ORSTED/These wind turbines off the coast of the United Kingdom are similar to what Orsted is proposing off the South Jersey coast from Atlantic City to Stone Harbor.
By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
MARGATE – Mayor Michael Collins Thursday, July 20 said that a new advisory board will be announced in the coming weeks, in keeping with a campaign promise to allow residents to be more involved in government decisions and to promote transparency in government.
Collins said it would be a nine-member board with each of the city’s commissioners selecting three of the members. A formal announcement would be made at the next regular Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for Aug. 3.
“I’m hopeful between the three of us we can accomplish this by next week and make a formal announcement at our next commission meeting,” he said.
The proposed board would meet to discuss issues affecting the city. They could review suggested topics or come up with their own, he said.
The “Friends of Margate” team, which consisted of Collins, Kathy Horn and Maury Blumberg, who were all elected in May, made it a campaign promise to “promote transparency by forming a Citizen’s Advisory Committee, livestreaming public meetings and adjusting meeting times to accommodate residents.”
They have followed through with livestreaming, although those listening in during the meetings are not permitted to speak during public comment periods. They have also moved their meeting time to 6 p.m. from 4 p.m. and their work sessions to 5 p.m. from 3 p.m. Despite the 2-hour later time, public attendance remains light.
Collins said there was a “tremendous” response from those interested in serving on the advisory board, and that the commissioners are reviewing their applications.
Collins also said he would be selecting a designee to take his seat on the Planning and Zoning Board.
“As mayor, I have a seat on that board and I can select a designee to sit in my place,” he said.
He will be accepting applications from residents interested in serving on the board and asked them to submit their resumes for consideration.
The announcement will posted on the city’s website www.margate-nj.com, he said.
Also at the meeting, in response to a question posed by resident Kathy Heitzman, who regularly attends commission meetings, Collins said the city would do everything in its power to stop the development of offshore wind farms.
Collins said the city was one of the first communities to sign a letter requesting a temporary moratorium on offshore wind farms until such time as the cause of numerous whale deaths is confirmed. The city also hosted a well-attended public forum held at the Dominick A. Potena Performing Arts Center May 20 that included Brigantine Mayor Vince Sera, U.S. Congressman Jeff Van Drew and other anti-wind turbine advocates.
Administrator Ken Mosca said he has attended Zoom meetings with environmental groups in opposition of offshore energy production and will continue to attend them and report back to the commissioners.
“What I found the biggest issue is educating the community about the scale of the project,” Collins said.
A former aerospace engineer, Collins said he has poured over more than 4,000 pages of documentation published about the development of hundreds of wind turbines, that government officials say will eventually provide enough clean, renewable energy to power 2 million homes.
“I think for us it’s about educating the community and speaking out, so they are aware,” he said.
Resident Joe Doyle thanked the commissioners for moving the meeting to 6 p.m. and said he is supportive of the wind farms.
“I hope people look into real facts…there’s a lot of false information out there,” he said. “There’s a landslide against them, but a lot of good can come from them.”
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