News

CAPE MAY, NJ – In an effort to recognize the hard-working personnel of the City of Cape May, Manager Paul Dietrich continues a city-wide recognition program to honor “employees of the month”. The objective is to recognize employees who show exemplary individual achievement, contribution, and performance in their jobs. These individuals consistently exhibit a positive and supportive attitude and make contributions beyond the usual expectations of their employment.

Peers can nominate each other, building a stronger comradery amongst the workforces. Management, Department Heads, and Supervisors are not eligible to be nominated, allowing recognition to solely focus on the hard-working City employees that make the City a success daily.

Under the authorization of the City Manager, the Employee of the Month Committee consists of voluntary Supervisors from each Department who will review nominations and select the winner for each month.

City Manager Paul Dietrich recognized Patrolman Daniel Martinez from the Cape May Police Department as the City’s August 2025 Employee of the Month during the September 3^rd Council Meeting.

Ptlm. Martinez was nominated for his dedication to the community as a full-time Patrol Officer. Passionate about safety, he is diligent at enforcing the traffic and criminal law statues of the Cape May Island and State of New Jersey.

Chief Dekon Fashaw said of the recipient, “Pltm. Martinez is driven, proactive, and always has a positive attitude. His friendly demeaner and laughter can energize a room.”

Ptlm. Martinez has been with the Cape May Police Department since 2019 but briefly departed for additional field experience and training with Lower Township and West Wildwoods Police Departments. The City couldn’t be happier to have him back!

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, the State Planning Commission shall conduct six public hearings for the purpose of receiving testimony on the draft Final New Jersey’s State Development and Redevelopment Plan and the draft Infrastructure Needs Assessment pursuant to the State Planning Act at N.J.S.A. 52:18A-202(c) as set forth in the State Planning Rules at N.J.A.C. 15:30-5.2.   

The six public hearings will be convened as follows: CLICK HERE 

Do you have a love for Cape May and a passion for volunteering? We have just the opportunity for you! The City of Cape May's Recreation Department is looking for volunteers for our new Community Center! If you wish to apply or find out more information, please contact Kacie at 609-884-9567 or krattigan@capemaycity.com

The public is encouraged to participate in upcoming Q&A sessions to determine the best location for the Jacob Jones Memorial in Cape May:

The meetings on June 2nd and 3rd will be focused on exploring alternative site options that meet criteria for appropriateness and align with the following Purpose Statement for the Jacob Jones Memorial Monument project:

To co-create and curate the design, construction, ceremonial use, and national awareness of an impressive, accessible, and poignant public memorial for the fallen of the USS Jacob Jones that connects us to and amplifies Cape May’s role in America’s history, 

In a way that moves all participants to deeply value with humility, gratitude, and reverence the loss of these particular lives here, 

So that engaging this memorial serves to help all of us reflect upon, appreciate, and be inspired by how the loss of the Jacob Jones symbolizes all conflicts and forgotten heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend America’s fragile freedom. 

1. Thursday, 29 May: 11:30-1:00 in Council Chambers Jacob Jones Memorial Monument Public Forum Notes.pdf 
2. Monday, 02 June: Zoom session from 6-7:30pm at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7178778038?omn=84969934527
3. Tuesday, 03 June: 11:30-1:00 in Council Chambers
4. Tuesday, July 14: 3:00PM - Presentation to City Council at their regular Council Meeting
5. Wednesday, July 30: 6:00PM - Zoom session to discuss Jacob Jones Third Location at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7178778038?omn=81217122566 

CAPE MAY, NJ – A monument to honor U.S. Navy sailors who gave their lives during the Second World War’s “Battle of the Atlantic” is being planned for a prominent location in Cape May, N.J.

Cape May is the chosen location because the destroyer the USS Jacob Jones, the first US warship to be attacked by a German U-Boat following Germany’s declaration of war against the United States, was sunk just miles off Cape May’s shoreline. A total of 131 Jacob Jones officers and crew perished.

                At a meeting on Tuesday (4/15), Cape May City Council expressed support for the project, which is being proposed by a group of local leaders that has been working on a project plan and preliminary design of the monument since last summer.

                “We are very grateful to Mayor Mullock and members of Council for their ongoing support of this project, which will be a striking and poignant tribute to the fallen, honoring the countless brave Americans who made ‘The Ultimate Sacrifice’ during the battle for control of the Atlantic,” said Myles Martel, founding member of the Jacob Jones Memorial Committee. “It is fitting that we dedicate such an important monument here on the shores so close to the location where World War II vividly and frighteningly came to the American coast.”

The proposed location of the planned monument is a site on Beach Avenue near Howard Street.

“We are grateful to this committed and enthusiastic group of local leaders who are pursuing this project, which will dramatically further Cape May’s reputation for heritage and patriotism. We anticipate that the memorial will draw visitors from across the country,” said Cape May Mayor Zachary Mullock.

               Martel said donations to fund the project will be raised through a nationwide campaign currently being established.

              The Jacob Jones was the first U.S. destroyer deployed in the “Battle of the Atlantic” to patrol German U-Boats. On Feb. 18, 1942, it was attacked off the Cape May coast just days after it began its mission and less than three months after the declaration of war with Germany. At the time of the Jacob Jones sinking, America’s East Coast was particularly vulnerable as Germany significantly disrupted supply routes between North American and Europe.

               Martel said that the Jacob Jones attack had a major impact on U.S. military strategy. “Headlines across the nation carried the news of the tragic deaths of the crew and resulted in an understanding the of the urgent need for improved coastal defense, military preparedness and resilience,” he said.

               “This monument can help ensure that future generations understand the price of freedom, the risk of our nation being exposed to a foreign adversary and the enduring strength of the American spirit. In reverently telling the story of the brave sailors of the Jacob Jones, we will honor and elevate the national recognition of all those who gave their lives in the ‘Battle of the Atlantic’ to preserve our precious freedom,” said Martel.

               Leading the design of the monument is John Boecker, a Yale University-trained architect who is a Cape May resident and a founding partner of 7group, a firm that focuses on green buildings, regenerative practice, and design that integrates with the local environment.

               Boecker presented a preliminary design concept for the monument at the Council meeting on April 15th. He said the design will continue to evolve based on a variety of factors, including input from community members as well as fabrication and construction parameters.

For more details on the project, visit www.JacobJonesMemorial.org

Credit: Naval History and Heritage Command 

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