Couple of quick observations while I eat lunch:
I’ve heard the argument made numerous times that the mayor and members of the council won their elections and that now we need to just trust them to do what’s right for Belmar and stop getting in the way of their plans. But I would say that the provisions in New Jersey statutes that allow us to petition against new ordinances and to petition for the creation of ordinances are there for a reason. State lawmakers consciously created and enacted those laws with the expectation that we would use them when our elected officials refuse to listen to the people. Ours is a participatory democracy, not a shut up and do what your leader tells you democracy. Just because someone wins an election doesn’t mean they can’t make mistakes that need to be corrected.
The mayor thinks he’s compromising by promising that he won’t won’t allow Taylor pavilion to cost more than $4.1 million. But many of us are wondering why the hell does it even cost $4.1 million in the first place and do we really want to put a $4.1 million building in such a risky location. We would also like to know what it will cost to operate and insure. The main thing, though, is the funding. The mayor needs every penny of the the nearly $3 million from FEMA, the $484,000 insurance settlement and the $727,000 Buy a Board money in order for Taylor to be “free”. The Buy a Board dollars are already the subject of a lawsuit….he would need to win that. And I still find it difficult to believe that we are going to be allowed to use the FEMA and insurance money exclusively for Taylor, making it free for the taxpayers, while the cost of the 10th Ave pavilion is paid almost entirely by beach users.
One more thing….
The home by summer fundraising deadline, June 1, came and went completely unmentioned. Anyone know what’s going on with that?
Lunch is over. Back to work.
17 Comments
My luncheon musings harkened back into U.S. History. Not the northeastern States but rather the South. You know like “slave states”. I have for sometime now likened the local politics of Belmar to the old plantation system which evolved into just another form of the same in the 20th Century. As someone who has felt the lash for not being a good slave, I always wonder why others do not try to run. Now, that the agents of the plantation owner have the policy of zero tolerance and the “uncle Toms” abound, even the press is corrupted, I am of the belief, it’s every former slave for himself. You are choosing New Hampshire. I would never take that State for granite.
Speaking of NH, municipalities there can’t sell bonds without first having a public referendum.
Dave,
I Must point out your mistake about being a participatory democracy. Please in your posts don’t ever again make this mistake. Ours is a participatory REPUBLIC. It’s a big difference. If you need further clarification I will advise.
A participatory democratic republic.
But in NH do they favor union companies for contracts and rig bids legally like Belmar?
Has the seafood festival gotten too big for our little town? Road closures everywhere,Maybe they should move this event to Monmouth park and away from our town.Who makes all the money from the huge beer and wine area?
What money??? there is no records to show. This is Belmar not any other normal town.
I think most Belmar residents don’t want the damn thing here
Admin please comment. Sorry, but I sadly do not know the circumstances regarding the family/s involved in the “home by summer” project. I would assume that they were not in a flood zone requiring flood insurance nor in a mortgaged home so no insurance required. Apparently donations were sought on their behalf and that is an unknown status. Do you know the circumstances and if they are in their homes? Thank you.
All the food trucks are self contained right on Ocean Ave. How is it that Brandl’s has a truck AND a big, ugly lemon on the boardwalk along with seating on the beach ???
#10 – noticed last night that there is another food truck that is taking a section of the beach for for three or four tables at 13th (or 12th) the trucks just north of the lemon. I rather these food trucks just be gone – just results in more trash on the beach in in the ocean…..figured since Belmar mean Beautiful Sea, we (as a town) would try to do what we can to keep it that way???
4 tables and 4 chairs on the boardwalk and 4 tables and 4 chairs on the beach. Soon you will see them, or not, at a summer rental. No lemonade from that squeeze, ugly, dirty looking monstrosity. Special access provided to beach seating yet another societal boon for Belmar or should we say BRANDELVILLE
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Half the people in town do not speak to the other half. However on occasion if they believe something is going to really hurt the town they have been known to come together to fight it. That is great to see.
Belmar has bars and restaurants but no comedy club. Hold on we have the council meetings, should invite more people to come see the show. No shoe throwing shoes or tomatoes.
#12 Regarding Brandlville, what is the deal with putting tables and chairs on Pyanoe Plaza? Does the restaurant pay the town a fee? In essence, the restaurant is increasing its capacity possibly for free? It is great to be a friend of the administration, no? Wait, they donate food for events…ah…
#14 Nah, puppet show is more like it, IMHO.
Can anybody tell my why there are still fundraisers for the Home By Summer campaign. I thought the campaign was going to end by the first of June. It is now the middle of July and the Belmar public library is selling sandy recovery books and the money from the books goes right to the Home By summer campaign. Didn’t Belmar raise more than enough money already. How come the houses are not finished yet. Something seems fishy to me
What I find funny is how the borough changed the zoning for the home by summer house that is on 14th ave. There is not one house in Belmar that is that close to the sidewalk. Nor is their one house in Belmar that is allowed to use that much of their lot to put a house on. The easement states that your house has to be a certain amount of feet from the street or side walk. The whole house is against the law. After you see the house you should try to find out who approved that. Then find out who is on the zoning board. You wont be surprised. Maybe the dog that he keeps in his office is a zoning dog that tells him where the house should be placed.
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