Barnegat Establishes Donation Program for Dock Rebuild

WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot February 21, 2013 at 12:11 pm

I would likely have participated in this, but not after learning of the $113K appropriated (wasted) two weeks ago to "investigate the scope of necessary repairs". I refuse to contribute until wasteful patronage to political donors stop. I thought that would have happened when we voted in a new majority, but it seems like we were duped again.

Catherine February 21, 2013 at 12:31 pm

You know what you can't please all the people all of the time. Let's not see what actually needs to be done to insure any future damage isn't at the magnitude of this damage. Let the township just build blindly. That makes all the sense in the world. Do you people ever stop complaining about every, little thing? Sheesh! Rebuilding costs money and if that means the township has to look into what will make my time at the dock safer, I say go for it within set guidelines. I think the donation idea is awesome as long as the monies are used appropriately!

Xavier February 21, 2013 at 12:37 pm

I donated when I sent my property tax payment in. No need to thank me.

Ray February 21, 2013 at 01:23 pm

Yesterday, the APPRESS reported that the Freeloaders are going to raise taxes for residents who live on the mainland of OC to make up for the decrase in taxes on the islands. So, were going to get hit with a massive tax hike. After that, who can afford to donate to anything.

wookfish February 21, 2013 at 01:54 pm

"your time at the dock" YOU pay for it

BelAir February 21, 2013 at 02:13 pm

It should be mandatory that when they do rebuild that they use local business to both build and purchase materials from to stimulate the economy. I know there is a company called Dockside Marine right in Barnegat that should be used for materials. Support small business, shop local.

Susan Conway February 21, 2013 at 03:57 pm

WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot - there is no political patronage in play. ARH was one of the lower bidders, with the highest level of experience. Birdsall could no longer be used based upon its legal woes. A breakdown of the costs is available for you at Town Hall. Please feel free to review and inquire thereafter if you have any questions. Catherine - we already have an idea of what needs to be done differently to ensure the dock is as strong as possible against any future storms, and those necessary improvement efforts will be employed. Wookfish - in actuality, FEMA will be covering the bulk of the costs for the dock. However, it will be available for all to enjoy, whether you donate or not, pay property taxes or not. BelAir - we will be utilizing the Barnegat Public Works department to install the new docks, under the watchful eye of ARH to ensure that it is rebuilt properly, and as storm-resistant as possible. Materials will be purchased in accordance with FEMA requirements so that we do not put into jeopardy our funding - that said, I certainly hope FEMA supports local businesses as well, which they may likely agree to if said local businesses are offering the lowest costs for materials.

Plunket of Barnegat February 21, 2013 at 04:11 pm

Yes, because we can all trust David Breeden not to redirect the fund to some pet project like the turf field disaster on Lower Shore Road.

Susan Conway February 21, 2013 at 04:21 pm

Plunket - As was made clear during the meeting, a special, clearly labeled sub account to the recreation account will be created. Every single donation will be placed into that sub-account, and will be clearly delineated. Anyone will be able to go to Town Hall to view the ledger for that account. Thank you!

Elaine Taylor February 21, 2013 at 04:56 pm

Plunket of Barnegat, these funds will be specifically earmarked for the restoration of the dock and beach. No funds will be redirected to any other project. You can be assured that we will keep a watchful eye on the funds to ensure that the funds will be used for what they are designated for, the rebuilding of the dock and beach due to Hurricane Sandy.

Plunket of Barnegat February 21, 2013 at 05:23 pm

Thanks Susan. I still don't trust Breeden. He's found too many ways to waste township money by exploiting loopholes. For example, he skated around the state requirement for authorizing new police cars by buying SUVs, which aren't cars. C'mon, how do you expect us to trust a man like that?

Susan February 21, 2013 at 10:11 pm

This town is for everyone who lives here. We all enjoy living here, so we should all donate to help in the re-building of the township and give whatever we can possibly give! All of the negative comments do not need to be spoken here.

Susan February 21, 2013 at 10:24 pm

Where can we donate?

Howard Effron February 21, 2013 at 10:59 pm

Remember, Mr. Breeden could not pillage the Open Space Fund or exercise the police SUV loophole without the consent of the previous committee. The problem was that they just did not pay attention or did not care. But then again maybe they thought it was the right thing to do! Hopefully this committee will pay more attention and use a little more common sense than the previous committee. I'm sure they will.

Susan Conway February 22, 2013 at 01:37 am

Donations can be provided at Town Hall for now - we are working on an electronic method via the Barnegat Township website, but I do not believe it is up and running yet. Thank you for your inquiry!

Sententia February 22, 2013 at 03:40 pm

Not to be flippant as I do appreciate Ms. Conway’s time in responding, but I think it would be more helpful to those of us who wish to donate to know: make checks payable to ?, mail your donations to the attention of ?, at ?. Can donations be put in the drop box in front of town hall? Donations can be provided at town hall is rather vague and exceptionally inconvenient to those of us that work. I’m sure we don’t want checks floating all over town hall. In the hopes of striking while the iron is hot so to speak, the details of how to donate and any electronic mechanisms for making donations should have been in place before the announcement and details on how to donate provided in the article.

Howard Effron February 22, 2013 at 04:30 pm

Put a donate by PayPal button on the first page of the Barnegat township website. You can have it up and running in 10 minutes including the link. It allows people to donate ny credit card even if they don't have a PayPal account.

Ray February 22, 2013 at 05:41 pm

Why don't you apply for the Robin Hood Fund, Little Egg applied and were granted $300,000.

Larry Cataldo February 22, 2013 at 09:17 pm

the three of you were elected to lead! you have nothing to explain, the people who view the Dock as enhancement to the quality of life will support the program, those that do not, "DON'T LET THE DOOR SLAM ON YOU AS YOU LEAVE AND MOVE INLAND"!

Larry Cataldo February 22, 2013 at 09:24 pm

I DON'T UNDERSTAND, IF THE DOCK IS SUCH A DRAW ON TAXES, WHY ON SATURDAY NIGHTS THERE IS "STANDING ROOM ONLY ON IT DURING SUMMER CONCERTS"! NAY SAYERS, "GIVE ME A BREAK"!

Plunket of Barnegat February 23, 2013 at 02:33 am

How many of those people are from other communities that pay zero to enjoy what we pay for?

Elaine Taylor February 23, 2013 at 05:00 am

Donations can be made payable to "Barnegat Dockmaster Fund" and sent/or brought to the Barnegat Clerk's office. We also plan on having donations electronically submitted via the Barnegat website, however, I do not think that is up and running as of yet, it should be ready to go within the week.
Regarding the Robin Hood Foundation, I have already checked out their website and it seems to me that the grants given are for non profit groups, not government entities.

Ray February 23, 2013 at 02:16 pm

Hey Elaine, check out page 25 of the Sandpiper. It states that Litlle Egg Mayor John Kehm wrote a letter to the RH Fund and asked for 5 million. On Feb. 14th Kehm announced at the municipal meeting that $300,000 has been awarded.

Larry Cataldo February 23, 2013 at 09:16 pm

PLUNKET,
I USE THE OTHER COMMUNITIES "DOCKS", WHATS YOUR POINT????

Catherine February 24, 2013 at 07:23 pm

It sickens me to see you people complain about how others come here and use our areas for whatever they choose to. I used to get p*ssed at that idea too and then I realized that as long as the township does right by the people who live here then it's an honor to have others here. Are most out-of-towners completely disrespectful? Yeah, they are. Do they not clean up after themselves? No, not really. In seeing behavior like that I have learned to not keep the anger bottled up - I speak my mind very loudly and clearly. We all live in this town for a reason and we continue to live here for a reason. We have carte blanch to tell people who aren't from here to be respectful even if they don't donate (or pay) a dime.
Rather than being all anti government, how about we give the new people a chance. There's NO reason that we should bicker with each other as we are the people of this town that elected those into office. We should stand united and speak out when we find out that those are "factually" wrong. Until then, let's just enjoy what we've been granted with.

Elaine Taylor February 26, 2013 at 01:08 pm

Thanks Ray, I'll check it out.