July 20, 2016
A vocal group of residents in North Wildwood wants to ditch its place in South Jersey's four-town club that includes Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and Wildwood West.
On Tuesday, a petition signed by more than 100 residents was submitted to City Council to restore the original name North Wildwood held more than a century ago, according to The Press of Atlantic City.
The petition, led by 58-year-old North Wildwood resident Edward Wheaton, calls on City Council to honor the town's history. Up until 1906, North Wildwood was known as Anglesea. Wheaton's great grandfather, Harry C. Wheaton, was the mayor of Anglesea before he became a New Jersey state senator in 1912.
Wheaton's father, James, backed his son's petition, called the name Anglesea "prettier" than North Wildwood. He also suggested that people too easily lump North Wildwood in with its neighbors without appreciating that it is a distinct town. Anglesea was founded in 1885.
While North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello said the issue could be placed on the November ballot by nonbinding referendum, Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. expressed opposition to the idea.
"It would be safe to say I'd take great umbrage to that," said Troiano Jr. "I'd be willing to cut the S right off that Wildwoods sign."
Rosenello, who has been asked to explore a name change in the past, said details of the initiative are being reviewed by the city solicitor.
