‘Friends of Margate’ respond to Downbeach.com candidate questionnaire

‘Friends of Margate’ slate of candidates, from left, Maury Blumberg, Cathy Horn and Michael Collins.

MARGATE – Members of the “Friends of Margate” slate of candidates for the May 9 Board of Commissioners election responded to a questionnaire sent to all the candidates about issues of importance to the voters of Margate. The candidates were asked to provide their individual responses to the following questions:

Margate Candidate Questionnaire

1. The tax rate in Margate has remained stable over the last 11 years, aided mostly by an increase in the ratable base due to reconstruction and raising homes following Hurricane Sandy. What is your plan to control taxes in the future?
2. There has been discussion among some of the candidates about consolidation of the Margate schools, which is a Type I school district with board members appointed by the mayor and annual budgets approved by the Board of School Estimate. Some believe the schools should be either consolidated into one building or merged with the Ventnor City school system. What are your views on this issue?
3. Since Hurricane Sandy and new FEMA regulations regarding building at a much higher minimum flood elevation, homeowners are razing their homes and reconstructing larger homes at higher levels, which some say dwarf existing older homes that have yet to be elevated. What are your views on this issue, and what if anything, would you do about it?
4. Margate’s long-standing rental ordinance adopted in 1983 restricts property rentals to a minimum stay of one week between May 1 and Sept. 30. Compared to other communities, other than parking, Margate has had few complaints generated at rental properties. The city’s ordinance requires an annual license, $100 application fee, and inspection to determine occupancy load. What are your views on short-term rentals that have become popular on AirBNB, VRBO and other online rental platforms? Do you think the city’s current ordinance is adequate or should it be revised? If so, what changes would you recommend?
5. Parking is an issue in most shore communities during the summer season due to the influx of thousands of second homeowners and visitors. What do you believe can be done to enhance parking in the city?
6. What are your plans to support the local business community?
7. What are your views on offshore wind development?

Maury Blumberg

1. The Blumberg, Horn, Collins team will continue the trend set by former commissioners of fiscal responsibility. This discipline includes monthly review of the budget and cost expenditures. We will work hard to ensure our investments remain sound and our costs are kept in check. We will strive to negotiate fair contracts with our great city employees. Capital construction and road programs will remain fixed so as not to incur increased debt. Health care and pension programs will be reviewed annually to take advantage of any potential cost savings. Finally, we will strive to secure federal and state grants wherever possible to help defray costs.
2. This discussion is not new and our team is committed to continuing the great tradition set in Margate for a top rate education. We have no plans to close or merge schools. The school numbers remain steady at 350 students and do not merit any drastic changes. The Blumberg-Horn-Collins plan is to recruit additional tuition students to help raise the class size numbers as well as additional funds; all this without having to add additional staff. My mother Stella taught for 35 years in Margate and my sister-in-law, Jessica Cuevas has been a teacher for over 25 years. I am honored to have a Tighe School diploma and I want that for future generations to follow.
3. It is no secret that Margate is one of the most desired places to live in South Jersey. We are proud to boast of the second lowest tax rate of any full-service town in the county, great award-winning Blue Ribbon schools, top rate services, outstanding restaurants, the most beautiful beaches on the coast and Lucy the Elephant. People are moving to Margate, and as commissioners, we welcome them. Our job will be to try to enhance our residents’ quality of life while the economy and trends to build new continue. To this end, two points of our multi-point plan are to hire additional Code Enforcement officials, as well as to establish a Citizens Advisory Committee to address issues and make recommendations on improvements. We will charge the committee with looking to the state for flood zones that may be exempt from the new height elevations, and also to local ordinances to encourage existing home renovations. We expect that the trend by our Planning Board to deny height and lot coverage variances will continue, understanding that only one such variance has been granted in the last five years. We will not enact any flippant or ill-thought-out ordinances that will subject our taxpayers to costly legal court battles.
4. As commissioner for the past 16 years, I can tell you that we have had very few complaints brought to our attention in this regard. To insinuate anything otherwise is disingenuous. In fact, other towns are following our ordinance, as it relates to these short-term rentals. Understanding that we are in an ever-changing world, we will be ready to address this issue if it presents itself in a negative way. We will in fact have an improved system for an anonymous way that residents to help us identify violations.
5. Again, it is no secret that for 10 weeks out of the year we have issues with parking in the town. As a sitting commissioner, we have worked hard over the past several years to gain parking spots, as well as to regulate parking in our business and restaurant zones. Last year, we created a free municipal lot on Benson Avenue with over 15 spots to help our Amherst Avenue restaurants. In addition, we contracted with a private firm to create metered spots along the newly constructed promenade. This (was done) to aid our businesses and encourage parking turnover. Finally, we gained 20 daily spots in the Lamberti lot for visitors to the south end of town. Parking in beach communities is always a difficult proposition and we will continue to explore opportunities for improvement, as well as look to Jitney and tram services for potential enhancements.
6. Our local businesses and restaurants are the lifeblood of our community. It is the Blumberg, Horn, Collins plan to continue the pro-business atmosphere set into place many years ago by the current commission. This includes financial support to the MBA, as well as service support to the individual business owners when requested. Enhancements will be in the form of additional budget dollars allocated for MBA program improvements and citywide events such as the new Cherry Blossom Festival. Business concerns such as on-going parking challenges and streetscape projects will also be revisited by the team. Our small town future and feel depends upon businesses being successful and remaining open 12 months out of the year. The city understands they need our help in promotions as well as operation.
7. The future of our climate depends upon our generation to explore and implement renewable energy projects. The current planned project off the NJ coast is concerning to our local residents and Margate was one of the first towns to sign on to the County’s Mayors’ petition calling for a complete pause on the project as a result of the recent whale and dolphin deaths. The State needs to pause and follow the science as it evolves. Other energy programs can fill the void while all environmental impacts are further explored.

Personal Information:

• Lifelong Margate resident
• Graduate of Margate schools
• Graduated third in class at Holy Spirit High School
  • Designated Scholar-Athlete in senior year
• Bachelor or Science in Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN,
  • Played Varsity Baseball
• Work Experience:
  • Honeywell International, Westfield, NJ
  • Vice-president of Sales & Engineering, Jersey Architectural Door & Supply, Inc.
• Volunteer Service:
  • Member Margate Board of Commissioners, 2007 to present
    • Elected to four consecutive terms and is seeking a fifth term in office
  • Former member, Margate Zoning Board
  • Member, Board of Directors, Margate Little League
  • Coach, Margate Recreation League Girl’s Basketball and Softball
  • Member, Board of Best of Chai, Atlantic City
  • Recently retired from Margate U.S. Over-40 Baseball League

Catherine Horn

1. Our team plans to continue to be fiscally responsible, evaluating all aspects of the budget yearly. While continuing to secure grant monies, we would plan to continue to be a full-service community while remaining fiscally responsible.
2. As president of the Margate Board of Education, and as a mother of three boys who have received their education in the Margate schools, I am very proud to be a part of our Blue-Ribbon schools. Consolidation and mergers have been an on-going discussion for the Board of Education. Previously, with respect to consolidation, a study was completed via our district architect that found it was not in Margate’s best interest to consolidate buildings. One reason given was due to the cost to retrofit one of the buildings to accommodate our combined student population. The plan at that time, looked at Tighe School to be the main school. The field is an asset, as well as there is more classroom accessibility as well as science labs. With respect to a merger, it would also negatively impact Margate’s tax payers. Our school board members have a fiduciary responsibility to all Margate residents.  We do currently share services with other school districts to alleviate costs, such as busing and food services to name a few. I do believe it is important to point out that our school tax levy is considerably lower than Ventnor’s and most other districts in Atlantic County. The school board’s Long-term Planning Committee annually analyzes our district’s facilities and proper usage.
3. While speaking to residents, I have come to realize that most of us share similar views. Our team has discussed petitioning FEMA to relax the regulations in the non-flood areas of Margate; encourage renovations by relaxing local ordinances to enable home owners to remodel; regulating oversized houses on undersized lots; increasing part-time staff to enforce code violations; and continue to limit the variances being granted.
4. Personally, I am not in favor of VRBO and AirBNB. However, short-term rentals are happening in Margate. In an attempt to regulate this, the weekly rental was approved. One of the main issues, I believe, is the lack of reporting that poses a problem. Margate’s city website is in need of updating. We plan to have a link to report disturbances anonymously. This would allow our city officials to regulate the rentals more closely.
5. Parking enforcement officers need to be reinstituted. Two-hour and 15-minute parking limits need to be enforced especially in the business district. In Margate’s 10-year Master Plan, it was suggested that Margate consider beach-block parking. Based on Remington, Vernick, and Walberg Engineers recommendation, parking on alternate sides of the beach block would create approximately 176 to 199 spaces immediately. By forming a Citizen’s Advisory Committee, it would be tasked to canvas the community to gain feedback. The committee would relay alternative suggestions as well.
6. The Business community is instrumental to the long-term success and stability of our town. The Margate Business Association does a great job. We would continue to work closely with them to support our businesses year-round. The Cherry Blossom Festival was an incredible addition this year. Our team would plan to not only expand this for next year, but also see more family-friendly events throughout the year. This would encourage families from neighboring towns to be exposed to what our businesses offer and to support them as well.
7. I am pleased that Congressman Jeff Van Drew has called for a moratorium on offshore wind development to allow marine experts to investigate whether activity on the wind projects is connected to the whale deaths in New Jersey and other states along the coast. I believe Margate needs to work with other local municipalities to best handle the issue. The offshore wind development affects the entire shoreline. The Downbeach Coalition has arranged to host Congressman Van Drew at the Performing Arts Center on May 20.

Personal Information:

• Resident since 2000
• Bachelor Degree in Psychology, Rutgers University, 1990
• Masters Degree Counseling Psychology, Seton Hall University
• Second Masters Degree in School Psychology
• Post-Masters Certificate as Educational Specialist
• Work Experience:
  • Atlantic City Medical Center Psychiatric Program
  • Atlantic City High School, School Psychologist, 2000-present
• Volunteer Service:
  • Member, Margate Board of Education, 2013-present
    • Vice-president, 2016-2018
    • President, 2018-present
  • Member, Margate Riptides Booster Club
  • Member, Margate Mothers Association
  • Member, Margate Education Foundation
  • Member, Holy Trinity Parish

Michael Collins

1. Taxes are an important issue for all of Margate’s residents. Some residents are on fixed incomes and their ability to remain in Margate is dependent on stable taxes. I believe fiscal responsibility is one of the most important aspects of local government. Using my business background, I plan to analyze current spending habits and find ways to improve. I also plan to analyze all of the departments within the city to ensure that we have the correct number of employees and that they are held accountable for their responsibilities. Margate’s services are second to none. Any changes to the spending within the city will not affect the services we provide through our Police, Fire, and Public Works departments, as well as our senior and recreation programs. The quality of life of our residents will always be my top priority.
2. I believe that our schools are the foundation of our community. I am a product of the Margate schools and can tell you firsthand that I was well prepared for my high school and college curriculums because of the great education I received from Margate. I went on to graduate second in my class at Holy Spirit High School and graduated with honors from Villanova University where I received a bachelors degree and a masters degree in mechanical engineering. I don’t believe it is in the best interests of our students or our taxpayers for any form of school consolidation, and I will always make the education of our children a top priority. The Board of Education has been analyzing enrollment trends for many years, and I am confident in their current assessment that the best interests of the children and all of our residents is maintaining our two schools. I plan to work with the board of education to track changes in enrollment to determine if this recommendation holds over the years.
3. I stand alongside all residents of Margate when I say the building and new construction not only takes away the character of our community but also has driven up prices, making Margate less affordable for young families. We also know that a protracted legal fight with FEMA and the DEP on their building requirements will fail and cost taxpayers dearly. I stand firm on the fact that the building of towering homes on undersized lots will not continue. We need to revisit our building codes to find a happy medium and allow our residents to build their dream homes in compliance with federal regulations, without taking away the character and charm of our beautiful community. Additionally, I intend to form a Community Advisory Committee to aid in getting the voice of the people to our government. Most importantly through all of this, we need to make sure we enforce our laws and allow our residents to maintain their quality of life despite the unprecedented construction that will continue regardless of rules on building heights.
4. Short term rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO have been gaining popularity in recent years. The current Margate ordinance is very clear on what needs to be done to rent your home. Margate code enforcement is the regulatory arm of this ordinance and has been responsive to resident complaints. As the question states, there just haven’t been many formal complaints and they all tend to be found on social media posts as opposed to directed to City Hall. I think it is important for residents to notify the city when rules are broken so that they can be handled appropriately. I plan to make it easy for residents to reach out to Code Enforcement and notify them when they notice a violation. I will accomplish this through an online portal attached to the city website where residents can inform code enforcement. We live in a wonderful community filled mostly with year-round and seasonal residents that together call Margate home. I want to keep it that way and make sure that we continue to enforce our laws and eliminate the short-term rentals that can take away from our character and charm.
5. Parking has and always will be an issue in our community. I believe the city needs to constantly look at ways to improve the parking situation for our residents and visitors. The first way to do this is to make sure that no commercial parking in the city is eliminated going forward. We are already at a deficit for commercial parking and we need to preserve the few spots we have remaining. Additionally, I think investments in public parking and shuttle services need to be a priority.
6. I have been a big supporter of the local business community as both a business owner for the last 15 years and as a board member for the Margate Business Association for the past five years. I have been an integral part in business development and the events that make our wonderful community special. I have been on committees for events such as Fall Funfest by the Bay, Beachstock and Small Business Saturday, to name a few. I also spearheaded the “Bag it Forward” campaign to put reusable bags in the hands of Margate residents as a result of the NJ legislation that banned single use plastic bags. One of my most popular contributions has been the founding of the Margate Cornhole League. Once elected, my support will continue. Our business community is a vital part of the livelihood of all of our residents. Margate is a unique place and the relationships within our business community foster that. Just as we all live and work together as residents, our business community always steps up to help other members. The number one challenge moving forward within our business community is year-round viability. As our year-round population shrinks, the number of people patronizing our businesses in the winter does as well. I plan to continue and expand on the relationship the city has with the Margate Business Association to make Margate an attractive destination for businesses for 12 months of the year. I will make sure our business district maintains its footprint and that no commercial space is turned over to residential.
7. I care deeply for our environment and the future of our planet. One of the ways to preserve our future is alternative sources of energy, such as wind. That being said, offshore wind development is not the answer. Our beaches and oceans are sacred to our community. The fact that marine life is at risk due to these projects is enough for us to stop. There are many people on both sides of this issue with some saying that the marine life deaths have nothing to do with the offshore activity. I don’t believe anyone can say with certainty that this is the case. For that reason, I stand with those calling for a moratorium on all offshore wind activity until further investigations can be conducted.Additionally, I am a part of a small team that is bringing education of offshore wind development to our community. Towards the end of May, an educational forum will be brought to Margate to address the offshore wind projects and educate our community on the issues at stake. We will be welcoming our local, state, and federal representatives to educate our community on the importance of having our voices heard. It is important that we all pay attention to the effects these projects will have on our community. Some will say Margate doesn’t have a voice in this fight because the state and federal government are calling the shots. I believe that is just an excuse and we need to stand up for the rights of our citizens, our beautiful ocean views, and the marine life that call our oceans home.

Personal information:

• Full-time Margate resident for 37+ years
• Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering, 2003
• Master of Mechanical Engineering, 2005, minor in General Business
• Work Experience:
  • Aerospace Engineer, 2003-2008
  • Adjunct Faculty, Villanova University, 2006-2008
  • Local Business Owner
    • Colmar Home Center & Kitchen Studio, 2008-Present
    • The UPS Store, 2018-Present
• Volunteer Service
  • Board Member, True Value Cooperative Company, 2022-Present
  • Board Member, Margate Business Association, 2019-Present
  • Coach, Margate Recreation Dept, Margate Little League, 2021-Present
  • Board Member, Assumption Regional Catholic School, 2009-2014