posed it and at what cost, will be looked at intelligently and with a degree of civic pride. After all. each of us is capable of making a difference and when we allow suspicion and rancorous thoughts to cloud t:ip issue, precious little gets accomplished. Let's either do it or not, but remain united no matter what the final outcome. The City of Wildwood has been torn apart ail too often in the past few years. The time has come to approach a major issue with the sanity and respect exhibited by those who indeed made a difference. ON TO OTHER things ... It is official; Neil's has been sold. Several weeks ago, we reported on the pending sale, and our info was correct. Charles Sansone and his wife, Rita — Skip Holtzapfe! and his wife. Carole — Pete Barns and his wife. Marie, have joined together and formed Marica Inc. which purchased Neil's from former owner Neil Gordon. The restaurant is slated to re-open in early December under the newname banner of "Seasons" Hopefully, it will be well received and we will be able to add another yearround establishment to the resident's list of alternatives. THE WILDWOOD High School Parent Student Teacher Association has embarked upon a very worthwile endeavor. They are tapping the community in an effort to establish a tutorial bank to assist students in need of extra help in various areas. Good idea! If you have a particular area of expertise and would like to donate your time or offer your time for a small fee, you are invited to call Mr. Newell at 522-6955. The idea behind the project is to gather"all of the community's available talent, both parent and student. and coordinate the talent so that a student needing assistance in a particular discipline may be matched up with a tutor. It is a good way to get the community involved with the academics of the town and an excellent manner in which to assist students in search of aid. IN THE PAST, we have mentioned the fund-riasing activities of the Sons of Italy. This time, the Sons of Italy Auxiliary is the focal group in a holiday fundraiser. Friday and Saturday, the Auxiliary will sponsor a bazaar, food sale, and cake sale at the Sons of Italy Center at 4505 Park Blvd. The event will commence at 9 a.m. each day and will run through 4 p.m. Ail residents are invited to attend. Proceeds will go to the Auxiliary's Scholarship Fund. Call 522-5343 for further information. SPEAKING OF interesting situations and commendable causes, Wildwood officials should invest in one huge sponge and proceed with said purchase to Urie's 'Reef and Beef at each high tide. Have you noticed the

regular and severe flooding that occurs at the light on Rio Grande Boulevard at Uries? Motorists traveling east on Rio Grande Boulevard and desiring to make a right towards Wildwood . Crest are periodically greeted by the presence of a newly created lagoon. "Puddle" is too kind a description, "lake" is not dramatic enough, whereas "lagoon" suffices. It really is a problem. I HAVE SEEN more than enough motorists begin to make the right turn only to view the hazard and promptly swerve back into traffic, creating yet another possible traffic hazard. I understand that the problem has always been bad. but in years. I have never seen it bad so regularly. In fact, the problem became untenable shortly after the Cruz Construction Co. tore the road up to implant the sewage lines. Did they forget to put back a piece? If so. put it back! It's a mess. Until the problem is resolved, perhaps a cautionary light should be erected as one comes off the bridge so that an unfamiliar motorist is made aware of the hazardous situation. Maybe a yellow flashing light indicating an unbelievable flood ahead is

appropriate: one which the local constabulary could switch on and off as the situation warrants. It sure ( beats having to dispatch the police to unbend a few fenders or dredge the lagoon looking for a missing motorist. SEVERAL WEEKS ago. I reported on some unusual Signs found about our Island. As stated, the info was in large supplied to me by Charlie Mathis. I received quite a bit of comment from readers who enjoyed the tidbits and I'm hoping Charlie supplies more. However, appreciation of the column was not unanimous. It seems that one of the humorous signs (the one about the bike riding clams) was erroneously attributed to Carlson's Fish Market. Either the sign was in "place before Carlson's sold their market or it was seen in another window, not Carlson's to be sure. In any event, the owner. Rick, no last name given, called to correct the error. My wife received the phone call and took the message. That in itself was penance enough for the error, as I was greeted with a caustic "How many times have I told you to check that stuff before you put it into print?" To Rick, m> apologies, no malice intended. To Charlie. "Thanks. I owe you one", and to my wife. I promose to check out that "stuff" before I submit it for print. I feel better already!

Greenwich Christmas Trip Slated STONE HARBOR - The Wetlands Institute will sponsor a "trip to the past " to the historic southern New Jersey town of Greenwich, Sunday. Dec. 8. Greenwich, a colonial town, with houses that date back to the 1600 s. will be aglow with the spirit and look of Christmas. The restored homes will shine with the warmth and cheer that is Christmas, enhanced by special music and exhibits. The St. Lucia Festival of Lights, a Swedish event, will be a special feature at the Presbyterian Church The bus trip will begin at the Wetlands Institute at noon with wassail and a brief history of Greenwich, and return at about 5:30 p.m. Reservations are required by Dec. 3. For further information and to make reservations, call 368-1211. Rummage Sale SEA ISLE CITY - The United Methodist Church of Sea Isle City will hold a rummage sale to benefit the building fund. Called an Opportunity Sale it is to be held at the church building. J.F Kennedy Boulevard and Park Road 9 a.m. -2 p.m. Friday, and 9 a m noon Saturday.

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