Leave it to the Boy Scouts to pick out the “good scouts.”
Garden State Council, Boy Scouts of America presented its annual Cape May County Distinguished Citizen Award to Avalon Mayor Martin L. Pagliughi, his wife Linda A. Pagliughi, “The First Lady of Avalon” and Cape May County businessman and civic leader James Bennett, President of Bennett Enterprises.
These three giants of the local community were recognized Monday night at the Wildwoods Convention Center before a large gathering of friends, family, community members, and of course, local Boy Scouts.
No time was wasted getting the evening off to an inspiring start with an opening ceremony by Cub Scout Troop 76, Pack 76 of Sea Isle City, and a heartfelt invocation by Bishop Charles Farrow of Bethel Commandment Church, Whitesboro, and Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 104, Whitesboro; and a moment of silence led by George Nedig, Southern New Jersey Council’s Executive Board.
The awards are presented on behalf of the Boy Scouts for their exceptional leadership in the community. The evening’s proceeds from the event reception help defray services to a greater number of young people throughout Cape May County.
Mayor Pagliughi is currently serving his seventh four-year term leading Avalon’s government since his first election in 1991. He also served Avalon as a Councilman (four years) Zoning Board member (six years) and Planning Board member (two years). A longtime employee of ABB International Electrical Engineering Company, Pagliughi is the firm’s National Industry Manager for Environmental Sales.
He was appointed Emergency Management Director for Cape May County and has served in that capacity since 2012.
Giving of herself alongside her husband, Lynda Pagliughi has been a community leader in numerous public, private and charitable concerns over the years. Currently a trustee for the Cape Women’s Resource Fund, an organization that raises money for women’s scholarships, she is Vice President of the Southern New Jersey Development Council. He is also active in local and state politics as Vice Chair of the New Jersey Republican Party organization.
James Bennett’s many business interests include the LaCosta Lounge, Package Goods store and Motel, as well as the Casino Streaks and Pizzeria Restaurant in Sea Isle City. He is also the owner and managing partner of the Lobster Loft Restaurant and Liquor Store.
His civic contributions include Chairing the Sea Isle City Tourism Board; membership of the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and the Sea Isle City Revitalization Committee. Bennett is President of the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association, and a member of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Advisory Board. He is also very active in youth sports as head coach of the Ocean City Youth Recreational Wrestling Program.
In addition to the awards presentations and talks, Emcee John Lynch, Director of Sales and Entertainment for the Wildwoods Convention Center, kept things moving along with introductions of the participants and distinguished attendees, and gave final thoughts at evening’s end.
Eagle Scout Forest Wan of Troop 76 spoke on what scouting means to him and its influence; and Eagle Scout Eddie Silva of Troop 79 in Seville gave reflections on his years of scouting. Forest is a senior at Ocean City High School and has several applications into the US Military Academies. He has an ambition to be a military officer and to serve our country.
Other highlights included a presentation to event chairperson Nancy Cleaver by Kevin Bishop, recognition of event sponsors by Cleaver, and remarks by NJ Senator Jeff Van Drew, Assemblymen Bob Andrzejczak and Bruce Land.
The Garden State Council has served families in Cape May County since 1938. Today the organization counts more than 3, 8000 volunteers working with more than 8,000 young people each year.
The event was sponsored by Kindle Automotive, Morey’s Piers, Avalon Flooring, Boulevard Super Liquors, Crest Savings Bank and Halliday Leonard, General Contractors.
The evening was a Who’s Who of regional elected officials. Several that were in attendance, but not mentioned above include: Congressman Frank LoBiondo; Surrogate Susan Sheppard; Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian; Ocean City Councilman Keith Hartzell; Ocean City Councilman Antwan McClellan; Ocean City Councilman Bobby Barr; Ocean City Councilman Michael DeVlieger; Sea Isle City Council President Bill Kehner, and Cape May County Clerk Rita Fulginiti.
