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37 Comments
Katrina Klapsis on the “Angels-bringing the community together” committee? Laughable! She continues to divide this community with negative, nasty remarks about council, borough, and Belmar on this blog. How is she working to bring the community together with her ongoing negativity? She certainly hasn’t demonstrated an open-mindedness about the community. She works against this committee’s goal of unity. Whoever named her to the committee has a wonderful sense of humor.
Merry Brennan asked her to join. Katrina listens and works hard to illuminate what’s going on in town. She plays by the rules, isn’t out to get anybody, and wants what’s best for all Belmar residents.
#1 you are laughable. You obviously have no clue. If it wasn’t for people like Katrina and the admin of this blog we wouldn’t know about half the shit that goes on behind closed doors. Doherty, McGovern, Connolly and the other puppets including chief Huseman think we’re all fools.
The Joy tree debacle, the Merrimakers pavilion paid by tax payers, the Harmon brothers lawsuit, the lifeguard lawsuit, the corrupt collusion of Connolly presenting the plans for Brandywine to build hundreds of apts., the outrageous police overtime. I could go on and without even thinking. The pavillion lawsuit with Connolly lying costing us thousands of dollars is enough by it self!
All these people need to go so we can really start fresh and rebuild our community in a way that benefits the RESIDENTS and not the bars, developers and special event interests. Thank you Katrina, Dave and everyone else that keeps us informed.
#1. You seem so well informed. Why Anonymous? Defend your side if you don’t believe that Katrina cares to bring her “community” together by bringing “Bad for Belmar” deals to light?
2 & 3 -Then why does Katrina continue to report her negative perceptions of the town on this blog? How can someone who has never made a positive comment on this blog promote positivity and unity for the town? And she continues to do so as an Angel. She questions remarks made by council members always with a negative spin. Perhaps her supporters should advise her to cease with her criticisms. Certainly she’s entitled to post whatever she chooses, but don’t these actions contradict the purpose of the Angels? With their presentation at the council meeting it came across loud and clear that they about positive energy and bringing sides of the community together. She doesn’t project a sense of unity with her remarks and assumptions.
Belmar needs more people who have Katrina’s guts and tenacity to confront the elected officials in town. She knows crap when she sees it. I guess some people believe that lies and duplicity are fine. What benefit have they received which makes them hesitate to bite the hand that feeds them, so to speak? Some of that money passed out to certain residents after Sandy? That PRIVATE list? Hmmm? Some people who are too proud to have accepted charity but did anyway? Could just be party followers who dare not stray from the fold. Such people do not represent moving forward in a positive way. They represent accepting the status quo of blatant lawlessness.
And what about the acceptance of ignoring the ban against tents? It is illegal. That should be enough to crack down and fine the scofflaws if possible (hard to do if there are no IDs) and kick them off the beach. Brian is weak. Duh…
Katrina has posted many positive accomplishments by the people of Belmar. The Better Angels group is not a cheerleading group for Belmar. It’s a forum for people to learn to hear each other and talk to each other about their frustrations. The council has not listened to Katrina, has not answered her questions honestly (in many cases), and has even purposely hurt her deceased friend’s family. She in turn allowed her emotions to get the best of her in a meeting. Better Angels is used as both a reminder to be civil (something we all need to be reminded over and over again), and as an avenue to bring positive change to Belmar. That positive change isn’t agreeing with the Mayor and Council, it’s actually holding them accountable for their job.
#5, doth we protest too much about pimple popping exposes in Belmar?
#7 Gee, your description of the Angels group is not what I got out of presentations by Angel members at the council meeting. It was all about peaceful coexistence and bringing people together. I didn’t hear that the committee meets to vent frustrations. As far as defending Katrina’s positions on town situations, she never took a positive approach on any subject presented by the council.. How can someone who can’t control her emotions be part of this unifying, peace-Loving committee? You, #7, brought up her emotional outburst. I didn’t. Oft times , when at the microphone, she was snide, bitter, and on several occasions, made assumptions that were incorrect. Her tone of voice has been accusatory and “know-it-all”. Has she made a radical change in her approach to matters, and is now open to good thoughts about Belmar?
#5 The Better Angels group here in Belmar was most likely born out of the realization that citizens from different political perspectives actually agree on more issues affecting this town than they realized. Katrina is someone who loves this town and is willing to publicly point out when she feels that her elected officials are making bad decisions. Sometimes passionately. It comes from a sense of civic pride. When our elected officials make poor decisions or play fast and loose with the truth or break the rules to suite their own selfish ambitions, they should be called out. There are some people in town that are blinded by a reactionary and, in my view, blind loyalty to the current and recent past administration based on party loyalty and little else. The Better Angels is there to take people with divergent political views and strip away the veil of ideology so that we can work together for the greater good.
It’s clear to me why Katrina was chosen to be a part of something like that and it’s also pretty clear to me why someone like yourself was not.
Thank you Tom
#10 Exactly. Let’s see what comes from this gathering of angels. (I think Brian was disturbed that he was not invited.) Watch out for moles!
While not a regular contributor on this blog, I’m not sure what the purpose of this group is. I just read the article in the Coast Star about the Angels group. According to posts above, the members are going to offer there opinions about how to improve local government (?) and discuss their frustrations. So this group is going to right Belmar (?) that’s not what I got out of the article and watching the council meeting video. 10-Are you on the committee? You seem to be someone on the committee with a ax to grind.
We were so saddened and disheartened to read “Anonymous’s” disparaging assault on Katrina Clapsis’s character–a woman who has tirelessly devoted numerous hours, energy and resources to making Belmar a better town for ALL of its residents. Shame, shame, shame.
Ann Bozzo and Anita Sanzio
i’d bee a wondurful membur ov the group…
Probably the forming if a shadow government.
So many analogies on The BBA. It is quite simple . We were asked to join a group to work towards communicating better with others that we perceive to be different from ourselves. I will use myself as an example.I am a very outspoken person on matters that I am passionate about. People may judge me for this,but when I am met with a resident from an opposing political affiliation and we are able to communicate on topics, we found there was a lot we had in common on an issue . The group has highlighted areas in which together we can address issues in Belmar to works towards making those areas better. Communication is a big area and by the comments you can see how some are judging Katrina. Who ever you are always be a part of the solution not the problem. I read many stating about we met to vent our frustrations. I’m not sure that is the best word but clearly people get frustrated when they think they are not valued or being heard on major decisions in our community. Hopefully as this develops others can participate to heal the community. I look forward to it.
#13 Nope, I’m not on the committee. I’m just offering up my opinion.
And yes, I certainly do have an ax to grind. But that’s hardly a secret. I feel that I was deceived by my elected officials and I have a grievance. Doesn’t exactly make me unique.
The only thing I want is transparency in our local government. It’s not a very tall order and, frankly, we should settle for nothing less. I’m hopeful that we can all agree on that.
#14-Not the image she has presents at council meetings. Does being a good Belmar resident mean making assumptions and accusing others of things that never came to pass? Even residents opposed to local government would on occasion say something good about the town. Not Katrina.
I have always found Katrina Clapsis to be informed, thoughtful and fair-minded, qualities to which we all, Angels or not, should aspire as citizens of Belmar. She is also fiercely courageous, passionate and outspoken, attributes that are in such short supply we don’t even recognize them for what they are. Katrina loves Belmar as much as anyone in this town. She doesn’t deserve to be judged by anyone — much less by someone who posts as “Anonymous” — by how she chooses to devote the occasional 5 minutes she gets to speak at a Council meeting.
#14-I completely understand the position taken in support of Katrina. While I’m not for one side or the other, I have noticed that there have been more than disparaging words posted on this blog about members of the council-past and present-and the former mayor; words that are mean and loathsome. Talk about attack on character. It seems a bit one way to me. It’s OK for one group to post despicably about town leaders but the other group gets offended when a person offers opinions about an individual who has clearly been opposed to much of which has transpired in our town. By the way, I didn’t read any attack on Katrina’s character, only observations of her behavior. The remarks about the former mayor are character assassination. Don’t tell me deserves it. If others have the right to do this, then why get upset about remarks that some think are appropriate about Katrina? ( Shame, Shame, Shame)
If Ken Pringle thinks that way about her so do I.
Also-to the point of remaining anonymous; no one questions nasty remarks about the former mayor, the present mayor, and council members that are anonymous. ALL those remarks are anonymous. So remarks about Katrina shouldn’t be anonymous, but it’s acceptable that those about council members that are downright evil are OK.
Katrina’s concern and passion for Belmar .. her community and the place where most “Common Sense” readers live .. has resulted in activism for transparency, civil rights, financial accountability and positive change. We all influence change by our vote, considering petitions our neighbors circulate, or asking challenging questions (or expressing thanks) at borough meetings. All valid, all honored, all American. Belmar Better Angels is composed of an equal number of Dems and Republicans but this group is about going beyond politics to identifying and exploring commonly recognized needs/aspirations for our town purely from a citizens’ group perspective. There is a Facebook site @BelmarBetterAngels to learn more about Better Angels in general, and BBA in particular.
Katrina Clapsis is a clever, entertaining, competent young woman who walks the walk daily in a selfless manner. She quietly performs many tasks for the greater good admirably but anonymously without seeking stardom. I would have Trina as my wing woman any day. And, Huge is so very lucky to have married the woman of his dreams!
Civil rights violations? That is HUGE! Don’t people care about that? Replying anonymously is for protection from retaliation.
#23 – But Katrina isn’t anonymous. And she often chastises those who go on tirades complaining. She reminds them to focus and work together. There’s a difference between her and the other anonymous bloggers you’re thinking of. Her words about council members may be harsh, but they’re not inappropriate. Sorry the truth hurts.
#23 Do you remember that in the Newspaper that is read by most the
last mayor and I quote referred to the
residents as ” That Element, Nay Sayers
Terrorists,Obstructionists, Trouble
Makers” and whatever he decided we were
at that time. This is not a class act from a Mayor or a politician. The woman
you are referring to had a friend that
She was very close to pass away. This woman had her own special insults from
the mayor. Take a look at the over all
picture and ask why would people react
to the situation.
Understandable – The difference is between being an elected official and a citizen. I can speak from more than 20 years of experience, during which I received my fair share of “mean and loathsome” comments. But that comes with the office. And truth be told, when those comments came from someone informed, I learned more from them than I wanted to admit at the time. I don’t begrudge any citizen choosing to speak anonymously against their elected officials — particularly not in Belmar, where our former mayor made a habit of retaliating against those who opposed him. But please don’t equate your use of the right to be anonymous with theirs.
Sorry Old Man, but I don’t think the town really cares what Kenny thinks anymore. Look at the way the past few elections went. His word certainly didn’t matter. Kenny’s days in Belmar are over. That is, besides getting a paycheck from them in court.
Looks like the current administration is running scared, good. It’s about time. EVERYONE is disgusted by the reversal direction Mcdirty fostered.
The Group from 12th Ave
The South end against D’Jais
The Belmar Homeowners Association
The Element
and now the Belmar Angels???
Mr. Fahy couldn’t be more correct, the only thing all these groups wanted was transparency in their government, and town officials who worked for them, not developers, bar owners, etc. Sadly, McGovern and Walsifer aren’t going to change this!
30-Well Said!
#30 Thanks for that clarification. The elections went that way because……..ready for this…….you just can’t sway most democrats. Seems the majority are just drop dead oblivious to reality. The town will get worse and worse. Pay $8 to get onto beach and lifeguard stands are not occupied. Roads have numerous potholes. Drunks all over the town. Lawsuits abound!! And yet the towns people re elect the zombies .Human waste going into bay from L street. Sorry I gotta take my aspirins…you gave me a head ache.
Mayor Pringle did an outstanding job as leader of Belmar. He was deliberate and thoughtful when making decisions that would benefit the town . I’m glad he wasn’t subject to unfounded criticism on a blog such as this. Or for that matter innuendo such as put forth at times by Ms. Klapsis. What is the criteria for becoming a member of the Angels committee. Seems like people who are against the sitting council members. Who are the people who are happy with how things are going in town on the committee?
Here are many happy residents in the Better Angels group. One “Angel” member posts Facebook messages urging folks to vote for MaGovern, Nicolay and Levis. Another member is Tom Volker – always volunteering, never complaining…It seems there are unhappy people who are jumping to negative conclusions about a group that loves Belmar and wants to work for it.
36-Great to hear!
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