Having just read Caitlin Donovan’s flyer, along with her tv ads and Mayor Moment videos, I felt the need to comment. This is not a personal attack against her. In fact, I find her quite personable. Having run for council myself in Belmar I know first firsthand how brutal politics can be. Between social media and the rumor mill it is very hard for candidates. This isn’t sour grapes; it’s just been my experience and opinion.
In the flyer, Caitlin’s first point is that she was voted in unanimously as mayor. True! But what a lot of people don’t realize is the interim had to be a Democrat. This is a pattern for our Democrat Party here in Belmar. Have a mayor or council member resign early and place your next candidate to gain exposure by public recognition and awareness. In fact Caitlin was “placed “ in her council seat for months before she ran when Tom Brennan resigned early. Some may say that tactic is politically savvy, I believe it is disingenuous.
Caitlin also touts her fight against Verizon. True. What she doesn’t say is she voted for Ordinance 2024-19 which prohibits cell towers on Ocean Ave but will NOT prevent towers in other places in town, INCLUDING residential areas. Belmar is nowhere out of the woods in the cell tower fight. Some might applaud no cell towers on the boardwalk, but I wonder if those clapping understand that the ordinance may just change their locations from the beach to our “backyards”. It doesn’t prevent them. FCC law limits Belmar’s ability to prevent wireless infrastructure.
The last point I would highlight is that Caitlin voted for all five of the massive redevelopment projects which will increase our population by roughly 20%. Her literature and ads have been silent on her voting record on these projects. 3 of the 5 are severely lacking in parking. This oversight will create major logistical and infrastructure problems for us going forward. Along with that is her vote for Ordinance 2023-14 on August 8,2023. This puts an up to 1.5% fee (that goes into an affordable housing fund) on homeowners who want to do major renovations or rebuild their properties.
Don’t take my word for it. Caitlin’s voting record can be checked on the Belmar website under Mayor/Council minutes.
Mike DeBlasio, Jodi Kinney And Kevin Moroney should be commended for their integrity. The three of them absolutely show they care about the people in the town and not about politics. We are so lucky to have the three of them up there on the dais working for Belmar and not for their own agenda.
I agree with integrity defined. They made a unanimous vote for Belmar. They could’ve put in the other choices, whom had no experience whatsoever. And because of their great integrity, they chose someone who would wind up being an opponent?
This says so much about their characters. Four months of someone being on the dais acting as Mayor with no experience would have been devastating for Belmar. Especially in the current state of the borough after the mayor resigned.
I keep hearing that if Caitlin does not get in all of her good work will be gone.
Caitlin, you do not have to feel that way. You can certainly still work in the best way you know how for a commission and continue to do what’s right for Belmar as a resident without a title.
You already have titles as a wife and a mom and a friend. You seem like a great person.
You will be fine, no matter what happens.
I’m a little confused by the first letter. It seems as though she is under the impression that Mr DeBlasio currently has no power. So I have two questions: why has Mr DeBlasio, a council member with a majority vote for the last 11 months, not done anything about the state of Silver Lake?
And why does the writer think
that he would wait until being mayor before getting busy doing things?
This is a common theme from Anan and DeBlasio supporters. “They will get busy right away fixing things that have needed fixing”. Why wait? Why didn’t Mr DeBlasio get busy fixing things on January 2nd. Or 3rd. Or 30th.
If you look at the actual things Donovan has actually done to get busy fixing things, the list is actually impressive. It’s not a list of things she “going to do after the election even though I’m already elected”.
DeBlasio and Anan are great people. They, like the other candidates, have Belmar’s best interest at heart. Mr D needs another couple of years on the council to get more familiar with the things he can actually accomplish.
Having just read Caitlin Donovan’s flyer, along with her tv ads and Mayor Moment videos, I felt the need to comment. This is not a personal attack against her. In fact, I find her quite personable. Having run for council myself in Belmar I know first firsthand how brutal politics can be. Between social media and the rumor mill it is very hard for candidates. This isn’t sour grapes; it’s just been my experience and opinion.
In the flyer, Caitlin’s first point is that she was voted in unanimously as mayor. True! But what a lot of people don’t realize is the interim had to be a Democrat. This is a pattern for our Democrat Party here in Belmar. Have a mayor or council member resign early and place your next candidate to gain exposure by public recognition and awareness. In fact Caitlin was “placed “ in her council seat for months before she ran when Tom Brennan resigned early. Some may say that tactic is politically savvy, I believe it is disingenuous.
Caitlin also touts her fight against Verizon. True. What she doesn’t say is she voted for Ordinance 2024-19 which prohibits cell towers on Ocean Ave but will NOT prevent towers in other places in town, INCLUDING residential areas. Belmar is nowhere out of the woods in the cell tower fight. Some might applaud no cell towers on the boardwalk, but I wonder if those clapping understand that the ordinance may just change their locations from the beach to our “backyards”. It doesn’t prevent them. FCC law limits Belmar’s ability to prevent wireless infrastructure.
The last point I would highlight is that Caitlin voted for all five of the massive redevelopment projects which will increase our population by roughly 20%. Her literature and ads have been silent on her voting record on these projects. 3 of the 5 are severely lacking in parking. This oversight will create major logistical and infrastructure problems for us going forward. Along with that is her vote for Ordinance 2023-14 on August 8,2023. This puts an up to 1.5% fee (that goes into an affordable housing fund) on homeowners who want to do major renovations or rebuild their properties.
Don’t take my word for it. Caitlin’s voting record can be checked on the Belmar website under Mayor/Council minutes.
Is it possible to agree with both of them?
They’re both very nice people. I’ll vote to keep them both on the dais. Donovan
Mike DeBlasio, Jodi Kinney And Kevin Moroney should be commended for their integrity. The three of them absolutely show they care about the people in the town and not about politics. We are so lucky to have the three of them up there on the dais working for Belmar and not for their own agenda.
I agree with integrity defined. They made a unanimous vote for Belmar. They could’ve put in the other choices, whom had no experience whatsoever. And because of their great integrity, they chose someone who would wind up being an opponent?
This says so much about their characters. Four months of someone being on the dais acting as Mayor with no experience would have been devastating for Belmar. Especially in the current state of the borough after the mayor resigned.
This shows true leadership by DeBlasio.
I keep hearing that if Caitlin does not get in all of her good work will be gone.
Caitlin, you do not have to feel that way. You can certainly still work in the best way you know how for a commission and continue to do what’s right for Belmar as a resident without a title.
You already have titles as a wife and a mom and a friend. You seem like a great person.
You will be fine, no matter what happens.
I’m a little confused by the first letter. It seems as though she is under the impression that Mr DeBlasio currently has no power. So I have two questions: why has Mr DeBlasio, a council member with a majority vote for the last 11 months, not done anything about the state of Silver Lake?
And why does the writer think
that he would wait until being mayor before getting busy doing things?
This is a common theme from Anan and DeBlasio supporters. “They will get busy right away fixing things that have needed fixing”. Why wait? Why didn’t Mr DeBlasio get busy fixing things on January 2nd. Or 3rd. Or 30th.
If you look at the actual things Donovan has actually done to get busy fixing things, the list is actually impressive. It’s not a list of things she “going to do after the election even though I’m already elected”.
DeBlasio and Anan are great people. They, like the other candidates, have Belmar’s best interest at heart. Mr D needs another couple of years on the council to get more familiar with the things he can actually accomplish.