|
A couple weeks ago I went to the booth at Community Hall to purchase 2026 beach tags for the family. I needed 11 -- for my wife and me, for our daughter and son and their spouses, and for our five grandchildren. As has been the case for a number of years, my beach tag was free, thanks to a Borough ordinance that offers complimentary tags to military veterans. At the conclusion of the transaction, the clerk handed me the beach tags in a small paper bag and said to me, “Thank you for your service, Mr. Faulk.” It is probably something she says to every veteran who comes by to pick up a tag, but in that moment it really resonated with me, and I walked back to my car feeling both appreciative and appreciated.
Later this month we all will have the opportunity to express our appreciation to our military veterans, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice, by attending the annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 25. The parade begins at 9:00 am at 34th Street and proceeds north on Dune Drive to 21st Street, where a memorial service will be held at Veterans Plaza. This year I have the honor of representing AHLOA in the ceremony and presenting small memorial donations to American Legion Post 331 in Stone Harbor and to the Vineland Veterans Home.
If you are going to be in town for Memorial Day, please try to attend the parade and ceremony. Your presence is another way to say, “Thank you for your service.”
And speaking of appreciation, I want to thank Avalon Borough Council President Barbara Juzaitis for her detailed and informative review of Avalon’s 2026 municipal budget and anticipated capital projects at AHLOA’s in-person members meeting on April 11. Below you will find a summary of the Council President’s presentation.
The big news this month is the announcement by Congressman Jeff Van Drew’s office that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will receive $99 million in federal funding for beach projects in Cape May County, including more than $46 million for a hydraulic fill of the seriously eroded beaches and dunes in Avalon and Stone Harbor. And because the appropriation for the Avalon/Stone Harbor project is earmarked as emergency funds, there is no cost sharing requirement for either community.
As yet, no date for commencement of the hydraulic beach replenishment project has been set, but it is anticipated that some or all of the work will occur during the summer months. The Army Corps of Engineers will coordinate the project, and it has designated the beaches between 8th and 29th streets as those in need of replenishment and restoration.
It is important to point out that this hydraulic fill project will be in addition to the Borough-financed sand back passing that began on April 14 and will continue during overnight weekday hours (with a break for the Memorial Day weekend) until completed in June. To date, more than 10,000 cubic yards have been transferred to the eroded beaches. You can follow the progress of the sand back passing and, once it begins, the hydraulic beach replenishment here on the Borough’s website.
As we previewed last month, AHLOA’s contribution to the Spring into Summer events that will take place on the four weekends following Memorial Day has a new name and an expanded format that will appeal to the whole family. On Saturday, June 13 from 8:30 to 10:30 am at Community Hall, AHLOA will present its Avalon Community Open House, featuring more than twenty Borough agencies and departments and other community organizations. The event, which is open to members and non-members alike, also will have a Kids Korner for the younger set, making it convenient for the entire family to attend. Below is an article detailing this event. You can access information on all the Spring into Summer events at the Visit Avalon NJ website.
Also on June 13, AHLOA and the Avalon Library will co-sponsor a concert by the Rock N’ Roll Collective, a teen band that performs classic rock-oriented specialties from the 60's through the 90's. The concert begins at 6:00 pm in Surfside Park. Be sure to bring your beach chairs to usher in a new summer music season.
Finally, below you will find an article by Avalon Police Chief Jeffrey Christopher outlining the new e-bike laws and regulations that were passed by the New Jersey Legislature in January. As Chief Christopher notes, enforcement will not occur until July, which allows e-bike operators time to obtain an e-bike license (if needed), register the e-bike and procure the necessary insurance before the summer season begins.
Happy Memorial Day and hope to see you at the Parade.
Warren Faulk
President
| 
