Gas cost doesn't fly for plane owners
By BRIAN IANIERI Staff Writer, (609) 463-6713
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Sunday, April 30, 2006
Updated: Sunday, April 30, 2006

A banner airplane can burn 10 gallons of gas each hour delivering messages of cheap beer, restaurant specials — even marriage proposals — to throngs of bathing-suit-clad beachgoers.

In one week, a 10-airplane company can use enough gasoline to fill the tanks of 100 Humvees.

But as gasoline prices make travel by asphalt more expensive, they also can affect these open-air commercials.

Owners of several banner-plane companies said they are waiting to see how gas prices rise or fall for the season, which starts Memorial Day weekend, before judging possible effects on business.

“It certainly will affect us because it's one of our largest expenses for the season,” said Barbara Tomalino, president of Paramount Air Services in Middle Township, Cape May County.

Her planes cover beaches from Cape May to Asbury Park.

“You figure, these airplanes — each one flies with just one message on it … for each client,” Tomalino said.

During peak times in July and August, her company can go through 2,500 gallons of fuel a week or more, she said.

A $1 per gallon increase in fuel could increase expenses $2,500 per week.

Both nationally and in New Jersey, the average price of gallon of regular, no-frills gasoline is nearing $3.

The AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report on Wednesday reported that Cape May and Atlantic counties were averaging about $2.89 per gallon of regular gasoline, an increase of almost 40 percent from one year ago.

After fuel costs increased last year, Tomalino did have to raise her rates, she said.

While some banner airplane companies insert fuel or energy clauses into contracts with advertisers, Tomalino said her business doesn't use them.

The banner airplane season kicks into high gear during Memorial Day weekend and continues through Labor Day.

“We're just hoping for a good season. If it's nice and hot and sunny like it was last year, we'll all do fine,” she said.

David Dempsey, owner of High Exposure banner plane advertising, said his company raised rates slightly last year, and if gas prices remain high, it may consider cutting some volume-based discounts to compensate.

“What we're tying to do is not make any changes to our rates. The beach season hasn't officially started … we're hoping things will come down a little so at the beginning of the season we won't have to do anything,” Dempsey said.

While banner planes can burn between eight to 14 gallons per hour, most flights last longer than one hour, he said. There's also an increased cost of oil to consider, he said.

Dempsey said he checks on fuel prices every week to notice the trends.

“Nobody has a crystal ball,” he said.

To e-mail Brian Ianieri at The Press:BIanieri@pressofac.com

Nautical touch popular in homes this season
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Melissa Kossler Dutton
Special to The Plain Dealer - Cleveland.com
Following the look of spring fashions, home decor is going nautical this season.

Maritime accents paired with Americana colors lend a summer feel to any home. The trend runs the gamut from inexpensive wall art and picture frames intended for seasonal use to high-quality lamps and showcase pieces designed to create a permanent theme for a room.

Either way, the look is sleek and sophisticated unlike previous seasons, which featured more emphasis on whimsical accents

Adding the classic and clean colors with a nautical touch to your home creates new mood, said Chicago designer Nate Berkus, who has a line of home products at Linens-n-Things.

"It represents a movement towards making the rooms you live in feel like you are on vacation at the shore," he said via e-mail.

That feeling of vacation is the perfect theme for summer decorating, agreed Laura McDowell, home decor spokeswoman for TJ Maxx.

"It's fun," she said. "It's a good way to welcome the warm weather."

To create a seasonal look, she suggests adding red, white and blue bedding to a bedroom, setting out hand towels with a lighthouse design in the bathroom or using acrylic dishes in Americana colors or decorated with a nautical theme in the kitchen.

For a more permanent look, she likes pairing natural woods with touches of blue and white. For homeowners inspired by the sea and sand, there are beautiful choices in blues and aquas and tans and oranges.

"There are a lot of different ways to do this," she said.Shaker Heights interior designer Holly May recently helped a client capture the essence of Caribbean in her home.

Cricket Karson and her husband, John Liebert, wanted a master suite in their Shaker Heights home that would remind them of family vacations to Anguilla Island.

"Whenever the ocean is involved, it's a great vacation for us," Karson said.

To stir up those happy memories, May and Karson chose sea-glass mosaics and a shell-inspired chandelier for the bathroom and an ocean-inspired color palate for the bedroom. Karson, whose office is in the Ohio Design Centre, said she picked out a few pieces before turning to May to help her pull the theme together.

Finding the right accents to showcase is important when creating a themed room, May said. "You have to be careful not to overdo it."

Dutton is a free-lance writer in Columbus.

She may be reached at: homes@plaind.com

Vacation-Home Buyers Flock to New Locales

(April 4, 2006) --   Even as the housing market evens out in some markets, second-home sales continue to soar. That has led many vacation-home buyers to these up-and-coming spots where they can get more for their money.

According to a New York Times report, these locales are emerging hot-spots for second homes:

Arcata, Calif. This destination is on California's redwood coast, about 275 miles north of San Francisco and near Humboldt Bay. Attractions include the Arcata Community Forest, the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary and Humboldt State University.

Spirit Lake, Idaho. The lake, in northern Idaho, has a city park with a public beach and is surrounded by forests with hiking and biking trails, along with the Selkirk Mountains to the north and west.

Port St. Joe, Fla. On the north Gulf Coast of Florida between Panama City and Apalachicola, this historic community is known for its fishing tournaments and boating.

Gold Beach, Ore. At least eight major rivers and dozens of creeks run through this southern coastal town, just 50 miles north of the California border. The area is known for its fishing, hiking and kayaking.

Port Isabel, Texas. This coastal community in southeastern Texas has full-service boat yards and marinas, along with museums and the historic Point Isabel Lighthouse.

Somers Point, N.J. Seven miles west of Atlantic City, on the Great Egg Harbor River bayfront, it is in an area is known for its marinas and boating.

Louisa, Ky. This eastern Kentucky city, near the West Virginia border, is home to the Yakesville Lake State Park and is recognized as one of the state's best fishing sites for bass.

Bluffton, S.C. Across the bridge from Hilton Head Island and near the Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge, Bluffton borders the May and Colleton Rivers. Antebellum homes and historic churches line its historic district.

Source: The New York Times, Vivian Marino (03/31/2006)

N.J. should get more funding for beaches
Courier Post Online
Wednesday, April 5, 2006

The federal government must not shortchange New Jersey on needed beach replenishment projects.

Whether it's money for road projects, homeland security or, now, beach replenishment, it seems New Jersey always gets shortchanged by the federal government. President Bush's proposed 2007 budget will do it yet again, unless New Jersey's representatives in Washington do something.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it needs $51.8 million for beach replenishment projects in Ocean City, Atlantic City, Ventnor, Stone Harbor, Avalon and on Long Beach Island.

But the proposed 2007 budget only allocates $8.3 million, and nothing for the Ocean City or Atlantic City/Ventnor projects.

New Jersey's representatives in Washington need to work in unison to get more funding for these projects.

New Jerseyans themselves ought to be infuriated that the federal government wants to shortchange this state yet again. They should contact elected officials and demand that the state get its fair share.

The Garden State already gets the lowest return on its federal tax dollars of any state. For every tax dollar New Jerseyans send to Washington, the state gets back just 62 cents, according to the Tax Foundation. This in a state where residents already face the most burdensome property taxes in the nation.

For that reason alone, the federal government should not only fully fund these beach projects, but it ought to be sending more money to New Jersey for other purposes, as well.

Additionally, it's critical that beaches be maintained because of their importance in flood protection and because they drive a multibillion dollar tourism industry.

Without beaches and sand dunes, many shore communities could easily be underwater the first time a hurricane or nor'easter hit the coast. Hurricane Katrina should have taught the federal government how important it is to properly invest in measures to prevent flooding.

Secondly, New Jersey's thriving shore tourism industry, and the billions in tax dollars it generates, would surely dry up without the beaches.

As U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-Hoboken, pointed out Monday, Ocean City alone generates $1 billion per year in tourism dollars. With the millions in taxes paid on that, it's very much in the government's interest to spend $10 million over three years to ensure Ocean City's beaches remain wide and welcoming to tourists.

"New Jerseyans vote for agricultural subsidies, which is important to the Kansas economy. This is important to our economy," Menendez added.

He's right.

The Army Corps of Engineers ought to get the money it has requested for beach replenishment projects. New Jersey's lawmakers in Washington need to fight to make sure that happens. State taxpayers deserve to get more out of the federal government they pour so many tax dollars into.

In A.C., builders playing for keeps

Sunday, April 2, 2006
By WILLIAM H. SOKOLIC
Courier-Post Staff

ATLANTIC CITY
Developer Tom Scannapieco told a few hundred planners, builders, public officials and architects attending the Urban Land Institute's first-ever seminar here last week that Atlantic City's future is more than a hot name.

This city is not just about casino resorts anymore. It's about vacation homes as well.

"This is the best second-home market in the U.S.," Scannapieco said. "Eighteen residential projects are advancing in Atlantic City."

Though none of the proposed residential developments has broken ground, they include projects in most every section of the city. Atlantic City promises to become a weekend getaway resort far more attractive than Las Vegas. The reasons: the never-ending popularity of waterfront development, upscale casinos and an appeal to affluent, aging baby boomers.

As recently as five years ago, no one talked about buying a second house here, said Tim O'Rorke, a commercial real estate lender for Commerce Bank, which is involved with residential projects in the city. "It's amazing to look at what's happened here since," said O'Rorke, who attended the seminar.

Another attendee, Larry DeVietra Jr., president of the Glassboro-based Land Dimensions Engineering, said the growth in Atlantic City offers his company opportunities.

"I believe the Atlantic City market will affect all of South Jersey," said Barry Bannett, CEO of the Bannett Group, a Cherry Hill-based builder and designer.

"This region could have the greatest home market on the East Coast. And Atlantic City is the focal point."

As housing attracts more private developers, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is getting out of that phase of its mission, said panelist Tom Carver, executive director of the agency. The CRDA will change its focus.

With Atlantic City one of the leading economic generators for the state, the agency will concentrate on job growth and investment in Atlantic City and South Jersey, Carver said. "The port of Camden and all of Camden is important to us. I want to see Camden grow."

Panelists spoke of the growth in nongaming attractions. Carver said a $100 million program to upgrade the boardwalk kicks off this summer. When completed, it could be the catalyst to attract national retailers and restaurants to the boardwalk outside of the confines of casino hotels.

The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a global nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide responsible leadership in the use of land in order to enhance the total environment.

Established in 1936, the institute has more than 29,000 members representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines.

Reach William H. Sokolic at (609) 823-9159 or wsokolic@courierpostonline.com

Van Drew wants bridge open, money back

By Nancy Rump
Staff Writer - Ocean City Gazette
e-published 03/29/2006
(Editor’s Note: Additional reporting for this story was done by Scott Wahl, news director for WCZT radio, 98.7 The Coast, and correspondent Anthony McCurdy, for the Gazette.)

BEESLEY’S POINT – Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew says he wants the owners of the Beesley’s Point Bridge to give back money the state loaned them to repair the span.

The typically mild-manned legislator pulled no punches this week in a radio interview with news director Scott Wahl, of WCZT. He told Wahl, of Cape May County’s local FM radio station, 98.7 The Coast, he not only wants the bridge open this summer; he wants a state takeover of the span.

“In this case, we’re not gonna buy it, we’re gonna take it over,” said Van Drew, in excerpts of the interview, provided exclusively to the Gazette.

Van Drew did not mince words when he said flatly: “And we’re gonna expect money back from the owners.”

Van Drew has long been an advocate for reopening the bridge, which links Upper Township and Somers Point. The span was closed in 2004 after a motorist saw a support piling under the structure leaning to one side.

Since then, there was been documented proof that portions of the bridge are deteriorating. There has also been work done to repair that damage.

And, according to Van Drew, the bridge is now safe for travel.

In the radio interview, Wahl asks Van Drew what he deems “the million dollar question,” – is the bridge safe?

Van Drew responds: “The bridge is safe. I believe it is. I have looked at studies in the past and the present.”

Van Drew says that doesn’t mean the bridge is not in need of work, but stands firm in his belief that if could – and should – be operational now.

According to Van Drew, about a million dollars is needed for short-term repairs on the span. Down the road, he admits, more money will be needed for routine maintenance, as is common with any form of transportation infrastructure.

The Coast’s radio interview with Van Drew came on the heels of a decision made Tuesday by the county Freeholder Board.

Freeholders unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday afternoon demanding that the state act immediately to reopen the Beesley’s Point Bridge.

Since its initial closure almost two years ago, the bridge has been a sore topic for many county residents and officials. It is a particularly controversial issue amongst Upper Township officials. Committeeman Jay Newman, who also serves as the Marmora fire chief, has outlined several hazards the closure poses, mostly eliminating the township rescue squad’s most direct route to Shore Memorial Hospital.

Likewise, Mayor Rich Palombo has pointed to the traffic snarls in Marmora, at the intersection of Route 9 and Roosevelt Boulevard, as an ever-increasing headache.

Both officials see these issues as “an accident waiting to happen.”

Although an operator still works the span’s drawbridge for passing vessels, the bridge itself has banned any vehicular traffic. It is privately-owned and such decisions – although challenged by officials and legislators alike – seemed unlikely to change.

Until now.

Van Drew said he’s got the backing the make things happen.

“We’re going to get that bridge open,” he said. “I’ve had extensive discussions with the owners, the speaker of the Assembly and our new commissioner (of the state Department of Transportation).”

At the recent Cape May County Transportation Conference, Van Drew publicly addressed the bridge issue and soon afterward began working with Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts and Kris Kolluri, the new DOT commissioner, to resolve the problem.

Regarding a state takeover of the span, Van Drew said he investigated the matter and found that no legislation would be necessary for the state to do so.

“This is the only privately-owned bridge that is carried by a state highway in the entire state of New Jersey,” Van Drew said. “There are some other private bridges, (but) most of them do not relate to serious evacuation concerns.”

According to Van Drew, that sets a precedent.

“I believe the state should take the bridge over, that it should become state property,” he said.

State funds were given to bridge owners years ago for repairs – repairs, owners then said, would aid them in keeping the structure open.

Back then, the owners contended, the span – despite being a toll bridge – didn’t net them a profit. According to the owners, they couldn’t come close to paying for necessary repairs and maintenance based on the cash they made from travelers. And so, money was loaned to them by the state. However, the loan, came with a stipulation that the bridge remain open.

Now, according to some officials, a default comes into play.

“I believe the owners have a responsibility to return some, if not all, the dollars that were given to them to restore the bridge to (its) proper function over a decade ago,” Van Drew said
.
“The days of giving taxpayers’ money to private owners are over,” he said.

Van Drew said the bridge had at least a 50/50 chance of reopening sometime during this summer.

“We have been fighting this out, this has been a long fight, and I believe we are making progress,” he said. “I can’t guarantee it will be opened but, as I have said before, we are going to continue on this road.”

Van Drew added that Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts was in his corner regarding the ongoing issue.

“The speaker has said to me, he is going to work with me to do this,” Van Drew said.

Freeholder Len Desiderio sponsored this week’s Freeholder Board resolution, which includes other issues facing the county, such as partial closure of the Ninth Street Causeway into Ocean City.
Concerns raised in the resolution include not only the traffic concerns, which the Freeholders blame on the state, but the potential effect on evacuation routes for a natural disaster like a hurricane.

Ocean City OKs new signs law

By MICHAEL MILLER Staff Writer, (609) 463-6712
Press of Atlantic City
Published: Saturday, April 1, 2006
Updated: Saturday, April 1, 2006

OCEAN CITY — City Council will tidy up its own campaign signs — but not until after the May 9 election.

After months of discussion, the council finally approved new rules for campaign and realty signs. But they won't go into effect until June, long after this year's contentious mayoral and City Council election.

Under the ordinance, realty signs must be affixed to or planted within a foot of homes or businesses. The signs can be three square feet.

Campaign signs — including those sprouting last month for local candidates — will be allowed only 30 days before an election starting with the June primary. They must be removed within five days.

The city's Board of Realtors endorsed the ordinance. Not everyone was pleased with the outcome.

Architect Jack Snyder said the ordinance would prevent him from displaying a small sign in front of new homes he designed. The same would apply to painters, roofers, landscapers and other trades, he said.

“Everybody takes pride in their work,” he said. “Clients take a certain satisfaction in letting neighbors know who did the work.”

Real-estate agent Marie Sheehan Boljen said the ordinance reflected an illegal restraint of trade. Berger Realty General Manager Frank Shoemaker said the ordinance violates the rights of property owners.

“We believe it is possible to balance the concerns of visual pollution with the rights of property owners,” Shoemaker said. “Politics cannot override the public good.”

The council passed the ordinance 6-0. Councilman Gregory Johnson was absent.

To e-mail Michael Miller at The Press:MMiller@pressofac.com