The Long Branch Advocate

More History in the Making

2008-09-02T11:45:00.004-04:00

Well, the Republicans get their turn to convene this week. So far, off to a historic yet rocky and unsettled start. Between not one, not two but FOUR hurricanes to contend with in addition to an unwed pregnant teen and GOP leaders from around the world intentionally skipping their own convention--it has made for the "convention that wasn't."

What is noteworthy from a legitimate perspective however is the guarantee that no matter who wins, we will either have our first African-American President or the Oldest President to assume office and our first Female Vice President.

Just think! If it weren't for Joe Biden, we wouldn't have any run of the mill politicians in the hunt!

Well, maybe "hunt" isn't the word to use. . . Rumor has it Governor Palin is pretty handy in the shotgunning for big game department. Lets just pray her aim and target selection is better than our current Vice President.

History in the making.

2008-08-28T20:44:00.002-04:00

The Democrats have formally selected Senator Barack Obama as their nominee for the office of President of the United States of America.

This is a blog about the City of Long Branch so we will not go into any great detail here other than to point your attention to the new poll and to pause for a moment to honor the historic nature of Obama's nomination. God Bless America!

What do a kitten and Scarlett O'Hara have in common?

2008-08-15T16:41:00.004-04:00

Well, look on the bright side. Tomorrow is Saturday and the week will be over.

This hasn’t been the brightest of weeks for the Presidential City, has it? Things went from awful to terrible to insane in very short order this week. Evidence of that was the fact that Fun City was (and will be) a top headline of one type or another very day this week.

One Murder
One Shooting
One Machete-wielding. . . er. . . citizen(?)

. . . and the week ain’t over yet!

So rather than dwelling on the bad, we thought it would be appropriate to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative in the blog. (With all due respect to Bing Crosby.) So here goes. . .

HANG IN THERE CITY!

TOMMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY!

Return of the Bagel Blogger: Recreation Edition

2008-08-11T09:38:00.003-04:00

Well, it looks like one of our Guest Bloggers has decided that FaNagle the Bagel is the place to be! We have named this Guest Blogger the BAGEL BLOGGER but we are not sure if it is the same blogger who nailed the DPW truck last week. Stay tuned. . .

Their post follows:

Well, LBA fans, while picking up my dry cleaning this morning at Ursula Plaza I noticed the white Department of Recreation van pulled up, filled with blue shirted recreation employees (seasonal I suppose) and then parked in the fire lane, with the engine running. One after another the employees piled out of the van and into FaNagle the Bagel to order their breakfast sandwiches. After 15 minutes, with breakfast now in their individually wrapped brown bags, the crew piled back on board the still running, still illegally parked city-owned and operated van and went on to what, I suppose, was the destination their supervisor THOUGHT they were headed for no less than 15 minutes earlier.

Being more than a little miffed at this gross waste of city resources I decided to follow along and see what the next destination was. I soon learned, after watching the van make an illegal lane change and no less than three turns without signaling, that the desination was Jerry Morgan Park where, while one employee emptied garbage cans, the remainder of the team of seven or more employees proceeded to take up spots around the fieldhouse to devour their Bagle Bounty.

Since I am retired and on a fixed income, I decided to figure out the cost of this little excursion. I figure a dollar for the gas used to get them there, idle and then on the park, at $7.15 an hour I estimated they cost the city $23.24 in salaries alone (probably more with employer taxes, etc). So more than $25.00 of taxpayer money so the recreation staff could enjoy a nice breakfast on the clock.

IT ALL MUST END!!!

Bulk Pick Up Problem - Beachfront North

2008-08-09T21:37:00.002-04:00

It has come to our attention that the residents of Beachfront North have a recurring problem not getting bulk pickups on bulk pickup days without having to place a call to the DPW office.

While one would think that the city would be going out of its way to keep things perfect down in Shangri-La, apparently the new folks in BFN have the same inconsistent service from the Department of Public Works that the rest of us have.

Joe Ferraina Poll Results

2008-08-08T18:06:00.004-04:00

For the last month or so we have asked our readers to reply to a poll on Joe Ferraina. The results:

10% Agree that Joe is a visionary.
77% Believe that Joe should be fired.
3% Believe his salary should be increased
14% Believe his salary decreased.

Thanks for participating and be sure to weigh in on the new poll.

Thoughts on the Eminent Domain ruling

2008-08-08T07:46:00.001-04:00

A New Jersey Court of Appeals has ruled that the lower court ruling on eminent domain was partially flawed and partially acceptable—giving us a court decision that is as clear as mud.

The city is claiming that they can offer more proof that the area in question was blighted while the MTOTSA advocates are claiming complete and utter victory and vindication. In reality, the best thing that could happen would be a settlement of the whole matter but the worst case scenario would be an appeal to the NJ State Supreme Court—which isn’t really all that bad of a scenario.

The LBA continues to argue that eminent domain is no longer required because market forces should now be allowed to do what they do. In an earlier post, we said:

Now that the first phases of redevelopment are complete and Pier Village and
Beachfront North are now here, along with a new recession and a slumping housing
market, the real estate market (not eminent domain) should dictate what
properties are sold for and whether they are on the market in the first place.
If redevelopment was successful then the area is no longer blighted and no
longer in need of city-sponsored redevelopment.

So, in the best interests of all parties, the city should be ready to bargain at the table at current market rates if the city feels like they need to be the ones bargaining. More appropriately, however, the developers interested in the land should be the ones at the table ready to bargain at market rates. Most importantly, however, the MTOTSA people need to wake up to the realities of the situation and must be willing to bargain, be willing to sit at the table and be ready to accept current market rates for their property.

The courts did NOT rule that the city was WRONG and that eminent domain is BAD—despite the claims of MTOTSA advocates from around the globe.

If the MTOTSA folks feel like they now have a court endorsed “get out of eminent domain” card they are mistaken.

If the city feels like they can continue to force their will on the entire city for the sole purpose of forcing the successful conclusion of the full redevelopment plan they too are mistaken.

SO, lets all get on the same sheet of music.

City: Be a team player, avoid more discord, make a serious offer appropriate to 2008 market rates. But first, expect the developer to do it instead. The LBA seriously doubts developers are falling all over themselves to build housing right now.

DEVELOPERS: Remember you are dealing with a proud city of residents who deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. Long after you have made your millions and have left us, the community of citizens will remain here trying to find our little piece of the American Dream.

MTOTSA: Get what you can while you can. Stonewalling is NOT a long term strategy for you. If they offer you money and a home (like they did before) TAKE IT.

In any event, the Long Branch Advocate is pretty sure we haven’t heard the end of this all yet.

Guest Blogger: DPW Breakfast Run Endangers Public Safety?!

2008-08-06T11:48:00.005-04:00

Here is another posting from a guest blogger:

Well, since you offered to post our blog reports from around town, here is one for ya.

While getting my coffee at Fanagle the Bagel in ursula Plaza this morning, I had the misfortune to find one of our fine DPW employees ordering his breakfast (pork roll, egg and cheese on a plain bagel with a large coffee) at 8:50 AM.

Sitting at the curb, in the FIRE ZONE, was his truck No. 112, RUNNING with no one else in the truck.

As you may be able to tell from the picture I snapped on my cell phone right before he saw me taking the pic and SPED OFF, there are plenty of spots in the parking lot including the VERY FIRST SPOT in the lot--of course none are quite as convenient as illegally parking in the fire zone out front with your engine running.

I guess DPW has all the money in the world and can afford to leave their trucks running while they enjoy breakfast on city time instead of working.

I wonder if and when this crap will ever end.

I also wonder if the city fathers will ever respond to a post like this. . .

Guess time will tell.

Celebrate your freedom of speech. . .

2008-08-05T22:16:00.002-04:00

TO BE A GUEST BLOGGER!

Lots of great ideas have been submitted for blog topics but we only write when the mood strikes us. . . and when you don't see a post for a few days it is only becuase NONE of us have anything to write about.

SO, feel like blogging about the number of out of state license plates? Send us a posting via email and we will put it up!

Feel like pontificating on why fire prevention cars are allowed to idle outside of the Ocean View Bakery while the city employee grabs lunch? Get it off your chest!

Work for Joe "Mr. Visionary" Ferraina and just can't take it anymore? Now you don't have to!

BUT, if you just love the new fountain at five corners and think we should talk about it, you should write too!

Got a church bazaar you want to publicize, let us know!

Did a secretary at City Hall go out of their way to help you? Tell us so we can honor them!

YOU can be a guest blogger! Drop us an email by clicking here.

Guest Blogger Post RE: Joe Ferraina

2008-08-03T12:32:00.002-04:00

Taking us up on our offer to post articles from guest bloggers, the Long Branch Advocate offers the following article received in our email:

Thoughts on recent posts and published articles regarding Joe Ferraina and the LB Board of Education.

Not for nothing, but has anyone considered how many board members' children are employed by the district? In addition, if you consider how JMF is constantly playing musical chairs with administrators AND teachers, you wonder why the schools aren't working (look at Board agendas at the end of every school year with transfers noted). When I was growing up in LB, my siblings and I had the same teachers, the same curriculum, etc.until Middle School, where JMF was already wreaking his havoc as Principal.

Now in Long Branch, the guy has people fearing for their jobs, their children's jobs, etc. You disagree with him, he'll move to an undesirable position. Talk to people who have retired or resigned from key positions in the past five years. That much power doesn't belong in any organization, much less one with the primary objective of educating children. Decisions in that district are wrought with nepotism, rewards for the loyal and punitary action for the defiant. It is sad.

I'm more disgusted with the state of the school system given his obscene compensation than I am with his unethical dealings - but he runs the place like a Mafia Don and the Board does nothing - you wonder if it's out of fear.

When was the last time a Board member voted no on his compensation package or any measure proposed by him? If he's such a visionary, why are our schools failing? Consider the district's scores from the early 90s prior to his promotion to Superintendent -- are they any better or are they worse? If you're going to do some digging, I'd start there.

-Anonymous
(Why would I admit who I was? Someone I am barely linked to might lose their job.)

Talk about your chickens coming home to roost. . .

2008-08-01T10:32:00.003-04:00

According to the Asbury Park Press, Councilman Brian Unger says he is not running for Mayor--at least not "currently" running for Mayor, that is.

Obviously Brian isn't currently running for Mayor. He is clearly eventually running for Mayor. If he wasn't running for Mayor at all he would say, "I am not now, nor will I become, a candidate for the office of Mayor in 2010." But since we all know he is going to run eventually, this APP article begs the question, "Yeah, so?"

On June 2, 2008 the Long Branch Advocate predicted that neither current Mayor Adam Schneider nor Councilman Brian Unger will be Mayor four years from now. No predictions on the election in 2010 mind you (but we don't think either of them will win at this point) but it doesn't matter because it is our prediction that no matter who wins in 2010, neither Schneider nor Unger will be Mayor in 2012.

So if you think this APP article supports our prediction then so be it--we are most assuredly clairvoyant. If you dont think it supports our prediction that is OK with us--we are just simple citizen bloggers. But if you don't think our prediction is accurate, then you just aren't reading your tea leaves properly.

Trust us!

Garbage Cans GALORE!

2008-08-01T09:57:00.002-04:00

We have mentioned this before, but it bears repeating since no one at City Hall or in the Department of Public Works seems to care: Garbage cans belong upright and on the curb.

It is a simple enough philosophy, right? On garbage collection days, garbage cans and recycling containers belong upright and on the curb. What is so wrong about that?

Residents are expected to put their cans out after 6:00 PM the night before garbage collection. The cans are to be placed at the curb, lids on, presumably in their upright position, in such a manner that their contents are properly contained therein until such a time as the garbage truck arrives to empty them.

For the most part, citizens comply with the intent, if not necessarily the letter, of the rule.

Enter the Department of Public Works Sanitation Division.

Once the properly placed can has been emptied by the DPW crew all bets are off and our simple philosophy breaks down.

Upon emptying the cans, the DPW crews toss, throw, fling, chuck, slide, hurl, bowl, pitch, heave, lob and otherwise cast aside the cans and containers aside, along and across every street, avenue, boulevard, lane, place, road and right of way in the fair city--but seldomly upright and on the curb.

Nothing is more fun than driving down our city streets taking evasive maneuvers in a slalom of tossed and overturned garbage cans all for want of our DPW staff not caring about the way the city looks.

Which, therefore, begs the question: if the Department of Public Works doesn't care how the city looks, why the hell should anyone else?

Incompetence, Impotence and Baseless Charges

2008-07-20T15:16:00.002-04:00

Other bloggers have challenged the Long Branch Advocate (now rated "Favorite" by Sophia's Mom!) to offer hard suggestions on how we could do a better job than Joseph “Mr. Visionary” Ferraina and the Long Branch Board of Education. Despite their preposterous premises that only Mr. Ferraina possesses a gift of management so enlightened and advanced to justify a compensation package of close to a third of a million dollars, the Long Branch Advocate has never shrunk from a challenge, even ones made by anonymous confederates of those doing harm to our community.

So, here goes:

Suggestion No. 1: Never name a school building after yourself or another living person. It invites disaster, puffs egos and belittles the work ethic that an honest day’s work earns one an honest day’s pay.

Suggestion No. 2: When running a major, multi-million dollar, urban, depressed school district, a nationwide search for the best and brightest candidates should be earnestly undertaken to fill vacancies for Superintendent and Principal positions. Internal candidates should only be hired if they are clearly the “best and brightest.” Candidates who do not possess an earned Doctorate in education or other appropriate field should not be considered for the Superintendent’s position or any Principal-level position at the Middle School or High School level.

Suggestion No. 3: Never personally benefit from holding elected or appointed office beyond just compensation due for services rendered. Free meals, trips, cars, drivers, insurance, personal pension plans, reimbursement for health expenses and the like SMACK of unjust compensation or collusion.

Suggestion No. 4: Excellent working relationships with municipal leaders must be developed and maintained at all times—just because the school is not run by the city does not mean that the two should not work as a team.

Suggestion No. 5: Nepotism is bad. Don’t hire your friends or family to positions in the school district and don’t pressure others to do so on your behalf. If a friend or family member is qualified to hold such a position, they will no doubt find work in another district without your intervention—and if they do a good job in that position they will likely hold it for many years without your help.

Then again, if a friend or family member needs your help in order to get a job you probably are doing more harm to society than good by pulling strings to get them public employment.

Suggestion No. 6: Just because you have the money, doesn’t mean you need to spend the money. It is bad enough that we are classified as an Abbott District—don’t make things worse by spending every possible dollar on things that are nice to have but are not required to have. School districts like ours don’t need three or more principals per school and multiple assistant superintendents for every function under the sun—just because you can afford it on the backs of taxpayers outside of the district.

Long Branch is a great town. If our schools and students NEED something, we should pay for it ourselves within our own means. If we are going to spend this kind of money in the schools we should have a better track record (graduation rates, No Child Left Behind ratings) to show for it.

Suggestion No. 7: Debate is good and healthy for democracy. Public discourse on matters of public decisions is imperative for the health of our republic. Dissent in the media or by members of the pubic should be actively engaged by those elected and appointed to offices of public trust—NOT crushed. Hiring local reporters and dissenters to silence all questions and commentary is contrary to the democratic ideal.

Having said that, this blog was silenced for a time due to the volume and variety of threats and challenges made by supporters of the people and programs we questioned online. We were guilty of silence when challenged once—but won’t be twice.

Suggestion No. 8: Publicly advertise the means and methods for citizens interested in running for seats on the Board of Education when the time for nominations arrives in the winter. Incumbents should not hide from competition. . . and the Board Secretary should not dodge responsibility for promoting participatory democracy.

Suggestion No. 9: Positions of employment within the School District should be strictly limited to those positions promoting student achievement and supporting the personnel systems that provide those positions. Promotion of elected officials, appointed officials or programs that are “nice” but not directly related to student achievement should be eliminated from service and barred from future use.

Suggestion No. 10: All paid employees who hold responsibility for the overall success of programs, schools or district operations should be paid an honest salary for honest work and then offered incentives for successful accomplishment of key benchmarks directly related to the positive advancement of student achievement. Such benchmarks should not be easily achieved or they should be included in the expectations of the base position.

So, for those naysayers out there who say we are all talk and no suggestion, here ya go. Fire away.

We will gladly respond to your efforts to discredit our participation in exercising our first

Incompetency, Impotency and the Visionary

2008-07-20T10:44:00.007-04:00

Where the hell is President Violetta Peters and the rest of the Board of Education on the question of Joe Ferraina?

What can we say? Once again, the Asbury Park Press has run an article superficially detailing the gross negligence of the Long Branch Board of Education in its handling of Superintendent Joseph “Mr. Visionary” Ferraina’s compensation but fails miserably at doing any investigating beyond internet searches and regurgitation of old news reports.

Ferraina needs to go and so does the Rubber Stamp Board of Education that allows his ego and his caprice run unabated and unrestricted through the Presidential City.

Ferraina is universally despised throughout the city’s decision making community for his arrogance and heavy-handedness. His use of city and state funds to silence dissenters, reward obedience, alienate employees and feed his own avarice is both well known and unconscionable.

WHERE IS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ON THIS?!?!

They are either too stupid to see what everyone else sees OR they are complicit in his wrongdoing.

As we have said before, most, if not all of the Board members have family members on the Schools’ payroll so maybe they have no motivation to address these concerns.

Then again, there has not been a serious challenge (and in many years ANY challenge) to the incumbent board members in School Board elections.

We call on the Board of Education to make a decision on our Superintendent of Schools—they either have to declare themselves in favor of Mr. Ferraina and his $300,000+ annual compensation OR they have to oust him and start fresh with a new management team.

Anyone wanna take bets that they do nothing?

Take my Mission. PLEASE!

2008-07-10T07:56:00.003-04:00

The Asbury Park Press continued their never ending Bataan Death March on Redevelopment today citing an appellate court ruling that the city was still within its rights to take 162 Broadway through eminent domain. 162 Broadway, for those of you who haven't had cause to do business there in the last 35 years or so, is the home of the world reknowned Lighthouse Mission run by Long Branch's own religious icon, the Reverend Kevin Brown.

Rev. Brown and his cathedral of chaos on Lower Broadway BOTH need to leave Long Branch. A look at this photograph would lead any sane person to the conclusion that this property meets the standard of "an area in need of redevelopment"--unless of course steel roll up doors on "churches" are now a religious symbol of some sort.

As the LBA has said in the past, we do not have a problem with redevelopment and eminent domain if it is being used for legitimate purposes. And clearly, any area of Lower Broadway is an area of in need of redevelopment.

We also are dubious that the Broadway Arts Center is a well conceived idea, but what the hell? Red Bank seems to thrive on the Count Basie Theater. Maybe we are missing something here.

Threats and Posting

2008-07-02T21:20:00.002-04:00

We have received many emails asking us why we havent posted anything in the last few weeks and the answer is simple: We have also received many nasty threatening emails challenging us to identify ourselves, only post facts with no opinions and generally to stop "picking" on city officials--elected and appointed.

SO, rather than get angry and get even we have chosen to lie low for a bit and let things fall where they may.

So, stay tuned, we PROMISE to post again, but for the time being, we have to keep our opinions (and facts) to ourselves.

IN THE MEAN TIME, we invite YOU to be a guest blogger here on the LBA. Send your post to longbranchadvocate@gmail.com in compliance with the following rules:

1. You must identify yourself to US, but we will honor your request to remain anonymous if you so choose.
2. You may choose any topic you like, so long as it advances the betterment of Long Branch (see our first post for the general blog rules.)
3. No unwarranted personal attacks on anyone.

Other than that, have at it!

Thoughts on Street Sweeping

2008-06-18T09:53:00.002-04:00

The street sweeper has been past the LBA offices within the last week or so and it occurred to us that the road was dirtier after the sweeper went by than it was beforehand. Upon closer inspection, one could easily see that there was a perfect, thin line of. . . well, MUD left in the wake of the Green Machine. The torrential downpour that followed several days later wiped it clean from the road, but it begs the question: If the street sweeper leaves the road muddy, what exactly is the benefit?

A question for the ages. . .

Thoughts on the Passing of Rev. Dr. Alfred C. Acer

2008-06-13T16:17:00.004-04:00

Rev. Dr. Alfred C. Acer has died of a massive heart attack. He was the Senior Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Reformation, the largest Lutheran congregation in Monmouth County.

Long a key figure in the public life of Long Branch and the surrounding area, Rev. Acer was active in many key community groups and was a strong proponent of cross-denominationational ecumenism.

Our condolences to his family, friends and his congregation.

Schneider & Unger: Learn to Work Together Like Grown Ups or Resign

2008-06-13T07:42:00.003-04:00

Whether the citizens of the City of Long Branch know it or not, the darkest days of our municipality are upon us at this very moment.

The Asbury Park Press is reporting, and our Director of Public Safety is apparently confirming, that on Tuesday night, the Mayor of the City of Long Branch and one of our five Members of the City Council had to be physically separated in order to prevent a so-called “heated exchange” from escalating into an assault.

This is unavoidably, unequivocally, undeniably unacceptable behavior.

Rather than discuss the many varied reasons why this unacceptable, we will leave our analysis to three main theses:

1. The Success of our Republic requires the peaceful exchange of ideas between participants in the process of government.

2. It is not just the right of the people to question their leaders—it is also their obligation. Particularly in a town where we have already seen one of our elected officials arrested, indicted, found guilty and sent to jail for official misconduct.

3. Simply put, both Adam Schneider and Brian Unger know better.

If one or both of these men cannot get a hold of their proverbial horses and start acting like grown ups and individuals deserving of holding an office of public trust they owe it to themselves and to the people of the City of Long Branch to resign.

It is that serious, guys.

We cannot and will not tolerate behavior that is this outrageous from our public officials. People you BOTH consider to be your friends and supporters will absolutely abandon that support if you denigrate our municipal government to the point where police officers are needed to keep the peace between you.

We deserve better. And you damn well know it.

So either get it together right now or resign so we can fill your seat with someone who knows how to conduct themselves in a manner reflective of the sacred trust we the people place in those selected to run our government.

NOW.

Redevelopment: Love it or Leave it.

2008-06-11T17:10:00.002-04:00

Today’s Asbury Park Press had an article covering the agreement between the city and the developer down at Pier Village.

Clearly, both the Schneider and Unger teams have their confederates out commenting their little politically active hearts out on the APP.com website for the article. Unfortunately, the recent sideshow events regarding Councilman Unger’s alleged lies and coverup has dragged public discourse from the serious to the ridiculous--where we expect it will remain through the election next May.

So, since the commentators on APP.com seem interested in only attacking the primary actors in our little play and not addressing the serious topics in our little city, the LBA thought perhaps we would take our first foray into the topic of the article, redevelopment.

It is our position that the area flanking the Ocean Place Conference Center was, in fact, blighted before construction began on any phase of redevelopment, and was blighted for at least fifteen years prior. The “Great Pier Fire” of 1987 destroyed one of only two components of legitimate commerce on the entire oceanfront (can you name one other than the Sea Loft?) and even that was honky-tonk. The other area businesses were all related to the pier in one way or another. Immediately outside of the pier vicinity, the housing stock was more or less sub-par, new development was virtually non-existent and it was NOT an area anyone with any legitimate purposes would want to frequent either alone or after dark—and certainly not off-season.

As such, the use of eminent domain was not only justified, it was an appropriate use of the power given the condition of the blighted area.

We do not like seeing people’s property taken anymore than you do, but it was a blighted area in need of redevelopment. To think otherwise requires a revisionist approach to the historical realities of the city.

The city attempted to deal with this near-death blow on several occasions. Credit is due to then-Mayor Phil Huhn and his administration for not only landing the Ocean Place development but also laying the groundwork for a master plan for the beachfront. The recession of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s really brought the fruition of the master plan to a screeching halt but the Ocean Place complex was completed and opened in late 1990. Between 1990 and 1997, very little actual development took place, but much was happening behind the scenes as Mayor Schneider and his administration launched a serious and professional master approach to the beachfront area.

The rest, as they say, is history. The recession ended, the housing market exploded, times were good and people were happy.

Now that the first phases of redevelopment are complete and Pier Village and Beachfront North are now here, along with a new recession and a slumping housing market, the real estate market (not eminent domain) should dictate what properties are sold for and whether they are on the market in the first place. If redevelopment was successful then the area is no longer blighted and no longer in need of city-sponsored redevelopment.

Already, you are seeing signs that the market is driving even the city-sponsored redevelopment off course. The Broadway “arts” district seems to be off schedule, the Beachfront South district is remarkably off schedule and sales of the housing stock in Pier Village are sagging—despite the construction underway on Pier Village Phase II.

In any event, the partisans who are not contributing to the progress of the city and only to the progress of their candidate of choice are fighting on the APP.com.

You, however, have come to the one independent voice for honest discussion of the life and times of the City of Long Branch—the Long Branch Advocate!

One question from the article though: What money is being spent on the rest of town? Roads, sidewalks, improvements, anything? Let us hope the powers that be do not forget that most of us do not live in the redevelopment area. . . and we toughed it out during the dark days of the city. How about a little something for the dedication?

Kudos to the West Long Branch PD

2008-06-09T13:18:00.003-04:00

Last month, someone from the LBA wrote an article related to Memorial Day. In that article, the blogger made an observation about two employees of the West Long Branch Police Department.

Entirely to their credit, the WLBPD posted a comment on that post today that we believe is demonstrative of the type of leadership, service and respect that we should expect from our government. Capt. Mihlon, apparently on behalf of the police administration, addressed the topic head on by stating:

We at the WLBPD take very seriously the concept and philosophy of courtesy and respect.

Therefore, I would encourage and invite anyone who observes such a breech of same to contact me personally. Doing so allows the administration of the WLBPD to address the problem in a timely and accurate fashion. I can assure you that such a demonstration of disrespect and lack of decorum would have been dealt with swiftly and effectively.

Captain Larry Mihlon
West Long Branch Police Department
lmihlon@westlongbranch.org
732-571-5959

We applaud Capt. Mihlon for his feedback, thank him for taking the time to respond and accept his assurances (and thank him for reading the blog!)

Perhaps there is a greater lesson to be learned here. The blogger took the time to complain about the incident online in this blog but did not take the time to call the matter to the attention of police commanders who clearly agree that "such a demonstration of disrespect and lack of decorum" is inappropriate. Maybe the blogger assumed the commanders wouldn't care, perhaps the blogger didn't think it was that serious a breach to make a phone call, and perhaps the blogger just assumed that these officers would be better able to police themselves.

In any event, Capt. Mihlon was enough of a gentleman to not point out the fact that the LBA had some responsibility for not acting proactively--a lesson we all can and should learn herewith.

So, kudos to the WLBPD.

TriCity or WhyCity?

2008-06-07T08:35:00.006-04:00

Our pals over at RedBankGreen posted a blog about the TriCity Arts Tour. The Long Branch Advocate has posted blogs before about such things as Art in the Park and really the TriCity Arts Tour doesn't bother the LBA at all. . . at least it won't require green and white traffic lines, tie up traffic or require circling helicopters for 12 hours like the New Jersey Marathon does.

The purpose of this post is not to really discuss the Tour (although we will gladly link to it here), but rather to discuss our position on Long Branch being one third of the term "TriCity," joining Asbury Park and Red Bank which round out the triumvirate.

We suppose there are several ways to look at it.

First the obvious, Monmouth County only has two cities: Long Branch and Asbury Park. For the record, Red Bank is a Borough.

Second, Red Bank is trendy, Asbury Park wants to be trendy, Long Branch hasn't been trendy since Diamond Jim Brady left town nor do we care. Oh, certainly there are people who desperately want Long Branch to be trendy but it really is not trendy. It is a hometown to be sure. Reliable, predictable, diverse, but really not all that trendy. So why does Long Branch have to BE trendy if it is NOT trendy? An exploration of the motivations is appropriate.

The LBA suggests that the phrase “TriCity” was coined by the publishers of the so-called “triCity News” the self-described “alternative newspaper focusing on the arts, culture and politics in eastern Monmouth County.” Before the triCity News came around a decade ago, NO ONE called Long Branch, Red Bank and Asbury Park the TriCities. The LBA suggests that only a handful of people actually use the phrase when describing the towns but the moniker remains none the less.

In explaining their mission and why the three towns are lumped together, the publishers pointedly explain:

1. Our mission is to identify and promote the creative and alternative throughout the area.
2. We have placed particular emphasis on promoting the restoration of Asbury Park to its rightful place as one of the great progressive and multicultural small cities in this country.
3. In Red Bank, we advocate for the creative businesses and groups which are threatened by the creeping conformity of that town's economic boom.

But even the venerable triCity News has a hard time justifying Long Branch’s place in the Granola Trinity of Communities:

4. And in Long Branch, we search diligently for a spark of creative life, focusing on that city's West End as a beacon of hope in an otherwise suburbanized waterfront community.

Ugh. This is the same wishful thinking that has driven Long Branch’s own branding dreams when they have floated Long Branch as the “friendly city,” then the “Presidential city” and now, according to the summer events calendar, Long Branch is officially “Fun City” in 2008.

In any event, it does not appear that Long Branch has some repressed dream of being inexorably linked to Asbury and Red Bank but it certainly seems like some folks in Red Bank desperately want Long Branch linked to Red Bank.

Anyone who has lived in Long Branch for any period of time knows that this is a GREAT place to live and work. Is it any wonder why other towns want to be like us?

So, enjoy the Arts Tour if you are into that sort of thing, but join us at the Long Branch Advocate in resisting efforts to blend our great city into Red Bank and Asbury's pipe dreams of becoming one with Long Branch.

Politicians behaving like politicians

2008-06-02T08:53:00.001-04:00

The Link News has a cover story this week that has had all of us at the Long Branch Advocate concerned. The story addresses a very childish e-mail battle of words between Adam Schneider (the Mayor) and Brian Unger (the man who wants to be the Mayor). It seems relatively clear that the much awaited battle of the candidates for Mayor has begun. Having said that, the Long Branch Advocate will make our first political prediction:

Neither Adam Schneider or Brian Unger will be Mayor of Long Branch four years from now.

You read it here first folks. Write it down. Notify your bookies. That’s right, the LBA predicted on June 1, 2008, that neither Adam or Brian will be Mayor following the next election. A yet-unknown third person will run alone, without a council ticket, and will win simply because they are the simple, non-political, alternative to two years of nasty political fighting.

Our elected officials are good people but they appear to have lost their way. In ancient Greece, residents were expected to take the following oath to help ensure that citizens served the best ends of the community rather than their own selfish interests. We urge Mayor Schneider and Councilman Unger to consider this timeless list of the qualities our city fathers SHOULD be exhibiting in lieu of the stupid antics they are currently displaying.

The Athenian Oath

We will never bring disgrace on this our City by an act of dishonesty or cowardice.

We will fight for the ideals and Sacred Things of the City both alone and with many.

We will revere and obey the City's laws, and will do our best to incite a like reverence and respect in those above us who are prone to annul them or set them at naught.

We will strive increasingly to quicken the public's sense of civic duty.

Thus in all these ways we will transmit this City, not only not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.

Ferraina under Review by State Department of Education

2008-05-28T23:20:00.003-04:00

The Star Ledger confirmed in a special report late roday that Long Branch Superintendent of Schools Joe "Mr. Visionary" Ferraina has been ordered to turn his contract over to the NJ Department of Education for review in the wake of the Keansburg debacle.

It is good to see that 1) a real newspaper cares to report on such things and 2) someone in Trenton felt that perhaps $300,000+ a year in total compensation for a municipal school employee probably warrants some investigating.

The Visionary's $150 Million response? Anyone who wants to see it can see it.

Gee, thanks Joe. Keep swinging for the bleacher's baby.

I suppose we should be thankful that he even knows there is such a thing as the Open Public Records Act.

How to cut the State Budget by over $1 Billion?

2008-05-28T15:48:00.002-04:00

State Republicans are hell bent to cut Governor Corzine's budget by more than $1 Billion.

The LBA hears that the salaries of key top administration officials will be cut to the tune of over $100 Million. The Distressed Cities Program will also see cuts of over $100 Million. Unspent money from previous budgets will be put to work reducing this year's levy to the tune of over $50 Million.

No word yet on where the other $750 Million is coming from, but rest assured, the Long Branch Advocate has their ears to the ground all the time to bring you the latest and greatest scoops that may effect our little world here in Long Branch.

Rumors from City Hall

2008-05-28T15:30:00.003-04:00

INITIAL REPORT: A hot rumor from employees in city hall. Reporters have been snooping all over city hall today with talk of a scandal in the Schneider Administration. The Asbury Park Press is involved in the brewing news story, along with other unidentified news outlets.

Stay tuned for more, most likely after employees leave work at 4:30.

UPDATE No. 1 - 11:35 PM, Wednesday

Apparently, the net has been thrown wide and both big and little fish have been caught. The only question now becomes, when do the feds haul in the net?

More questions than answers at this point, but the rumor mill indicates that an ordinance was introduced that later inexplicably disappeared from the face of the Earth that would have changed the ability to development a certain piece of land that is/was owned by a member of the city council (current or past, we do not yet know, but we do know that it was done within the last five years.)

Apparently, there is also a component of fraud in the taking/purchasing of this land that involves the Mayor and at least two council members and likely several municipal employees.

Finally, this all appears linked to a topic that has recently been before the Planning Board. The only thing the LBA knows for a fact that has been before the Board is the proposed changes to Strollo's Lighthouse and we only know that because of the hullabulloo caused by Long Branch Planning Board Vice Chairman Edward Thomas. One can only wonder if the ripple effects of a dumb comment will cause huge waves in the Presidential City. . .

Stay tuned. . .

Thoughts on why a $45 million budget is unnecessary

2008-05-28T15:25:00.002-04:00

The City Council met last night. The LBA hates the moronic public comment section of the meeting and is reminded of feeding time at the zoo.

The Asbury Park Press printed an article on the adoption of this year’s $45 Million municipal budget. Three things were painfully clear in the article:

1. The Asbury Park Press simply does not possess the capacity to conduct an investigative report on the local level and chooses to accept a mere regurgitation of superficial details from their local “reporters”
2. The Asbury Park Press does not possess (or chooses not to demonstrate) even an elementary level of competency in understanding and interpreting the nuance of municipal budgets—much less the ability to detail the reasons behind budget increases. Again, the APP chooses to accept the canned statements of budget proponents and detractors and goes no further.
3. The City of Long Branch does not appear to be interested in stemming the growth of the city budget by taking serious action to change the way business has been done in town for years.

Some thoughts:

In general, the municipal government needs to work harder and cost less. If the city would adopt the Long Branch Advocate’s position that the city administration should immediately adopt a service-oriented government rather than an employee-oriented government, the effectiveness of the municipality would increase dramatically. When one adopts (or allows) an employee-oriented administration, the focus is on the employee first and service delivery second. The goal should be on delivering the service first, and employees second. It appears that the unions have entirely too much control in the city and it appears that the current governing body has lost their “edge” and either needs a shot of energy or a shot of new blood.

To be clear, the Long Branch Advocate truly believes the current Mayor and City Council to wholly consist of good people trying to do good work. We do not believe their motives to be anything other than good but we think they have been together for so long that “group think” has set in. The effusion of support and love poured e is little doubt

Elimination of Non-Critical Social Programs from the City Service

The city does a lot of WONDERFUL things that are not critical to the health, safety and welfare of the public. These non-critical programs should be spun off the municipal budget and onto public-private partnerships.

The Senior Center Operation should be completely self funding and should be provided by a social service organization. There are only two reasons why the city would provide a club house and activities for senior citizens; altruism and votes. Altruistic reasons are self explanatory but votes are more telling. Senior Citizens vote more regularly and consistently than any other demographic group. The Senior Center, its staff and programs are blatant pandering for votes—and a successful pandering for votes at that. If you doubt that it is anything other than that, ask where the city’s Generation X Center is located or the Fortysomething Center for that matter. Better yet, ask where the Youth Center is. . . then again, don’t ask about the youth center. . . Joe Ferraina would probably want it named after him.

Speaking of youth, the Recreation Department is another operation that should be outsourced to a not-for-profit, self funding, public private partnership. Recreation is a non-critical function of the city. Sure it is nice to have baseball and basketball leagues and summer camp for the “inner city” population but we do not NEED these things. At the very least, the entire Recreation operation should be 100% funded (not just offset) through user fees. In other words, revenue should complete cover expenses from one year to the next.

Beaches should be spun off into their own utility. Beach operations are an expensive and dangerous operation—which is why New Jersey continues to rightfully charge for beach access. However, keeping beach operations as part of the recreation budget allows the city to use beach revenue to offset general expenses wherever they may exist. BY making the beach a utility, we force the operation to be self funding and to keep the funds separate from the city. Any surplus from the beach operation would then be useable to offset general expenses the following year. Most importantly, the cost of beach personnel, management, insurance, utilities, uniforms, training, etc. would all be directly linked to the beach utility. No longer could expenses be hidden or true costs blurred. The utility is the way to go.

Regionalization of resources makes sense in certain areas and does not make sense in others. Areas where regionalization would result in a cost savings should be immediately explored and implemented. Public works is a no brainer. We have a huge public works operation with all kinds of specialized equipment and dozens upon dozens of employees. In fact, if you were to add up the total number of public works employees in Oceanport, West Long Branch, Deal, Sea Bright and Monmouth Beach (total population 20,548), you still would have less than HALF the number of DPW employees in Long Branch (population 31,340). It would make the most sense for Long Branch to contract their entire DPW operation out to one of these smaller towns. By shifting the employees out of the AWFUL New Jersey Civil Service System and into a Non-Civil Service (and potentially non-union) community, the savings would be HUGE, the number of grievances would be smaller (read: forced concessions to labor) and it would allow management to start driving the ship for a change.

Contrary to popular opinion, when big towns deliver services to little towns, the little towns lose out and the big towns don’t make as much money as they thought would be possible. Whenever possible a true regionalization of services, where all participants are equal participants, is most beneficial. In order to truly regionalize services, egos and personal agendas have to be excluded, something not likely to happen in the clubby atmosphere of Long Branch.

Construction Services is another area where regionalization or outsourcing is appropriate. Spread out the hills and valleys of the construction and housing market by sharing your risk. Consistent rumors of nepotism and cronyism have plagued the Building Department for years. One need only look to the fact that then-City Administrator Francis “Tiny” Hayes hired his own son Kevin Hayes to be the City Fire Official to see how the nepotism begins. Tiny Hayes has since passed away but Kevin Hayes, with no college degree or prior experience, is now not only the City Fire Official, but also the Director or Manager of no less than FIVE separate city offices and departments: the Building Department, the Planning and Zoning Office, the Office of Community & Economic Development, the Fire Prevention Bureau and Code Enforcement Operations. Working within the department are friends from hither and yon. Until quite recently a relative of Mr. Hayes was even employed by the department. Mr. Hayes’ son was also appointed a police officer before he was forced off the force for shaking down an undercover police officer posing as a criminal.

Like most city operations, the Hayes-Offices are employee centered. Call for an inspection and you are given a vague time frame to expect an inspector rather than a specific one. A specific inspection appointment (“You can expect the inspector at 9:30 AM, Sir.”) is respectful of the citizen’s time and is service-oriented. A general inspection time (The inspector will be at your house between 1 PM and 4 PM. If you are not there when the inspector arrives, you will have to reschedule your appointment.”) is designed to make life easier for the employees (scheduler and inspector) at the expense of the citizen-taxpayer. Then, more often than not, the inspector goes beyond trying to guarantee code compliance and moves into other realms—reinforcing the widely held belief that those who try to comply with the law are treated worse than those who avoid the law. “Tis easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.”

Specialized police functions should also be marketed to other municipalities. The Long Branch Police Detective Bureau and Traffic Bureau could easily handle the few incidents in the surrounding communities with little need for additional manpower or equipment. This would be a great savings to the surrounding communities in salaries and wages and this savings would be shared with Long Branch. It should be noted that Public Safety Director William Richards seems to be doing an admirable job keeping a firm hand on the reins of the Police Department.

We also believe that Police should be dispatched by the Monmouth County Sheriff’s department. We understand that the Fire Department and both First Aid Squads already are dispatched by the county.

Any function that can be done by part time employees should be done by part time employees. Two part time employees can do the work of one full time employee for less than the cost of one employee’s benefits and salary. Many city functions can be performed by part time or per diem staff including most seasonal positions, clerical positions, inspectors, firefighters and social service posts. The total payroll costs may be more but the total compensation costs would be less.

Having said that, any function that can be done by volunteers should be done by volunteers. Flowers should be planted by garden clubs, recreation leagues should be run by parents and participants, art shows and band concerts should be run by arts guilds and marathons should be run by runners, physically and mentally. One must wonder why we pay firefighters when we also have volunteer firefighters. One must wonder why we pay special police officers when we could have a volunteer police auxiliary force. Middletown is more than twice our size but relies solely on a volunteer fire department. Sayreville has 25% more people than Long Branch but Sayreville relies solely on an volunteer police auxiliary to provide special police functions.

The Mayor and City Council should give up their paid stipends and any other benefits of office. They volunteered to run for office and should not be compensated for their service—particularly in tough financial times. It should also be noted that most of the current crop of elected officials already are vested in the New Jersey state pension plan and, upon reaching retirement age, can collect a lifetime pension for their service as elected officials.

We also believe that all political appointees should be expected to take a 10% reduction in salary or fees, particularly those department heads making in excess of $100,000 per year in combined salaries as well as all professionals including attorneys, engineers, planners, etc.

The size of the fleet of municipal vehicles is also enormous. Exempting specialized vehicles like dump trucks, ambulances, fire trucks, beach trucks, etc. that have nut one special use, the number of passenger vehicles for municipal use is staggering. One need only try to find a parking space at city hall to know just how many cars we own. The number of take home vehicles is also unbelievable. Does the CFO need to take home his own car? The Recreation Director? Seemingly every police officer above the rank of Sergeant?

Finally, the city seriously needs to look at the usage of two key pieces of real estate. The Senior Center and the Recreation Department Building. The Senior Center sits right in the middle of the redevelopment area and. The Recreation Department Building is actually a riverfront house in the fashionable north end of town on Bay Avenue (at the end of Long Branch Avenue). BOTH of these facilities should be sold for market value and the operations contained therein should be outsourced or made into public private partnerships with third parties.

Pallone, Lautenberg and Long Branch's Role in U.S. Politics

2008-05-27T09:33:00.003-04:00

PolitickerNJ.com has an interesting article covering an interview with Long Branch's Favorite Son Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. who is firmly behind Senator Frank Lautenberg's campaign to win first the Democratic Primary and then the General Election for U.S. Senate.

The LBA is happy to see that our own Congressman is so closely aligned with our U.S. Senator, but we wonder what will happen to our little congressional district if Congressman Andrews wins the Primary Election? Will we be the bastard stepchild of the New Jersey Congressional Districts? Will we now play third fiddle to the South Jersey Dems and North Jersey Dems?

It is clear that Congressman Pallone is shrewdly lining himself into the role of "Heir Apparent." This role has served him well in the past as then-Congressman Jim Howard's Heir Apparent. When Congressman Howard died, the family practically held a coronation for Frank to take the shore seat. Of course, one can only imagine that if something should happen to force Lautenberg from the race, Pallone would be well positioned to bear the party standard as well.

Certainly, nothing but good could come from Pallone's ascendency to the Senate Seat but a lot of harm could come from backing the wrong horse before then. Senator Lautenberg is a good and decent man who has served this state with honor for many many years but there is something called "too much of a good thing." The arguments about Lautenberg's age may not be delicate but they certainly are unavoidable. The last time the LBA saw him in person, the good Senator seemed less-than robust, a little delicate even. His mind was sharp and that twinkle was still in his eye, but he just didn't seem. . . "senatorial" anymore.

Here is to hoping that Congressman Frank and Senator Frank know what they are doing.

The Altar of Freedom

2008-05-26T14:07:00.004-04:00

Today, as we gather with friends and family around grills and picnic tables hither and yon, please remember the purpose for this holiday, America's most sacred of national holidays--Memorial Day.

As we take the time today to remember those who have died in service to our nation, please remember those who have died in service to our own community, served our community faithfully over a lifetime and those who dedicate themselves to the administration of our government and our nation in general, on a daily basis.

God willing, your family has never had to experience the anguish of losing a friend or relative in service to their country. But over the last 232+ years of our nation's existence over 2.5 million of our compatriots have been killed or wounded as a result of their service in the armed forces. Beyond that incredible sacrifice are those who are killed in the line of duty as citizen peace officers such as firefighters and police officers. Every year, more than 300 such professionals are killed in the line of duty and their sacrifice is just as important to be remembered as those who died on the battlefield.

It is, therefore, wholly appropriate that the first memorial service of the city of Long Branch was held at Fireman's Memorial Park in Elberon. It is equally fitting that the largest and most attended memorial service of the day was held at the Veteran's Memorial at City Hall Park.

In closing, we at the Long Branch Advocate ask you to remember Mrs. Bixby and the millions like her who have no choice but to look to Memorial Day as the day our nation collectively pays homage to their lost loved ones:

The Bixby Letter is a famous letter, thought to be by U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, to a bereaved mother of five sons who were thought to have died while fighting in the American Civil War.

In 1864, Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew wrote to President Lincoln concerning one Mrs. Lydia Bixby, a widow who was believed to have lost five sons during the Civil War. Lincoln's letter to her was printed by the Boston Evening Transcript.

The following is the text of the letter:

Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.
Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

Art in the Park

2008-05-25T07:18:00.003-04:00

Today is Art in the Park from 10 AM until 6 PM at the West End Park on Brighton Ave. The LBA hits this event every year and we love it. Admittedly, we chuckle at the eclectic collection of "art" in the park but we love the idea and the event itself.

We believe that kudos go to LBA favorite Barry Stein, Assistant Director of Community Development for the city (and Long Branch's very own concert promoter, master planner and perennial campaigner-in-chief) for helping to make the idea come to reality. We could be wrong about that and if we are we will gladly correct the mistake and give Barry credit for something else.

In any event, a lot of people and organizations come together to make this event a success including the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Association, the Arts Council, among others. Thanks to all for their work making Long Branch such a great place.

If you have never been to Art in the Park, you are missing one of the coolest "no obligation, no fuss, no muss" things we do in Long Branch. Go be a part of something!

When Taxpayers Attack: Superintendent Edition

2008-05-23T10:02:00.006-04:00

Well, the LBA doesn't want to take credit for sparking the current outrage over the abuse of School Superintendent salary and benefits being expressed by Governor Corzine, Legislators far and wide, and newspapers everywhere but we would like to point out that we addressed Long Branch's own version of his very topic this past Sunday when we pointed out that Long Branch Superintendent of Schools Joseph M. Ferraina not only has bellied up to the trough of publicly financed personal fortune he also has built a temple to his own arrogance on the spot.

Since we have watched the Asbury Park Press lead the charge trying to put the Keansburg Superintendent's golden parachute back into the box it came in, the LBA has hoped that the fourth estate would find their way clear to do a comprehensive investigative report into the worst kept secret in Long Branch, the salary, benefits and total compensation of Mr. Ferraina and his ethically dubious impact on both our tax bills and, more importantly, on the education of the youth of our community.

When last confronted publically about his unbelievably high compensation, Mr. Ferraina responded with the following bombastic and self-promoting diatribe:

"Had I been in private industry, I'd be a multimillionaire. I'd be making $150 million. . . I'm a visionary. . ."

That is right folks, you heard it here first folks, Mr. Visionary could make a $150 million a year in private industry. So, I guess Keansburg should be thankful they don't have to feed that ego every day. But for those of us in Long Branch who DO have to feed that ego everyday, the LBA once again asks, "What are we getting for that $150 million a year visionary?

Well, here are a few things we get:

Schools that consistently fail to meet even the minimum state and federal educational standards for student achievement.
ZERO schools that met the Annual Yearly Progress requirements for the Federal No Child Left Behind standards. (The Long Branch High School alone has not made this standard in more than three consecutive years.)
Graduation rates are consistently below 90%.
Drop out rates are consistently higher than state averages.
A fleet of new schools that will all become obsolete at the same time.
Teachers who are terrified to speak up on behalf of their students
Reporters who are hired as Board of Education employees to stifle negative (but honest) reports about the schools.
Isn't it time for Long Branch to start asking the difficult questions of our Board of Education? Shouldn't we be addressing these concerns before Mr. Visionary retires and wants a similar deal? Shouldn't we know that his ego will not tolerate being anything less than the top dog in Monmouth County?
Anyone want to offer advice as to which Board of Education Members are rubber stamps and which are fighting for improvements? Leave us a comment and some proof!

Thoughts on Funerals and Memorial Day

2008-05-21T15:20:00.005-04:00

Earlier this week one of us at the LBA was sitting in unusual traffic on Second Avenue at Cedar Avenue wondering what the hold up was that was stopping cars from turning onto Cedar. Just as we were about to tap the horn to offer some audible encouragement to the dope holding us up, I suddenly saw a line of emergency vehicles driving slowly west followed by a hearse. Guilt and relief washed over us (guilt from having almost honked at a funeral, relief from having NOT actually honked). I could not see what town's vehicles were in the procession but judging from the presence of the fire engine, I would guess it was a firefighter's funeral.

As the LBA fell in line behind the short funeral processional (which just happened to take the same route we were taking to our next stop) we noticed at one point the funeral passed by a construction site where the J.F. Kiely Construction Co. was doing some utility work in the roadway. The West Long Branch Police had cones out redirecting traffic safely around the work site. As the procession passed the site, the five Kiely workers quickly stopped their work, stood in a line along the roadway, removed their hard hats and stood in reverent silence while the motorcade passed. This was in stark contrast to the two West Long Branch Police Officers who kept joking with each other (one smoking a cigarette) as the motorcade passed. It took only a minute for the entire procession to pass the work site and by the time the LBA was next to them, the Kiely workers were already back to work, having paid a quick, but entirely moving, tribute to the firefighter's family as they passed. Maybe the workers knew the deceased, maybe they didnt, maybe it is Kiely company policy, who knows, but more importantly who cares? They DID IT, any maybe that is the whole point. Kudos to Jack Kiely's men who did the right thing when no one was watching, which is the hallmark of a good operation.

The Long Branch Advocate would like to point out that the behavior of the West Long Branch cops was, in our opinion, unnecessarily inappropriate. If it is not WLBPD policy to pay respect to a passing funeral (even that of a firefighter) one would hope that the boys in blue would at least have had the presence of mind to note that of the seven individuals standing along Broadway they were the two acting inappropriately and maybe take 45 seconds out of their day to render a little courtesy. This should also serve as a reminder to all that the LBA is watching and is just as quick to give credit for a job well done as they are to criticize a job poorly done.

Since it is Memorial Day weekend, I thought it befitting that we pay tribute to all those who have died in service to our community and our nation. It is only right that we take a few minutes out of an entire weekend to pay homage to those who gave everything to our community. During the last ten years or so in Long Branch alone, we have lost three dedicated public safety officials in the line of duty. The LBA apologizes for not knowing if there are more, but at the very least, we should remember Police Officer Patrick King, Firefighter Robert Feeney and Firefighter Ronald Fitzpatrick, all of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice to the people of the city.

Then I got thinking, were it not for Memorial Day, we would have NO DAY set aside to thank the people who work to keep our town safely operating. More than the police and the fire departments, we should be thanking all of those who have chosen to serve our community: teachers, inspectors, secretaries, clerks, elected and appointed officials. We at the LBA may have an opinion about how the city is being run but we do not discount the fact that most city officials and employees are out there every day just trying to do their job the best they know how. Most do not have ego issues that get in the way of what is best for the city, most come to work on a regular basis and do an honest days work for honest wages, many come with a sense of duty and dedication--and for that we thank them all, past and present.

But Memorial Day is the day we set aside to honor those who have died performing those critical duties, so to that end, we list the city's Memorial Day Ceremonies and urge every citizen's participation in them:

9:00 AM - Fire Department Memorial Service at Firefighters' Memorial (Overlook at Woodgate Avenues)

9:45 AM - Wreath Laying for those Lost at Sea at West End Beach (Foot of Brighton Avenue)

11:00 AM - Veterans Memorial Service at Veterans' Memorial (City Hall Park, 344 Broadway).

Citywide Open House (to follow) at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2140 (Willow at Westwood Avenues).

Beaches & Summer

2008-05-21T14:51:00.005-04:00

Well, Memorial Day approaches and with it the unofficial start of the summer season.

A recent conversation with those in the know reports that much of our city beaches were lost to the North Atlantic in last week's Nor'easter. Anyone who has been down to the beach lately can see that Long Branch's shoreline is a sad remenant of its former self. It also reminds us at the LBA of the Long Branch beaches of the 1980s and early '90s--pre-beach replenishment.

The LBA has been a realistic voice in the world of beach replenishment. Federal money is warranted for beach replenishment as a means of mitigating the damage done during coastal storms. Unlike many of our fellow citizens from the midwest who may feel that it is nothing more than pork for rich beachfront landowners, the LBA knows that without that sand in place to take the brunt of the storm's fury, the shore line would be significantly further west than it is now. I guess our midwestern naysayers should just consider beach replenishment the Ethanol of the Jersey Shore--a useless waste of money to everyone except those who directly benefit from it.

It looks like the beaches around Pier Village are servicable, and the LBA did see some heavy equipment out there trying to build it up to extent possible but the Seaview Avenue beach is all but gone. Lets hope that it is a light tropical storm year, that the Noreasters leave us alone for a year or so and that He who taketh away also shall giveth back.

The weather promises to be wonderful so get out there and enjoy the sand we do have left.

Long Branch Schools, Addiction, Recovery and Narcissism

2008-05-18T16:09:00.001-04:00

The Asbury Park Press ran an opinion piece urging a redefininition of the formula used to distribute school aid throughout New Jersey. We at the LBA couldn't agree more but probably for reasons you might not guess.

You see, we believe that the Board of Education are all addicted. Yes, the Board of Education is addicted to State school funding rules and programs that routinely give the Board of Education millions of dollars they do not know how to spend.

Don't get us wrong though, we firmly believe that Superintendent of Schools Joe Ferraina knows how to spend it but we don't believe he knows how to spend it wisely.

Case in point, Long Branch has been on a school building bent over the last several years. New High School, Middle School, Garfield School, Anastasia School, Elberon School (on the way) and who could forget Joe's own monument to his own narcissism, the Joseph M. Ferraina Early Childhood Learning Center.

One need only look at the things the Board of Education spends its millions on to know that they have more than they know what to with. Joe Ferraina's total compensation package of more than $300,000 per year was the subject of a New Jersey State Commission of Investigation report in 2006. Despite being chided for "Questionable and Hidden Compensation" the Board of Education continues to not only employ Ferraina but also continues to allow him unbridled ability to hire and promote every stripe and flavor of administrator, manager, middle manager, assistant, principal, assistant principal, division director, etc.

Machiavelli himself would have blushed at the manner in which JMF has crushed opposition, silenced detractors and caused his entire teaching staff to cower at his very approach. When Long Branch's own "The Link News" began running articles that portrayed Ferraina in a not-so-nice light, Ferraina simply created a Public Relations post for the reporter in question and next thing you know, the stories stopped entirely.

All of this money, spent on all kinds of things, and what kind of results do we get? Schools that consistently fail to meet even the minimum state and federal educational standards for student achievement. Not one Long Branch School met the Annual Yearly Progress requirements for the Federal No Child Left Behind standards. The Long Branch High School alone has not made this standard in more than three consecutive years. Graduation rates are consistently below 90%. Drop out rates are consistently higher than state averages.

So, lets give three hurrahs to the good folks at the Long Branch Board of Education and their five star self-described "visionary" superintendent for their fine work.

Time for some new blood on the Board of Ed?

Does the City need to realign sanitation services?

2008-05-17T22:30:00.000-04:00

Redbankgreen has a good posting about the apparent increase of cigarette butts on the beaches of our area. Honestly, we at the LBA have never quite understood the fun of smoking on a hot beach but apparently environmentalists believe that many of the butts on the beach are not smoked on the beach but rather end up on the beach from points hither and yon.

Long Branch's public beaches have always seemed to be as good as expected but one has to wonder if they wouldn't be cleaner if the City adopted a new "clean city" approach. The clean city approach as the LBA envisions it, would adjust the city's employee-oriented approach to city sanitation and code enforcement and realign it to a goal-oriented approach.

The goals of sanitation should not just be to remove trash and litter but to leave the city cleaner and better looking than it was beforehand. The LBA hates the fact that there are pages of regulations about when trash can be placed, how it must be sorted, how it must be prepared and presented and the like but apparently no rules at all about how city employees approach the collection or conduct themselves in the execution thereof. Most side streets in the city look like the aftermath of an F5 tornado after the sanitation team gets done tossing garbage cans, recycling containers and the like back to the curb (if you are lucky) and down the street beyond your neighbors house in all likelihood.

This, as compared to the collection system in Ocean Township and Rumson Borough, where the sanitation teams are instructed to not only retrieve garbage receptacles from their place near or behind your home but to also return them, upright, to their original location. As a result, those towns look significantly cleaner on garbage days than Long Branch, even though the garbage from both communities was successfully collected from both communities, and the people walking down those streets are much more likely to maintain that look than they would be to throw trash on the street, as the LBA witnesses before our offices every single day.

Volunteer EMT's Keeping Long Branch Safe

2008-05-16T19:30:00.000-04:00

The Atlanticville ran an important letter to the editor this week regarding National Emergency Medical Services Week. Volunteer EMTs help the community in many ways, not the least of which providing a critical municipal service at little cost to the communtiy.

Long Branch has two official first aid squads (Long Branch First Aid and Elberon First Aid) and an unofficial one (Hatzolah) that primarily serves the ever growing Jewish Community in the Elberon section and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Long Branch First Aid Squad has both a career and volunteer component but is primarily a career emergency medical service. The squad receives a small donation from the city budget but funds the bulk of its operations from payments from their patient's insurance companies and donations made by many civic minded citizens throughout the city.

Elberon and Hatzolah are both volunteer squads. All of their officers and members are volunteers--average citizens like you and me who have families, regular jobs, hobbies, etc., but still attend regular training and meetings that make them unpaid professional medical professionals who respond to our medical emergencies 24-7-365. Elberon receives a small donation from the city budget but funds the bulk of their operations through the generous donations of citizens and businesses who understand the importance of supporting these critical volunteers.

We should support these great people at all times but, more importantly, we should join their ranks. Volunteering makes you feel great, and saving lives must feel event better. We challenge all of our readers to become volunteers in one aspect of Long Branch's civic life. Why not become a volunteer EMT?

Call (732) 988-9110 for more information.

Fish kill in Branchport no suprise to long time residents

2008-05-16T18:55:00.001-04:00

The Asbury Park Press has been doggedly reporting on the "fish kill" that hit the Branchport area of town this week following a few days of heavy rain.

Our City Emergency Management Coordinator Stanley Dzibua checked it out along with the health department staff and correctly concluded what any city resident for more than six months already knew--when it rains heavily all the crud from our lawns and streets gets washed into the river. Moss bunkers are not hardy fish and any major fluctuation in the river ecosystem will often kill bunkers and assorted bait fish. The same thing happens when we have the algae blooms in the dead of summer.

Unfortunately, the Asbury Park Press predictably missed the opportunity to do a little investigative reporting into some of the root causes of such events. Even a cursory investigation would have provided a treasure trove of topics of wide interest including the nearly twenty year efforts of the Oceanport Water Watch Committee to address the chronic pollution problems caused by the Monmouth Park Racetrack (and Long Branch's apparent abdication of responsibility to join those efforts); the recent adoption of Stormwater Management plans in every communtiy that touches the south branch of the Shrewsbury River and the possible impact of other high impact businesses and institutions along the headwaters of the Shrewsbury including Fort Monmouth, Old Orchard Country Club's Golf Course and Long Branch's own J.F. Kiely Construction Company (run by long time Schneider Administration crony Jack Kiely). The impact of marinas, boat clubs and private docks along the river are also legitimate topics for study and reporting.

Advocating a Better Long Branch - Now and In the Future

2008-05-16T16:34:00.000-04:00

Welcome! This is the first posting of our new blog, "The Long Branch Advocate." The LBA is dedicated to the proposition that the City of Long Branch is a great city, full of talented people, wonderful neighborhoods and great potential. This blog will reflect on the life and times of the City of Long Branch--and with your insights, feedback, input and ideas, perhaps together we can help Long Branch realize that potential.

So, lets examine how we can accomplish that.

First of all, this is not a political blog. I am sure we will discuss politics but we will not assume a political position on candidates or parties. That does not mean politicians will get a pass here--much the opposite. Good politicians with good intentions will be applauded while poor politicians with poor intentions will be jeered. As with all things political, that means politicians who are applauded this week may very well be jeered next week.

Second, this will be a forum for covering community events of all types but community events that do not advance the improvement of Long Branch may be discounted with the same enthusiasm as the good ones are endorsed.

Third, we believe that the organizations and institutions of the city are an important part of what the city was, is and will become. As such, we will examine the motivations, efforts, hopes and dreams of our important city institutions--public, private and not for profit. This includes such things as the Long Board of Education, Long Branch Free Public Library, Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Schneider's Administration, the City Council, Developers, the Housing Authority, individual businesses, the many senior citizen groups, youth and athletic groups and the like. Obviously, we will rely on the reports of our readers to help keep us informed.

Fourth, we will not tolerate, nor will we participate in, unwarranted personal attacks, particularly on non-public officials. So while we will post any comment that is contributing to the ongoing discussion here at the Long Branch Advocate we will not post any comment that is self serving, vicious or attacks without purpose or reason.

Fifth, Redevelopment and Eminent Domain are two seperate topics that are occassionally interrelated. We believe that redevelopment has been good for Long Branch but take no position on the use of Eminent Domain to achieve it. We should be discussing the good, the bad and the ugly of both topics. We can also discuss the pros and cons of building new schools, new parks and other capital projects.

Finally, we look to you, our fellow residents, to help us guide and develop this blog. We look to you for stories, ideas and topics of discussion--for togther, we are all Long Branch Advocates!