Watch video: Cape May County Commission recent meeting.
Like Margate, Sea Isle City is an awesome Jersey shore town.
For last 30 years, Sea Isle City’s Len Desiderio has been Mayor. Len is also a Cape May County Exec Director.
Len background:
Not a fan of taxpayer input. Doesn’t really like Commissioner input either it seems.
Len wants to spend millions in taxpayer funds for an airport hangar. Desiderio well-known for hiding controversial stuff like this inside the CONSENT AGENDA. Most see that as 100% unethical. Unlawful too.
Reminds us of a contaminated gas station purchased by Margate Mayor, Mike Collins. Or how about that un-needed project coming to Washington Ave. In both cases, the Mayor of Margate took advantage of a very small voter base. Collins also leverages millions in taxpayer funds dollars from non-voting 2nd homeowners.
Compare Sea Isle City and Cape May County to Margate and Atlantic County.
It took 5 years for Margate City Hall to turn on LIVE ZOOM video of their commission meetings.
Former Margate Mayor Mike Becker and former Business Admin Rich Deaney (Ocean City resident) were major impediments to municipal accountability in Margate. They hated live Zoom video of meetings.
Public comment: Crazy how an Ocean City guy (Deaney), his salary paid for by Margate taxpayers, single-handedly decided to keep Margate residents in the dark by blocking Zoom
CAPE MAY COUNTY: Lack of Transparency & Accusations of Corruption
Obstructed Public Records: One speaker detailed submitting OPRA (Open Public Records Act) requests for employment data and salaries, only to be “met with withholding, obstruction, and unjustified delays.” Corruption where the “government can decide which residents get access and which do not.”
Inaccessible Meetings: Meetings held at inconvenient times, such as 11:00 AM on a Tuesday.
Conflicts of Interest: Multiple officials holding overlapping roles across different departments, boards, and planning boards. A speaker argued, “These dual positions create serious conflicts of interest”.
Concealed Salaries: An allegation was made that one individual is “receiving two full-time salaries disguised as one” through “dual positions concealed inside single salary line.”
The Airport Hangar Project & Secrecy
Major point of contention: Lack of public information surrounding a significant financial decision regarding the Cape May County Airport.
Financial: Resolution to construct airport hangar, appropriating $7,245,000 and authorizing 6,900,000 in bonds to finance cost.
Information Withheld: A speaker stated that the airport is “one of the most significant and public assets” in the county, yet “the public has been given virtually no information about what is happening behind the scenes.” This secrecy also extends to the “soon expiring DRPA contract.”
Chaotic Vote: The vote regarding the airport was described as “so confusing, so disorganized, and so poorly explained that the public was left wondering whether it was even with [in compliance with the] open public meetings act.”
Improper Use of Consent Agenda.
Director’s Response: When Commissioner Morey asked Director Desiderio why he would not allow an item to be moved for discussion, the Director’s reply was stark: “That’s the way I felt.”
Len Desiderio is a proud, career politician.
Len’s tenure includes:
- Cape May County Commissioner since 2002. Eight terms.
- Director of Board of County Commissioners. Term expires Dec 31, 2027
- Mayor of Sea Isle City since 1993. Term expires June 30, 2027
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