FINALLY, Wildwood looking to shared services instead of adding beach tags

Lost in the Miss America shuffle last week was the news that Wildwood scrapped its March 5 beach tag vote. Instead, the town has decided to start sharing services with its neighbors.

Finally! Wildwood is a tiny island with four different towns (though the statement from the city says that this is only for North Wildwood, Wildwood and Wildwood Crest), and there is no reason to triplicate government services in such a small area. If done correctly, this is the easiest way to cut down on costs, and avoid the headache of suddenly charging for something that has been free.

Now, I still hold that an extra $15 per person a week wouldn’t have kept people away from the island. Visitors to the Wildwoods come for very specific reasons. There’s no boardwalk like the Wildwood boardwalk, and the Wildwoods are known for having so many hotels and motels where other shore towns are largely rentals.

But the point is moot. Wildwood fans, your beaches will stay free. Hopefully this decisions will be a bargain for property owners as well.