Nagle (may I call you Nagle) is right. Dunes won't stop the inlet from overflowing the wall. Dunes will do NOTHING to stop water from coming up OUT of the storm drains. Please don't tell me that this can't happen, I've seen it with my own eyes. Dunes aren't the cure, just ask the people in Bay Head.

Dunes do not lower the value of the home, if anything it protects the value. Why does it seem that everyone thinks we would be the first town to build PROTECTIVE DUNES?

It looks like the "Rebuild the Bloc Committee" has been busy.

Mayor, along with the dunes or in place of the dunes could you also look into having the full width of under the boardwalk filled in as well. I believe that this what they have in place under the boardwalk in Seaside.

I am guilty as charged. I should attend a meeting once in awhile. It is good practice to seek advice. My personal experience is to beware of state agencies (DEP) who make mandates more often than give advice. I am wary of environmental 'experts' with vague credentials. In my 40 years in PPB I have seen many midtown floods between the lakes that did not coincide with a breach of the beach. This situation has not occurred often enough to require an expensive fix. If a fix is required, why is it the responsibility of one entity. Why was Jenkinsons singled out without mention of Martells and all the other beach owners including the town owned beach?

The intent, as expressed at the meeting,was to consider dunes along the entire length of the Beach.

"Experts" cost a lot of money and each time you call upon them to become involved in a new pet project, you are running the meter in terms of their "bill-able hours." We already have an extremely competent engineer sitting on Council, and I'm quite certain that Councilman Lurie would be more than happy to offer his "expert opinion" if you would simply ask him. But then again, I'm guessing you wouldn't seek his "expert" opinion, for fear that he might give you an answer that doesn't fit your agenda.

Mr. Mayor, your statements in this post demonstrate what little regard you have for spending OPM -- Other People's Money -- to further your political agenda.

It doesn't take an "expert" to see that -- the only damage to the boardwalk that occured during Hurricane Irene -- was the stretch between New Jersey and Atlantic Avenues where the boardwalk buckled, and there ARE dunes already existing directly in front of that location. There was MAJOR flooding on New York Avenue -- again dunes present from Trenton Ave. all the way to the southern end of town. Is Mr. Dempsey an environmental or engineering expert?

Common sense can tell us that the flooding occured, not necessarily because the ocean came over the boardwalk, but rather because we enjoy 3 natural lakes in PPB that WILL overflow when the heavy rains, tides, and moon phase all create the "Perfect Storm."

Mr. Mayor, PLEASE....Stop the wasteful spending by playing with our tax dollars to play political games!

Kristin Hennessy,
I believe you would think differently if your property was beneath two feet of water and and had to clean up the garbage that came from under the boardwalk.
As I mentioned in a previous post, if not the dunes then how about at least filling in under the boardwalk as they did in seaside. That would be a dune of about three feet high and about 20 - 25 feet wide.

Part Timer,
You simply cannot "fool mother nature". You will NEVER be able to completely PREVENT any or all flooding that occasionally occurs in your area. That's what "flood insurance" is for. My understanding is that flood insurance is mandated on your homeowner's insurance policy when you own property in a designated "flood zone."

I do feel for you and empathize with your dilemma. However, I do not reside in a flood zone, and that was my choice when I purchased my home 11 years ago.

Ms. Hennessy

I do not recall the Councilman offering his opinion on the value or lack of value of dunes in controlling coastal flooding. His opinion on the value of dunes would have been most welcome.

I have generally found in most instances, the desire to save a couple of dollars by not consulting with the experts ends up costing more in the long run.

Once again, YOU are the CEO of the local government. YOU run the meeting. YOU set the agenda for the meeting. YOU put this particlular item of new "dune creation" on the agenda for the 10/4/11 Council Meeting.

So there you go again -- just more of the same from you -- BLAMING everyone else. Did you ever even bother to ask Council President Lurie for his "expert" opinion? I suspect the answer is "NO" for reasons I've already stated. Your tactics are transparent and getting old and worn out.

Kristin, the ocean went under the boardwalk in 3 locations during Irene. Arnold Ave, no dunes in that area. Broadway, no dunes in that area. Atlantic Ave...dunes in that area, but there is an opening in the dunes for access....and guess where the water came through. Ya, I was there and saw it.

The Town should put $0 into the beach as the Town does not own it.

@Part-Timer you should know by now, it is always different when the shoe is on the other foot. Everyone always excludes themselves when the problems isn't personally there's. Kristen would definitely be the first one complaining.

Beach_N8iv
For your information we are still looking for answers about the boardwalk, nightclubs, etc from the Mayor and Council. Also, you stated that the END of your street gets flooded, how would you like to have lakes on both sides of you and then have the ocean come in and all three are flooding your home and property with the garbage from under the boardwalk.
Last but not least, WHY DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT 3,4

I feel for you. I guess that they (Mayor and Council) sneaked those lakes and the ocean in while you weren't looking?

Beach_N8iv,
If something is broke fix it.
And by the way, do you have anything better to do at 3:00 in the morning other than trying to divide your/my/our town.

FYI, my schedule is none of your business. Everyone doesn't work 9 to 5, maybe you didn't know that. You sound like you have NOTHING to say other than to justify the constant whining from District 3 and 4. Do you realize that there is more to this town than YOUR little corner of it? You sound like another one of those "BENNY come latelys" that move here and want to change the town to YOUR liking. Did you not notice the boardwalk when you moved here? Did your real estate agent throw a tarp over the lakes? This area floods, it always has and most likely always will. Get used to it.

Beach_N8iv,
The lakes, boardwalk, the people etc are the reasons my wife and I decided to buy a second home in PPB 10 years ago. If you want to call me a BENNY who pays $8,000 a year in property taxes then that is your choice, but I will not be told by anybody that my voice does not matter when it comes to issues that affect my property and my family. I ask you, if the ocean was to flood district 2 would'nt you have something to say or would you just sit back and do nothing?

Continue to speak out, the squeaky wheel and all that. It's worked pretty good so far, you people get ALL the extra attention and we continue to pay for it while we lose out. Maybe it's time to ask a judge to look into this imbalance.

Beach_N8iv,
YOU PEOPLE? Please elaborate...
It's my understanding that district 3,4 for many years went without support from the elected officials because they were focused on district 1,2. Now that the times have changed and 3 & 4 (if you have'nt noticed) are going through a change for the better you want to whine about it.
If there are issues that concern you a out your district... Speak Up

Beach_N81v

Can you please tell us what street that is so that we might look into it. Thanks

Beach_N8iv, are you really suprised that all of the attention is focused on District 4? Last year, the voters put in 3 elected officials who all live in District 4, within a few blocks of each other.

You people, the squeaky wheels, the BENNYs who move here and tell us how to change the town to please YOU. As I said, my area floods, always has. Noise? You don't even know what noise IS. Litter? Parking violations? We've got them by the TRUCK LOAD. You people, yes . . . . YOU PEOPLE keep screaming about YOUR problems while the rest of the town deteriorates but as long as YOU get attention that's OK.

Beach_N8iv, Who is whining now,
If you think we are getting all the attention in district 3,4 and you have issues in or about your district then for the love of God SPEAK UP for your self. But do not tell me about your problems with the noise,litter, etc.
My name is Tom Perry, I live on Central ave and YES I AM A BENNY.

@John, I agree on one thing, that Point Pleasant Beach should stop paying for the boardwalk itself, not just limited to Jenks, the entire boardwalk. It is a huge ticket item and it seems the south end of town on most issues is the one who is costing us as a town. Pro dunes, not pro dunes are opinions. Just lets stop all the nonsense that is going on everywhere else.

@ Charles Clark..the town paid a lot of money for the Risden's parking lot and that little building that they rent out on the boardwalk. Doesn't the town own at least a portion of the boardwalk? If so, what happens if the town stops paying to keep up at least it's portion of the boardwalk? Don't we risk losing our investment in that Risden's property?

@sand, that was a decision that the council members made, to overpay for a parking lot. If it was up to most residents, I don't think they would agree to purchase that or gulls island, another waste of tax payers money. But the council does not listen to the residents which is a serious problem. I don't even know if it was the right investment or how much the town is making? So I really could not tell you if we should keep it up or not. To me, I feel the town should run the stand themselves they just might make more money. Someone makes a decision wether right or wrong and we are the ones stuck with it. Does it flood there too? Yes, We should keep up the investment if it is worth it. And the rest of the Boardwalk Businesses should keep up there's, all of them not just jenks.

@ Charles Clark, the Risden's purchase was made several years ago. Mike Loughran was a big proponent of that purchase. It was made at a time when most of the Council members who are up there now weren't even on Council. And, I think Mayor Barrella ultimately supported the purchase.

blindbert, if"nature was left to her own devices" the boardwalk would be covered with sand by spring. For your information(I suspect you are already aware of this) all changes to beachs including privately owned beachs, require DEP approval prior to taking place. Last year and the year before Risdens digs all the sand out behind the dune in their area. Thus the integrity of those dunes is seriously compromised. This area at Risdens and south is the most vulnerable too during storm periods. Yet, no town officials seem to care about this taking place. Is this administration to busy attacking Jenkinsons to find out and understand the problems and realities of beach front areas? Maybe if all the devisive government activity would stop, our "leadership" would work with the boardwalk owners and the residents would see some postive results! That would be refreshing!

Because its all theatrics, for the guy (Mayor) who said he wasnt going to act like a politician thats exactly what he is and has gotten good at it. Just like the Dunes,he know that it cant happen but he hoping it will get him a few vote from people who were affected by the storm.Same with his Local Tax, he knows there no chance but it sounds good to the uneducated voter, its all for votes and he knows it. The charade is over . Vote him out in Nov.

The Councilman said he was working with the Boardwalk in the beginning of the year. He was voting on various BW related ordinances at the same time. The Mayor questioning Councilman Dyer and other Councilmen on their possible conflicts is very appropriate. This is a problem from PPB to DC.

Whether Dyer is conflicted out of even commenting on this topic is a legal question. The town pays an attorney to be at the meetings for a reason, to handle those types of questions. It would be a lot more expedient, a lot less contentious, and a lot more accurate if the Mayor would ask legal questions of the only guy there who is qualified and authorized to give legal advice to the Council, the Borough Attorney. The Mayor seems to often forget that he does not have a NJ license. Please don't tell me "This is a problem from PPB to DC." while you are personally sitting up there on that dias and you know, full well, that the Mayor would never suggest that you have a conflict with anything, not as long as he needs your support. The best way to handle these types of situations, and the one that shows the most respect to all, is to ask the Borough Attorney. It's his job and why pay him to be there if you're not going to let him do his job.

You ask Why? Because ALL of them are Egotistical Maniacs, they all puff out their peacock chest and think they are right. They are all guilty of it and in the process the residents have to sit there and watch the horrible show. They are all guilty including Dyer, I seen him in action too, I say get rid of all of them and let all the women take over and maybe something will really get done and I am a man saying this, which it scary, but that is how I feel. All Women should keep on running and get them all in and I could bet you it would run smoother than it has been.

@Charles Clark, while I generally admit that my wife is 4x more efficient, patient and courteous than I am, I don't know that I'm willing to agree with you about the women who have run for office in this town. Tooker is just "phoning it in" from Florida half of the time. The woman was the liason to the police department and spent most of the summer in Florida. Arrabito got beaten up pretty badly in last year's election. As for Thomson, the woman didn't have the guts to come out and vote on the O'Hara tenure a few years ago. Instead, she decided to abstain, along with 2 other female Board of Ed members, leaving the men to cast the "no" votes. It's bad enough to make a decision that may not be in the best interests of the town, but if you are willing to run for office, you have to be willing to make those types of decisions, not leave everyone else holding the bag.

Don't worry beachmom...they're thinking about the other districts in town. After all, the entire town will get a parking plan if the Referendum question passes in November.

beachmom46, I feel our downtown area is looking better than it has in years. With the hard economic times we are all dealing with, that is a bright spot. What other issues should I be concerned about West of the tracks? I know speeding on River is still a concern and I believe I have an idea that everyone may sign on too. Councilmen Hennessey and Lurie haven't brought anything to our attention. Please let me know what ideas you have? Thank you!

the majority of the voters live east of the RR. tracks.A large percentage of them do have issues with the boardwalk and flooding issues. Please blog the issues that are of concern?

"I believe if something is good for our residents and taxpayers the governing body owes it to our residents not to give up, but to push as hard as we can to get it done." ~Vince Barrella

REALLY, MAYOR? Then I have 3 simple questions for you.

WHY the delay amending the Animal House ordinance? In early 2009, Councilman Hennessy proposed viable changes to improve "Quality of Life" for the residents of District 4. You didn't support his proposal then, but rather you waited 2+ years, until right before your re-election bid to bring this issue to the forefront of the dais.

Code Enforcement Task Force -- Again, in early 2009, Councilman Hennessy proposed the reinstatement of this Task Force. Good for the residents and taxpayers, right? Again, NO ACTION and NO SUPPORT from YOU, but now reinstating that force is part of your November "platform"?

Lastly, it's my understanding that at the 10/4/11 Council Meeting, Councilman Lurie proposed changes to our Noise Ordinance, effectively creating a Zero Tolerance policy. Good for the residents, right? Then, WHY did you verbally berate Mr. Lurie at that Council meeting, for his good ideas to aid the residents' and the taxpayers' plight?

Your shrewd tactics seem to be taken straight from the Chicago-style politics playbook. And you really want us to believe that you're "all about" the residents and taxpayers.

Please spare us the empty rhetoric. You've had 4 years to make improvements, and now your words ring hollow.

Perhaps the first two questions should be addressed to Councilman Hennessy. As he failed to move on either.

As to your third point, I must have missed seeing you at the 10/4 Council meeting. Since I do not believe you were there, I understand why you would have gotten it wrong.

Nice try, Mr. Mayor -- but that's a cop-out and you know it.
You might be able to fool some of the people, but you can't fool those of us who pay close attention.

YOU are the CEO of the local government. YOU run the meeting. YOU set the agenda for the meeting. If you had ANY leadership skills whatsoever, then when ANY Council Member brings up a good idea that would benefit the residents and the taxpayers, (regardless of his/her party affiliation or supporter of your agenda), YOU have a duty to explore that idea. Do YOU ever take responsibilitiy for your actions, or is blaming others for your own incompetence all you know how to do?

The perceived "problems" that occured during the Summer of 2011 are nothing new and many folks know it. In fact, they are the same "problems" that existed when you took office in 2008. For someone who has been in office for 4 years now, the TRUTH is that you have done NOTHING to improve "Quality of Life" for those folks of District 4 until the 11th hour -- just prior to your re-election bid. Suddenly, you began scrambling for solutions and using political platitudes to disguise your own inaction and ineptness.

Richard M. Nixon (1972) said it best during the Watergate investigation:

"The easiest course would be for me to blame others....but that would be a cowardly thing to do......In any organization, the man at the top must bear the responsibility. That responsiblity, therefore, belongs here, in this office. I accept it."

In 2006, a lawsuit was filed regarding covenants relating to "upkeep" of the lake. The plaintiff sought to have the Court order Lake of the Lilies dredged; however, the Court ruled against the plaintiff and for the municipality on this point. Thus, the town was under no obligation to dredge Lake of the Lilies. Lake of the Lilies was dredged because it was the right thing to do both for the health of the Lake and from a storm water management perspective.

The dredging of Lake Louise was completed over a two year period because of Federal and State regulations concerning the spawning of certain species of aquatic life.

The dredging of Lake of the Lilies did not result in water being "dumped" into Lake Louise in advance of the storm. Water from Lake of the Lilies was pumped out via the pump station on the south end of town.

Once again, there was no "dumping" of water into Lake Louise from Lake of the Lilies. The flooding experienced in District 4 and in District 3 was a result of excessive rain, hide tides, Little Silver Lake coming over its banks, and the ocean coming over the Boardwalk at Arnold Avenue

Thank you for that detailed information. As part of his campaign, Mayor Barrella is taking credit for the dredging of Lake of the Lillies. Do you think that Mayor Barrella is entitled to that credit or do you credit the dredging of Lake of the Lillies to the residents of Lake of the Lillies that filed the lawsuit?

The Judge granted partial summary judgment on the covenant (upkeep) issue. The Judge refused to order the municipality to take any specific action and indicated that the choice of action, or for that matter inaction, was up to the municipality.

Lake Louise is constricted by the narrowest and shallow section of cooks creek which is around 150 ft south of the Bbroadway Bridge. The tide is slowed down there. The pipes that connect the lakes flow both in and out. I do not believe the pipe between LOL and LLS backflow normally. It may when the flooding is extreme.

I don't know much about the pump. I thought the pump referred to was the one located at the intersection of Ocean Ave and Ocean Rd (rt 35) at Bayhd border. If storm surge fills Lake Louise it would seem futile to pump water from Lake of the Lillies to overflowing Lake Louise, bypassing Silver Lake (also overflowing). It's also a long route when the Ocean is only across the street. Donut dredging is digging around the perimeter and not dredging the middle of Lake Louise. I believe it was a time issue. Not enough time to do the middle too. This provided boating water depth to docks at homes on the lake and allowed tidal water to better flush out the lake. In my opinion the middle was not that important. I don't know what the contract called for. Both Lake of the Lillies and Lake Louise would have benefitted from an attractive bulkheaded island in the middle, made from dredge spoils. Cost wise, less spoils would have been trucked away. When Lake of the Lillies was empty, it was the ideal time to undertake a man made island project. I'd like to know what the pump situation is. Where are the pumps and where do they pump to?

Bert, first of all I'd prefer to know who I'm discussing issues with. I think I know who you are but don't enjoy guessing games. First, I never said YOU attacked Jenkinsons. I was referring to Mayor Barella. Attacking the boardwalk has been a political tactic in our town as it is perceived as a political advantage by some. I went head to head with them many times, you know that. Sometimes, I supported them if it was good for the town. I'll have that discussion anywhere anytime with anyone interested in facts. The boardwalk is an economic reality in this town and has been before we were born. Tourism and commerce must be handled properly and politics must take a back seat if the town is to survive and return to our "good years" of being recognized as a great family community throughout Ocean County and New Jersey. As to available funds for dunes. They have been available for decades. I secured over 31k for the Risden dunes. Bill Risden turned it down and paid for the dunes himself. As far as the punp station at the south end of town. It was installed to draw overflow water into the Atlantic Ocean..that is where the outfall line exists. The problem at Lake Louise was in the contract and time frame of the contract. It conflicted with breeding time for fish as has been stated. Also, the contractor had dredged over the amount he was required to dredge. Contract was not well done IMHO. If anyone is serious about these issues I 'm willing to share knowledge from personal experience

Cathy Kelly, you and the rest of th Mayor Barella followers are spin masters that infect honest debate. "Mr.Hennessee" typical cheap shot stuff!! "decimate our school system". All Sean did was have the courage not to pander to the issue. He simply asked the teachers to accept a one year salary freeze!! No layoffs!! We received a tough economic blow from Trenton that eliminated most of our state aid that year...His recommendation was wise and prudent for everyone....but no, that anger turned into his home being picket, police cars on his street, piles of hate mail, his chikldren threatened with bodily harm, middle of the night phone calls and more. How do you think that kind of behavior reflected on the image of Point Pleasant Beach?? He received letters from around Monmouth nd Ocean County from people describing what happened to him and his family as "deporable, outragious, and worse. Just yesterday I was approached at the gym by a senior citizes of our town that said "what happened to your Son was the most dispicable thing I have seen in this town in the 50 years I have lived here.Further, she said I'm very disappointed too what is happening in our town"
You see Cathy, you only like to see your side of what you perceive is going on in Pt Pleasant Beach. There are other view points to what Sean has stood for. You just don't get it!!!

Our Mayor Barella has had four years to do something positive and correct or improve the quality of life problems, especially those dealing directly with the boardwalk. Now, just before he asks us to elect him for four more years, he gets filled with vision and determination to correct these problems that he has essentially ignored for the past four years. It's time for a change of leadership in our town!! Give someone else an opportunity to solve or improve the quality of life issues. You don't like to hear this...but your going to anyway. Go back to the controls on bad behavior problems we had in place in the late 90's THEY WERE WORKING!!! And we just didn't have stories in the Asbury Park Press on how to do it....we had it done, in place, and working effectively.

Lets get a few facts without spin.Politicians are talking about quality of life of Dist 3 and 4 why? because there were problems but the main answer is " if you dont win 3 and 4 you dont get voted in. Let look at some facts .
#1. if police and QOL are so important to the Mayor ,how many cops have been hired in his 4 yrs in office. Answer 1 and he didnt want to do that appointment. They are at their lowest number in years. Didnt this have the most effect in the QOL in those districts, the Officer and Chief say so.
2. Specials. the mayor said he would "FULLY' fund the special police which was cut heavily during his 4 years .He did not ,didnt this have the most effect in the QOL in those districts, the Officers and Chief say so.
3.Recreation. What happened to their budget during the Mayors 4 yrs. Isnt it "ZERO" does that effect the QOL,for our kids .most would say it does.
The Lakes .the Mayor likes to say he got the Lakes dredged,yes it finally got done while he was in office and he did help but to say he got the work done is ridicules. Lake of the Lillies was in the works for years, The Save Lk of the Lillies group did their work,the prior Mayor and Council put Princton Hydro on the case and lawsuit came to court. 95% pct of the work was done,the Mayor and Council of 2008 got it done..

There has never been a nasty division in this town like there has over the last 4 years,neighbors against neighbor and businesses.
Time for change Vote the for a new Mayor Nov 8t

CEO/Mayor is the Captain of the ship .He has the right to be involved with every commitee and budget. If these do not meet the needs of the public the Mayor along with the Council fail .Anyone who has attended a meeting has seen it turn into a name calling 3 ring circus. The Mayor sets the tone and is suppose to keep it orderly,he has failed miserably at this during the last 4 years. It was not all his fault the Council member are gulty too but he is in charge ,it up to him to stop the nonsense.. As Captain of the ship if the ship flounders and run a ground does the crew get blamed or does the Captain. The Mayor likes to blame the crew,the buck is suppose to stop here,Im in charge I take responsibility for the failure. Time for a new Mayor on Nov 8th

Mrs. Kelly,
I realize you are new to PPB politics and as you say: "the residents are actually starting to pay attention." That's a good thing; residents should take an active interest in their local government.

So ARE YOU AWARE that:
1) Mayor Barrella actually initiated the concept of a "Police Director" at the March 2008 Republican Club meeting? I know the Mayor will deny the statements he made back then, but if you don't believe me, ask the 30+ attendees of that particular meeting what they recall him saying?
2) While campaigning for office back in the Fall of 2007, Barrella, Tooker, and Cervino promised Joe Bilotti and Jack Kennell a reduction to the hotel/motel tax . If you don't believe me, ask those folks about their secret meeting at the Starting Point Grill (corner of Arnold and Rt. 35 North). The Voters/Taxpayers Association actually endorsed their 2007 campaign.
3) Mayor Barrella was a routine critic of the PPB Board of Education and the PPB School Administration way back before he became Mayor. He even ran for the BOE (I think maybe twice) and lost. There was much ado about his wife being passed over for a teaching job if I recall correctly. If you don't believe me, you can do a search of previous Ocean Star articles related to the PPB School District.

I commend you for getting involved and taking and interest in your local government. I realize you like "specifics", so those are some facts that I thought you might want to be aware of.

Ms Kelly: Mayor's run Council meetings . . .just like a CEO runs a board meeting. . . generally when a Council member brings up a topic. . . the Mayor might say something like " what's Council's pleasure". . .meaning either a vote might be taken to open discussion or another council member might chime in with a comment or two and an informal discussion could begin. . .It's the Mayor's responsibility to move the Council and public into discussing and airing their points, comments, arguments, etc. on agenda topics and other issues during the agenda meeting and open session. . .

Spooner,
Obviously YOU get it...whoever you are! That's exactly the point I was trying to make. Thanks for your reasonable synopsis of the Mayor's role.

Mrs. Kelly,
As for the "Mayor only votes when there's a tie" rhetoric, that's another cop-out. As Spooner stated, it's the Mayor's responsibility to move all discussions in a forward and productive direction.

Sorry to say...but the current Mayor doesn't do that job very well. If he was more interested in building consensus and cooperation, rather than division and divisiveness, perhaps there wouldn't be very many 3-3 votes where a "tie-breaker vote" would be necessary. Mayor Barrella prefers to turn just about every issue into a dog-fight, so he can sit back, point fingers, and blame others. Then, he uses the "I didn't get to vote" excuse.

As a result, tempers flare on the dais and in the audience. Communications break down and devolve into a mayhem and raucous. "Good government" and "responsible leadership" are lost in the process and "we the people" lose faith in our elected representatives.

Good point Jim. I'm sad to say the anger and devisiveness that has infected our town hurts In many ways. After contributing 25 years of my life trying to make this a good community it gets very frustrating to watch what has happened. I'd like to see us get to honest debate, research the issues, and real solutions to questions such as the dunes.
I admit I should know better too. My wife keps telling me "why do you even bother to respond to people like Cathy Kelly"? once again...I'm guilty as charged too...I let her anger, twisting of issues their and spin stuff get to me and I shouldn't.
I guess it is true, people will get the type of government that they deserve.

Nagle (may I call you Nagle), what do expect? There's an election coming up and some people will spin ANY issue to get the attention they want. I just can't figure out why the poll workers get so upset when I yell "TAKE THAT" when I push the red button that records my selections in the voting machine.

Mr.Hennessy(with a Y) I know that the budget didn't pass and I always said that if the voters didn't pass the budget than there SHOULD be cuts made. The agreed upon $250,000 was alot of money and noone(including me)had a problem with that. Cutting the budget by $750,000. was totally ridiculous would have damaged our school system tremendously. You can still try to spin and distort the truth but that iis the truth.

Spooner and Mrs. Kelly,
Lest we forget that -- Councilman Hennessy (that's Hennessy with a "y" at the end) is not running for office! I'm happy for him that he will be returning to a sane way of living and his children will have their father back come January.

There are however -- 10 candidates running for election this year. Let's be more focused on what THEY have to say with regard to the current issues and their ideas for improving the town. Many of them may have perspectives and solutions that might be different from Councilman Hennessy's, and that's perfectly OK. That's why it's called "democracy".

And yet, without Sean going through the budget...he proposes a $750k cut to that very budget. You do know the budget was available for inspection LONG before the vote...don't you? I know Sean knew that...but never bothered to check it until AFTER the vote.

And don't bring his wife into it unless you know how SHE felt about what he did.

Is it true that there are three classes per grade with about 15 students in each at GH Antrim.?
Do we buy all students apple laptops?
How Often?

Blindbert,

No, and No. And if you go to BoE meetings you would learn that the laptops are leased and not with taxpayer funds. But why know the facts.....

@A Resident: this was all discussed on the 'patch' in the comments section on January 27, 2011. . .

According to Mr Hennessy: "I thought we were going to go over the budget line by line but that was not the case. We asked them for three different scenarios of what would be the impact of a cut of 250k, 500k, and 750k. The response we got back was a complete gutting of student services and not one cut in administrative or full time teacher's salaries. (Not even a pay freeze)...

...The budget called for a one million dollar tax increase for the taxpayers to completely shoulder. I did not think this was fair... at the May 10th meeting, there was three different factions of people to share in the burden of this million dollar increase. One, I asked for the administrators and teachers to take an immediate salary freeze. Two, I asked for the parents to become more involved in extra curricular activities...Three, I asked for the taxpayers to share a small burden of this increase. I explained that keeping our great school system in tact would benefit the taxpayers because a great school system is a direct reflection on the property values of our homes. In the entire process, I never asked for the children or their programs to share in the cost. I did not want any child to be effected by these cuts and I certainly did not want to "cripple" our school system"

http://pointpleasant.patch.com/articles/point-pleasant-beach-councilman-sean-hennessy-wont-run-for-reelection

Spooner, you do know the teachers can't be forced to take a pay freeze correct? You do also know the Administration did take a pay freeze don't you?

And again, showing up after the budget was voted down, when there are only a few days to work, he shows up expecting to look at a budget that is hundreds of lines long...in one afternoon? Joke.

And Daniel Hennessy, creating a patch account using a name doesn't mean you are that person. An account can be created with any name.

am I really A Resident?

Where was the other $350,000 coming from?

I am confused so Spooner is Sean Hennessy, it seems to be, because he is responding I. in the second half of his explanation.

you must understand that you and yours still wield consequences and cause pain through the politlical appointees that you put in place. they are the same that turn a blind eye your machines well heeled poli-contributers

Blindbert, has Barrella been any better in terms of making fair political appoinments? Everyone knows that he wanted to bring Gertner back as the Borough Attorney. Councilwoman Tooker tried to create a special JIF attorney position and appoint Gertner to that back in March. Just this year, Barrella put George Loder on the Board of Adjustment, had already put his campaign treasurer, Susan Loder, on the Planning Board, and put his running mate, Thomson, on the Planning Board.

To all posts, Enough already. It is water under the bridge. Many Posts keep on bring up issues that is already done and in our past. Everyone is blaming each other and putting their own spin on everyone and issues. Each of you have your own opinion and view of what happened.

@Spooner, Who cares, what does this have to do with dunes and flooding. It seems, you are a Hennessy supporter along with a few on here, which is fine but stick to the subject instead of all the spins. Personally I am glad that Sean decided not to run, but looking at the article you posted. I can't understand why anyone would want to put their kids name in the paper and attach them to political issues. Keep them out the lime light. How many times do we have to here that his father was Mayor at one time, who his sister is and how vocal she is? What his wife's name is and what they decided? Who cares, none of it has to do with the article. He should have just said, very simply I decided it is not a good idea to run again. The Hennessy's must think they are the Kennedy's. I can't wait until they are out of the political spats driven by them, that have been going on the past several years. Wishful thinking, I am sure they will be behind the scenes scheming something. It is about Control and Power. Something that the family does not want to give up. So they are constantly in a Power struggle with someone who disagree's with them and their political views.

@ Charles Clark, you're right there is a lot coming up in these posts. The fact is that Mayor Barrella is running as an incumbent. That means that he has to run on his record. He's been in the job, and now he's up for review by the voters of PPB. It's not enough that he says what he will do. The voters have to look at what he has done and compare it with what he's saying he will do. If he's already done things that are the opposite of what he's saying he will do in the future, well, that really does go to his credibility, doesn't it? It's what every employee goes through when they come up for promotion, salary increase or even tenure. Hennessy is not running for re-election, or believe me, we'd be doing the same thing to him.

Residents of Point Pleasant Beach...
I am a tax paying non resident off PPB but I also keep up with all the politics that go on in this town. One thing I have noticed over the years is that every candidate some how some way has a connection with either the club/restaurant/bar/hotel owners or might even be a realestate agent sitting on the council while he is out renting animal house in PPB.
So I beg of you not to look at what each candidate is going to do for our town, because we all know that is a bunch of bull. Please look into every candidates past to see who they know or who they have done business with or even have lobbied for.
Find somebody with no ties to this town... PLEASE...

Talk about cheap shots and lies. Can you tell us what paid parking plans are being considered by the Mayor and his inner circle..This is another attempt to blatantly lie to scare the residents. If you are not lying,maybe you can tell us where,when and with who this was discussed with. We all know that there was an attempt years ago but the residents didn't want it so it was a done deal. But now you are saying that is not the case. So how about Facts Mr.Hennessy?

Who's fault is that? It seems to be the Hennessy's who are spinning, changing the subjects and blaming. Just go back and look at what you ALL wrote on some of your posts. Please everyone seen what was going on in Antrim and the Hennessy's where out numbered. You should be a shame coming from a family of Educators who either lived of the public school system or is still living off the system. You do realize that the Teachers already settled in a contract in December prior to election. They already gave back with their health insurance and took at less of an increase being they were working without a contract for a while. At least I can say our Teachers still did after school activities, plays etc.... all the little extra they don't get pay for, it is all volunteer and they don't have to do it, but they did it for the community children. They could have done exactly what many of other schools do, they just do what they have to and that is it. You keep on going on about who you think should be Mayor and his followers? You seem to keep on forgetting that the Majority voted NO to the Recall, you remember the signs you complained about, No Reason, No Recall, not only that he won the majority on the vote to be Mayor, either way he seemed to won. The only people who should be debating and answer questions are the council members who are running. Dan, Please do not spin it around. It is for ALL RESIDENTS TO ASK QUESTIONS, and for ALL COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO ARE RUNNING TO ANSWER.

That is what Kristin and Dan does, they are really good at it, but many have caught on, and they have very few fans or followers, I guess they are jealous. I have to say Sean does not spin as much, he is not a natural at it, just a bit more honest but his family will not let him, so he tries and he is not to good at the spinning and the reason he got in trouble many times at council meetings. They alway bring it up and twist it, not realizing you can just go back and see what they just wrote and said and who started it on issues. They start off with an issue and then go in to attack mode, no matter who it is. They need to get over the fact that what they are doing is no longer working any longer. They keep on stating a few followers, it seems like more than a few, not that I am a fan of any of them, I agree with Part-timer, it is a bunch of lying bull. I say vote anyone in that is not connected at all.

Thank God someone else believes the way I do....

It goes from local pay to play all the way up to the "citizens united scotus desicion"

Can you believe it! Unconscionable!

So true!!!

Read the blogs from the beginning.

They ( the usual suspects) attack the Mayor and the dune issue.

The mayor responds with respect.

More attacks

Krispy Kreme (with a Y) tears into it like a pit bull, spins, and takes the blog off topic and berates the Mayor.

One would think she works for the Fox Noise Network.

The mayor still responds with decorum.

A few citizens actually put forth their views , observation and ideas.

Those same people are berated by the usual suspects.

I ask you who is it that starts to take the blog off message and to a viril state???????????

blindbert, you're right. And for whatever role I may have played in going off-topic, I apologize. I was truly grateful for a lot of the posts regarding informaton about the dunes and the lakes, and I know you provided some of that information. I was off the computer for several days, and the posts really accumulated during that time, so when I got back on the computer, I responded to some of the things I saw had been written. But, I recognize that those posts were off topic of the dunes and the topics I had enjoyed discussing so much. These blogs seem to be like running conversations, which I guess is how we always end up so off-topic. And, you've been posting on these articles long enough to know what I mean. Just look at all of the posts that accumulate on these articles, and they almost always do. I think we'd all be so much better off if we could figure out a way to come together at in-person meetings and talk to one another, but the internet has made it so easy.

@blindbert: you representing yourself as a non-partisan community spokes person?. . .if anything the byline set the tone for the discussion:"Jenkinson's May Have to Build Dunes to Inlet Jetty to Help Prevent Flooding "

@ spooner, well, I don't think Blindbert was trying to represent himelf as a non-partisan community spokesperson. I mean, we all know that Blindbert supports a parking plan, likes to "stir the pot" (I noticed that he had posted pretty recently on a long dead article about the parking plan referendum question), and obviously supports Mayor Barrella. I mean, he said that the Mayor responded with respect, but fails to mention that the Mayor's responses also contained a lot of political spin, which is what provoked some of the other responses. But, I do agree with Blindbert that it would be nice to have the posts limited to the topics discussed in the article. As always, it seems to be a question as to what those limits are. To that extent, I have no idea why Blindbert felt the need (if he was staying on topic) to post questons about the number of classes per grade and the laptop computers. But, I think we all make mistakes and all get caught up in these posting discussions.

@sandinmytoes: yes that was one on my points. . .'blindbert' commenting on the school issues. . .not to mention the decorous one making the statement, that Sean Hennessy wanted to cut the school budget $750,000. . .and KrispyCreme(with a Y). . .kind of disingenous? Now if you want to attack her statements using facts. . .so be it. . .got no issue with that. . . and like you said these forums should be used to provide knowledge/information so we can all have a better understanding of the issues. . .

My first post here was based on that byline. . .tagging Jenkinsons with the bill for the dunes, after the fact no less. . .by proposing an "ex post facto" ordinance. . .

...as for the parking referendum. . .the people will decide on Nov 8. . .

...and the Hennessy's are not the ones running for public office. . .I guess the "usual suspects"(his words) are trying to focus the readers here away from the fact: that the real issue is the Mayor, his record and past performance. . . and looking forward to the town's the next four years of more of that. . .

Sand, I've noticed a change in the ATTITUDE of the crowd over the last couple of years, many people seem to be trying to act like the cast of "Jersey Shore" on MTV. Forcing the bars to close early will probably lead to costly lawsuits from the places in town that have nothing to do with the boardwalk and rightfully so but at least we won't have to hire as many special officers as we do now. There are no easy answers here.

charles clark...the taxpayers benefit by tuition students. There is no extra staff hired due to tuition students. Go to the Antrim and ask...there are very few tuition students at any grade level...no where near enough to justify more staff...and no where near enough to cause the 3 classes. And I didn't know you were a coach that evaluates all of their players....or are you just listening to some jaded parents who's kids really aren't as good as what mom and dad think?

as to hiring friends...there were 4 new teachers hired this year. Who are they friends with that they got these jobs?

Ya, I had kids in the schools. I spent time finding out what is really going on there and not listening to rumors and baseless claims like yours....try getting the true stories. It's really good.

A Resident, You are certainly entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. Do you know how many students we have to a class now? If you dig deep enough, I could almost bet you there is some sort of connection and the reason why so many want to be coaches. So their child can attend for half off tuition on top of them getting paid along with special treatment. So why should they be getting half off tuition in the first place when they are getting paid on top of being an employee that is getting paid. Let them take it out of their home budget like the rest of us tax payers have to do. Lowest population? What years are you going back to. What are you saying? There is less students this year than last year. You don't have to be coach to see what is going on, only deaf, dumb and blind which I am starting to wonder if some of beach coaches are, being they all claim they are not giving some athletes special treatment. It is the opposite the mom and dad's that demand their kids to get in are the ones who are receiving special treatment and are the ones who are getting in while the better athletes have to sit out to pacify all the whining cry baby parents.

2011/2012 Lowest population in many years.

No.