SEVEN MILE ELECTION RESULTS
Geoff Woolery and Wendi Powers won the two available seats on the Stone Harbor Borough Council in the November election. They each will serve a three-year term. Woolery received 37% of the votes, Powers got 35%, and the other candidate, Kenneth Biddick, got 26%.
“I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work, but I care tremendously about Stone Harbor,” said Woolery, who ran as an independent while the other two candidates were endorsed by the Republican Party. “It’s been one of the most important things in my life. As you move around and job changes and this, that, and the other, Stone Harbor’s been my constant.
“I’m hoping to work with my colleagues to bring more rigor to our work processes and better integrate technology into what we do. A lot of people don’t realize that being an elected official is a part-time job with a full-time agenda. Helping us collectively work in a more effective and efficient process is going to be very important. So, I’m really excited about working with council members on those types of things. And there’s a whole bunch of stuff that I’m very excited about that I’ve been trying to do for a couple years.”
Powers shared, “For more than 30 years, my family and I have been proud members of the Stone Harbor community. My husband, Tom, and I raised our three children here, and we understand the importance of preserving the unique character, charm, and quality of life that make Stone Harbor such a special place.
“Serving on the Borough Council is an opportunity to give back to the community I love. Together, we can preserve what makes Stone Harbor special while planning thoughtfully and responsibly for its future. I look forward to being part of the important work ahead.”
Woolery added, “Wendi and I got coffee the other day to get to know each other. I’m very excited about working with her. I think we’re going to have a great relationship.”
Also in Stone Harbor, Suzanne Walters and Mark Matreale won three-year terms on the Board of Education. Kara Sweet was the other candidate.
Joyce Cremin and Alexis Binder won seats on the Avalon Board of Education, running unopposed. They also will serve three-year terms.
Stone Harbor voters also helped to pass a proposal to authorize the Board of Education to spend up to $1.5 million to replace part of the roof at Stone Harbor Elementary School and make related improvements. The state will cover 40% of the annual debt service costs, with the remaining costs covered locally. More than 75% of voters supported the proposal.
Women & Wildlife Awards 2026, from left: L. Silvernail, Keara Giannotti, Lenore Tedesco, Barbara McKee, Kim Tinnes, and M. McHugh
TEDESCO HONORED BY CONSERVE WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
Dr. Lenore Tedesco, the executive director of The Wetlands Institute, has been recognized by the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey for her commitment to wildlife conservation.
Tedesco received the 2026 Leadership Award, which “recognizes women who demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing wildlife conservation through vision, collaboration, innovation, and lasting organizational, community, or conservation impact.”
“It’s a neat award,” Tedesco said, “because it’s a recognition of lifetime achievement in terms of making things happen and getting projects on the ground. They highlighted partnerships I’ve been able to forge and how those have been really helpful in getting things done, navigating policy and permitting, helping other folks, and translating our work to a national level. It is a culmination of years of work to get to that point, so understanding the longitudinal impact of our work is a neat thing.”
The foundation aims to protect the vibrant biodiversity of New Jersey through conservation techniques, educational activities, and science-backed research. It held its Women & Wildlife Awards reception Oct. 7 at The Boathouse at Mercer Lake in West Windsor Township.
“The reception was well attended by a lot of statewide wildlife conservation folks, donors, volunteers, awardees, and past awardees,” Tedesco said. “It was neat to see that community of connection there.”
Keara R. Giannotti, Barbara McKee, and Kim Tinnes also were recognized for their impact protecting New Jersey’s wildlife and inspiring future generations.
Tedesco began at Indiana University as a professor and researcher in the Department of Earth Science. She was also the director of the university’s Center for Earth and Environmental Science lab. After 21 years at Indiana, she became the executive director of The Wetlands Institute in 2011. Her work as executive director and as an active research scientist has been instrumental to The Wetlands Institute.
Wildlife conservation is a big part of the Seven Mile Beach community.
“Our conservation community is about helping people see the benefit and value of making connections and to think about how they can be a part of a solution set, whatever that may be,” said Tedesco. “Whether it’s helping a turtle on the roadway or being more mindful of light pollution at night while birds are migrating, whatever it is, however people want to contribute, helping our wildlife and habitats is valuable. So, all the ways that we connect people to that message, whether it’s my personal work, whether it’s the work of the institute, or it’s more broadly the work of our partners that we’ve been able to facilitate, it all comes together.”
Tedesco is now overseeing The Wetlands Institute through a time of movement and rebuilding, as the campus expands and the Salt Marsh Trail is elevated.
Grace O’Brien Park
UPDATES TO GRACE O’BRIEN PARK PLANNED
Grace O’Brien Park at 8th Street and Ocean Drive could have a significantly updated look next year.
It’s about time, Avalon Mayor John McCorristin says. When plans were presented to the Borough Council by the Taylor Design Group on Oct. 14, the mayor noted: “We’re under guidelines for how long playgrounds last and how long you can continue to maintain them. The parts for Grace O’Brien Playground had pretty much run their life cycle. It was time for it to go.”
The planned playground will feature completely accessible equipment, allowing children of all abilities to enjoy the space.
“With this playground, we want to make it very, very accessible,” McCorristin said. “We want to ensure that everyone is accommodated at this location. And not just one swing, but all features. That was one of the driving forces for this plan. This is our chance to rebuild the playground to make it more usable.”
The new plan includes rubber surfacing, perimeter fencing, a sensory garden area, benches for caregivers, and shade. Off-street accessible parking will be added on 8th Street, and the current sidewalk will be extended to Dune Drive.
The surrounding area will receive updated lighting for the garden pathway, decorative paving, ornamental trees, berms, and native plantings for songbird and pollinator species.
“We did a full analysis of the conditions of current trees and plants,” McCorristin said. “We are striving to keep existing plantings that have been there for years in their position. Those that are in good condition will remain. The idea is to make it a very natural landscape.”
The existing gazebo will be replaced, and the pavilion will receive new tables and chairs. The entire area will be installed with motion-activated security lighting.
Four bocce courts will be added. A pavilion and seating will accompany the courts. The current pickleball and basketball courts will remain untouched. However, the old baseball field will be partially removed to establish a lawn.
“Last year, we removed the dugout and backstop because those fields weren’t being utilized anymore,” McCorristin said. “The backfield hasn’t been used in years. It was just gravel and never got lined because no one needed it. Only a little bit of that field is going to be consumed in the new park area.”
Taylor Design Group, Inc. of Mount Laurel, is no stranger to Avalon, having worked on such projects as the Armacost Park Pollinator Habitat, the Bay Park Marina, the 9/11 Memorial Plaza, 39th Street Park, and Surfside Park.
The Borough intends to apply to the Cape May County Open Space Program for funding support. If approved, construction will begin in the first quarter of 2027.
HOLIDAY BEACH TAGS AVAILABLE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
Stone Harbor and Avalon have released their 2027 holiday beach tags, which may be used throughout the year and make great collector’s items.
Avalon’s holiday beach tag features Santa sporting summer clothes and sunglasses as he rides a Jet Ski on bright blue water. The background depicts a bright red sun and a blue palm tree.
Stone Harbor’s holiday beach tag features a bird wearing a Santa hat set against a blue background and a cheerfully decorated Christmas tree. It was designed by Zoe McNulty, a fourth-grade student at Stone Harbor Elementary School.
Avalon’s holiday beach tags will be available for sale during Festive Friday on Nov. 27 and Snowfest Saturday on Nov. 28 at the Beach Tag booth at 30th Street & the beach. All remaining tags will be available for purchase starting Monday, Nov. 30 at the Tax Collector’s Office in Avalon Borough Hall. The office is located at 3100 Dune Drive and is open from 8:15am to 4:15pm Monday through Friday.
Stone Harbor’s 2027 holiday beach tags are available for purchase over Thanksgiving weekend at the Beach Tag Office on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. The office is located at the Beach Patrol Headquarters on 95th Street & the beach. After the weekend, all remaining tags will be available for purchase at Stone Harbor Borough Hall at 9508 Second Ave.
Both Avalon and Stone Harbor holiday beach tags are $37 each. The boroughs have a reciprocal beach-tag agreement.
Norfolk Dredging removing sand from the Townsend’s Inlet navigation channel.
AVALON BEACH FILL, INLET DREDGING COMPLETED
Avalon completed the largest maintenance beach fill project in the borough’s history on Nov. 3, having added more than 1.3 million cubic yards of sand to Avalon’s beach from the hydraulic beach fill and the Townsend’s Inlet dredging.
Norfolk Dredging started the hydraulic beach fill project on Sept. 1 and moved 1,201,259 cubic yards of sand to Avalon’s northern beaches. Upon completion on Oct. 30, Norfolk Dredging moved equipment to the Townsend’s Inlet navigation channel, which stretches between the south end of Sea Isle City and the north end of Avalon. The channel generates $15 million to $21 million annually of economic activity. However, it is not the responsibility of any single entity for routine dredging maintenance.
According to Avalon Mayor John McCorristin, “Any of the charter captains would tell you that, no matter how good they are, they probably hit the bridge this year. The channel was becoming very dangerous, and it was still filling in. It wasn’t getting better.”
The Borough of Avalon approved and implemented a plan to remove 135,800 cubic yards of sand from the Townsend’s Inlet navigation channel.
Avalon, Sea Isle City, the County of Cape May, and the Cape May County Bridge Commission created a Shared Services Agreement to finance the project. Permits were secured from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. A 150-foot-wide cut was created to preserve commercial and recreational boating activities and to improve water navigation safety.
Avalon negotiated a seven-party agreement with Sea Isle City, Cape May County, the Cape May County Bridge Commission, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Environmental Protection for the dredged sand to be placed on Avalon’s northern beaches.
“This discussion started way back when we were in Washington,” McCorristin said. “I asked, ‘Why can’t we take some sand from the channel?’ Everyone said, ‘That’s not part of the borough area.’ We met before the beach fill started, and I brought it up again. I said, ‘Why can’t we just take the cut?’ The answer was the same.
“My administrator, Scott Wahl, decided that wasn’t the right answer. Through diligent efforts and work with Congressman Van Drew and the head of the Army Corps in Washington, we pursued this to the bitter end. The opportunity was there. The equipment was there. We want to thank everyone for working so hard on it. It came to fruition.”
Norfolk Dredging removed 150,000 cubic yards of sand from the inlet channel, and all of it was placed on Avalon’s northern beaches. In two months, more than 1.3 million cubic yards of sand were added to Avalon beaches. All Avalon beach paths are now open.
Avalon and other involved parties are working on a permanent plan for continued maintenance of the Townsend’s Inlet navigation channel.