Wildwood NJ and Iguanas

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Samcin on June 01, 2001 at 21:55:42:

Day of the iguana nearly over in Wildwood
- May 26, 2001 - 12:09 AM
City also moves to permanently ban hermit crabs, novelty weapons

By TRUDI GILFILLIAN
Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716

WILDWOOD - Following last summer's iguana ban, new regulations have been proposed that, if approved, would permanently ban the sale of the common lizard, hermit crabs and other items within city limits.

Under a city ordinance introduced Wednesday, aqua babies, hookah bars, oxygen bars and pets are among the other items or businesses that would be prohibited from being sold or operated on the Boardwalk and city streets.

According to the ordinance, the sale of novelty items that could be mistaken for weapons would also be banned.

Prohibited items include cigarette lighter guns, knives, laser pointers, martial arts stars or weapons and paint ball guns.

Last August, the city, aided by the Cape May County Health Department cited state law to ban the sale of iguanas on the Boardwalk.

Under state regulations, a pet shop is defined as any place of business that is not part of a kennel where animals, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, and reptiles, are kept or displayed for the purpose of sale to individuals for personal appreciation and companionship.

Commissioner Fred Wager, who oversees the Public Safety department, said no pet stores are allowed on the Boardwalk and iguanas must be sold in pet stores.

He said the city started counting the things it should get rid of and came up with the rest of the list.

Attorney Scott Becker said his client, Seaport Aquarium, opposed the effort to ban the iguanas and hermit crabs.

"It's based on nothing. There are no state regulations on hermit crabs. They don't pose a hazard and they're being sold in other places," Becker said.

Aside from the money issue, Becker added, "Buying a hermit crab, getting the little cage, and taking it home, is part of the Boardwalk experience. Why would you want to take that away?"

Mayor Duane Sloan said Thursday he would not support the ordinance when it's presented for a final vote June 13.

"It needs to be re-thought and reworded. I can't support it in its current form," Sloan said.

Calling the list of prohibited items "overkill," Sloan said the city should not impose such broad restrictions.

"Wildwood has to remain a hip place," he said, "We have to look at what's fun and trendy versus what's illegal or has the appearance of being illegal," he said.

While he is waiting for the Health Department to make a final ruling on the iguana issue, Commissioner Ernie Troiano Jr. said he supports the ban on sale of lizards.

"I'm not a big fan of selling iguanas on the Boardwalk. You don't go to the Boardwalk to buy a pet," Troiano said.

Troiano added he supported the ban on sales of novelty items that look like weapons.

A public hearing on the ordinance has been set for June 13 at the next regular City Commission meeting.

In other business Wednesday, an ordinance that would permit the issuance of two additional liquor licenses was introduced.

The licenses would be given only to hotels with "a minimum of 100 guest sleeping rooms."

Troiano said he was concerned smaller hotels would start dividing their rooms or turning living rooms into sleeping rooms just to gain a liquor license.

City Attorney Dotsie Garrbrant said motels that have previously said they have under 100 rooms could not randomly change those figures.

By limiting the number of new licenses, Wager said, the ordinance would prevent the city from receiving a flood of new liquor license applications.

A public hearing on that ordinance will also be held June 13.

Follow Ups:

Re: Wildwood NJ and Iguanas marisa 06/01/01 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Day of the iguana nearly over in Wildwood : - May 26, 2001 - 12:09 AM : City also moves to permanently ban hermit crabs, novelty weapons : By TRUDI GILFILLIAN : Staff Writer, (609) 463-6716 : WILDWOOD - Following last summer's iguana ban, new regulations have been proposed that, if approved, would permanently ban the sale of the common lizard, hermit crabs and other items within city limits. : Under a city ordinance introduced Wednesday, aqua babies, hookah bars, oxygen bars and pets are among the other items or businesses that would be prohibited from being sold or operated on the Boardwalk and city streets. : According to the ordinance, the sale of novelty items that could be mistaken for weapons would also be banned. : Prohibited items include cigarette lighter guns, knives, laser pointers, martial arts stars or weapons and paint ball guns. : Last August, the city, aided by the Cape May County Health Department cited state law to ban the sale of iguanas on the Boardwalk. : Under state regulations, a pet shop is defined as any place of business that is not part of a kennel where animals, including, but not limited to, dogs, cats, and reptiles, are kept or displayed for the purpose of sale to individuals for personal appreciation and companionship. : Commissioner Fred Wager, who oversees the Public Safety department, said no pet stores are allowed on the Boardwalk and iguanas must be sold in pet stores. : He said the city started counting the things it should get rid of and came up with the rest of the list. : Attorney Scott Becker said his client, Seaport Aquarium, opposed the effort to ban the iguanas and hermit crabs. : "It's based on nothing. There are no state regulations on hermit crabs. They don't pose a hazard and they're being sold in other places," Becker said. : Aside from the money issue, Becker added, "Buying a hermit crab, getting the little cage, and taking it home, is part of the Boardwalk experience. Why would you want to take that away?" : Mayor Duane Sloan said Thursday he would not support the ordinance when it's presented for a final vote June 13. : "It needs to be re-thought and reworded. I can't support it in its current form," Sloan said. : Calling the list of prohibited items "overkill," Sloan said the city should not impose such broad restrictions. : "Wildwood has to remain a hip place," he said, "We have to look at what's fun and trendy versus what's illegal or has the appearance of being illegal," he said. : While he is waiting for the Health Department to make a final ruling on the iguana issue, Commissioner Ernie Troiano Jr. said he supports the ban on sale of lizards. : "I'm not a big fan of selling iguanas on the Boardwalk. You don't go to the Boardwalk to buy a pet," Troiano said. : Troiano added he supported the ban on sales of novelty items that look like weapons. : A public hearing on the ordinance has been set for June 13 at the next regular City Commission meeting. : In other business Wednesday, an ordinance that would permit the issuance of two additional liquor licenses was introduced. : The licenses would be given only to hotels with "a minimum of 100 guest sleeping rooms." : Troiano said he was concerned smaller hotels would start dividing their rooms or turning living rooms into sleeping rooms just to gain a liquor license. : City Attorney Dotsie Garrbrant said motels that have previously said they have under 100 rooms could not randomly change those figures. : By limiting the number of new licenses, Wager said, the ordinance would prevent the city from receiving a flood of new liquor license applications. : A public hearing on that ordinance will also be held June 13.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana Forum ] [ FAQ ]