ERMA, NJ – The Cape May County Public Works Association hosted the annual Snow Plow Rodeo, on October 23rd, at the Naval Air Station Wildwood, located at the Cape May County Airport in the Erma section of Lower Township. There were sixty entries in this year’s event, representing Cape May County departments, local municipalities and other agencies.
The main objective of the rodeo is to promote safety, test operator skills and prepare equipment and operators for the upcoming winter season, in addition to constructive competition among the various countywide agencies.
Freeholder E. Marie Hayes presented the Rodeo Awards and rode the course to get a better understanding of the requirements and skills needed to compete with countywide drivers. "We are very proud of the work done by our county employees, municipalities and other local agencies, under the worst conditions, during winter storms," said Hayes. “On behalf of the entire Freeholder Board and the residents of Cape May County, I want to say thank you very much."
Grant Russ, President of the Cape May County Public Works Association, added, “The snow plow operators look forward to the rodeo each year. The competition gives them an opportunity to show their skills and earn recognition for their departments as well.”
The Rodeo is held each year at the Cape May County Airport. All trucks are inspected for proper safety equipment and then traverse a course of seven challenging obstacles, designed to simulate real world conditions during a storm event.
The event was sponsored by several local Public Works vendors and lunch was provided by the Flight Deck Diner.
Drivers competed in three different categories; Class A - vehicles 15,000 pounds and under, Class B – vehicles between 15,000 and 26,000 pounds and Class C – vehicles 26,000 pounds and over.
The following are the winners of the 2018 Snow Plow Rodeo.
Best of Show:
Dave Anderson - DRBA
Class A
First Place - Brian Juzaitis/Avalon
Second Place - Ted Desantis/ CMC PW
Third Place - Don Cella/ CMC PW
Class B
First Place – Nick Whilden/Avalon
Second Place – Tim Brophy/Stone Harbor
Third Place – Brian Repici/Avalon
Class C
First Place – Butch Blood/Avalon
Second Place - James Cranmer/ CMC PW
Third Place – John Hanagan/CMC PW
Contact: Tim Donohue, Public Works Supervisor
609 465-1035