Matthew J. Doherty

Belmar OKs strict limits on eminent domain use

February 26, 2009

By FRAIDY REISS
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

The borough now boasts the strongest anti-eminent domain law in Monmouth and Ocean counties, Councilman Matthew J. Doherty declared.

Belmar earned that distinction, he said, when the Borough Council voted 4-1 Wednesday night to prohibit itself from seizing any property in a redevelopment area and selling it to a developer - despite a state eminent domain law that allows municipalities to do just that.

“It’s wrong to take private property and turn it over to a redeveloper for private gain,” Doherty said. “It’s a power that shouldn’t be available to municipal, county or state governments.”

The borough already had banned itself from seizing owner-occupied homes in redevelopment zones, under the terms of an ordinance Doherty introduced and the council adopted in 2007. But Belmar wanted to expand that ban to any type of property, even though right now the recession is delaying the borough’s plans to redevelop its downtown, Doherty said.

“At some point, the economy is going to come back, and there is going to be redevelopment in Belmar,” he said. “So this (ban) will already be in place.”

Patricia Tecza, owner of Nostalgic Nonsense Vintage Clothing on Main Street, was among dozens of local business owners who supported the council’s limiting its own power of eminent domain. For the last decade and a half, she said, she has been stuck on a “roller coaster,” wondering whether the borough will seize the property her store has occupied since 1993.

The awning outside Nostalgic Nonsense should have been replaced six years ago, but she held off, reluctant to invest in a storefront that might get torn down in the name of redevelopment, she said.

“Why would I go spend a lot of money on an awning when I don’t know what the town’s going to do?” Tecza asked.

Only now that the council has committed not to invoke its power of eminent domain will she move ahead with improving her business, she said.

The dissenting council vote came from Councilman Richard J. Wright, the only Republican on the governing body, who called the eminent domain ban “silly.” The state Supreme Court recently issued a decision regarding Paulsboro in Gloucester County that “essentially ended” government’s right to seize land for redevelopment, he said.

“Since that court has already spoken on this issue, to pass a local ordinance saying we’re not going to use eminent domain is totally unnecessary,” Wright said. “I don’t believe we should be passing laws that are unnecessary.”

Doherty, his fellow councilman, countered that the Supreme Court decision helps only those businesses that can hire a lawyer to fight eminent domain proceedings, as Freedman’s Bakery and the Belmar Mall have done successfully.

“You have to have the money to go to court,” Doherty said. “If you’re a regular business owner in town and you don’t have those deep pockets, what do you do?”

DOHERTY ANNOUNCES BID FOR RE-ELECTION

Belmar Councilman Fights to Keep Property Taxes Stable, Improve Quality of Life

 BELMAR - Councilman Matt Doherty announced today his intention to seek re-election this November, citing his accomplishments in improving the quality of life for borough residents and laying out his agenda for a second term.

 ”I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the families of Belmar, and I look forward to continuing my service,” Doherty said. “From keeping property taxes stable, searching for shared services with other communities, protecting private property against eminent domain, increasing the public’s right to know about financial campaign contributions and securing a generator for our seniors, I will never stop working for Belmar.”

Doherty has focused significant time in his first term to the accessibility and quality of life of Belmar - from promoting infrastructure projects in town to creating accessibility for seniors, the disabled and families with strollers with the blue MOBI mats on the beach.  He has also fought for Belmar’s business owners, such as advocating the successful “Buy in Belmar” campaign during this past holiday season and writing the ordinance to protect businesses from eminent domain two years after spearheading passage of a similar ordinance to protect private homes in Belmar.

Doherty’s work on the Council drew acclaim from an array of elected officials.

“Matt is an incredibly hard worker who always puts the people’s interest first,” said Mayor Ken Pringle. “He is a great asset to the Council, and I am impressed at how much he has accomplished in his first term.

Council President Merry Brennan said: “We need Matt Doherty on Council. He has the energy and passion required to make Belmar a great place to raise a family.”

“I love working with Matt,” said Councilwoman Claire Deike. “He gives his heart and soul to Belmar, and his commitment to the people he serves is second to none.”

U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J. praised Doherty as having done “a tremendous job in a very short period of time. Matt is tireless advocate for the people of Belmar.  He was persistent about getting the generator for the Belmar Senior Building and without him it may never have happened.”

In his second term, Doherty promises to work to revitalize our Main Street area, promote shared services agreements to save tax dollars, increase access to the beach, improve our Library, enhance our Harbor, and continue to ensure Belmar is a model of open and transparent government.

Doherty said, “I look forward to going door to door this year and talking with my bosses - the people of Belmar - about how we can confront the unprecedented challenges we face and keep Belmar a great place to live, raise a family and retire.”

Councilman Doherty currently serves on the following Committees: Harbor Commission, Planning Board, ADA Committee (Coordinator), Council Finance Committee, Council Public Safety Committee. He lives on Inlet Terrace with his wife, Maggie, and their two children, Hannah (age 4) and Claire (age 1). Professionally, he is a Securities Licensed Financial Services Professional with MassMutual Financial Group and owner of Doherty Mortgage located on 10^th Avenue in Belmar.

Borough debates stronger smoking law for beaches, boardwalk

February 21, 2009

CHRISTINA VEGA
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

If smokers want to protect their right to light up a cigarette on the borough beaches and boardwalk, they need to pick up their butts.

The Borough Council is considering a smoking ban proposed by its environmental commission largely due to the high amounts of cigarette litter in the dunes, on the boardwalk and beaches.

“Go by any bench on the boardwalk, any bench, and count the butts. If you don’t see any, just nudge the sand with your toe and I guarantee you will find cigarette butts. It is virtually every single place and it’s unsightly,” Mayor Kenneth E. Pringle said at a special public hearing this afternoon.

Carol Davies, chairwoman for the environmental commission, presented the main concerns of the commission and offered facts from several resources about secondhand smoke and the effects of litter.

“Exposure to secondhand smoke within a few feet of someone smoking outdoors can be as high as exposure to secondhand smoke in an enclosed space,” she said. “Studies have shown that in beach cleanups that cigarette butts are the number one form of litter.”

Pringle added cigarette butts are one of two items that the beachraker does not pick up - the other being plastic straws.

In 2001, Belmar was the first Shore town to enforce a partial smoking ban on the beaches. The borough now has designated areas every 400 feet on the beach for smoking. Beachgoers are permitted to smoke within a 50-foot radius of the signs or face a $25 fine. Litterers can face a fine of $100 and two days of community service.

Changes to the smoking law that the council is considering include banning smoking on the beaches and boardwalk, limiting smoking to only certain beaches or just the boardwalk or amending the designated smoking areas.

“The issue is trying to balance rights. The hard part of this job is trying to strike the right balance between what’s fair and right and what’s not,” Pringle said. “I’m looking for some interim way to improve upon what we have and not an outright ban.”

Some 50 residents gathered in the municipal courtroom for the meeting to voice concerns regarding the ban. Most residents agreed a complete ban of smoking on the beaches is unrealistic and would be an infringement on the rights of smokers.

“The purpose of this smoking ban is not to protect the public from the fictional harms of secondhand smoke in open spaces. Rather, it supports smokers to comply with the nonsmoking majority’s view of the ideal citizen,” said Eileen Thiede, of Tenth Avenue, who added she doesn’t smoke anymore.

On the other hand, nonsmoker Bart Yarnold of Inlet Terrace said he lost his father to lung cancer, mostly from secondhand smoke, and thinks smoking on the beaches should be banned completely.

“We have to educate the smokers that their butts are litter. I don’t think they understand,” Yarnold said. “I believe in people’s rights, but when it infringes on me, my children and my children’s children, then I have a problem.” 

Belmar moves to amend dog beach ban

Support Tom Volker

Submitted by JOANNE CASSEY

I am voting for Tom Volker for Belmar Council on Election Day, and I hope everyone else votes for him, too.

Recently, I held a meet-and-greet for Tom at my condo with many of my fellow residents, and he was great. He really listens to people and told us, “If I am elected, please let me know if I can help you with anything.” Sounds simple, doesn’t it? But this is exactly what we need: elected officials who listen to us and will help when we need it. That’s the personal touch we expect in a small town like ours.

Soon after our get-together, Tom called and spoke with some of my neighbors regarding information they had requested. This busy man didn’t forget he had promised to get back to them. Just as he gives his all to the many committees he serves on in Belmar, he will continue to do so for us as a member of our council.

Now, I know you cannot take politics out of elections, but if you could, and just looked at the person, you would see that Tom is by far the best candidate running this year. He knows how far our town has come since the 1980s, and what we need to do to improve our Main Street.

Please join me and support Tom Volker on Election Day.

JOANNE CASSEY
River Road, Belmar

Volker Is The Type of Person Belmar’s Council Needs

Submitted by JANIS KEOWN-BLACKBURN

I believe that Tom Volker, candidate for Belmar town council, is the type of person this town needs. He is a doer. When he says he will be there to work on a project, he’s there and ready to pitch in and do his part. He works hard and is not afraid to give his ideas and suggestions.

Being a council member requires a lot of tough decisions, and Tom is not afraid to do what is best for our town. He believes in doing what is the right thing, even if it is not always the most popular. He looks at what is best for Belmar for both today and in the future.

Tom has proved his enthusiasm for Belmar by volunteering in various Belmar organizations: the arts council, harbor commission and beautification committee. He’s not just a member, but a working member.

As an owner of one of the inns in town, Tom understands that Belmar is a town that needs our summer guests to visit here and return to visit here again. He knows that the families who visit and spend money in our town help to keep our businesses alive and assist in keeping our taxes as low as possible. He understands the importance of a good balance between visitors and residents.

Tom Volker is the type of person Belmar’s town council needs.

JANIS KEOWN-BLACKBURN
River Court, Belmar

Tom Volker Has Been Found!

Submitted by DONNA VOLKER

I am writing to ask voters to support Tom Volker for Belmar Council in this Tuesday’s election. After reading a letter in The Coast Star by a resident asking, “Where is Tom?” [Terry Pierce's "Where Has He Been?" Oct. 23] I feel compelled to answer her.

You can find my father in many different places in Belmar. He is at the beautification committee, working to make our downtown and other areas of town more attractive with no cost to taxpayers. He is at the harbor commission, working hard to improve the harbor so the town can generate more revenue to offset our property tax bills. Just drive through the harbor and witness the changes that have occurred.

He is at the chamber of commerce participating and hosting meetings to help all of the business owners in Belmar. He is at the Belmar Arts Council, volunteering, painting floors, patching roofs to help see that non-profit organization prosper. He is clearing trash around the lake and at his adopt-a-spot. He is changing a display case at borough hall for the historical council, and never misses a chance to sing the praises of the wealth of volunteers we have in Belmar.

In addition to all of this, he also operates a cozy and beautiful bed and breakfast, which brings nice people into town. These visitors praise our restaurants, shops and scenery. Some have loved our town so much they purchased homes in Belmar.

In addition, he also makes time to attend school functions for my children [his grandchildren] here in Belmar. You can also find him at one of our ballparks cheering them on.

He has been active at council meetings, but not all of them, and I think most people understand why.

Finally, I know the type of man my father is: intelligent, caring, involved and loyal, with a great sense of humor, and we in Belmar will be fortunate to have him serve on the council.

DONNA VOLKER
11th Avenue, Belmar

ELECTION 2008

By Kelly Skellinger

The Coast Star

Belmar residents will select the candidate they believe is the best man for the job next Tuesday, Nov. 4, during the borough’s general election.

Richard Wright, Republican candidate for council, and Thomas Volker, Democratic candidate for council, will vie for the single, three-year term on the council currently held by Councilman William Merkler.

Councilman Merkler, whose term is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, is currently the only Republican seated at the dais of Belmar’s governing body.

While Councilman Merkler was backed by the Belmar Republican Committee and ran uncontested for the Republican nomination in the June GOP Primary, the councilman decided not to seek re-election two weeks ago, citing the increased time demanded by his business.

In turn, Mr. Wright was nominated by the Belmar Republican Committee to take his place as the Republican nominee.

Mr. Volker, 67, lives with his wife, Rosemary, on 4th Avenue. The couple own and run The Inn At The Shore, a bed and breakfast there.

The Volkers have three children, Donna, who lives in Belmar; Chuck, who lives in Fair Haven; and Brian, who lives in Rumson. They also have 11 grandchildren.

Mr. Volker is a member of the Belmar Harbor Commission and the Belmar Chamber of Commerce. He is also a trustee of the Belmar Historical Council, Belmar Arts Council, Belmar Beautification Committee and Belmar Adopt-A-Spot program.

Mr. Volker is a former president of the Preferred Inns of New Jersey, as well.

Having moved to Belmar in 1993 with his wife, Mr. Volker took early retirement in 1998 from JC Penney, where he was the manager of their Ridgefield warehouse distribution facility.

When asked what he hopes to accomplish, if elected, Mr. Volker stated he would like to see redevelopment “get off the ground” in Belmar.

Mr. Volker also stated that he plans on stressing the importance of “sensible fiscal management” being applied to all aspects of municipal government.

“If we don’t have the money, don’t spend it,” he said.

Mr. Volker explained that he would also like to see the borough’s recreation department continue to host programs for families, seniors, children and teens.

“I would like to see Belmar continue to be a safe, friendly place to live,” he added.

Mr. Wright, 57, a retiree, resides on Inlet Terrace with his wife, Linda. Together they have two grown children, Sean and Bridget.

Mr. Wright has a bachelor of science degree in physics from Bates College, a master’s degree in business administration from Rutgers University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mr. Wright started his career at Coopers and Lybrand, in New York City. After leaving Coopers and Lybrand, Mr. Wright worked as the executive vice president and chief financial officer at Drexel Burnham Lambert.

Upon leaving Drexel Burnham Lambert, he held the position of chief executive officer of DP Investment. His next career move landed him in the position of chief executive officer of Great Gorge/Vernon Valley.

After leaving Great Gorge/Vernon Valley, Mr. Wright worked as the chief financial officer of MaxLink.

He retired from MaxLink in 2001.

Mr. Wright, President of the Belmar Republican Party, has served as treasurer of the Inlet Terrace Association and was a trustee of The Friends of The Belmar Harbor.

Mr. Wright is a member of the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory, where he served as trustee and treasurer for six years, and a member of the Belmar Homeowner’s Association [BHA].

“I enjoy being part of the Belmar community and participating in its activities and organizations,” Mr. Wright recently explained. “I see my candidacy as an opportunity to use my financial and management background to improve the community and make it a better and more affordable place to live.”

If elected, Mr. Wright seeks to bring an “objective voice” to the council.

“It is important that there be checks and balances on the borough council and I am committed to bring an objective voice on the council,” Mr. Wright said.

“There is a sense of divisiveness in the community, according to a recent community survey, which I believe is straining segments of the borough,” Mr. Wright added. “I will work to strengthen our sense of community by insisting that our leaders respect each other and respect all of our residents.”

Voters can cast their votes for their candidate of choice on election day, Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There are four polling locations in Belmar.

District One and District Five voters can vote at the Goodwill Firehouse, located at 610 7th Avenue, in Belmar. District Two voters can vote at the Union Firehouse, located at 9th Avenue and E Street, in Belmar.

District Three voters can vote at the Volunteer Hook and Ladder House, located on 11th Avenue, in Belmar. District Four voters can vote at the Borough Public Works building, located at 800 13th Avenue, in Belmar.

http://starnewsgroup.com/weekly/2008/10.30.08/wright,_volk_10.30.08_53603.html

Fellow Harbor Commission Member Endorses Volker

Tom Volker, who is running for an open Belmar Council seat, is not only competent, but he is also caring and responsible.

I served on the Belmar Harbor Commission with Tom, and watched how he pushed for the right things. He was well-versed on the need to improve signage and parking conditions for the harbor customers. He pushed and pushed until these two customer service improvements were in place.

Tom is the right person for our council. He gets it; he is a local businessperson in tune with what customer service is, and is willing to give up a portion of his personal life for the good of Belmar. Vote Volker!

BILL YOUNG
9th Avenue, Belmar

October 22, 2008

Belmar candidates squabble over tax increases, services

By FRAIDY REISS
ASBURY PARK PRESS
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

Borough employees work hard to adhere to the budgets the mayor and Borough Council lay out for them, the Democratic candidate for council said Tuesday night.

“Sometimes, if all you hear is campaign rhetoric, you might think we have people working in our town who do nothing but spend money randomly,” said Thomas Volker, 67. “That’s simply not true.”

The proof of that lies in the municipal tax rate, which has risen at a slower rate than the county and school portions of the tax bill, he said.

But comparing municipal tax increases to those of the county and school district is not the right way to assess whether taxes are too high, countered Richard J. Wright, the Republican candidate for council.

“All families in town are having to do more with less,” said Wright, 57. “I think Belmar is going to have to do more with less.”

He pointed to regionalization of municipal services as the only way to save taxpayers real money.

The candidates’ disagreement came during the fifth annual Meet the Candidates Night, a debate hosted by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Belmar Homeowners Association and attended by some 100 people. The borough tax rate was one of several issues on which the two political newcomers disagreed.

“The first thing we need for the downtown is a plan,” Wright said when asked about the stalled redevelopment process. Belmar’s lack of a definite plan poses a problem for downtown property owners who do not know whether to invest in improving their buildings, he said.

Volker, though, said the master plan for redevelopment “has to wait until the economy improves.”

“That’s pretty obvious,” he said.

When borough resident Richard Hunt, 55, asked each man to explain why he would be the best person to fill the three-year term available on the five-member governing body, Wright spoke of his background in management and finance.

“I have a lot of experience, I think, in issues the town is going to be facing,” he said.

Additionally, Wright said, he would be the lone Republican voice on the council and would provide a “check and balance” for a governing body that for most of the last 18 years consisted solely of Democrats.

Volker responded to the same question by calling himself a “team player.”

“I love Belmar and working to help Belmar,” he said.

Both candidates did well in the debate, borough resident Joe Keosseian said later, but Wright was the winner, he said.

“It’s getting to be one-sided,” Keosseian, 44, said of the council. “We need some Republican representation on there to balance out all the ideas.”

ASBURY PARK PRESS

BELMAR - The two men vying for the one available Borough Council seat next month are set to debate each other at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Democrat Thomas Volker and GOP hopeful Richard J. Wright will face off during the Belmar Homeowners Association’s fifth annual Meet the Candidates Night at the Taylor Pavilion on Ocean and Fifth avenues.

Last year’s debate drew some 250 residents, said Douglas Sweeny, co-president of the association.

“It’s our version of the presidential debates,” he said.

Fraidy Reiss

October 17, 2008

Council seat at stake in Belmar race
By FRAIDY REISS
ASBURY PARK PRESS

COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

When voters head to the polls in November to choose a new Borough Council member, they should not focus on the national media attention Mayor Kenneth E. Pringle brought to the borough this summer with his local newsletter, at least one Belmar resident said.

“It shouldn’t, in my view, have any bearing on” the election, said Dennis McGill, 73, of Third Avenue. “It was blown out of proportion.”

But whether they should or not, voters probably will be thinking about that newsletter when they pull the lever, said Thomas Volker, the Democratic candidate and a political newcomer. He predicted, though, that voters will accept that the Democratic mayor was trying to help Belmar with his description of the “guidos” and “Staten Island girls” who visit the borough during the summer and flout its rules.

“He admits he went overboard and he apologized,” said Volker, 67. “I think it won’t hurt me at all.”

His Republican opponent, political newcomer Richard J. Wright, said he could not guess how memories of the newsletter will affect the election.

“I think the mayor was probably well-intended, but it has caused a great deal of embarrassment for the town and for the people in the town,” said Wright, 57. Still, he added, voters might not punish Volker for that embarrassment just because he hails from the same political party as the mayor.

Pringle said he doubted voters would make that connection.

“I don’t think people will hold my newsletter against Tom Volker,” the mayor said. “He had nothing to do with (it).”

From 1990 until 2005, all four borough council seats and the mayor’s seat were filled with Democrats. Then, in 2005, William Merkler snagged a spot as the lone Republican council member.

Merkler, 41, won the primary election in June but later announced he would not seek a second three-year term because he needed to focus on his landscaping business. He withdrew from the race, and Wright took his place as the Republican candidate.

So when voters head to the polls in November to choose a new council member, they will be looking for “another voice” to help govern the borough, local resident Pat Melango said.

“It’s always the same people voting the same way,” she said. “It’s good to have another voice and another point of view.”

Wright agreed. For too long, the council simply followed the mayor’s lead and never dissented on any issue, he said.

“An important part of my candidacy is to have an independent voice on the council that can make sure issues are addressed,” Wright said.

Volker countered that a mixed-party council is not necessarily in the best interest of the town.

“It depends if they can work together harmoniously,” he said. “If there’s going to be fighting all the time and that one opposing voice is going to be against everything that’s proposed, good or bad, then it’s not a good thing.”

Another issue on voter’s minds this election season is the borough’s stalled plan to redevelop the downtown, Wright said. The process has been dragging on for too long, leaving property owners unsure of whether to invest in upgrading their storefronts or to wait for their buildings to be torn down, he said.

“The first thing (we need) is a clear statement of where the redevelopment stands, so that people can begin to plan for the future,” Wright said.

But Volker said voters are not thinking about the downtown right now.

“Redevelopment is on hold until the economy improves, so I don’t see it being an issue,” Volker said. “We’re just going to have to wait until things get better.”