“Responsible Bidder” Ordinance

TO BE REPEALED!

Meeting To Be Called Oct 16 For Intro Of Repeal Ordinance!

Is it over?……or is another try coming?  Nobody Knows!

Bean responds!

Media Release from Bean-Seebeck 2014

Jim Bean and Residents: 4, Borough Hall: 0

In Fight For Responsive and Law-Abiding Government in Belmar

            BELMAR, NJ, October 7, 2014 – Based on reports, it appears that citizens who have organized to take action and who have been supported by Councilman Jim Bean are victorious once again in their battle to compel Mayor Matt Doherty to respect the will of the people. The latest battle is a lawsuit filed by residents asking the town to rescind 2014-01, an ordinance that limits which contractors are eligible to bid on Belmar construction projects and sets unreasonable mandates on the wages paid.

“It is our understanding that the Council will introduce a new ordinance that rescinds Ordinance 2014-01 at their Oct 16 meeting. While Mayor Doherty may position his decision as listening to the will of the people, the reality is he only responds when there is a lawsuit or petition or he is backed against the wall by a judge,” said Jim Bean who currently serves on the council and is running for mayor. “There have been four separate lawsuits, four separate petitions, and a referendum needing a costly special election (which the mayor lost by a wide margin.) None of this was wanted – but all of it was necessary to get his attention. The voters are tired of having to take legal action to be heard. Mike Seebeck and I will listen the first time – and respond accordingly.”

“We have strong ideas and unselfish goals for Belmar and our residents. We’ve been distracted from moving forward, instead spending energy fixing what’s broken.  Make no mistake – the first order of business will be to move Belmar forward while at the same time getting our financial house in order and righting some of the wrongs from the last four years. And we will do it as a democracy – something not seen during this administration but hopefully a concept our fellow council members will embrace” said Mike Seebeck.

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We’ll have to wait until tomorrow’s Coast Star to hear the mayor’s explanation of the move and what his plans are.  I’m sure the petitioners would rather not have to go out there again if a new ordinance is introduced with similar restrictions.

Let’s just pray that he gives up on it or, better yet, that we get a new mayor so we can finally get to work on completing Belmar’s recovery.