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Common Sense For New Hampshire
Liberty Begins At Home
51 Comments
Anyone that pays taxes to Belmar should really watch this meeting, wow.
Attending meetings in person or viewing the video is like watching a crime investigation series being unfolded every two weeks here as Belmar’s Council reveals.
The guy with the Kelly’s Tavern shirt was right on with everything he stated… Way to go my brother!!!!
can’t wait for the next episode of “Skeletons in the Closet”
is the Taylor Pavilion rented on March 3rd?
The woman who wants accountability is”not a happy camper ” because Mayor Walsifer won’t go after former council members and staff for issues pending. Our new mayor is doing a fantastic job of identifying problems and dealing with these issues. He’s looking for a peaceful transition, which ” the unhappy camper ” fails to recognize. He’s off to an impressive start. Why not follow the mayor’s lead? And the other individual who spoke of a “buzz” about who voted for the budget, and on and on. Again, what good are you doing? Some people can’t help themselves. They just want their pound of flesh. Allow our wonderful, newly-elected mayor to do his job as he sees fit. Mayor Walsifer, as leader of our community, is doing his best to move forward.
I say go after the ones who created this mess. And let the chips fall where they may.
Wow 5, you sound like one of the sheep that followed Matt. Walsifer was part of the problem for some time and he has an agenda that I’m sure will rear it’s ugly head.
Unable to watch video. Says This video is restricted and must be approved?
Anyone else having that problem?
#5… I have been a supporter of Walsifer, but there are reasons for concern which are as follows:
1) By defacto any member of the mayor and council that approves a budget owns it. Last night there were two individuals that did not own their mistakes.
2) When challenged by a resident regarding approving the budget the response was, “I didn’t feel good about it but was assured everything is alright”. Any executive that is worth anything would have drilled down to the facts by asking for information regarding areas in question. You never take anyone’s word especially if it doesn’t feel right. Furthermore,this blog stated on numerous occasions the issues with boro funding and mayor monitors this site.
3) The new BA appears to be an up grade considering the previous individual at that position. He is a likeable guy that is very professional. However when asked about his qualifications for this position he fail to give a reasonable response. Considering the beach, Shark River Inlet and marina, it is reasonable to assume Belmar will always have numerous improvement projects. The BA position is clearly more engineering/project management ordinated, along with a regulatory compliance background. You cant rely on vendors giving the BA correct information so he can make a decision, the BA must obtain the information and know it is correct by virtue of his own knowledge. The BA is a nice guy that would be a great addition to an organization, but he is clearly not the right person for this job.
4) Every time a resident calls for budget cuts, there is absolutely no response from the mayor and council. This leads me to believe they have no intentions of reducing the budget.
5) Being incompetent is not a crime, so everyone looking for an indictment of the former mayor and council is totally off base. The responsible individuals for this mess are the residents that did not vote JB in as mayor some four years ago.
#10 It is my understanding that “JB” was forbidden by Mayor Doherty to speak to the former CFO, Robin Kirk, when he had questions. I would think that Councilman Walsifer would have been denied access to information, as well.
It’s clear that the mayor and council members must have a strong background in all aspects effecting the town and not rely on the so call experts to tell them everything is good. This level of expertise has been lacking and still is lacking.
#5. The woman whose not a happy camper concerning no one in the former administration being held responsible for wrecking our finances is not just any woman. Her name is Joan Corolla and she has been active in not only electing Mark Walsifer but in the Republican Party here in Belmar for years. She’s at every town hall meeting She speaks for many of us who feel the same way.
And the other person who spoke about the buzz in town is me. I actively campaigned and worked to elect Mark and company. But if anyone thinks I or anyone else should not be allowed to question our elected officials you are sadly mistaken. Transparency is the key to building trust. I believe Asking our Mayor and council why they vote the way they do is not only my right but my obligation. And just because I voted for them shouldn’t change that. That attitude is what got us in this mess in the first place.
Summer Timer. Why dont you stick to worrying about the problems in your hometown Bayonne. Maybe the guy with the Kelly’s shirt can come up there with you and offer his assistance.
Reducing budgets implies doing without something and using revenue appropriately, in other words, an austerity program. While in the mood of questioning the accounting tactics of the former CFO, who was most likely totally controlled by the former Mayor Doherty, I am lead to wonder how the state forgave the 4.5 million dollar loan after the Sandy storm. What set of books was the state shown that proved that Belmar was so darned responsible with disaster money? Lots of new police cars bought for example. CFO wizardry? Friends in high places? I think of the movie Judgement at Nuremberg in which former Nazi officers claimed that they were just following orders. The borough has turned a new page by changing the mayor and council, so let us be optimistic that some wisdom will prevail. And, sorry, some people still have to vent.
Reviewing the video I got the impression that Connolly should have been the whistle blower. Wouldn’t that be a kick in the jockeys, you paid for her CFO education and then she didn’t blow up or throw up on Kirk.
#11… I understand your point, but there is a professional manner in which to go on record with a no vote… Simply state “considering the information at hand, I vote no, in fear I my have missed details”… Do this in a very polite manner and you go on record as a no and maintain your electability… Would you drive your car down Ocean Ave with a blindfold on??? Dont be a low information voter…
#11- Don’t think……… Go to a meeting and ask Mayor Walsifer whether he was in fact denied access to information from CFO Kirk. Don’t assume. And then ask him specifically what he did about it. At that point you may be able to pass judgement as to Mayor Walsifer’s motives.
#9 worked from my phone must be my PC
13-who Cares? Move on….
I personally love these bi-weekly exorcisms.
But, by spring, my head is going to spin and vomit all over the Mayor if he doesn’t solve the problems instead of just bringing in new experts to tell us the last experts sucked.
Someone should wake Mark up and tell him he knocked on my door and asked to be the Mayor – and now he’s the Mayor.
I know the budget is f’ed, that’s why I voted for YOU!
What’s the solution Mark? I don’t need experts to tell me we’re f’ed – I already get a property tax bill.
I elected you to fix it…
#18 I would think that Councilman Walsifer would have been denied access to information, as well…if he had asked for it, being a member of the minority party.
Who votes ”yes” being denied information? Vote no or obstain. If he was denied not a peep was heard about it. Doubt it.
#20. I care.
Move on to what? I’m glad Mark is Mayor I’m glad they are digging and exposing the terrible wrong doings of Matt and friends. I realize it will take time because. But if you think for one minute I’m going to forget what was done to this town, your mistaken.
And if you think for one minute I’m going to stop asking questions of our public officials, openly, not anonymously, who ever they are, your mistaken.
Now you, ( whoever you are) may not like that, or me, but if you think I care, your mistaken about that too.
Yes people, I am “Not A Happy Camper”. For 7 years plus our former mayor through all of us under the bus. His political ambitions took priority over serving Belmar residents. We have no money folks. The bad financial news is still coming. Yes, I want some accountability. Why should the incompetent individuals that got us into this mess walk away with smiles on their faces. Our mayor and council have a monumental task in front of them attempting to clean up this financial mess. Mark has put in place the right people to do the job. We have had more transparency in three meetings versus the last 8 years. The council members are actually delivering useful information instead of the past fluff only reports. Keep it up Mark and Co. We are all intitled to our opinions and the right to express them.
Amen Joan!
#24 & #25…. I understand your frustration with the past administration… Just wondering what outcome would you hope for with regard to the past administration that would allow for closure???
#27-I agree with you 100%! What good would come,at this point, with retribution? How would such a scenario support Mayor Wasifer’s goal of moving things along here in town? A new page, a new beginning. Let sleeping dogs lie.
#28 – Exactly, but the act of cleaning up this mess will expose wrongdoing (hopefully it’s just incompetence that can’t be prosecuted but I doubt very much that’ll be the case) which cannot be let go. There’s just no other way around it.
Personally, I’d like to see jail time for members of the past administration. Illegal, negligent and nefarious activities at the cost of the taxpayer should be punishable. This is not a “let sleeping dogs lie” scenario. McDirty and the Queen of Mean need to be held accountable. It’s bullsh*t if they get away scott-free.
27 & 28. How about jail for Kirk, Connolly, Hiseman and the rest of the creeps that deceived the public. Charge them with theft and official misconduct to start.
#31… Official Misconduct…. Did the former mayor and council commit an unlawful act??
Hey admin. How bout a survey regarding whether jail would be appropriate for these thieves?
If information and evidence comes to light of criminal activity, with proof of course, I would like the people responsible to be prosecuted.
It’s that simple.
Sleeping dogs lie? No way. Public official should be held responsible when and if they are found to violate their position with criminal action.
And I said IF these things are found.
27-Agree with you, Summer Timer.
#34…. I agree… But I went from being very optimistic with the new mayor and council, to very NERVOUS… The statements that were made are concerning…
The only one whom I would like to see prosecuted and jailed is Matt. If I had to choose another one for some type of punishment that would be Colleen. But, realistically, if Menendez is out there on the loose, I am not optimistic. Such people eventually get what is due them down the line because of their egos and slip up somewhere and make enemies.
#37 – Such people eventually get what is due them.
—————————————–
Yes, but it’s much worse than you think. They’re building their own Karma and it’s always adding interest. No one escapes their Karma.
#38 Exactly. Karma, the universal law of balance. I was going to go into that, but kept the focus on this incarnation. If the lesson is not learned in this life, it will be revisited in another lifetime. Screw someone now, learn later how it is to be screwed. People cry for vengeance now, but may not get the “pleasure” of viewing justice dealt. Even that concept is risky. Best to just “let go”, but we humans dance about on the stage of life and want to make sense of difficult matters.
Why have laws? if there are no consequences?
I always relate Belmar to the bigger picture. We are small version of all the large mistakes in our country. I think the average person is just tired of people getting away with something or getting promoted from their illegal or unethical actions.
#40. I have thought that a thousand times. If this is happening in Tiny Belmar. What’s happening on the state and federal?????
It’s all about them and we are just cogs in the wheel!!
The reality is that Belmar has a huge mess to deal with which was created over the past 8 years and will take time to clean up. Bill Merkler and Jim Bean asked tough questions, challenged the administration and were demonized and shut out. While some do not agree, Walsifer’s silence and stealth approach got him and the others elected so they can now work on fixing this mess. They are doing the right thing with experts to expose things in an unbiased manner and working on solutions to address. If it was just Mark and Team saying it the former cool aid drinkers would claim it was personal against Matt and Team. I think people especially Walsifer supporters coming up to the mic to ask tough questions and voice concerns is a good thing as it keeps everyone in the current administration on their toes and honest.
Can’t blame people who were demonized and humiliated by the last administration for wanting their pound of flesh. The weekly revelations of the mess created that we will be dealing with for decades is in our face. The idea of them getting off scott-free when they have benefitted personally and professionally is hard to swallow. At a minimum their reputations should be besmirched to keep their aspirations in check and future employers aware of their history here in Belmar
So we have a big mess and need revenue pronto. Some potential ideas.
Merri Makers – each “for profit” usage our our Pavilion is $4,500. Each PD or First Aid visit to our wonderful bars is $500 charged to the proprietors. No more Belmar PD officers working as baby sitters for the bars in Lake Como and Belmar – they can hire off duty Monmouth County Sheriff’s Officers for that. Let’s enforce the laws that have already been on the books with zero tolerance and a costly ticket written right away which applies to noise violations from the bars and summer rentals, drunks on the streets and violators on the beach. Summertime speed traps and DWI checkpoints. No more pricey gas guzzling huge SUV’s for the PD – sedans for majority of time will do just fine.
#42. Very well stated. Thank you
Googled common sense for Belmar and up came a council meeting clip from 5/4/17 of Tom going at it with Brian. It’s worth the time to watch it.
I could watch that clip over and over. I guess that’s where McGovern got his name “Dope”. Tom should get an Oscar tonight!
And #43, now that the whole[or is there more?]sordid mess is being laid out for all to see , how are they being received by their friends and neighbors who will be shouldering the tax burden? Have they been excused for incompetence,arrogance, mismanagement and downright political fraud? or are they still held in high esteem despite all their transgressions? Inlet Terrace has some of the highest tax costs in town already and will be picking up a pretty substantial chunk of the additional cost resulting from the debacle. Of course the political cronies are likely to applaud them for doing it and at this point suffering no apparent consequences
#48 – To answer your question, look to the side of Mayor Walsifer, the same Mayor who voted Tom Brennen to be Council President.
#44-bar posts are already paid for by the bars. And it’s completely ridiculous to think you can charge the bars each time first aid or police are called. I say charge the individuals that are the reason for the police and or first aid being called.
#49…so should i interpret that to mean no one, not even the opposition thinks anything wrong was done? or that our new Mayor thinks he needs to ‘reach out’ rather than castigate? or really,really likes Tom Brennen ? or empathsizes with him for being a useful dupe? And does this apparent forgiveness extend to all, the former BA and Mayor included?
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