Thank you, Ro Papa for your opinion. Unfortunately, this is an example of how someone could look good on paper, but have really no effect on the town.
I have been at meet and greets and Townhall and I can assure you I did not see ro papa there. These two are so afraid of losing that they are overlooking sincerity in their campaign.
They are both two people who cannot work with department heads. They are both a one-man show.
Again, taking credit for things that took a team to accomplish, there’s no recognition for anyone else and this is what the town has been lacking.
We had a Mayor who had closed doors meetings, who did not work with department heads, who overruled the council and who did not seek public opinion or suggestions.
This is exactly what the town does not want for another four years.
If you want change, vote for DeBlasio and Anan. Their vision is based on honesty and trust and their long-term commitment to the town without flaw.
I am writing to express my serious concerns regarding Mayor Donovan’s campaign narrative and track record. While she has served as a council member for three and a half years, she is currently campaigning as if she were brand new to this administration.
Despite voting in favor of every tax increase brought before her without question, Mayor Donovan points fingers at prior administrations whenever the topic comes up. When asked to explain her voting record, she offers no clear answers—only the same routine blame game. This lack of accountability and actionable strategy is alarming while our town faces a financial crisis.
Mayor Donovan’s sudden focus on infrastructure and volunteers also raises questions. After three and a half years of silence on these fronts, these issues have conveniently surfaced just in time for campaign season.
Furthermore, she cannot claim credit for the 5th Avenue infrastructure project, as records show the Walsifer administration had already put those plans into motion.
Donovan has continually taken credit for the legal effort against Verizon. The Verizon battle has been going on since 2007 when Mayor Ken Pringle and former Councilman John Szeliga, who was employed by Verizon, proposed placing three 70 foot cell towers disguised as flag poles on Ocean Ave. between 10th and 11th Avenues and building a new Lifeguard Headquarters building which would house all the needed Verizon equipment. A concerned group of residents started a petition and wrote letters to CAFRA, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection and Verizon vehemently protesting this project. The project was denied and dropped a year later. Under Doherty’s administration, Verizon proposed to replace every third light pole on the boardwalk with a cell tower. During Mayor Walsifer’s term, his administration successfully removed a 50 foot pole on 17th Ave. placed by Verizon without anyone’s knowledge and approval and stopped the placement of cell equipment on Mamaluke’s on Ocean and 18th Avenues. The battle that Donovan takes credit for was actually initiated by Councilwoman Kinney who contacted Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone and Congressman Chris Smith requesting help for Belmar’s fight against Verizon. Mayor Donovan sits back and takes credit while Monmouth County spends substantial resources fighting on Belmar’s behalf. In addition, Donovan fails to mention that she voted for an ordinance to allow 35 foot Verizon poles to be placed 50 feet west of Ocean Ave. in front of people’s homes.
For the last three and a half years, all we heard about was her fundraising efforts for the 12th Avenue softball field.
There are so many more important issues to worry about than putting time and effort into a field that is just fine as is.
Over the next four years, Belmar will confront major challenges, including a massive influx of housing units concentrated in one section of town. We cannot afford a mayor who lacks insight into the very decisions she voted for over the past three and a half years and who takes credit for someone else’s labor.
I urge the voters of Belmar to look beyond polished smiles and deflection. It is time to elect a leader who possesses the knowledge, accountability, and real solutions needed to guide our town forward.
Thank you, Ro Papa for your opinion. Unfortunately, this is an example of how someone could look good on paper, but have really no effect on the town.
I have been at meet and greets and Townhall and I can assure you I did not see ro papa there. These two are so afraid of losing that they are overlooking sincerity in their campaign.
They are both two people who cannot work with department heads. They are both a one-man show.
Again, taking credit for things that took a team to accomplish, there’s no recognition for anyone else and this is what the town has been lacking.
We had a Mayor who had closed doors meetings, who did not work with department heads, who overruled the council and who did not seek public opinion or suggestions.
This is exactly what the town does not want for another four years.
If you want change, vote for DeBlasio and Anan. Their vision is based on honesty and trust and their long-term commitment to the town without flaw.
I am writing to express my serious concerns regarding Mayor Donovan’s campaign narrative and track record. While she has served as a council member for three and a half years, she is currently campaigning as if she were brand new to this administration.
Despite voting in favor of every tax increase brought before her without question, Mayor Donovan points fingers at prior administrations whenever the topic comes up. When asked to explain her voting record, she offers no clear answers—only the same routine blame game. This lack of accountability and actionable strategy is alarming while our town faces a financial crisis.
Mayor Donovan’s sudden focus on infrastructure and volunteers also raises questions. After three and a half years of silence on these fronts, these issues have conveniently surfaced just in time for campaign season.
Furthermore, she cannot claim credit for the 5th Avenue infrastructure project, as records show the Walsifer administration had already put those plans into motion.
Donovan has continually taken credit for the legal effort against Verizon. The Verizon battle has been going on since 2007 when Mayor Ken Pringle and former Councilman John Szeliga, who was employed by Verizon, proposed placing three 70 foot cell towers disguised as flag poles on Ocean Ave. between 10th and 11th Avenues and building a new Lifeguard Headquarters building which would house all the needed Verizon equipment. A concerned group of residents started a petition and wrote letters to CAFRA, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection and Verizon vehemently protesting this project. The project was denied and dropped a year later. Under Doherty’s administration, Verizon proposed to replace every third light pole on the boardwalk with a cell tower. During Mayor Walsifer’s term, his administration successfully removed a 50 foot pole on 17th Ave. placed by Verizon without anyone’s knowledge and approval and stopped the placement of cell equipment on Mamaluke’s on Ocean and 18th Avenues. The battle that Donovan takes credit for was actually initiated by Councilwoman Kinney who contacted Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone and Congressman Chris Smith requesting help for Belmar’s fight against Verizon. Mayor Donovan sits back and takes credit while Monmouth County spends substantial resources fighting on Belmar’s behalf. In addition, Donovan fails to mention that she voted for an ordinance to allow 35 foot Verizon poles to be placed 50 feet west of Ocean Ave. in front of people’s homes.
For the last three and a half years, all we heard about was her fundraising efforts for the 12th Avenue softball field.
There are so many more important issues to worry about than putting time and effort into a field that is just fine as is.
Over the next four years, Belmar will confront major challenges, including a massive influx of housing units concentrated in one section of town. We cannot afford a mayor who lacks insight into the very decisions she voted for over the past three and a half years and who takes credit for someone else’s labor.
I urge the voters of Belmar to look beyond polished smiles and deflection. It is time to elect a leader who possesses the knowledge, accountability, and real solutions needed to guide our town forward.
Believe me, Suzanne Anan has shown more interest in the environmental committee than any elected official, ever!
Can any candidate lower taxes? Probebly not