Yes... he finally got it..
Just like repairing a road in front of your house.... to you charge the resident!!
C'mon man...
but he got it... good for Barrella

I would think intelligent people would and should differentiate between parts of the Boardwalk that are used and worn down by the 100's of thousands of patrons drawn to business activities versus from the Aquarium to Jenkinson's North and then from Jenkinson's North to the Inlet. I believe the "Special Assessment" for repairs should be different for the various parts of the Boardwalk. Some parts at $0 cost to the BW up to 75% in other segments. Tuesday could have been the beginning of that process.

Does FEMA reimburse for boardwalk damaged by tourist travel?

No, FEMA is reimbursing us 75% of the cost because of the damage Irene did to the BW. Since this area is surrounded by commercial property attracting heavy traffic, I felt it fair for them to participate in paying half of the remaining 25%. I consider the BW a sidewalk that everyone in town loves and hopefully uses. I'm not endorsing asking homeowners to be special assessed. I know I was responsible for the sidewalk in front of my home, and I don't see anything unreasonable about asking the businesses in the areas that profit from from extra wear and tear sharing in the cost of those areas. I understand your view but I don't agree with it. That's what makes this Country and Town GREAT!

Disagree..
Never has there ever been a special assessment to repair a road in front of your house!
The Mayor was correct on this one...
It should be noted, PPB gets over $2million in parking fees and fines due to the boardwallk businesses... if the business were not there... PPB taxes would be much higher.
Furthermore, Jenks etc pay property taxes...

JD
Disagree...
2 million in parking fees and fines that are not needed. If the business were not there, something else would. Possibly town houses, condos that would collect more than 2million with a lot less problems. We would not need brownies, specials and a lot less police would be needed for this teeny tiny town. So many in this town has a great gig going to suit their own needs.

The "muni" would probably get about 100,000 if homes built there instead...
Do the math!!

BS...
The entire town of PPB gets $7million from property taxes...
Jenks pays property tax as does risden....
the parking lot is not that much space and you could probably generate about 100k in tax revenue versus some $2million in parking fees and fines...
If not for Jenks... you taxes would go up some 40-50%...

JD: I would have to disagree with you on your math. Like B.S. stated if oceanfront condos were replaced with the boardwalk. Not that I want this at all it would be more like 2 million or more in taxes and a lot less police in my math. The boardwalk owners could sell and make millions if they really wanted to.

s, how do you figure? Fed Govt won't let anything be built east of the boardwalk anymore....so can only put condos on west side. Most of the west side is already residential....

and there are already enough empty condos in PPB...last thing we need is more empty buildings.

The boardwalk and its businesses are here to stay. The key is to insure that their existence does not adversely impact residential quality of life. No one, myself included wants to see the boardwalk business district disappear.

First: To make a policy decision that might have far reaching future ramifications in the context of a bond ordinance that needs to be passed so that we can obtain 75% FEMA funding was flat out wrong. That is why it should have been two ordinances.

Second: I have vetoed parts of ordinances in the past and did so last year when Tom Gannon was our borough attorney in order to reflect the will of the Council. There was no argument between myself and Mr. Gertner. I merely pointed out past practice that occurred when he was not the borough attorney.

Third: I did not speak with anyone at Harborhead about the ordinance, and would simply note that there are numerous other residential properties lining the boardwalk that could have been affected.

Fourth: The redeeming my image argument is pure nonsense. I believe that the businesses located on the boardwalk should contribute to the cost of repairs as they would be a principal beneficiary of those repairs. I also believe that PPB should contribute; however, the majority of the funding should come from the State because the State derives substantial tax revenues (well more than we do from property taxes) from the boardwalk businesses and the vast majority of use is by non-residents of PPB.

Fifth: The amount of the proposed assessment was very small in relation to the total costs for all boardwalk repairs. Are you sure this was about saving taxpayer dollars and not an effort by others to repair their image?

Sixth: I agree that this was damage caused by a natural disaster and the repairs were not undertaken because of wear and tear. That is a major distinction.

Seventh: As far a municipal taxes go, the property taxes paid by the boardwalk's major businesses to not even cover the cost of our special police officers, let alone the millions of dollars of expense to repair the boardwalk.

Mr. Barrella...
I guess you choose NOT to count the millions of dollars you get in parking fees and fines...
if not for the PPB business... there would be no parking revenue to the town!!
but you know that...
get off your soapbox...
albeit you did the right thing...
what about the residents that live along side the boardwalk... are you going to charge them for repair and replace??

I greatly appreciate the tourism industry, but you seem to feel that "Jersey Shore" type clubbing IS the tourism industry. So long as the weather is good and they don't figure out a way to move the ocean, people will come. Certainly, however, fishing, our motels, the boardwalk, the rides and amusements are all part of the reason they come, and I want to make sure it stays that way.

Mayor, have you ever had a drink at Frankie's after midnight? You know, gone there to have a drink maybe after a late Council meeting? Are you part of the "Jersey Shore" clubbing crowd? I'm going to guess that you're not part of that Jersey Shore crowd, and yet I'll bet that you and some of your cronies have a drink at a local bar establishment after midnight. It's not just the Jersey Shore crowd that likes to have a late night drink, yet that early bar closing ordinance that you and your bloc voted on in the Spring is still good law and would be in effect but for the stay put in by the ABC, right?

Ahhhh Yes, The biggest taxpayers in town that are the largest drain to our town resources.

Vince Barrella After damaging the towns reputation and hurting all the business in town with your midnight bar closing fiasco. Do you have any positive thoughts on how to restore the image of PPB. Are you working with the bar owners at some sort of compromise to settle the litigation. Also please explain anything positive you have done for PPB because i cant think of anything positive that you have done. I am sorry that i even voted for you. Everyone felt sorry for you during the recall that is the only reason you got elected again.

Good afternoon "Mr. Carraway" and please give my regards to your creator F. Scott Fitzgerald. It's good to see that "The Great Gatsby" is represented on the Patch. Your alias is certainly more creative then most. It certainly would benefit any reader to know who you really are, but that would require you to demonstrate the courage of your convictions.

Do you deny that the decision to make a special assessment or not to do so in this case was a major policy decision that should not have been made part of an ordinance that had to be passed in order to secure 75% FEMA reimbursement?

I speak with numerous residents from every district and attend numerous meetings. Some of those meetings are attended by people I know and sometimes I meet people I had not previously met, including D's, R's and I's.

Yes, the majority of the money should come from the state. If you want precedent see today's Asbury Park Press, but even without precedent it is simply common sense. I would like to see the boardwalk repaired, but unlike some I do not think that the burden should fall entirely on our taxpayers, be they residents or businesses especially since the vast majority of people who utilize the boardwalk are from out of town.

Our budget for special officers this past year was approximately $400,000.

With respect to Mr. Gertner, former Republican Councilman Mike Loughran described him as "absolutely brilliant." I will go with Mike's assessment over yours any time.

I have no intention of engaging in this exercise with someone who calls himself "PPB1955." If you need me to run through what has been accomplished since 2008 then call me and I will be happy to do so. My number is on the borough website.

I will, however, note that the image of PPB is something that I am very concerned about which is why we cannot stand by and allow it to be destroyed by the type of out-of-control behavior we experienced last year. By the way, parking revenue is up $140,000 through August from last year's number and court revenue is down by $90,000. The motel tax is also up slightly. It seems that the preliminary results of the steps taken have been positive for PPB. You are free to disagree, as I am sure you will.

Regarding the Mayor's figures from this summer, don't forget...crime was up by approximately 40%.

carraway..
when you look at absolute numbers and not %%%
add the ordinance violations plus criminal (disorderlys primarily)...
overall it was down about 25%...

many times, a cop has the descretion to call something a criminal offense versus an ordinance violation. That is what happen.. but when you look at the total..
it is down... probably due to fewer people at the beach.

JD, I guess that my sarcasm didn't come across in my post. I agree with you. I personally feel that numbers are often released to the public by certain people in a certain way to promote that person's agenda. Like the Mayor's reference to the motel tax. In the past, the town has had difficulty collecting some of the motel tax in a timely fashion. So, it may be that the motel tax numbers are higher this year because some who were delinquent finally paid, or maybe the motels are simply being better at paying in a timely fashion. I don't know. "Crime" being up is the same type of thing. Most people who think of "crime" think of violent crimes, robberies, buglaries, etc, things that jeopardize our personal and property safety. More people getting caught smoking marijuana will generate a rise in "crime", but it's not something that I really worry about in terms of my safety. And, with more police on our streets, I would expect their to be a rise in tickets issued. More cops around to catch more violations. That was the concept behind "zero tolerance" and why we hired more specials this year, that with more cops on our streets, people would be less likely to urinate in public or engage in other disruptive behavior.

Motel tax is up because the motel tax rate was returned to 3% instead of the prior 1.5%

"Mr." or "Ms." Opinionated: You are right. Just because something has been done doesn't mean its legal and just because something has never been done doesn't mean it is illegal. Vetoes in the borough form of government are extremely rare so there is not much of a track record regarding them.

I am not going to comment on whether assessing commercial property but not residential property is "legal." As I pointed out at the Council meeting it is inconsistent and I was troubled by that. Your post is misdirected to the extent it is directed to me

I am sure that your Dad is real proud of you hiding behind an alias.

I acknowledge Mr. Mayer has a great deal of experience drafting bond ordinances, as does our current bond counsel who was hired based in large part on Mr. Mayer's recommendation. If we had an established practice of special assessing property in PPB for improvements that would be one thing, but when you are going to make a major policy decision I believe that decision should not be made in the context of an ordinance that must be adopted to get FEMA funding. I do not particularly care if the "form" is a permitted one or even the usual one. I never said it was illegal to do it the way Mr. Mayer wanted to do it, but that choosing that "form" when we have not previously done a special assessment is not a good way to make a policy decision.

As far as boardwalk repairs go, when and if they get done is a policy decision that the governing body will have to make. You may not want to wait, but others believe that we cannot afford the estimated millions to effectuate those repairs without assistance from the State.
Finally, while the State did not help with the section of the boardwalk that is the subject of this current discussion, I would note that 75% of the money is coming from the federal government. That is why the amount for this section is a relatively small number, other sections will cost millions to repair which is why State assistance may be the key to getting it done.

Another nameless blogger purporting to know what I am thinking.

I can give you 3 or 4 million (the estimated cost) reasons why having the Beach repair the boardwalk without financial assistance may be an impossible task. If you want to think it is some sort of vendetta, I can't stop you, but you're wrong.

PPB like every other town in NJ has the absolute right to regulate the hours of operation of establishments serving alcohol. The governing body has an obligation to defend that right. You are right to some extent, the District 4 parking plan did work, but you will remember that Jenkinson's and Martell's are also challenging in Court the Beach's right to control parking on our streets.

I would like nothing more than to reach an agreement that resolves all the pending litigation, but as long as that litigation is pending (as the plaintiffs, Jenkinson's and Martell's would have to agree to dismiss it, PPB as the defendant cannot do so) the governing body has an obligation to vigorously defend it. You will remember that my position has always been to find a solution short of early bar closings, but in order to do so there needs to be a comprehensive plan in place that will insure that next summer will be like this summer not like last summer.

Obviously you have not been paying attention. I have no problem repairing the section of the boardwalk damaged by Hurricane Irene and have so stated. Nor have I advocated holding off on these repairs until we get money from the State. So, no, I have not called the state about the section of the boardwalk that is the subject of this ordinance as I agree with Councilman Gordon that there is a difference between wear and tear caused by hundreds of thousands of tourists over the years and hurricane damage.

Finally, the question of whether to make a special assessment is without question a "policy" decision.

...also how about the fear that was used from Barrella's media campaign, that probably drove day trippers off the streets. . .into paid parking?

PPB1955: Where did I say that. Go back and read what I said.

There were some on Council, including the Finance Chair, who were claiming that we would experience a financial disaster if anything was done that would change the status quo. The only point I made was that what was done in its as a whole produced good results and the financial disaster has not come to pass.

Spooner once again I think you need to change your alias to "The Pinball Wizard" because you are all over the place

Mayor Barrella- here's some of the pin balls you threw at the Broadwalk businesses. when you bought the New York news media down here...not to mention getting your local hack at the Newark Star Ledger, Paul Mulshine to mouth off too...

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/point-pleasant-beach-bars-curfew-closing-martellis.html

http://www.myfoxny.com/story/18430982/point-pleasant-beach-makes-bars-close-at-midnight

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/06/13/point-pleasant-beach-keeps-midnight-bar-closing/

http://blog.nj.com/njv_paul_mulshine/2012/05/bennies_go_home_early_midnight.html

http://blog.nj.com/njv_paul_mulshine/2012/06/the_jersey_shore_without_the_j.html

...so who's "The Pinball Wizard"

and the Council overrode his veto.

ps - the veto was on June 15, 2010. It was over-ridden at the same meeting.

It was then re-instated to 3% in January 2011.

To some degree, you're both correct. A Resident is correct in that the Coucil overrode the veto. However, the reduced rate of 1.5% did not go into effect until October of that year. October! After the summer months, when most people stay in motels in PPB. Was some money lost, perhaps, but it probably wasn't that much. The 3% rate was re-instated early the following year.

In what way do you think that I "blame" the boardwalk for the recall. Be a little more specific please.

Lake dredging was absolutely necessary. For example, had we not dredged Lake of the Lilies the damage from Hurricane Irene in District 3 would have been extensive.

Don't forget...the boardwalk is also challenging the parking ordinance.

There was no fiasco. In fact the whole process was designed to provide as many options short of closing the bars early as possible. I see you have embraced the Club insiders "extortion" mantra. Sadly this nonsense about "extortion" (did Sea Girt "extort" money from Parker House) was a creation of some members of the Council to divert attention from the problems we faced and to make it more difficult to fix those problems.

Why would the governing body repeal a valid ordinance when there is no agreement by the business community on a comprehensive plan to insure that we do not have a repeat of the summer of 2011.

Because the extra police insure we won't have a repeat of the issues you created by allowing the special police to be cut and then exaggerated at great cost to PPB's reputation for your own selfish political purposes and because by "comprehensive plan" you mean agree to pay money they don't owe, you do not have the right to collect, and is only "fair" to those selfish enough to ignore the businesses contribution to the decades long low tax rate enjoyed by the residents of PPB.

To A Resident: the parking plan lawsuit does not prevent the town from repealing the bar closing ordinance. If the town repeals the bar closing ordinance and then loses the parking plan lawsuit the town can always pass a new bar closing ordinance---they could even do it right this time and avoid the illegal pay to stay open provisions.

BHB: I am not going to waste time trying to convince someone who won't use his or her own name that the special budget was cut by the Club insiders. Your answer is just for the town to spend money to deal with the symptom instead of trying to fix the underlying problem. That is not an option. Once again does Sea Girt extort money from Parker House. By the way Parker house contributes to the cost of police even though they are forced by Sea Girt ordinance to close at midnight.

Vince Barrella The 400,000 dollar special police officer budget was in place for many years and there were no problems till you cut the budget. By cutting the special police officers budget by approx. 200,000 dollars you contributed to the so called problem. Now that the special police budget has been restored to its original amount you want to take credit for fixing the so called problem. As far as not creating a financial disaster talk to the business operators in town. I do not think any of them would agree with you let alone talk to you. Also you would not know how any business is doing because you dont even patronize any of them in town. Keep thinking of anything positive you have done for PPB because many people in town are wondering.

Mayor Barrella- you were in agreement to the Specials budget cut. It's right there in the towns Council minutes. . .

Spooner: The 2011 budget proposed by Ms. Riehl and myself essentially provided virtually all of the funding the Chief asked for. You will recall that the a certain Republican Club councilman demanded cuts to police overtime and that the council eventually did cut $60,000 additional dollars from the Chief's request. You will also recall that I pointed out at that time that they were simply cutting the pool of money the police were receiving this year, not police overtime. The facts apparently mean nothing to you.

PPB1955: You will recall that certain Republican Club councilman cut the specials budget in 2009 and 2010. You will also recall that I opposed those cuts and that it was those cuts that caused us to have an inadequate number of specials in 2011.
Perhaps if you did not hide behind an alias, you might be more inclined to be truthful.

Mr Corbally- you don't know what your talking about. Paul Mulshine has stated categorically that the Mayor and him were in correspondence with one another.

...and the media needed permission to come there and setup. That's public property. . . . you need permission! Who gave them the permission?. . .But the real question had to be: who dropped the dime. . .the Mayor and his D4 supporters. . .and why?

This was a local ABC issue...done in other towns without the hoopla and fanfare...ABC laws are clear cut when towns want to reduce hours of operation. . .
There was no need for NY media or Star-Ledger columnist Paul Mulshine's negative BW punditry.

That publicity only benefited Barrella and his D4 supporters.The use of media exposure could only have been for political purposes against Trenton...sending them a message. . .because of Barrella's on going frustration in his long battle with Trenton over local options taxes...going back to after the Mayor got in office in 2007.

Not Spooner, but absolutely the Mayor is able to bring the NY media down here. Haven't you noticed that the news stations are as interested in providing entertainment as they are interested in actually reporting the facts? And, in an era where "entertainment" includes shows like Jerry Springer, Jersey Shore, etc., you bet your sweet bippie that they come when Mayor Barrella is about to put on a show. People tune in because they can't believe that this guy is our Mayor and that we keep re-electing him. In a bad economy, a Mayor who wants to turn away business from an industry that has been known for decades, that songs have been written about, you bet...that is entertainment, at least to some.

Mike: tell us who the 4 network producers contacted at town hall. . .I know your going to say they all just decided that they would take a drive down here. . .and just happened to come across this Council meeting that May 15th night. . .Is that what you want us too believe. . .they had no contact with town hall prior to coming here? Hey Mike. . .you want to buy a bridge too!

Nick, you and Spooner are drinking the same Kool-Aid. PPB as much as I love it, is a town of around 3,000 votes. No one cares what we are doing! Council meetings are open to the "Public"! All public, with or without cameras. If the Mayor has the power to get NY Press down here, I certainly underestimate his clout. Any call involving our personnel were in-coming calls from the networks. If you folks want to further embarrass yourselves come to our next council meeting, and ask these same questions. I won't hold my breath.

Mike- stop with the speeches. . .who were the people contacted at town hall by the NY news media and who authorized and signed off on the permits?
PS: no need to go to your meeting. . .the meeting is being held right here! Answer the questions. . .

Parker House is forced to close at 12 and it contributes to the cost of policing in Sea Girt. I suggest you read a copy of Operation Rice Krispies. Perhaps then you would not accuse anyone of exaggerating the problems we faced in 2011. I am not going to engage in a discussion with someone who will not identify themselves and who continually misrepresents what occurred.

Been here before,
You say:Once you leave office the Boardwalk businesses and Governing Body will work together as they did before you took office.
I ask you, If this is true then how did we get to this point...
I will agree that they worked together...but I believe it was to better themselves not the people...

As you know, if you follow PPB Council Meetings the Mayor and I don't always agree and we have not hidden our differences. The Mayor promised when he was running for office he would not accept another summer like 2011, he kept his word. On the "quality of life issues" I am a strong supporter of the Mayor, and those that believe the "Pilot Parking Program" was a negative is simply uninformed or stupid.

D4 parking plan a success! Let's move on.

Nick You are correct Vince Barrella has not done one positive thing for PPB. He has no plan of action for the betterment of PPB. His only plan is to make the local business men pay for his mismanagement of the town. I am still waiting for his response on what he has accomplished in 4.5 years.

Are you paying attention or deliberately distorting. When did I ever say "if" we fix the section of the boardwalk damaged by the storm. To the contrary, I said we were going to fix that section! Borough officials, from emergency management to our CFO/Borough Administrator and Borough engineer have been working on getting the storm damage repaired. A portion of that damage, that section closest to Risden's has already been repaired so as to be ready for this past summer. Even someone hiding behind an alias should try occasionally to get their facts straight.

Mayor (and everyone else reading), please scroll up to a post left by Mayor Barrella to me at 2:06 am (way past my bedtime). Mayor, as I indicated in my 11:42 am post above, in that 2 am to me post, you wrote: "As far as boardwalk repairs go, when and if they get done is a policy decision that the governing body will have to make." This article is about making repairs to a portion of the boardwalk that was damaged by Hurricane Irene. Mayer's ordinance was only pertaining to repairs to the Irene damaged portion. So, to be clear, that's where you said "if." Now, where did you say that "we were going to fix that section"? And, again, I ask you, since this portion of the boardwalk was damaged more than 1 year ago, what was your plan to repair this portion? How did you plan to fund the repairs that wouldn't be covered by the FEMA money and when did you discuss those plans publicly?

The problems started around 2000 and have declined each year. I never said the Parking Plan was the only reason this summer was better. More "specials", the BW helping with quieting their patrons leaving, and the economy probably all played a role. I don't believe we had less patrons because our parking revenue was up and the weather was better the previous two summers. People were behaving better, and their was less noise and garbage in District IV. It was good for everyone, so why are you all still pointing fingers? Be happy.

I am happy, but not with politicians like yourself, Barrella, Tooker and Gordon. I think the parking plan was unnecessary. And I think the methods used to drum up support for the parking plan and bar closing ordinance hurt our town's reputation, our businesses bottom line, and are directly responsible for attracting those whose behavior increased our crime statistics and that these methods reduced the number of families coming to our town. Who wants to come to a place where the Governing Body keeps warning us there are too many “Jersey Shore" like folks, families or more Jersey Shore types?

Another anonymous poster (or is it the same anonymous poster using a different alias) denying reality. It is sad that someone who has so much to say, doesn't have the courage to use their own name.

Did the police department exaggerate the problems? Assuming you really do live in District 4, did your neighbors make them up? I get it. Those who want to keep their heads buried in the sand don't like the facts getting in the way with their position. Any hit to the Beach's reputation was caused by those who behaved badly, not by those who sought to address the bad behavior and its impact on quality of life.

Point Beach was on a downward trajectory because of the "Jersey Shore" type behavior of some who visited us. We have worked hard to reverse that trend and it appears that those efforts may be taking hold. I will continue to fight to keep the Beach the premier family tourist destination on the shore.

"D4" One last thought. Has anyone said that added police would not help? Why do you think I fought so hard not to have the council that the Club insiders controlled in 2009, 2010 and 2011 cut the specials budget? You seem to feel that added police is the solution. You are wrong. It is part of the solution, butBut if you feel so strongly thabout it why don't you go public and run for office?

D4, Please tell us how the parking plan caused serious damage to PPB and it's reputation.
Please, no spin or your personal thoughts, just the truth.....

You have got to be kidding, because you can't possibly be serious. How many times have you or your allies attacked Kris Tooker. What about the way you or your allies have attacked a man, in Bret Gordon, who devoted his life to the service of his country. How about the attacks directed at Councilman Corbally?

Who was told they were too tolerant and by whom? By the way, just because someone has never experienced something does not mean it has not occurred.

From a 5/28/2010 article in The Ocean Star written by Chris Sheldon:

"One step the finance committee [see below to see who was on the Finance Committee] took to trim the 2010 municipal budget was to cut $200,000 from the police department’s budget for special officers.

Special officers primarily work during the summer, when the borough experiences an influx of tourists and summer renters.

Councilman Dyer has said a portion of the special officers’ budgeted summer hours were eliminated, creating a $200,000 savings for the borough this year.

However, since that time, Councilman Dyer said the special officers’ budget has been partially restored, to about $265,000.

At the last council meeting, Point Pleasant Beach Police Chief Kevin O’Hara said he would like a minimum of $300,000 in the special officers’ budget. Ideally, he would like to see $350,000.

“It could still use extra funding, or it could adversely affect coverage,” Chief O’Hara said last week.

The council finance committee — composed of Councilmen Dyer, Hennessy and Lurie —"

Spooner, you live in the Boro and your lack of knowledge would indicate that you don't attend council meetings in the Beach, yet you continue to make statements without regard to whether they are true or not.

Mayor- your 2009 Specials budget was $365,000. Your Crime Index as reported by the NJ State Police for 2009 was the highest(283)...going back to 2004. Your Police Chief originally requested $350,000, but then went down to $300,000, only to get $265,000. . .and then there was your numbers cruncher, Councilman Dyer with all that statistical boo-ah on how he arrived at that figure. But the biggest crock had to be when he said he added $100,000 to the Specials budget that bought it to $265K??

...but where was your outrage Mayor. . .not one peep out of you in those minutes. . . and by the way, a town's public safety is not a partisan issue!

You could have shown leadership there. . .but now the damage has been done, and what was the cost of Police O/T last year. . .Was that $265,000? Yep...you sure saved money?

http://www.pointpleasantbeach.org/news.php?action=fullnews&id=1125
http://www.njsp.org/info/ucr2009/pdf/2009_sect_7_a.pdf

I suspect even your alias is embarrassed by this latest post. From a 4/10/2009 article in the Ocean Star:

"Councilman Mercun’s explanations were met with skepticism from Mayor Vincent Barrella, who did not attend the March 24 meeting due to a family emergency.

'I do not believe this budget has a chance of succeeding,' said Mayor Barrella, 'and these changes do nothing to convince me otherwise.

'The problem,' the mayor continued, 'is that we are anticipating revenues and setting objectives that the police department can’t achieve with the proposed cuts to staffing.'

As for 2010, your reference to Councilman Dyer as my "numbers cruncher" is laughable. Had you ever attended a Beach meeting you would know that Dyer and Hennessy put that budget together without consulting anyone else. As for not a peep, I opposed the budget and Tooker and Lurie agreed with me and voted against it.

I really do not have time to deal with your uninformed or deliberate misrepresentations.

Mayor- stop the spin...Whose numbers cruncher was he. . .Were you Mayor of a different Council?. . .The plan simple fact is: "you said nothing" . . .And you should have followed them out the same door they left by. . .

From a 7/30/2010 article in the Ocean Star written by Chris Sheldon:

"Mayor Barrella has criticized the budget due to the fact that it is $398,000 under the state-mandated 4-percent tax levy cap, and has said, on numerous occasions, that he would like to see that money used to balance the borough’s water/sewer budget or to fund the police department’s depleted special officers’ budget."

Mr. Sheldon heard me, but then again he used his real name when he wrote something and he actually attended Beach Council meetings.

I can't wait to hear what part of "criticized," "numerous occasions" and "fund the police department’s depleted special officers’ budget," you don't understand.

Mayor- the Council minutes speaks for itself. After Councilman Dyer came up with the $265,000 Specials budget number. . .you said nothing! For someone who's notorious for speaking his mind. . .that saids it all. You like the rest, were on an austerity kick, compromising public safety, after an increase in crime there in 2009, which your PD had to have known, costing the town $252,575.11(is that the correct amount) in police O/T last year to deal with the crime problem. I know...blame Hennessy & Dyer. . .not you. As I said: there gone, but your still there. . .

Spoonie how did he compromise public safety? What was the choice raise taxes or do something else? given everyone hates our property taxes, what did you propose he do?

Nick, How many successful businesses have you started? I respect the opinions of all business owners that were able to start and build a business. I always try to learn what I can from those who have a proven track record. Unless you are an entrepreneur, with a proven track record, your opinions on business are meaningless to me. You are just another alias that insists on always being part of the problem, never the solution. Nick, if you are a resident, and you feel you know more about marketing than most, please send your resume to the Mayor to join the tourism group and become part of the solution. Volunteer your time, like everyone else that works on town committees.

"Unless you are an entrepreneur, with a proven track record, your opinions on business are meaningless to me."

Mike Corbally, you never ran a police department. So should you be ignored when it comes to decisions relating to the police department? Don't know if you ever worked for public works department....should you be ignored on that as well? That surely is one heck of an attitude for a council member to tell his public.

A Resident, No, I always ask those with more knowledge before making decisions on issues with specific departments. It wouldn't be prudent not to ask our B/A, Chief, PW Director, etc. when town questions come up that they are more knowledgable in from their wealth of experience. I didn't tell my neighbors anything, I told another alias how I felt. Some people talk the talk, but I respect people who walk the walk.

The 2009 budget was put together by Mercun and Hennessy and I had one meeting with them, they did not like what I had to say and we did not meet again. By the time the budget was being put together Mercun was pretty much done with the council and he allowed Councilman Hennessy to pretty much control the outcome. You will recall that he resigned in October 2009 to join then Assemblyman Holzaphel's law firm.

As for 2011, that budget was put together in major part by Chris Riehl and myself. We had hoped to get $200,000 of givebacks from the PBA and we fell about $50 or $60 thousand short of that. I wanted to scale back the number of furlough days from $200,000 to $150,000 and accept the police department concessions. Councilman Hennessy insisted on cutting $60,000 from the pool of money requested by Chief O'Hara. This pool covered both overtime and specials. I opposed the cut, but the council chose to make it anyway. Once that decision was done, and since 99% of the budget was what we had proposed aside from that opposing the budget made no sense.

No I was not part of the club in 2010, but I did seek to keep the Republican PARTY line since I had earned that in 2007.

I "mentioned" police salaries -- you have got to be kidding. This is what you base your claim that I wanted to cut the police department. I suspect even your creator F. Scott Fitzgerald is rolling over in his grave over that one.

And why is that?

Seems like the real Vince Barrella to me----takes credit for all that is right and runs from everything he did that is wrong. Remember how he tried to convince folks the paid parking plan was not his idea? I think some were even foolish enough to believe it. But those days are through.

You do know these people have legally binding contracts don't you?

www.app.com Data Universe

Thanks but I asked for the aggregate totals. This site only shows old salary data. This should be a requirement for governments to show total compensation per employee. It's called being transparent

Spooner, The Mayor may be trying to call himself a "Teddy Roosvelt Independent", but his gal-pal Kristine Tooker and the Independent candidate Tom Davis who they support are actually far left-wing liberals. What they really seek to achieve is a super-majority on council with no opposition or system of checks and balances. Once they have that they will have free reign to justify spending other people's money on all their "big government" pet projects! And the Mayor can pull the puppet strings from behind the dais without having to worry about breaking ties.
Mayor Vinny wants ABSOLUTE POWER! The voters must remember that Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely!

Spooner: You said "Last year BW businesses wanted to give town $40,000 toward Specials..."

If my memory serves me correctly, the $40,000 offer that Barrella, Corbally, and Cavagnaro insisted was a bribe --- that offer was actually made two years ago. Last year--- the BW businesses offered $160,000 during the Mayor's so-called "negotiations", but the Fab Four wrecking crew of Barrella, Corbally, Tooker, and Gordon turned down that offer too!

Oh Corbally, Now you've just reduced yourself to one of Barrella's talking heads! How do you know what Cortes will or will not do? You yourself supported Cortes when the Council needed to vote on a replacement for Dyer. So what --- now you DON'T support Cortes, just because he's Reid's running mate? Reid already explained his NOy vote on the budget...he didn't want another huge tax increase. We appreciate and support Reid's fiscal conservative regard for putting a stop to Barrella's runaway tax increases yea4 after year. You're on the wrong team, Mike!

Correction: Reid already explained his NO vote...putting a stop to Barrella's runaway tax increases YEAR AFTER YEAR.

So Corbally, I notice you are NOT denying the fact that YOU flat out REJECTED a total of $200,000 that the BW businesses offered to contribute to extra police during the past 2 summers. You have NO EXCUSE for your bad judgement and lack of effective leadership!

One third of your Council were nor present at that meeting, Hennessy made no comments during that discussion...so that left Lurie to abstain, vote with you and Barrella, or commit a crime if Hennessy and Dyer did vote for what you, Barrella and Cavagnaro implied. . .was taking a $40,000 "payoff" in lieu of Special event fees? But No one moved to vote for the money, because there was nothing on the table to do so. The Ordinance that was being discussed had to do with amending 5:12(Public Assembly)...not as Councilman Lurie pointed out... which should have been 5:19(Special Event Approval)

http://www.pointpleasantbeach.org/news.php?action=fullnews&id=1176

...Motion by Councilman Dyer, to not adopt Ordinance 2011-08, was seconded by Councilman Lurie and carried by roll call vote.
VOTE: Council Members Hennessy, Lurie, Dyer….YEA
Councilman Corbally….NAY...

That's why they all voted not to approve. . .except you! And here you are at the first reading of that amendment on March 29, 2011...

...Councilman Corbally: thanked Mr. McGlynn for his idea and asked that Jenkinsons complete the Special Event applications that everyone else fills out, while this is being tabled – coming from Jenkinsons Boardwalk web-site, there are 45 events that would require applications...

Mike. . .it's called a Special Event. . .comes under 5:19...not 5:12. Was that one of those low bid attorneys you hired. . .

Yeah, right, keep the Beach Independent. In this article, Barrella wants the State to help pay to maintain the Boardwalk, but in his posts, he admits that he hasn't made any calls to the State about it. It wouldn't matter if he made any calls, because no one will listen to him at the State level. Independent = no help from the County or State government coming to PPB.

...that's like Corbally's exhortation of ending "cronyism" ?? I recollect that cronyism goes back before recorded history. It seems to have something to do with human nature and the start of the nuclear family, extending into a tribal society. . .Yes-siree...it's going to end in Point Pleasant Beach!

Mike How long has Tom Davis lived in PPB? . Also is it true that his wife Lisa Mueller is related to Kris Tooker. Maybe someone else can explain this to me if Mike Corbally does not have the answer.

Kinda sad that ppb1955 is not interested in a candidate's "personal views" but more interested in who a candidate is married to. Not exactly what Jefferson had in mind when he spoke about an informed and educated electorate.

Mike Cobally Many people in town have not heard of Tom Davis.Although Lisa Mueller is well known throughout PPB from some of her extracurricular activities.I personally as well as others did not know they were married. As far as the others they are fixtures in town and almost everyone has known or at least heard of them .

Mr Happy You can read Toms facebook as councilman corbally suggested i do. It does not mention anything about where he resides . Or about the woman he is married to . There are many rumors about Tom Davis and Lisa Mueller that i am trying to form an educated opinion on his value as a councilman. I am not looking to vote for someone with any baggage.

...well I don't know about that Mike. . .anybody who said in their political resume... "More important than whom I am" should raise eyebrows? Remember it was not too long ago that after Davis moved to the Beach. . . that he was appointed as an alternate on the Planning Board. . .then this past January, Barrella purged long time Planning Board Chairman Bill Ammirata, and appointed Davis in his place...saying: "he wanted to give someone new an opportunity to be a planning board member"

So lets see: you hook up with and marry someone whose a long time friend(30 yrs) with a member of the town Council. . .and low and behold. . .you go from being a non resident out-of-towner...to a member of the Planning Board in less than two years. . .I guess Corbally and Company...in preaching there ending cronyism, made an exception. . .But that also said something about Tom Davis. If he had any character and self respect...he would have refused the appointment. . .

Spooner: Kudos! A very astute and thought provoking analysis. I like it ! Now --- speaking of "cronyism" , I find it curious that Mike Corbally hasn't felt the need to talk about his good friend Kris Tooker --- hiring her current boyfriend's sister-in-law at the PPB Borough Hall. Yes indeed --- it's sad, but true. Kris Tooker's current boyfriend is Eric Mutter, a retired State Trooper. She and the rest of the PPB Council recently hired his sister-in-law, Janet Mutter to work in a municipal government cronyism position --- as Maryann Ellsworth's assistant in the Borough ClerK's office. REALLY? You just can't make this stuff up ! ! ! Only here in Point Pleasant " Peyton Place" Beach ! ! ! How much more "cronyism" can we expect if the Barrella candidates take over the majority of Council? Hmmmmm, can you answer that for us all, Mike Corbally???

Tom Davis did not take Bill's place on the Planning Board. The Planning Board members vote on their Chairman and that usually goes to someone who has served several years on the board to gain experience, has been able to make the majority of meetings, and wants to lead the meetings. I have served on these boards and I commend everyone who is willing to volunteer their time to serve PPB. Lets get all the candidates resumes and compare them as a starter. After that, the voters will have a chance to personally interview which ever candidate they need too. Wouldn't that make sense?

Truth hurts, doesn't it Cathy? Especially when you're trying to revise the true history with your own creative set of "FACTS"?

the truth,,,,Just curious,who do you think looks like a fool? I am not the one hiding under a rock,and posting under a fake name. You must feel so good about yourself that you can post anything you want because noone knows who you are,haha....

Wow! Mike Corbally! Your feeble attempt to back out of this tangled web is astonishing. Now if you wouldn't mind, could you kindly explain the "cronyism" involved when y'all hired Kris Tooker's boyfriend's sister-in-law to be Maryann Ellsworth's assistant in the PPB Borough Clerk's office? THANKS MUCH ! ! !

Mike Corbally: I didn't ask about the "other candidate's situations." I couldn't care less about them. I asked about the one candidate who YOU are supporting and defending. So NOW Mike --- Can we please answer the question about the "cronyism" involved in hiring Kris Tooker's current boyfriend's sister-in-law, Janet Mutter in Maryann Ellsworth's office? DID YOU VOTE "YES" FOR THAT HIRING, HUH MIKEY?

Mike Corbally: Any additional information about the home foreclosures or reduced property tax assessments of "Lisa Muller and Tom Davis" collectively? STILL WAITING PATIENTLY ---- TICK...TICK...TICK...THANKS A BUNCH!

Mike Talk about off limits what about the time everyone was picketing in front of Sean Hennesey home.

We hired 2 part-time administrative people this year to assist our Clerk and Borough Administrator. The 2 managers of the respective departments explained the process of resumes reviewed, including those submitted over the previous 6 months, the interview process and final selections. Yes, it is true one of those selected is a currently the sister of a friend of Councilwoman Tooker. That didn't play any role in the hiring decisions, and I support our managers in their selections.
This was discussed publicly at a Council Meeting. These are part time positions with zero benefits.

Mike Corbally Please explain Tom Davis situation about home foreclosures and his property tax appeals. And is it true that Tom Davis took Bill Amirattas position on the planning board. If Mike cannot comment about any of this I would like to hear Vinny Barrellas version.

ppb1955- Bill Ammirata was replaced by Tom Neumaier as Chairman. When Neumaier was moved to Chairman, there now was a vacancy on the Planning Board for a regular member. . .and Barrella put Tom Davis on as that regular member. . .a person who was living in the Beach for less than 2 years. . .cronyism at it's finest... thanks to Kris Tooker and the Barrella cabal. . .And the hiring of Ms. Mutter who lives in Toms River, has to raise more questions of the fabulous 4's cronyism. It comes down to believability. . .in spite of what Corbally said.

Spooner

You are entitled to your own opinion but not your own facts. Tom Davis was an alternate member of the Planning Board, meaning he was already on the planning board. There were three slots that were up, two regular slots -- Bill Amiratta and Tom Neuimaier and one alternate -- Tom Migut.

Glenn Paesano expressed interest in being on the Planning Board and given his background in the construction industry I thought he would be a good addition. I decided to appoint him as an alternate member. That meant that there would be no room for Tom MIgut to be reappointed as an alternate. I chose instead to move Tom Davis from an alternate slot to a regular slot so that I could reappoint Tom Migut.

Tom Neuimaier had spent a number of years on the Planning Board as vice-chairman and I thought he should be allowed to continue. When Tom Neuimaier agreed to stay on, I reappointed him. At that point there was no room left for Bill. Bill had a long run on the Planning Board, and I felt others should have a chance to serve

If you want to disagree with my decision to give Glenn Paesano a chance to serve so be it, but once I made the decision to give someone different a chance, the choice I was left with was to not reappoint Tom Migut or not reappoint Bill Ammirata or Tom Neumaier. I chose to reappoint Tom MIgut and Tom Neuimaier.

For the record, both Tom MIgut and Bill were officers of the Regular Republican Club, so stop trying to make it something it was not.

And Spooner, you will speak for yourself at the debate on Oct. 18th, right? This is your chance to shine Spooner. No hiding behind your computer that night. See you there!