$3,000,000
Lifeguard lawsuit
on the way
From Tim O’Donnell,
Ray Elms,
and Harry Harsin
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75 Comments
What a tangled web we weave. How will Matt worm his way out of this one? Get his deposition under OATH! Will Chief Huisman be thrown under the bus for this one in Court? Will he accept that again? Another suit to be defended against. How many suits were filed under the previous Mayor? Even better while previous BA was on staff?
I know all 3 of those guys. They ran the beach in a smooth, professional manner. They knew the beach inside and out. The beach doesn’t seem the same anymore. Not only are there more stands down than ever but there are signs saying “beach closed” go to another beach. This is the new direction of chief Huiseman? Shameful.
What really bothers me as a resident, taxpayer and a voter is regardless of the outcome we will be paying thousands and thousands of dollars on this case to the lawyers and court system. How many lawsuits were filed against the Doherty/Connolly administration and now the McGovern/Connolly administration. It makes me sick and didn’t have to be this way. Myself and my family will be voting for a change in November.
HAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA COLLEEN CONNELLY WHAT AN EMBARRASSMENT
Sad to say …………My opinion these quality people will not win this. We are in an at will state and no reason needed for getting fired. I got fired a few times but just and average firing..this is on a larger scale but to no avail.
#4…. Your are correct, NJ is at will employment…. You have an above average opinion…
Agree but defamation could be an issue
The town will settle with a counter offer. They always do. Cheaper to settle it than pay the lawyers for a full civil trial.
I blame Doherty. He just couldn’t admit he was wrong and apologize to the lifeguards.
They were treated horribly and they have every right to sue. Too bad Doherty couldn’t be personally sued instead of the town!!
Is it me or are the date stamps different? First stamped June 7 at the top of the letter then June 20 at the inbox stamps. ??? 13 days floating around the building is my guess.
Last years lifeguard management did a nice job… The way they were terminated was classless… But all I have read on this blog is how great they were… Just go work for another municipality based on your previous outstanding reputation… I do not like this lawsuit at all… It is just as classless as the way they were terminated… Just a money grab…..
This suit obviously comes as no surprise. The arrogance of Doherty, Magovern, Connolly and the others throughout this escapade has been appalling. Just another lawsuit that will be strapped to the backs of the taxpayers.
#10 I dont blame these guys at all for this lawsuit. I blame the administration. This didn’t have to be. At the end of the day all you have is your character and reputation. To me, that’s worth fighting for.
#10 – Well said Sir/Madam.
#10 Lawsuits are sometimes necessary and the only recourse for people who have been unjustly targeted by elected officials who think they have the power to do whatever they want. I hope justice prevails and the truth comes out in all of these lawsuits. Unfortunately many times the town will settle and the truth is never known. And the taxpayers are the ones who are hurt not the politicians. They move on to bigger and better jobs.
if you want to see total shit show just wait till 4th of July week , with the inevitable State Shut down the beach’s are going to be at Max Capacity and with limited life guards ( thanks Matt , Brian , Nicolay , Brennan , Colleen) it is going to be a zoo. Just think back to last year with Christie sitting on the beach in LBI , and the over crowding we had and we had a fully staffed Beach Patrol. Good Luck
These men have shown nothing but great leadership for Belmar beach for over 20 years. The fact they were let go for no reason is all politics and unfair. These men have families its just plain cruel to do this. This lawsuit is not for money its devastating for them to lose something they loved so much and have so much passion for. If you can comment on this and not understand and put yourself in their position you don’t have a heart. Harry Harsin was born and raised in Belmar. Served 27 years for the police in that town and has run the beach successfully for over 20 years. Like I said this is all politics. Its a shame. They did not deserve this.
NJ has more lawyers per person than any other state in the country…. Many small firms will take any case considering how competitive the legal field has become… Again this is just a money grab, just move on….
Does any think their may have been a reason in letting them go? I went to the beach last year and saw many stands down. Also let’s not forget last September when the beaches were packed and the waves were huge. The Lifeguards didn’t work- the belmar water rescue team did. I don’t agree with how it went down, but their has to be a reason.
Yes, lawsuits are horrible… yes, people take advantage of them. Yes, many people get fired from this job, many people cannot handle what it takes to be a lifeguard on Belmar Beach, no one just gets fired for no reason, trust me they need the help on the beach. The last thing we want is to let people go. The fact Mayor Doherty/McGovern cant even provide these men with an explanation is reason enough for a lawsuit for me.
#16 – Agreed, life is “unfair” and “cruel” – after that, things usually really get nasty.
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#18 – Yep, the possible reasons for getting rid of anyone can run from a real good reason to a lousy reason. I don’t think we’ll ever really know. But I’ll take a stab and say the reason was they wanted their buddies have the job and nothing beyond that.
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Lastly, a big problem we’re facing is not enough people want the job and many that do, don’t measure up to standards. The answer of course, is what we’ve been doing for the last 40-50 years o so – lower the swimming standards. Maybe eliminate the swimming test altogether and make it a written exam.
Looks like they got great attorneys.
Tom, 3 out if the 4 new management spots were filed by current lifeguards according to patch. Hardly say they are buddies. Lower the swimming standards seems like a crazy idea to attract guards. How about you go in first?
If beaches are not fully guarded after next week please join me in a campaign to get our badge money back. Keep you posted with details if necessary – hopefully not.
If there is a fatality and the beach isn’t properly guarded, our Mayor, Council and Borough Admin are at fault. Tick tock….
I go to both Belmar and Spring Lake beaches…. Spring Lake appears to have a full staff of lifeguards… I keep hearing their is a lifeguard shortage???? Something is wrong as this all does not add up….
The lifeguards will win.
And the beach lovers of Belmar have already lost with the disgraceful removal of lifeguard staff.
#21…. There is no such thing as great attorneys…. However there are great cases which are easily won… Believe me this is not one of those cases…
#22 Seems you don’t know Tom very well. If patch said it ….then it has to be true…
Summer time. I just googled the attorneys name and she seems quite competent. That’s all I’m saying. Calm down!
#28….This lawsuit is a disgrace to the legal system… It’s a part-time job at 15k for the season and they are litigating for 3 million dollars… Any competent lawyer would not take this case…. It is a bottom feeder that engages these issues…. Furthermore the town did state they were moving in a new direction which also means they were reorganizing…. In a reorganization all bets are off…. That is the ugly truth…. They should just move on, no job is forever…
Most jobs suck anyway
#28 – It’s hard for me to visualize anything that could disgrace our “legal system” beyond what it is already.
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Any competent lawyer would not take this case…. It is a bottom feeder that engages these issues – This is what I think of 95% of “lawyers” – What do they call 5,000 lawyers at the bottom of the sea, Answer – A good start.
#30 – I have to disagree on this one. It’s not the job that’s not good. It’s the workers attitude. So many workers take no interest in what they’re doing. That’s why people say somebody “works hard.” They work hard because they don’t know how to work (also, no one ever took the time to show them how to work). They have no interest in the job as well. We can see it in everything. Whether it be an exchange with a sales person to a guy stocking shelves to anything you can think of.
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As a retired guy, I admit I never worked a day in my life at my trade. That’s because I was doing what I loved (what the Lord put me here to do). Yes, they paid me, but sometimes I think I would have done it for free. I always wondered at people who did what I did for money (Structural Ironworker). Their days must have been hell for them with people like me running around insisting they do what they were supposed to do.
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A friend of mine in the trade said, “If God had ever thought of anything better than this work, he would have kept it for himself.” I fully concurred with that statement.
#32… Tom at times I disagree with you, but I would hire you in a NY second… You have a great attitude and work ethic…. If employees don’t love their job, they will not perform…
#29 see that’s where you’re wrong here… its not just a part time job, its a passion. we save peoples lives. way to make this job sound like its nothing. Stands are down due to lack of people which is not managements fault. This is a very hard job and not many people can handle it. Harry, Timmy and Ray know that beach inside and out so why move on when they have done nothing but smoothly run that beach for years?
#34… I agree that the manner in which Belmar administration handled this was classless… I think the beach managment did a nice job last year… But the lawsuit is a joke… If someone has a passion for a job that is great, but there are numerous other beach these individuals can continue their passion… Why would an employee want to work for an employer that does not appreciate their passion and efforts… This is a bad marriage and the lifeguards should move on and continue to live their passion elsewhere… Being a lifeguard is a difficult job that is overlooked… Continuing this relationship will lead to a dangerous situation for all… When an employer does not appreciate their employees it lead to poor morale and performance deterioration… That would make for a dangerous beach environment for the public….. PS: Like I stated in a previous post Spring Lake lifeguards appear to be fully staffed…. Something does not add up….
#22 And the 4th spot and highest ranking position? Well that one got slipped to one of Campbell’s buddies from the Prosecutor’s Office who hasn’t lifeguarded since Jaws was in theaters.
#36… Maybe the person that got that position has great leadership skills… There are many individuals that are successful in jobs they previously had zero experience… Especially at management positions…
Ok #37. If you are a summer timer….guessing that you are not a local and have limited knowledge about what it takes to maintain safety on the beach and the dangers of the Atlantic. 1pm on Sat – weather overcast and ocean rough with yellow flag conditions. Just walked entire stretch of boardwalk from bridge in Belmar to Pier Beach in Spring Lake. Spring Lake had all stands up and manned. Belmar has most stands down, some stands up and unmanned, and just a handful of stands manned with 5 or 6 guards clustered together. Very dangerous and poor management on such a rough surf Saturday in Belmar
#38…. What you stated is exactly one of my points… Why does Spring Lake have all lifeguard stands attended by multiple guards??? This is not the case in Belmar which is a major concern… Your correct I only own a vacation home in Belmar… But any person with any intelligence can clearly see Belmar is under staffed… You don’t have to be a local to understand there is an issue with the Belmar lifeguard team…. When an organization has a poor reputation it becomes very difficult to hire qualified employees… I don’t know enough about what sector of leadership has created this issue but it does exist… Furthermore, I will drive Sea Girt to Bradley Beach tomorrow and let you know if all other towns have fully staffed life guard teams…. I will gladly show you my PHD, to prove I am capable of counting even though I am just a Benny…..
More photos please…show us the lifeguard stands that are down or unmanned. Send photos to other media outlets too.
I just read the Tap into Belmar article. Mike Dahrough as assistant supervisor!!?? Are you kidding me! He is a follower not a leader. Zero leadership abilities.
37, Do you hear yourself? This lawsuit is not about the money, it absolutely is about not being appreciated. You have no idea the amounts of work these men have put in for over 40 years, and for the mayor to tell them stands were down so they cant be hired back? STANDS ARE STILL DOWN …with a new supervisor who was never even a lifeguard!!! THATS THE JOKE HERE. No one has a clue and If you have time to comment negatively on this matter you just have NO IDEA and shouldn’t say anything.
Hey Summertimer
Don’t know how long you have been coming down to Belmar beach but it seems to me that you don’t know that much.
First of all, you can’t compare Belmar beach to any of the other beaches. There are around 100,000 people on the beaches (weather permitting) in Belmar on weekends. The other beaches don’t compare.
They don’t even come close to the rescues that Belmar has on a daily basis.
They are easier beaches to work, hence they get more people to apply for the job.
Anyone who has worked Belmar beach knows that it is a very difficult job.
I have seen Belmar guards (in the past under great leadership of the past beach management ) bring in multiple victims at once. This is not something that you see very often, if at all, on Spring Lake beach.
The fact is that the past Mayor and current borough administrator think they know how to run a beach. It is their sense of political power that is making stupid decisions for the town. That and favors owed to people. Everyone gets a sweet job even if they know nothing about the job…from Mayor and borough administrator down. (rumor has it that Belmar’s borough administrator was college roommate with Doherty’s wife…hmmmm?)
Maybe a law suit will finally show them that they just can’t do whatever they want and get away with it. It’s about what they have done to 3 reputations here.
They weren’t roommates but they did go to school together.
#39 I have got one of those fancy little degrees too but only a genuinely arrogant jerk would make a statement like that. And you are such a big woman or man that you would be so gracious as to “Hire Tom”.
37, In the words of Calvin Coolidge “Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts”.
Just drove Ocean Ave, from 5th Ave to Spring Lake…. The Lifeguard stands are fully staffed…. Also the best lifeguard is not necessarily the best manager….
Just walked boardwalk. All stands are up. 5 of them has no one on them. 4 of them had one guard on them. The others 2. Putting up stands with no one on them is just a ploy and a false sense of security for anyone thinking of going in the water.
Get out of your car Mr or Mrs Benny and take a walk along the boards to see for sure – all stands up and manned with a least 2 guards? Look again as you cannot see that from a car clutching your “PHD”. What a joke – do yourself a favor and move off this topic before your embarrass yourself even more. Knowledge and experience with the ocean is crucial to strategic management and deployment of resources to prevent people from getting into trouble and keeping them safe.
Your correct, some of the stands were only manned with on guard…. But what I keep hearing is the former lifeguard management team is the only group that can do the job… When I hear statements like this I cringe, there is always a capable replacement for every job…. Again move on to a better place…. There is no viable lawsuit for hurt feelings…
Summertimer. I think what you keep on hearing is that former management did a great job with what they had available. They were strick in training, had seasoned returning guards. Not enough new guards. Instead of the administration raising pay to attract more guards, they went on a campaign to make it seem like the management team was was not doing their job. I do not know any of the former management but a lot of the guards. Everyone of them has stood behind their leaders. That, with pay much less then other beaches. That should tell you something.
As far as stands up or down, it depended just as much on staffing last year as this year. It will be during the week that the strain shows the most. A lot of the guards are weekenders only this year.
In my opinion it’s about money. Beach utility money.
50 – go back to the pools of Hudson county or maybe Newark Bay where your benny opinion might be appreciated. What you keep on hearing is the truth and with every statement sound more and more like a un-informed jerk. The reason for the lack of guards wanting to work here is the absence of leadership and the dopes at borough hall that crushed the morale. You sound like someone who never played a tough team sport in your life where you rely on leaders with experience who have done the job, risen through the ranks which others seek to emulate. When leadership is not respected, the whole thing falls apart. Welcome to Belmar – time to get back on the Parkway north and head home with your “PHD”.
PinHeadedDope doesn’t get IT or our beaches.
#52… If working conditions are so terrible why would you want to work for the Boro of Belmar… Just go to another beach town, present you resume and with all your outstanding years of services, you will get the job of your dreams…. You are acting like a job stalker, there are other job options available… You are acting like you are entitled to this job forever but you are not… Furthermore to file a lawsuit is just bush-league….
The Belmar lifeguards have for a very long time awarded a scholarship in memory of Adam O’Donnell. His father is Tim O’Donnell, one of the guards who was let go. Adam died of a ceberal hemorrhage at the age of 25. It’s a shame that people (who are not longtime residents) don’t understand the traditions, pride and history of our beloved Belmar. Not only were these men and women excellent lifeguards, they also awarded scholarships in memory of one of their sons. This tells you about the quality of these individuals. Our Belmar guards are the best around. I’m a regular beach goer, and have always been impressed with our guards, especially when children are in the ocean. They are vigilant, caring and dedicated to their work.
The Borough of Belmar is no
longer showing a class act.
The life guard charade is
one of many in the last 8
years. All litigated or pending
Appeals. If one is fired it
Is very hard to get a job. A
Firing the way this was
presented is a joke. I hope
They win their case and the
Appeal. Maybe the town will
wise up and select new management
In the next election. No one is
Wrong all the time.
#55 & 56…. I give up, your correct… The former Lifeguard Management Team, should have had a life time contract with a lifetime promise of employment… Because we all know only the fulltime residents and former lifeguards know anything about the tradition and beach dynamics… I will pack my bags today and go back to Bayonne….
#57 Yay!
#56 – No one is Wrong all the time.
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They weren’t “wrong” as in made a mistake. They did exactly what they meant to do.
why anyone is comparing Spring Lake beaches to Belmar baffles me. For one the influx of crowds you cannot even compare and not all beaches have lifeguards as they are empty beaches. Much more affluent town as well. While I don’t agree how this went down they were allowed to reapply for the job. Wishing the current team fails is quite unfair and a bit childish. Unfortunately, many people go in the water who can’t swim or after hours and that is nobody’s fault but their own.
If this is litigated and the truth comes out it will be an OMG moment….
LITIGATED? I wish Monmouth Park was taking action on these suits. The fact of the matter is that NONE of these suits will ever make it before a judge. Attorneys will string them along to rack up their fees and in the end will recommend that “a settlement is reached, without admission of guilt” in ” the best interests of the town” to reduce future costs associated with pending these actions any further. The LOSERS, as always, will be the taxpayers of Belmar. Get rid of these people at the polls.
There is more to this story than is being told… Can’t believe all the locals on this blog don’t know the truth….
#63 Want to enlighten us? I have always believed the worst about the current administration and the former mayor. I know the punch lines, like “money talks”, etc. Make things look not so bad regarding the proposed/pending lawsuit by the families of the two drowned girls? Have not heard anything about that. One million dollars per victim is very low, in my opinion. Smoke on the horizon, and I don’t mean from napalm.
#63 – Summer time friend of Matt or Colleen perhaps. Enlighten the uninformed = civic duty.
I think summer timer is Colleen.
If you look back at my previous posts on this blog, it is clear, I am not a supporter of Matt or the democratic council. On a blog I am not going to disclose why these individuals were terminated. But they are not as innocent as many of the posts have stated. That is why I don’t support their lawsuit.
Summer Timer has been a great commenter for years.
#59
I was referring to the residents who live in the town and support it with
hard earned money in reference to being wrong all the time. The people running
it seem to think we should support and
keep quiet no matter what they do.We are being run as a private enterprise
not a small 1.3 sq. town.
Why did the borough not state the “real” reason why lifeguard management was fired, rather than tell us they were fired because stands were down? Were they trying to protect management? Protect themselves? If in fact there is a “real” reason, why would management sue knowing that the actual truth could possibly come to light?
#70 – I’ll take a stab at the “real reason.”
They wanted to replace one set of cronies who were sitting there before they came to power with their own set of cronies. I don’t think it goes any further than that.
#67 how are you privileged with the details.
There is so much more to the story than any of you know. If people were truly honest they would laugh this law suit right out of court. I won’t go into detail but the so called victims in this whole cry baby soap opera episode are far far from innocent. Belmar made a fresh start and prevented future law suits by replacing the current life guards supervisors. This is how 10 year olds act when they can’t get there way. It wasn’t about passion it was about power and bullying on an adult level. Wake the hell up Belmar !!!
#73… It is refreshing to see someone else on this blog that is in the know….. This one time and it hurts to say it, the mayor and council were 100% correct…. DID I JUST SAY THAT…
Lifeguards forever doesn’t seem to count on Belmar. No Esprit de Corp in Belmar.
Human Resource files controlled by Cooleen?
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