Middle Recreation Sees Bright Future with County Partnership

As a lifelong resident of Middle Township, I have fond memories of many seasons spent on the fields, rinks and courts of our recreation centers and complexes. The lessons learned and the many friendships forged through sports remain strong today. As a young man, I served as a member of the Recreation Department staff working to pass those lessons onto the next generation of our kids. In 2025, as I begin my sixth year as your Committeeman, I’m honored to oversee our recreation programs and partner with Recreation Director Dustin Sturm and his team to provide an expanding menu of diverse activities to our residents. 

Over the past several years, we have overseen a multitude of improvements to our recreation centers throughout the Township, including the opening of the Ocky Wisting and Railroad Avenue complexes in Rio Grande, new indoor flooring, outdoor basketball courts and pickleball courts at the MLK Center, upgraded playgrounds and infrastructure improvements at the Clarence and Georgiana Davies Center in Goshen and the completion of the Cape May County Bike Path connecting Middle Township’s path to Lower and Dennis Townships. We have consistently invested in recreation to give our residents and our visitors the best experience possible at our facilities. Many of these projects have been substantially supported by the County of Cape May through funding provided by the County Open Space Board. 

As we look to 2025 and a new round of funding availability, Middle Township is well-positioned to advance an application for much-needed infrastructure and athletic field upgrades to the Goshen Complex. The project envisions a redesign of the sports fields with full irrigation and new sod and seed, upgraded dugouts and seating, a refurbished snack stand and improvements to traffic flow and parking. 

In anticipation of this application, the Township has worked diligently to set aside substantial matching funds as we look to build on our successful partnership with the County Open Space Board. Under the leadership of County Commissioner Bobby Barr, the County has updated the requirements for open space grant funding, expanding the opportunities for recreation facilities improvements to now be included in consideration for funding. Our team at the Township has worked hard over the past year to develop a thoughtful and professionally prepared application. 

County Commission Director Leonard Desiderio has placed an increased emphasis on building stronger ties with our municipalities and cooperating to foster ambitious projects that improve the quality of life for all county residents and visitors. I look forward to partnering with the County Commissioners and taking the lead on shepherding this exciting project through the application process. As we present these plans in a public forum, I’m excited to hear input from our residents to make the improvements to the Goshen Complex the best they can be.

Sincerely,

Jim Norris

Middle Township Committeeman

January 7, 2025 – Annual Reorganization Meeting of Township Committee

1. Swearing in of Theron “Ike” Gandy to a three-year term on Township Committee.

2. Swearing in of Chris Leusner to a one-year term as Mayor.

3. Swearing in of Theron “Ike” Gandy to a one-year term as Deputy Mayor.

4. Swearing in of two Police Officers – Zachary Lintz and Owen Bryan.

5. Introduction of amendment to the ordinance related to application and development fees.

6. Introduction of amendment to the ordinance related to garbage and recycling collection.

7. Awarding of contract for professional services for 2025.

8. Approval of temporary budget.

9. Approval of 2025 salary ordinance.

10. Establishment of paydays and holidays for 2025.

11. Approval of resolution accepting a $7,410 grant from the Cape May County Save the Arts program.

12. Approved 2025 appointments to various volunteer boards.

13. Approved the hiring of six Class 2 Police Officers.

14. Approved the assignment of departments to Township Committee members for 2025.

15. Approved a request to the NJDOT for a traffic study to consider the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Route 9 and Priest Blvd. in Rio Grande.

16. Approval of a resolution approving an application to the Cape May County Open Space Board.

January 22, 2025 – Township Committee Work Session

1. Review of request for a waiver of the street opening moratorium – 100 Rutledge Ave.

2. Review of the Fire District’s request to amend the ordinance related to the Uniform Fire Code.

3. Discussion of an amendment to the ordinance – Concrete Crushing Permit

January 22, 2025 – Regular Meeting of Township Committee

1. Recognition of the January Employee of the Month – Alicia Woodrow.

2. Recognition of the February Employee of the Month – Ptlm. Chris Rudy.

3. Middle Matters Awards recognizing first responders for life-saving actions.

4. Recognition of the retirement of MTPD Corporal James D’Alonzo.

5. Approval of a resolution accepting New Jersey Department of Community Affairs calculations for present and prospective needs for affordable housing units.

6. Approval of the submission of an application for a 2025 NJ DCA grant for Local Recreation Improvement – Goshen Recreation Complex.

Middle Township residents are encouraged to attend Township Committee meetings to share their thoughts, questions and concerns with Township Committee. 

Visit the Township website for information on meeting dates and times: https://middletownship.com/

Middle Matters Awards Recognize First Responders for Life-Saving Efforts

Middle Township Committee recognized the combined, life-saving efforts of Police Officer Chris Rudy, three Cape May County dispatchers and four members of the AtlantiCare Emergency Medical Services Team at the Township’s January 22nd Township Committee meeting.

Patrolman Chris Rudy was honored with the Township’s February Employee of the Month Award.

The following First Responders were presented with the Middle Matters Award:

AtlantiCare Emergency Medical Technicians Kristen Davis and Gianna Wells were recognized along with Paramedics Erica Hartman and Tracy Cain.

Cape May County Dispatchers/911 Operators Victoria Betham, Gabe Dalbow and Dustin Kelly were also honored. 

During the early evening hours of November 28th, 2024, the CMC Dispatch Center received a frantic 9-1-1 call reporting a one-week-old baby who was unconscious and unresponsive. Upon arrival, Ptlm. Chris Rudy observed the mother attempting CPR on the infant. The baby was blue in color and cold to the touch.

Ptlm. Rudy immediately took custody of the baby from the mother and began administering life-saving measures. After completing one round of CPR, the baby began to regain consciousness.

Rescue personnel from AtlantiCare arrived shortly after and assumed care of the infant. The baby was subsequently transported to Cooper University Hospital in Cape May Court House for further examination. The quick actions of Ptlm. Rudy and the teamwork of the Rescue Personnel played a crucial role in saving the life of the newborn.

“The combined efforts of the MTPD, County Dispatch and AtlantiCare EMS played a critical role in saving the life of a one-week-old baby during that emergency,” Mayor Chris Leusner said. “Their quick thinking, professionalism, and dedication to duty were instrumental in ensuring a positive outcome in what could have been a tragic situation.”

In an effort to recognize local residents for their wide variety of endeavors towards building a better Middle Township, the Township of Middle established a civic recognition program entitled the “Middle Matters Award.” 

The Middle Matters Awards complement the Township’s existing Employee of the Month and Volunteer Recognition programs and provides residents with the ability to publicly recognize their neighbors for praiseworthy acts. 

Residents interested in acknowledging good works within the Township may submit a nomination on the Township’s website:

https://middletownship.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Middle-Matters-Nomination-Form.pdf

Middle Township’s DeVico Senior Center will receive another round of grant funding through the ongoing generosity of philanthropist Don Ambrose. Ambrose, the founder and president of Del Mar Healthcare, Inc., previously owned two nursing homes in Cape May Court House until the buildings were sold in 2014.

The recently announced $25,000 donation flows from Cascade Corp., a nonprofit, private foundation that is a subsidiary of Del Mar Healthcare, Inc., based in Del Mar, Calif. The healthcare foundation supports nonprofits that assist the elderly with housing, health, and financial needs.

The generous gift represents the second round of grant funding provided to the Senior Center through Cascade Corp. In 2023, Don Ambrose reached out to Director Marilyn Miller to ask how he could help the DeVico Senior Center. The first round of funding was used to purchase a drop-down screen for movie watching and presentations at the Center, as well as upgrades to the building’s interior and exterior.

“One of our goals is for older adults to thrive and live fulfilling lives,” said Ambrose. “We see the senior center helping many achieve this, and we hope the donation enables the center to continue enriching the residents’ lives.”

Marilyn Miller said the senior center provides many opportunities for members of the community.

“It is important for senior citizens to get out of the house and socialize,” said Miller. “The senior center has activities that are good for the mind, body, and soul. We offer meditation and yoga classes, line dancing, Zumba, bingo and much more. There is something for everybody.”

To learn more about the programs and activities offered at the DeVico Senior Center visit the Center’s webpage at https://middletownship.com/departments/senior-center/

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