PETERSBURG — One ice cream vendor may be welcome but two or even three certainly are not, according to the Strathmere Improvement Association.
Township Committee approved the request of Ocean City Canteen and Southwind Ice Cream to become registered and licensed vendors on township beaches during the meeting July 14. One venor already works the beaches.
Mayor Curtis Corson said the township was not interested in offering a one-year permit and instead would offer a conditional permit to the two vendors through Nov. 1.
He also said the township likely would switch to a bidding process next year.
“It can be significantly more than our vendor fee that we are charging, so the township can actually make money,” Corson said.
Deputy Mayor Victor Nappen II agreed.
“At some point if you have too many businesses doing the same thing, you end up cannibalizing each other,” he said.
Corson said providing the conditional license would provide “a taste of the market” so the vendors could consider bidding next year.
Colleen Jones, president of the SIA, said the group is “a little bit dismayed about letting two more vendors on the beach.”
“A lot of people are not happy that there are people hawking things on our narrow beaches that they sort of considered wild,” Jones said. “I think we’re worried that there are little shifts going on in Strathmere that don’t look like a lot as they’re in a moment in time but cumulatively they will change the culture and uniqueness of Strathmere.
“I hope this committee takes the opportunity to do something that the leaders of Sea Isle and Ocean City didn’t, and that’s protect the character of the town before it’s completely lost.”
Heroin overdose
Upper Township first responders were dispatched July 12 to the Shoemaker Holly Picnic Area at mile marker 22.7 on the Garden State Parkway following reports that two adults were found unconscious with shallow breathing suspected to be the result of a heroin overdose.
Division of EMS Chief John Brittin was the first to arrive and immediately initiated life-saving treatment along with Seaville Volunteer Fire Company Deputy Chief Brian Allegretto.
They quickly were joined by Seaville’s engine and two ambulances, along with paramedics from AtlantiCare.
“Thanks to the swift, coordinated efforts of all agencies involved, both individuals regained their consciousness on scene, were transported to the hospital in stable condition,” Nappen said. “This incident highlights the critical importance of rapid response and teamwork among our region’s first responders and is what makes our Upper Township public safety great.”
Nappen noted the Division of EMS held its annual youth camp in the last week of June, drawing 30 middle school-age youths to a program designed to introduce them to public safety.
“Participants developed key life skills, leadership, communication, responsibility,” he said. “This camp fostered meaningful connections between our youth and promoted respect for our safety roles and left a positive impact on everybody involved.”
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff