Beachwood Borough Hall, Winter.

The oath of office will be given to new Beachwood Councilman Edward A. Zakar and returning Councilman Gerald W. LaCrosse, who won this past November’s council race.

For more information on that election and the two councilmen-elect, please click below for our story archive links on the topic.

11.02.2010 – Election 2010: Beachwood Council Candidates Gerald W. Lacrosse and Edward A. Zakar

11.07.2010 – LaCrosse and Zakar Swept into Office with ‘Good Old Days’ Message

by Erik Weber

BEACHWOOD – Engineer James Oris announced during last week’s borough council meeting, here, that the approximately 40-year-old, 300,000 gallon water tower, located between Locker Street and Railroad Avenue, would have the borough name repainted along its northwest and southeast sides in identical fashion to what was there prior to the rehabilitation and repainting project that started in June.

The earlier Beachwood Elementary School bear mascot, which was first painted shortly after that school opened in 1988 and had a brown bear posing next to a letter B, will be replaced with an updated version to match the school’s current logo, a smiling bear’s face enclosed in a circle containing the name, “Beachwood Bears,” and painted in blue and white.

Mr. Oris noted that the borough name and school mascot were due to be painted prior to the winter season, but that the project had not been completed in time to do so, and that they will now be painted either in the spring or possibly during any unusually warm weather periods this winter. The cellular service equipment present on the tower prior to the rehabilitation and now standing on adjacent temporary cell towers will also be reinstalled on the water tower to complete the project.

The next meeting of the borough council will take place on Wednesday, January 5th at 6:30 pm in borough hall on Pinewald Road.

The newly constructed Birch Street Bridge, seen on the right, was opened for traffic this week. The older span, seen on the left, is currently undergoing deconstruction.

BEACHWOOD – The newly constructed Birch Street Bridge, here, was opened for the first time this week, allowing traffic to flow over the widening span of the Garden State Parkway.

The new bridge will replace will replace the older one, originally constructed in the 1950s when the Garden State Parkway was first laid out, cutting a path through the southwestern region of Beachwood. The same day the new bridge opened, work crews began removing the asphalt and disassembling the old span while simultaneously preparing for a road realignment that will take vehicles through a new traffic light at the corner of Double Trouble Road and Birch Street.

Work crews began removing the old Birch Street Bridge on the same day that the new span opened to vehicular traffic.

The newly constructed span, which was built to the north of the old bridge, takes traffic closer to the Sunset Road neighborhood of Beachwood.

Construction continued at the western end of the new bridge, with crews readying a new road alignment that will take traffic to a new stoplight at the corner of Birch Street and Double Trouble Road.

by Erik Weber

BEACHWOOD – Residents and borough council members, here, recently debated the purchase of four new pieces of equipment for borough departments at a price of $295,000, with $180,250 of that amount coming from bonds or notes that the borough would have to pay down over the coming years.

The equipment list included a new 25-yard refuse compacting truck and related equipment, an in-car camera system and license plate recognition system for the borough police department, and a “knox box” rapid key entry system and related equipment for the borough fire department.

A number of residents focused primarily on the police department’s license plate recognition system, asking whether they were necessary during the current down economy and pressures on municipal budgets.

John Mauder, the borough’s chief financial officer, said that the in-car camera and license plate recognition system would take up approximately $85,000 of the overall cost.

Council President Ron Roma stated that while every patrol car would receive the upgraded in-car camera system, only the department’s supervisor car would have the license plate recognition system, but that he had personally been inside a test vehicle for the system and said that “it was a very busy night in Beachwood – we didn’t pull anybody over but in 10 minutes, we had 40 hits of various natures on vehicles.”

He noted that the idea was that the system would quickly pay for itself through the issuance of summonses.

Borough resident David Lipton joked that the police could also use the system to pull “phone numbers of pretty girls.”

Joel Balzinski, whose residence in Beachwood has been contested in recent years and who at the meeting stated his current address to be “1600 Pinewald Road”, the address for borough hall, said that the system would allow the police to “prey upon” area residents for “frivolous violations” that come from “the state’s need for extra revenue.”

Mayor Ronald Jones, Jr. disagreed, stating that “it’s purpose is to protect people.”

Councilman-elect Gerald W. LaCrosse supported the purchase of the system, stating that it would allow police to opt out of dangerous high-speed chases by quickly identifying the person within the car, thereby letting the department to follow up on the violation at a later hour or date.

Mr. LaCrosse has been a strong opponent of high-speed police pursuits across the state and nation since 1988, when a string of police chases in Ocean County culminated with the death of his daughter, Desere, at an intersection in Toms River when a suspect, fleeing from Seaside Heights police after initially being pulled over for a broken headlight, struck Mr. LaCrosse’s daughter’s car at a speed of 90 m.p.h., instantly killing her.

“I would like to see [the system] in all of our cars,” he said.

The ordinance was unanimously passed by all council members.

All sides commended for ‘clean, honorable’ campaign

by Erik Weber

BEACHWOOD – Drawing from the controversy and political turmoil that has roiled through this borough since shortly after the 2007 election upset that booted Republican incumbents Mayor Hal Morris and Councilman Gerald W. LaCrosse out for elected Democratic newcomers Mayor Ronald W. Jones, Jr. and Councilwoman Katina L. Clark, borough Republicans struck back and won the two remaining council seats held by Democrats by asking voters to hearken back to the relative peace of the earlier era.

On Tuesday, Mr. LaCrosse was elected to return to his place on the governing body along with first-time borough candidate and councilman-elect, Edward A. Zakar, who previously served as the chair of the borough land use board until being passed over for a reappointment when his term lapsed on December 31st. His replacement was Robert W. Clark, a borough Democrat who ran and lost the 2009 election in a race for one of two council seats held by incumbent Republicans.

That election, which was marked by a fierce campaign of accusations and personal attacks espoused at council meetings, distributed through printed materials to borough homes and posted online via shadowy websites registered and run by anonymous persons from behind proxy names and e-mail addresses, was seen by many local residents as a low point in the borough government’s then-decaying public image. Voters chose to return Republican incumbents Beverly Clayton and Ronald Roma to office, who later stated they were disgusted by the level and volume of charges directed at them from both the Democrats and anonymous web administrators.

In sharp contrast to that post-election period, winners and losers of this year’s race as well as sitting elected officials peppered their comments with a conciliatory tone.

“I want to congratulate Mr. LaCrosse and Mr. Zakar,” said Bonnie M. Verga, the Democratic councilwoman who lost her seat in the election. Mrs. Clark, whose term expires at the end of the year, chose not to run again, and was replaced on the Democratic ticket by newcomer Carole Jansen.

“They ran a very good and clean race,” she added. “They gave us a good run for our money, and we tried our best but couldn’t do it.”

The councilwoman also stated that if the council needs anything after her term expires on December 31st, to just give her a call.

Mrs. Jansen said that all things considered, she was glad to have run in what was her first election.

“In general, I feel that it was a good experience for me, and we had a good time with it,” she stated. “I learned a lot, and it was not stressful because the people I worked with were fun people.”

In the end, she added, “we did well – better than they’d done in the past – even though we didn’t win.”

Mr. LaCrosse won his part of the ticket with 1,749 votes, or 31.31 percent of the overall vote, and Mr. Zakar took home 1,774 votes, or 31.76 percent of the overall vote, while Mrs. Verga gained 1,052 votes, or 18.83 percent of the vote, and Mrs. Jansen captured 1,007 votes, or 18.03 percent of the vote. Write-ins took 4 votes, or .07 percent of the overall vote. A total of 5,586 borough residents participated in the 2010 borough election, out of an overall borough population of 10,375 as of Census 2000.

“I think to everybody it seemed like a very quiet and respectful campaign,” said Mr. Roma, the borough council president, during Wednesday night’s council meeting. “I think the residents and everyone in town appreciate that.”

He was joined by Mrs. Clayton in thanking Mrs. Verga for her service to the borough during her most recent three-year term.

“You have been an upstanding councilwoman,” said Mrs. Clayton. “You have not missed a single meeting, you are dedicated and willing to work, and I wish we could have an extra seat up here for you.”

Mrs. Verga was then honored by a standing ovation from the rest of the governing body and residents present, which appeared to move her nearly to tears as she said thank you and motioned with her hands for everyone to sit back down.

Mayor Jones noted that both Mrs. Verga and Mrs. Clark have “always been there for the people of Beachwood,” and said he had “tremendous respect and admiration” for both of them, while at the same time welcoming Mr. Zakar and Mr. LaCrosse, who were both present at the meeting.

“I look forward to working with both of you,” he stated.

Mr. LaCrosse spoke during the open public session portion of the meeting first to add his praise for Mrs. Verga and her campaign.

“Bonnie, you have had a 100 percent attendance record, and I have been at most of those meetings, and I have to say, you have presented yourself and carried yourself in a most professional manner,” he said. “The way you and your running mate handled yourselves was exemplary, [and] you have done for the borough of Beachwood a fine job and deserve all of our respect and gratitude.”

“I hope that come January when I take my seat and Mr. Zakar takes his seat that you will continue to serve the borough in some fashion and come to meetings and give your input and general knowledge,” the councilman-elect continued. “It’s truly appreciated.”

“Jerry, you don’t have to worry, I’ll keep my eye on you,” joked Mrs. Verga in response.

Mr. LaCrosse, looking far more relaxed during Wednesday’s meeting than in his near-perfect attendance at council meetings as a resident for at least the past year and a half, said that he looked forward to his return to the dais.

“It’s going to feel good to get back up there and work with this governing body,” he stated. “I think they’ve done a tremendous job.”

“You’d better not refuse to answer our questions – you don’t like it when they refuse to answer your questions,” said resident David Lipton, who referred to the multiple times that Mr. LaCrosse challenged Mayor Jones during the open public portion of council meetings about various issues that the mayor then refused to respond to, oftentimes stating that they were either personal and did not apply to public borough government matters or that he could not due to pending lawsuits between he and Mr. LaCrosse.

Mr. LaCrosse, long a vocal and unrelenting critic of the mayor’s, brushed the comment off, stating that a number of things in the past few years were upsetting, but that he’s “glad that’s behind us.”

Having directed most of his praise and comments to the council members of the governing body up to that point, Mr. LaCrosse then turned and directly addressed the mayor.

“And for you, Mr. Jones, I’m back,” he said, before turning and returning to his seat.

Mr. Zakar, who did not speak publicly during the meeting, stated in an e-mailed response to the Riveside Signal’s request for his reaction and comments on the election that he was “humbled by the support Jerry and I received during the election process, and accept with great pride the checkmark for us in the win column this past Tuesday.”

“This is the time to reflect on all the significant attributes Beachwood has to offer and the opportunities that are expected of me moving forward,” he continued. “I am proud to serve and I’m committed to the residents of Beachwood and as a new to-be team member of the council. I plan to focus on the many goals and objectives for the borough with my fellow council members and will adhere to my mantra of commitment, continuity, consistency and credibility.”

Mrs. Jansen, while pleased with the election process this year, noted that she was bothered by the new Republican uniformity of the council.

“There should be a little difference when it comes to parties – it shouldn’t always be all one party,” she said. “It’s good to have a difference of opinion to get things done.”

Beginning in January, Mayor Jones will be the sole remaining Democratic party member of the governing body. His term is set to expire on December 31st, 2011.

The next meeting of the borough council will be held on Monday, November 15th at 7 pm in borough hall on Pinewald Road. This meeting was rescheduled to that date; borough council meetings are otherwise held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month except during the council’s summer schedule.

CANDIDATE: Bonnie Verga

BOROUGH: Beachwood

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Democratic Party

RESIDENT OF: Elm Street, over 35 years.

MARITAL STATUS: No answer given.

CHILDREN: two children

EMPLOYMENT: Certified Municipal Finance Officer as of 1988; was employed during undisclosed periods by Island Heights Borough and the Island Heights Board of Education, South Toms River Borough and Beachwood Borough in that capacity.

CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS & CHARITIES, NON-GOVERNMENTAL: No answer given.

GOVERNMENT SERVICE: Was previously an elected Beachwood Borough council member during an undisclosed period, and was elected again to that governing body in 2008. In the capacity of a borough council member during this most recent period, Ms. Verga acted as the chairperson for the court and liaison for code enforcement and the building, construction and zoning departments. It was additionally stated that Ms. Verga developed a borough building department that entered into a shared services agreement with South Toms River and Island Heights boroughs, which remains in place.

[Editor's Note: Responses to the Riverside Signal's candidate questionnaire were not replied by Ms. Verga directly, but rather Alice Clair Calligan, a representative for the borough Democratic Party, and consisted largely of political campaign copy in place of direct answers to the questions posed. As a result, the Signal made a second request for direct information from the candidate, but no reply was received at press time. It is the policy of the Riverside Signal to not publish arbitrary campaign copy for its candidate questionnaire from any source.]

Q&A

1. Why did you seek the nomination, and who nominated you? No answer given.

2. What is your reaction to the nomination? No answer given.

3. What are some things you would like to do, if elected? No answer given.

4. What are your top priorities, if elected? No answer given.

5. Is there any theme you would give the borough Democratic ticket? No answer given.

2010 Beachwood Borough Regular Republican candidates, from left, Gerald W. LaCrosse and Edward A. Zakar.

by Erik Weber

BEACHWOOD – Earlier this year, the Regular Republicans political organization, here, gathered to choose who they would endorse for this year’s council election.

The club’s endorsement for the two council spots up for grab – each three-year terms – was Gerald W. (Jerry) Lacrosse and Edward Anthony Zakar. Democratic councilwomen Bonnie Verga and Katina L. Clark’s current three-year terms will expire at the end of the year, with only Mrs. Verga seeking re-election.

Mr. Zakar and his wife, Pat, received the award of Citizen of the Year for 2008 during the October 2007 ceremony at borough hall. Then-Councilman LaCrosse stands to the left of Mr. Zakar. From the borough website.

Mr. Zakar, who, along with his wife of 31 years, Patricia, was chosen by the borough mayor and council as “Citizen of the Year” for 2008, has been a resident of Beachwood since 1980 and has been involved with Cub Scout Pack 114 since 1992, has been a Jersey Shore Girl Scouts volunteer fundraiser since 1996, is a former coach within the Beachwood-Pine Beach Little League and served as a past borough land use board member, from 1995 until last year, most recently serving as its chairman.

Together, he and Mrs. Zakar have three children, now grown adults: Shawn, 28; Tracy, 25; and Lindsay, 24. The borough couple also have three grandchildren from their daughter, Tracy, and her husband, John Ely: John Robert, Alyssa Anne and Katilyn Patricia.

Mr. Zakar has been employed as a full-time employee with Six Flags Great Adventure/Wild Safari/Hurricane Harbor, Jackson, for 36 years as of this August. He currently holds the position of manager for Safety and Risk Management within the park system.

Mr. Zakar took a moment for a photo during this year's 22nd annual Mother's Day breakfast fundraiser, held by the borough Regular Republican club, at the Beachwood Community Center.

In addition, the candidate stated that he “creates time to be a part of” a number of organizations, including the Toms River Fire Department No. 1, as an active certified level two firefighter and past trustee; the Toms River First Aid Squad as past president, trustee and certified EMT-D holding life member status; the New Jersey State First Aid Council, District 15, as a delegate and past chairman; the Jackson Township Office of Emergency Management council as current president, past fire coordinator and 34 year member; the Ocean County Office of Emergency Management as a present member from appointment by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders; the New Jersey State Police, serving on “various committees representing Six Flags”; the New Jersey State Safety Council, as current member and on the planning committee for the New Jersey State Safety Exposition; the New Jersey Industrial Safety Committee, as a member since 1989; the New Jersey Amusement Association, serving on its board of directors from 2000 until 2009; the International Amusement Industry Association, serving on “their educational and planning conference committee,” as well as instructing at the annual conference on Occupational Safety and Heath Administration (OSHA) compliance; the Jersey Shore Boy Scout Council as a member of their risk management committee, from 2003 to present; and with the Toms River Fire Company No. 1 Halloween Parade Planning Committee for over ten years.

The Halliard Avenue resident said he was proud to have received his party’s nomination.

“I am in the midst of elevated pride and enthusiasm,” he said. “The party has conveyed the confidence to choose me in filling one of two council seats, [and] I believe I possess the honesty, credibility, integrity and confidence required for the position.”

Mr. LaCrosse, a borough resident for 35 years, served on the planning board for three years, from 1984 through 1987, “at the request and appointment of then Mayor William T. “Bill” Hornidge”, and was first elected as councilman for the borough in 1986, a position he was re-elected to “six consecutive times.”

The Forecastle Avenue resident stated he requested his party’s nomination “so a viable candidate could be elected to act as a counter-balance to the Jones team who presently occupy seats on the council.” Mr. LaCrosse was defeated in the 2007 borough election along with then-mayor Hal Morris that saw Ronald W. Jones, Jr. and his running mate, Katina Clark, elected to office as mayor and councilwoman, respectively.

He and his wife of 46 years, Beverly, have three children: Gerald, Michelle Renee, and Desere` Marta.

Desere was killed by a man fleeing police in November 1988, which Mr. LaCrosse said led to the driving force behind establishment of The Desere` Foundation and The Center for the Study of Alternatives to Pursuits.

The longtime borough couple also have two grandchildren through their daughter, Michelle: Amberliegh Desere` Destiny and Jeremy David Michael.

Mr. LaCrosse has been the owner “and occasional operator” of der Wunder Wiener hot dog stand in the Beachwood Plaza since 1984, and is the founder and director of the Desere` Foundation, in 1991.

Mr. LaCrosse has been the owner "and occasional operator" of der Wunder Wiener, since 1984, located on Route 9 in Bayville at the Beachwood Plaza, the site of which Berkeley Township is currently seeking extensive redevelopment plans.

In addition to his time serving on the planning board and borough council, Mr. LaCrosse has been a member of Beachwood’s Office of Emergency Management since 2008, an honorary member of the Beachwood Volunteer Fire Company since 2007 and co-chairman of the borough “Fireworks on the Toms River” committee since the early 1990s.

He stated that he presently serves as co-chair with Councilwoman Beverly Clayton and Mayor Morris, and wanted to share a preview of this coming year’s event.

Beachwood Beach was packed with area residents and summer visitors during last year's fireworks display, hosted by Beachwood for the past 70 years.

“We have never been rained out – we’ve come close but the magic still seems to be there,” Mr. LaCrosse reported. “As an aside, this year’s program will have a little something ‘extra’ in it to make it unforgettable. After all, this is Beachwood’s 70th year of providing a terrific summer night of ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhhs’ for our residents, and about 90,000 others who watch.”

Switching gears back to the election, the longtime borough resident said he was pleased with the nomination.

“I have always been, and still am, in awe of the confidence and trust placed in me by those who would choose me to be one of their standard bearers,” he stated. “My pledge to them has always been that I would do my utmost to provide them with the quality representation they deserve.”

Mr. Zakar expressed enthusiasm behind his nomination alongside the former councilman.

“I am excited to have Jerry as a running mate,” he said. “Jerry LaCrosse is an honorable, proven leader in this community who delivers honest, effective results.”

“His preceding years of experience as a councilman is a true characteristic of his allegiance,” the past borough citizen of the year added.

Mr. LaCrosse echoed Mr. Zakar’s statements.

“I am honored to share the ticket with Ed Zakar, a man with an extraordinary resume when it comes to volunteerism in our community,” he said. “It’s not every day one gets to run with someone who has been named Beachwood’s Citizen of the Year, and I can honestly say that Ed Zakar more than deserved that recognition.”

Both candidates shared some of their top priorities, if elected.

Mr. Zakar stated that if he were elected, he would “seize each opportunity to restore the borough residents with the quality of life they deserve, and one that demands accountability and truthful results to the community, just as it was a couple of years ago.”

“I would like to restore consistency, knowledge and strength specifically crucial to all boards and commissions,” he added.

“First, I hope to get Beachwood’s good name back as one of the premier places in Ocean County in which to work, live and raise a family,” stated Mr. LaCrosse. “I also will be working with the other members of council to oversee the budget and keep the spending at a level that will sustain the services and programs offered our residents without undo increases in taxation.”

Mr. Zakar further stated that volunteer organizations within the borough would be looked at for aid and improvements, if elected.

I am hopeful that with my vision and passion for this borough, it would afford me an opportunity to promote consistency and stability to our volunteer organizations,” he said. “As you can appreciate, my entire life has been devoted to volunteerism. Volunteers are unequivocally the cornerstone of every town’s functionality.”

“I am dedicated to all volunteers, with profound respect and gratitude to our volunteer emergency services departments – fire, EMS, and OEM,” the candidate said. “We cannot afford any further losses to critical boards that function in the best interest for the residents.”

Mr. LaCrosse also felt that the borough’s volunteer organizations needed better protection and aid, but was more pointed in criticizing Mayor Jones in his remarks.

“I would also work to undo the damage done to our volunteer organizations’ reputations and standing in Beachwood and Ocean County by the patently untrue accusations made against them by Ron Jones in his effort to dictate how the volunteer organizations will be run,” he stated. “I would like to see some stability brought back to our boards and commissions by giving appointments to those with better qualifications, rather than those who helped the Jones team get elected in the first place.”

The candidate cited the recent high turnover rate for borough volunteers to Mayor Jones’ track record.

“There have been more than twenty five resignations and/or expulsions from boards and commissions since the Jones team has been in office,” he continued. “This mass exodus from our volunteer service area must be stopped, for it is the volunteers who are the backbone of our community, and without them, the entire borough will be the losers.

Besides concentrating on the volunteer organizations of the borough, both candidates expressed interest in improving the infrastructure of the borough.

“I would hope to again have an opportunity to work on the upgrading of our municipal water system by continuing the projects I started more than ten years ago in an effort to make Beachwood’s water delivery system one of the best in the state,” said Mr. LaCrosse. “These would include upgrades to the infrastructure, telemetry, water testing regimes and, of course, the reduction of incidences of discolored water due to excessive iron particles that sometimes get past our filtration systems.”

“Moving forward, I would also like to assist in the extended, long-term business planning for the borough, both in the financial and infrastructure areas, as well as ‘green’ initiatives,” stated Mr. Zakar.

When asked for a possible early theme for their borough Republican Party ticket, both men restated a commitment to the borough.

“In short, Beachwood belongs to the people and it will again,” said Mr. LaCrosse. “It’s time to restore Beachwood’s integrity and good name.”

“Ed Zakar and I are ready, willing and able to help in that process,” he added.

“Jerry and I are ready for this journey. We have committed to unified goals,” Mr. Zakar replied. “Our objective plan will bestow the maximum degree of allegiance to the residents of Beachwood.”

Both candidates summed up their candidacy and interest in gaining the two open council seats during this year’s borough election.

“In all my years as a member of the Beachwood governing body, I have never made a promise to get someone’s votes,” stated Mr. LaCrosse. “Promises are tools used by the unqualified to give credence to their candidacies.”

He referred to Mayor Jones’ election ticket of three years ago as an example of such promises.

“Just look at the promises made by the Jones team back in 2007 – fourteen promises made, none kept,” the former councilman said. “If ever I was forced to make a campaign promise, it would only be that I would work in the best interests of Beachwood’s residents and taxpayers to give them a government they could trust and to do what’s right for their community.”

Mr. Zakar cited his expertise and experience for giving him the ability to serve the represent the borough.

“I am confident that I possess the professional aptitude, organizational skills, and hold a diversified way of thinking that’s necessary to represent the residents of Beachwood,” he stated. “I will represent the borough with the utmost level of honesty, credibility, and integrity.”

The Riverside Signal is currently in the process of submitting a series of questions to all 2010 election candidates in all five boroughs (sadly, we did not get the Island Heights election candidates prior to that election last week, but we will be doing a post-election version of this with the winners). This is the first of our 2010 election coverage, with much more to follow.

CANDIDATE: Carole Jansen

BOROUGH: Beachwood

POLITICAL AFFILIATION: Democratic Party

RESIDENT OF: Mizzen Avenue, for over 24 years.

MARITAL STATUS: Married, to husband Stephen.

CHILDREN: two daughters

EMPLOYMENT: No answer given.

CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS & CHARITIES, NON-GOVERNMENTAL: Organizer, Women’s Corporate Softball League, prior to moving to Beachwood; organizer, tenant’s group, prior to moving to Beachwood; past president, secretary and treasurer of three undisclosed bowling leagues; member, two additional undisclosed bowling leagues; co-leader, undisclosed local Girl Scouts group; organizer, undisclosed local Parent Teacher Association after school program “with 95 percent participation”; participant, reorganization of undisclosed little league; coach, undisclosed local little league; teacher, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD), 18 years; teacher, confirmation classes, 16 years; youth minister, four years; Eucharistic Minister, present.

GOVERNMENT SERVICE: No answer given.

[Editor's Note: Responses to the Riverside Signal's candidate questionnaire were not replied by Ms. Jansen directly, but rather Alice Clair Calligan, a representative for the borough Democratic Party, and consisted largely of political campaign copy in place of direct answers to the questions posed. As a result, the Signal made a second request for direct information from the candidate, but such answers were not received at press time. It is the policy of the Riverside Signal to not publish arbitrary campaign copy for its candidate questionnaire from any source.]

Q&A

1. Why did you seek the nomination, and who nominated you? No answer given.
2. What is your reaction to the nomination? No answer given.
3. What are some things you would like to do, if elected? No answer given.
4. What are your top priorities, if elected? No answer given.
5. Is there any theme you would give the borough Democratic ticket? No answer given.

Required number of signatures falls short at deadline

by Erik Weber

Mayor Ronald W. Jones, Jr.

According to an August 5th notice sent by Borough Clerk Bette Mastropasqua to involved parties, only half the petitions needed were received by the 4:30 pm close of business day on August 3rd, the recall petition deadline.

Of the two prior attempts, the first was denied last fall also for not having enough signatures, and the second was rescinded when the recall committee found typographical errors in the committee chairman’s name and a lack of cost estimate to hold a recall election.

According to that chairman, Salvatore J. Murante, Sr., the committee, during their most recent attempt, “had no intention in submitting the petition because the required number of registered signatures had not been met.”

Regarding the number of signatures that had been received at borough hall by August 3rd, he said “a member of the committee who worked extremely hard and actually collected over 1,300 signatures on her own became overzealous and attempted to turn her petitions in a day late since the committee refused to submit the balance of the petitions by the deadline.”

“The entire committee would like to thank all of the voters who signed the petition and the volunteers who collected signatures,” Mr. Murante added. “To those residents who were afraid to sign in fear that the mayor would see their name and retaliate against them, you, along with the rest of Beachwood’s residents, will now have to wait until November 2011 to cast your vote for a new mayor.”

Mayor Jones did not respond to requests for comment at press time.
The next meeting of the borough council will be held on Wednesday, August 18th at 7 pm in borough hall on Pinewald Road.

BEACHWOOD – Today we have a quick look at a late summer night in downtown Beachwood and along the waterfront.

Enjoy!

Clancy's, located on the southwest corner of the Beachwood Circle, was once home to multiple shops, including a soda counter in the 1940s.

This gas and service station has stood on the corner of Mermaid Avenue and Atlantic City Boulevard since the early years of Beachwood.

Wanda Lohr's Japanese pagoda house was built in January 1917 and sits on the corner of Brigantine Street and Capstan Avenue.

The borough has been making progress toward replacing the aging concession stand and bathrooms at Mayo Park for a number of years.

Original borough home of Addison Doane Nickerson, the civil engineer and builder who surveyed, planned, and cleared Beachwood for development. Located across from the entrance to Beachwood Beach.

The borough boardwalk was reinstalled in 1995 following a decades-long absence when storms washed out the original boardwalk that connected the beachfront to the yacht club and boat slips. Its path winds its way past the original springs, located at the end of Spring Street.

A sailboat broke from its mooring and drifted against the Beachwood boardwalk late last week.