I don’t think it is fair to have one resident get up and think she can dictate how a homeowner decides to landscape, if they choose to get rid of a tree there is no law against that it’s on their property, even if it’s because they want a different tree or a pool. Perhaps maintaining can become too much for some people, leave pick up and branches falling.
Instead if you are that concerned why not find places in the Borough that the Borough owns that more trees can be planted.
Finally, even though it wasn’t said at the meeting but so other people understand these homes that are being knocked down and rebuilt alot of the plans do have landscaping plans which includes trees bushes, flowers, etc. But you have to build the house first and get that settled. Give people time before you start throwing stones.
DEP should be more concerned with the windmills off Atlantic City than the bathrooms in Belmar. Give me a break, no bathrooms and people will do their business in the water. What sounds worse?
“He’s my administrative assistant?” Why would Jerry need an administrative assistant? Isn’t that why we pay the new BA Kevin Kane $150,000? The hiring of Mr. Walsh is just a political payback for an unqualified person with no clear set of responsibilities. More of the same.
#6 “ANONYMOUS”
The Mayor explained at the meeting prior to this one, that he’ll be performing the tasks of the former Special Operations Director as part of his duties.
#2 “CURIOUS” and #7 “ANONYMOUS”
If you listen again, Linda Sharkus specifically says that if someone removes trees from their property and doesn’t want anymore trees there that they be replaced somewhere else in town. This way we don’t experience a net loss of greenery in town. Seems like a pretty simple and common sense approach to augmenting the annual Arbor Day plantings and Shade Tree Commission activities to benefit our local environment. Maybe replacing with low maintenance xeriscape can also be a solution for homeowners. There are good reasons other municipalities have adopted similar ordinances as she cited in her “request”, not “dictation”.
Yes, she is on the planning board and possibly because as an active member of the Monmouth County Republicans she spoke out against the last administration and their push for huge development in Belmar against The Belmar Master Development Plan particularly with the formerly proposed Mediterranean Project.
#8-You are spot on!!! A town as small as Belmar DOES NOT require a personal full time assistant to the Mayor. Wasn’t Gerry critical of the previous administration for doing the EXACT same thing!
You’d incur only an agreed cost of replanting written into the ordinance and your local government would handle the rest through their shade tree commission and public works.
Some municipalities make it “scalable”. In other words if you got rid of one giant maple, you may incur the cost of replanting three smaller trees somewhere else but most times it’s simply a one for one, regardless of size.
Personally I think if a resident wants to “moonscape” their property as she said, that’s personal preference. Sure, it may have detrimental effects like groundwater absorption in the rainy months but the zoning regulations should possibly account for this, no?
The shade tree commission is set up to keep greenery at a certain level and offset the trees being lost to development too, and the numbers of trees continually increase if I’m not mistaken?
If the town plants the right trees in front of your “moonscaped” home in the right-of-way and they grow well, even the former city dweller transplant type folks might say, “Ayyy Tony, these things called trees aren’t so bad after all, maybe we should plant a few more in the yard, aye?” Or maybe their neighbors will suggest it. You know, like we suggest they turn their car horns off so they don’t blare every time they lock their vehicle, or we suggest they not have eighty-seven people sleep over on the weekends. I guess it’s what we call a community Vito, when idiots begin to realize that their poor choices directly affect others. Like when you can’t go deep enough into your head for a common sense answer and I gotta waste five minutes I’ll never get back explaining simple s#!t to you first thing in the morning. “Comprende’?”
#14 Joe. Is one of your many careers an arborist? Your using very suitable words, xeriscape, scalable, moonscape? Either your a genius or have a lot of time reading Websters and playing solo scrabble.
She used the word “moonscape” and it’s “you’re”, not “your”. Do yourself and others here a big favor and don’t hate on folks that worked harder than you did to figure out what’s going on in the world, read more, know how to research, and have lived in other parts of the world where things such as “xeriscape” are the norm.
There’s a small, loud percentage of people in this town, and here in The Blog, that need to go away- or remove their anonymity- and let the adults handle things, or simply grow up and become an adult and contribute something to the mix other than negativity.
Why are we still concerning ourselves with John Walsh? Kirschenbaum had the purchasing agent as his confidential assistant, along with having Cinelli. So Walsifer had a BA who gave himself a confidential assistant and had Cinelli. So before you start throwing stones make sure you know what you are talking about, look up the OPRA on the purchasing agents contract. $**,*** raise. And Cinelli was making $75,000. Both Cinelli and Kirschenbaum had brand new borough vehicles purchased for their use 24 hours a day. As I see it we are saving money with John Walsh. Leave the kid alone and give him a chance to show you what his work ethic is, instead of casting your false narratives on the work he will be doing.
I worked for the Borough for almost 30 years and have seen several administrations come and go. Never once, in all my years there, did the mayor need an assistant. There is a borough clerk and a business administrator that should be assisting the mayor. Why on earth would a part time mayor of a one square mile town need an assistant???
#18-So then why isn’t the mayor using the assistant that Kirschenbaum had? I know for a fact that she’s still employed there. John Walsh isn’t needed. It’s a waste of money. You can’t tell me that the mayor is in his office Monday through Friday, eight hours a day, and if he isn’t, then why is John Walsh?? And John Walsh’s tiktok videos are very inappropriate if he is indeed representing the mayor. That’s not a false narrative.
You’re always good for a two sentence, weak comeback.
No Vito. You’re a typical bully. You’ve been here too long degrading people anonymously and trying to control the narrative with anything but truth and details and a silly “Godfather” moniker. You’re one of the “wolves”. Now that one of “The Sheepdogs” has stood up to you, they’re the ones who are derogatory?!? NO Vito. Find another pasture to violate. This one’s protected now.
Typical response Vito, and just what I expected from you because whenever bullies get a beatdown the first thing they do is act like victims. It reminds me of six weeks ago when your buddy Ed Kirschenbaum blamed things on the Covid Pandemic, the previous administration, social media, and The Belmar Blog for ending his “illustrious” career in Belmar during his farewell address. 😉
Try just a bit of self reflection and maybe taking responsibility for your own actions next time Vito. It would be wise for you to avoid me if you prefer to avoid derogatory retorts. A good test to apply is one we used in the Marine Corps. You first ask yourself, “Is it wise or is it candy a$$?” Next time ask yourself that question Vito before you hit “submit comment”.
18 I agree with what you said and am shocked about a $**,*** raise for a certain employee.
19 I agree with your comment about a part time mayor needing a confidential assistant. All politicians are the same.
Why is the concern still with Walsh? And not the last administration that took advantage of you for 4 years. You must be one of them.
We lost two employees, hired one and people are still not happy.
What does a personal social media account have with anything. I see many borough employees posting political rhetoric on their accounts.
So the concern is solely on Walsh, and not all of the other employees pages?
Not sure what you are trying to get at, but not having two employees that both made over $65,000 one of which also had a take home car how is that not making you happy by saving money?
Remember do not take it personal, it’s apparently keeping you up at night.
Another deep partisan thinker with a two sentence reply.
When I found out the truth about how our local government was bullying residents and (Deleted by Editor.)YES! I got truly negative. When I did the results were truly positive. SWEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!
Call the Wolves and tell them the pasture is now ours. Go prey on the weak and uninformed somewhere else.
– “The Sheepdogs”
From the Editor,
Posted here once again,
Here are the two OPRAed documents for Mr. Kirschenbaum’s Secretary/Assistant/Borough purchasing agent – click the blue links Salary for 2020 $67,000 Salary for 2022 $82,000
Ohhh… Four whole sentences! You’re getting there from your Cro-Magnon communication skills. Two sentences with the word “liberal” in them?!? Nah, I take that back, you’re regressing.
NOOOO VITO!! You and your wolves want control as usual, and “The Sheepdogs” simply want to live in a community lead by honest folks under the very umbrella of liberty of which we have provided through years of service. The sheep might not understand us, find us offensive and brutal at times, and keep their distance from us, but we would never harm any of the flock.
You’re goal however is to make us go away so you can pillage the herd. We’re not gonna “beat it”. The only thing we’re gonna beat is any future candidate in Belmar- liberal or conservative- that purports to be “patriots” and “supports the troops”, when in fact they are anything but freedom loving, benevolent leaders who put the needs of the community before their own.
MCEVOY It’s not You’re goal Rather Your goal. I was an English major at Rutgers. Also is the town going to supply the populace with a list of property owners willing to have trees planted on their property? Another dumb idea you favor. I don’t care if you stay or leave. Do what makes you happy.
YAAAY VITO!! I WAS WRONG in my grammar. Great catch! You’re certainly learning to read but you still have no common sense. They can plant the trees in the parks in town. Not on other people’s properties. Are you that dumb you can’t think that far outside of the box? When are you gonna learn to avoid me and stop proving to the masses here what a f**l you are? Did they teach you about punctuation and capitalization at Rutgers in English class or just spelling? “It’s not You’re goal Rather Your goal.” WTF?!? Lemme fix that for ya Vito… It’s not “you’re goal”, but rather “your goal”.
I bet it wasn’t even you that caught that typo by me. I bet it was one of your buddies that called you from his parent’s basement and said, “Hey! McEvoy finally made a typographical error. WE GOT HIM! WE GOT HIM! Everyone head to The Belmar Blog and like the cowards we are we’ll all gang up on him anonymously and he’ll go away and then we can be in control of things again, because they’ll be no one to call us out on our bulls#!t!!”
#32 ANONYMOUS
My new hobby is giving “Vito Corleone” weekly Internet ********* right here in The Blog and I’m really enjoying it. He’s another cowardly bully like yourself who won’t put his own name on his insults and has never had anyone stand up to his cr@p before now so he’s spazzing on how to deal with it so he called you up for help, right? Those three whole sentences must have been torture for you to compose. Wow.
#33 “SGT CARTER”
Yes, for sure! I’m also a big fan of Belmar’s own Lt. Col. Bagley who speaks each year at the Veterans Day ceremony at Monument Row in Belmar. You don’t have to go far to find great field-grade officers that spell things out in ways that motivate us veterans to become better citizens.
JOE MCEVOY You’re one ***** person. My goal is to never talk to ****** like yourself on this blog again. Zero common sense. If people start planting trees in the parks, we will have the Ardennes Forest soon. You probably don’t know what that is. Sorry
#38 I love it, the host of the platform asking the participants to ‘take it outside’. I want to say once again how much we all appreciate the work you do to support this Blog. I think some of us forget sometimes.
As for Mr McEvoy and Mr Corleone- this is not an argument really. McEvoy is defending the public comments of a staunch *********, Ms Sharkus. Vito, a staunch **********, is attacking Mr McEvoy because, well, he doesn’t like him. It is a sort of small scale example of the state of political discourse in today’s society. Everyone talking, nobody listening.
(Asterisks in place of political party are mine, Editor.)
I’m not defending her. I simply understand what she said because I took the time to listen to her address and didn’t misinterpret what she said as “Vito Corleone” did.
#37 “Vito Corleone”
Stop you’re crying tough guy. Common sense would simply be keeping as many trees/greenery or more than there is currently. Anything else is your “City Boy” mentality ruining our small town.
#38 EDITOR
It’s not my Facebook Group. It’s the “Belmar/Lake Como/West Belmar Residents” Facebook Group. I’m one person there of over 800 confirmed Belmar residents.
“Vito Corleone” wouldn’t be able to anonymously bully people there as we ‘certify’ each member as having resident status and The Group is PRIVATE and not public so folks are relatively cordial in debate there.
The way one resident there who works for the wind turbine industry was silenced by the facts this week by several members who came up with amazing information on the basis of what is truly going on with this shill “green” energy would make folks like “Vito Corleone” shudder as he doesn’t have the bandwidth to perform at that level. You’re stuck with him here. As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate your patience and this will be my last comment here on this thread as I don’t want to waste your time and I can clearly see you’re losing patience.
Go ahead “VITO CORLEONE”. Now’s your chance to get the last word and also I know that you’re posing as more than one poster here as no one will come to your aid. I know this because you have a habit of leaving off the last period of the last sentence you write as do a couple other “anonymous” folks here. Nice try! Maybe you’re the one who should get a life or at least give up a life of multiple personalities.
You’ve been had! LOL
Administrator you didn’t post the other opra documents that show the purchasing agent’s salary prior to 2020. Why do you keep blocking out the dollar amount she got? It’s factual information. (Deleted by Editor.)
#18 I was trying to give Walsh a fair chance but I think anyone working in the Borough with that kind of position and representing Belmar needs to set standards. I was willing to turn my head to Mr. Walsh’s prior to this position posts and videos, however, he is still doing same and has very recently posted a video I don’t think as a Borough official should be on social media.
Well I recently also saw other borough employees post incredibly negative things about the democrats here right in our state. So, if they can post willingly on their private social media accounts why can not another employee. Sounds more of like a party line hatred rather than him as a human. However, that being said, I highly doubt anyone coming to Belmar for vacation would ever google any employees social media account prior to a visit.
If the “Belmartian” would ever just focus on the real problems we have in town maybe we as a municipality would function better.
Go into Boro Hall one day. At max you will see 2-3 employees. When I would come in for my summer rental inspections it used to be an office of at least 6 people.
And I must say the last time I was in town hall the mayor happened to be there, something we never saw with the last administration or those prior. Maybe this mayor and council have a little more heart and care for the town, a difference from the others.
It has been barely two months of their administration it must be a good sign that all people have to complain about is the title someone was given.
#45 while I voted for this admin, and I find Mr Walsh’s videos kinda funny (the ones I’ve seen anyway), I agree. Once you become a paid government official, you represent all of us. That means acting with professionalism and decorum. Social media will still be there when you are done working in local government. It’s a simple rule all gov’t employees should follow, but so few do.
Here are the other two OPRAed documents,
posted here on the Blog a few times before, Editor.
Might be that she had added responsibilities? More hours? Salary for 2020 $67,000 Salary for 2022 $82,000
#46-I have many friends in Law Enforcement/Government jobs who refrain from posting politically natured posts or videos on their personal social media. Certainly Mr. Walsh can and should do the same! And he has over 1million followers so yes it is a concern!!
#49 how does a purchasing agent get raises like that. Isn’t it a union job? Do they now have pay scales?
#50 why are we now so worried about social media posts on a private page? Other employees have made posts about our state politics. Why are we concerned with just one employee out of ALL the other employees? Is it the title he has that makes him different than everyone else on the Boro payroll?
Consistency would help most. So if it’s bad for him it’s bad for ALL Boro employees? I just do not understand everyone’s obsession with his social media.
And then we can open Pandora’s box and ask is it just full time employees that would be banned from social media, or the part time employees also.
#50 please explain your hatred towards this person and why he is the ONLY employee you have a problem with due to his political affiliation and that being a source of his social media influence.
Is there not a manual all Boro employees use for things like this? Or is it in their contracts that they can not have personal social media accounts.
Really not looking for a fight just genuinely looking for the reasons behind your negative posts on someone who has not even been employed for more than two months.
#51-His title alone is why people have an issue. I’m not saying he can’t post on social media, but I think he should refrain from political satire posts that are clearly one sided. It’s not that hard of a concept to understand.
As for the purchasing agent from what I have heard her title is in the union but she is not which is why she has such a high salary. Blame that on the former administration who as most know took care of who they wanted to financially.
Belmar.com is selling tickets for a restaurant tour, I asked before I bought tickets if the monies were going toward the piano and was told no. The monies go to a private event company YT Marketing that runs D’jais private sand castle contest. This seems very corrupt. How can the Boro sell tickets for private events?
#53 so then that should apply to all people employed by the Boro? And should it include part time employees?
How was the purchasing agent pulled from a union? And what union did they join? And how does one get to make $80,000 as a purchasing agent with 4 years max experience? Did they post the position that they were given? Most towns need to post all job openings. I believe it’s a requirement for State workers. Is the purchasing agent appointed? What did the last purchasing agent make? How many years were they employed there? Is it comparable and we are making mountains out of molehills for nothing? Maybe purchasing agent is a high paying position. That would be the only logical explanation for their increased salary over 5 years.
Joe McEvoy any insight on what is going on now that the new administration is in?
(Again, might be that she had added responsibilities? More hours?, Editor.)
Hey *******, or is it ********* this time? “”Private event” means an event for which admission is restricted by invitation, TICKET, or guest list, or by other exclusion of the public from the event.”
I capitalized “ticket” so you don’t miss it. You certainly must have when you researched it the first time.
#56 “Glass House”
I just don’t know at this point as I’ve been researching offshore wind turbines for two straight weeks. UGH!
As far as your interrogatory, I’m still behind on trying to figure this one out and may just ask some direct questions to the Mayor at Tuesday’s meeting as I believe there’s a net savings with all the personnel changes within The Belmar Borough Offices. He has made the budget and each line item very public and transparent on the “Belmar.com” website but I’m admittedly lost and suck at numbers and don’t know how to “read” them as I do letters. 🙁
Many folks seem to leave out the fact that Mary Brabazon retired from her position and Mayor Buccafusco eliminated the Director of Special Operations position. The Mayor will be handling those duties himself through the use of organizations like “Y&T Marketing” and other means as the person possibly from the last administration who didn’t know the definition of a private event pointed out.
Here’s some of what I do know; We now refreshingly have a Mayor who has so far taken on a seemingly fulltime role before he even had a title- essentially since Election Day- and John Walsh I’m told will wear many hats and help out in many areas as per the Mayor’s direction. (I apologize to the folks here as I incorrectly stated he was given the title of Tourism Director a couple weeks back.) Volunteerism has already spiked under the new administration as well, and that’s a great vote of confidence that is often overlooked and very necessary for success in America as a whole.
The Mayor has been humble, visible, and making solid improvements that residents have asked for, such as moving The State Seafood Festival back to Silver Lake Park which almost 3/4ths of locals surveyed wanted done in a poll we took in the “Belmar/Lake Como/West Belmar Residents” Facebook Group. Although admittedly most wanted it there as a Local Summer or early autumn festival after the tourist season as other towns along The Shore traditionally provide. Hopefully the park’s lawn doesn’t get torn up for wedding season as was the case several years ago.
Most impressive though is that he is very reluctant to point the finger and to blame the last administration in instances like the boardwalk bathroom trailer fiasco where it was clearly the previous administration who dropped the ball… twice! He’s also been very benevolent in the fact that he didn’t clean house on certain boards and committees where he certainly was given the impetus by the majority of residents to do so. Maybe this is why the need for a trusted “confidential” assistant was needed as there are plenty of ****** left in the nest. However, in time and with patience, even ****** can become relatively docile.
I believe this man is a good soul who is coming from a place of love for this town and who may just heal it of twelve years or more of partisan pillaging and division after just a short time in office. I voted for Mayor Doherty and Mayor Walsifer and gave them a chance and regretted it on both occasions so I’m always cautious, although now I’m also highly optimistic.
You’ll always have the very small, very partisan, and very loud “ten percenters” on either side opposed to any Democrat or any Republican in the office. However, watch what happens in about a year or two with the partisan rhetoric and you’ll be elated. 😉
The 80% of us who simply want honest government from either party in the local environment and just want to live life outside of ego driven oligarchies here in our own backyards may finally get just that. It’s early for sure, and it needs to improve a lot, but give it six months and we’ll see where we’re at as a community after they “snap in” and start rollin’ on their own agenda for Belmar and if they stay approachable, capable, reasonable, and as dedicated and open to discussion with the folks they are working for; That would be us.
By the way, the Mayor has a very smart, sound, and proven way to get rid of the upcoming- yeah, pretty soon unfortunately- car rally “takeover” events that have plagued our town for many, many warm weather months now.
We’ll see what happens when crunch time gets here in the summer season and the influx of tourists and seasonal renters arrive and how competently the overload of issues they bring are handled. We’ll pretty much know then what we can expect for four years as far as year round resident and business quality of life issues go and if they will improve, stagnate, or fall. I do know many of the Belmar Borough workers who are absolutely ecstatic with their new working environment, that not only the new Mayor but also the new Belmar Business Administrator have created.
It’s certainly refreshing to see the Business Administrator sitting with the other appointed members of local government during council meetings and a Belmar Borough Attorney who doesn’t interrupt folks when they are addressing the Mayor and Council like the d!@k#e^d who last held that title used to do. A unit’s strength comes from its collective leadership at every level, but a unit’s personality is ALWAYS molded from the very top downward. That’s the most promising aspect early on of how these men truly operate as managers and leaders.
We’ll know by mid-summer just how capable they are in running Belmar. The many “Sheepdogs” of various political affiliations I correspond with weekly in town agree that early signs indicate many good things to come.
Omg! What a narcissist Doherty is. Seeing and hearing him speak brings back terrible nightmares. Go away!
I don’t think it is fair to have one resident get up and think she can dictate how a homeowner decides to landscape, if they choose to get rid of a tree there is no law against that it’s on their property, even if it’s because they want a different tree or a pool. Perhaps maintaining can become too much for some people, leave pick up and branches falling.
Instead if you are that concerned why not find places in the Borough that the Borough owns that more trees can be planted.
Finally, even though it wasn’t said at the meeting but so other people understand these homes that are being knocked down and rebuilt alot of the plans do have landscaping plans which includes trees bushes, flowers, etc. But you have to build the house first and get that settled. Give people time before you start throwing stones.
DEP should be more concerned with the windmills off Atlantic City than the bathrooms in Belmar. Give me a break, no bathrooms and people will do their business in the water. What sounds worse?
#3 I agree with you that was crazy there has to be bathrooms at the beach.
NJDEP is the best friend Belmar ever had.
I can’t believe we will go forward without a Director of special operations.
To 2
Now she’s on the planning board.
“He’s my administrative assistant?” Why would Jerry need an administrative assistant? Isn’t that why we pay the new BA Kevin Kane $150,000? The hiring of Mr. Walsh is just a political payback for an unqualified person with no clear set of responsibilities. More of the same.
#6 “ANONYMOUS”
The Mayor explained at the meeting prior to this one, that he’ll be performing the tasks of the former Special Operations Director as part of his duties.
#2 “CURIOUS” and #7 “ANONYMOUS”
If you listen again, Linda Sharkus specifically says that if someone removes trees from their property and doesn’t want anymore trees there that they be replaced somewhere else in town. This way we don’t experience a net loss of greenery in town. Seems like a pretty simple and common sense approach to augmenting the annual Arbor Day plantings and Shade Tree Commission activities to benefit our local environment. Maybe replacing with low maintenance xeriscape can also be a solution for homeowners. There are good reasons other municipalities have adopted similar ordinances as she cited in her “request”, not “dictation”.
Yes, she is on the planning board and possibly because as an active member of the Monmouth County Republicans she spoke out against the last administration and their push for huge development in Belmar against The Belmar Master Development Plan particularly with the formerly proposed Mediterranean Project.
Regarding Belmar Chapter 42 “Affordable Housing Development Fees” … check OPRA REQUEST 22-436 for a list of subject residential properties
#9 So if I remove a tree I need to find a place for another in town before proceeding? Who would help in that search?
Removal of trees was discussed at the beginning of the last Lake Como Council Meeting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs8cTgOuwlw
#8-You are spot on!!! A town as small as Belmar DOES NOT require a personal full time assistant to the Mayor. Wasn’t Gerry critical of the previous administration for doing the EXACT same thing!
#11 “Vito Corleone”
You’d incur only an agreed cost of replanting written into the ordinance and your local government would handle the rest through their shade tree commission and public works.
Some municipalities make it “scalable”. In other words if you got rid of one giant maple, you may incur the cost of replanting three smaller trees somewhere else but most times it’s simply a one for one, regardless of size.
Personally I think if a resident wants to “moonscape” their property as she said, that’s personal preference. Sure, it may have detrimental effects like groundwater absorption in the rainy months but the zoning regulations should possibly account for this, no?
The shade tree commission is set up to keep greenery at a certain level and offset the trees being lost to development too, and the numbers of trees continually increase if I’m not mistaken?
If the town plants the right trees in front of your “moonscaped” home in the right-of-way and they grow well, even the former city dweller transplant type folks might say, “Ayyy Tony, these things called trees aren’t so bad after all, maybe we should plant a few more in the yard, aye?” Or maybe their neighbors will suggest it. You know, like we suggest they turn their car horns off so they don’t blare every time they lock their vehicle, or we suggest they not have eighty-seven people sleep over on the weekends. I guess it’s what we call a community Vito, when idiots begin to realize that their poor choices directly affect others. Like when you can’t go deep enough into your head for a common sense answer and I gotta waste five minutes I’ll never get back explaining simple s#!t to you first thing in the morning. “Comprende’?”
#14 Joe. Is one of your many careers an arborist? Your using very suitable words, xeriscape, scalable, moonscape? Either your a genius or have a lot of time reading Websters and playing solo scrabble.
#15 “ARBOR DAY”
She used the word “moonscape” and it’s “you’re”, not “your”. Do yourself and others here a big favor and don’t hate on folks that worked harder than you did to figure out what’s going on in the world, read more, know how to research, and have lived in other parts of the world where things such as “xeriscape” are the norm.
There’s a small, loud percentage of people in this town, and here in The Blog, that need to go away- or remove their anonymity- and let the adults handle things, or simply grow up and become an adult and contribute something to the mix other than negativity.
In other words #15, make like a tree and leave.
Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Why are we still concerning ourselves with John Walsh? Kirschenbaum had the purchasing agent as his confidential assistant, along with having Cinelli. So Walsifer had a BA who gave himself a confidential assistant and had Cinelli. So before you start throwing stones make sure you know what you are talking about, look up the OPRA on the purchasing agents contract. $**,*** raise. And Cinelli was making $75,000. Both Cinelli and Kirschenbaum had brand new borough vehicles purchased for their use 24 hours a day. As I see it we are saving money with John Walsh. Leave the kid alone and give him a chance to show you what his work ethic is, instead of casting your false narratives on the work he will be doing.
(Asterisks are mine, Editor.)
I worked for the Borough for almost 30 years and have seen several administrations come and go. Never once, in all my years there, did the mayor need an assistant. There is a borough clerk and a business administrator that should be assisting the mayor. Why on earth would a part time mayor of a one square mile town need an assistant???
#8-I couldn’t agree more!
#18-So then why isn’t the mayor using the assistant that Kirschenbaum had? I know for a fact that she’s still employed there. John Walsh isn’t needed. It’s a waste of money. You can’t tell me that the mayor is in his office Monday through Friday, eight hours a day, and if he isn’t, then why is John Walsh?? And John Walsh’s tiktok videos are very inappropriate if he is indeed representing the mayor. That’s not a false narrative.
#14 You’re always good for a derogatory retort. Typical government control freak response.
#21 “VITO CORLEONE”
You’re always good for a two sentence, weak comeback.
No Vito. You’re a typical bully. You’ve been here too long degrading people anonymously and trying to control the narrative with anything but truth and details and a silly “Godfather” moniker. You’re one of the “wolves”. Now that one of “The Sheepdogs” has stood up to you, they’re the ones who are derogatory?!? NO Vito. Find another pasture to violate. This one’s protected now.
Typical response Vito, and just what I expected from you because whenever bullies get a beatdown the first thing they do is act like victims. It reminds me of six weeks ago when your buddy Ed Kirschenbaum blamed things on the Covid Pandemic, the previous administration, social media, and The Belmar Blog for ending his “illustrious” career in Belmar during his farewell address. 😉
Try just a bit of self reflection and maybe taking responsibility for your own actions next time Vito. It would be wise for you to avoid me if you prefer to avoid derogatory retorts. A good test to apply is one we used in the Marine Corps. You first ask yourself, “Is it wise or is it candy a$$?” Next time ask yourself that question Vito before you hit “submit comment”.
McEvoy for months you’ve been the most negative commentor on this blog! Go look in the mirror
18 I agree with what you said and am shocked about a $**,*** raise for a certain employee.
19 I agree with your comment about a part time mayor needing a confidential assistant. All politicians are the same.
(Asterisks are mine, Editor.)
Why is the concern still with Walsh? And not the last administration that took advantage of you for 4 years. You must be one of them.
We lost two employees, hired one and people are still not happy.
What does a personal social media account have with anything. I see many borough employees posting political rhetoric on their accounts.
So the concern is solely on Walsh, and not all of the other employees pages?
Not sure what you are trying to get at, but not having two employees that both made over $65,000 one of which also had a take home car how is that not making you happy by saving money?
Remember do not take it personal, it’s apparently keeping you up at night.
#23 “Anonymous”
Another deep partisan thinker with a two sentence reply.
When I found out the truth about how our local government was bullying residents and (Deleted by Editor.)YES! I got truly negative. When I did the results were truly positive. SWEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!!
Call the Wolves and tell them the pasture is now ours. Go prey on the weak and uninformed somewhere else.
– “The Sheepdogs”
From the Editor,
Posted here once again,
Here are the two OPRAed documents for Mr. Kirschenbaum’s Secretary/Assistant/Borough purchasing agent – click the blue links
Salary for 2020 $67,000
Salary for 2022 $82,000
25, we got rid of Kirschenbaum and Cinelli and hired Kane and Walsh. I’m confused by your math.
It’s just sour grapes. You got run off because of the way you did business.(Deleted by Editor.)
MCEVOY Do you have a contagious liberal disease? Yes, that’s it. You’re all about control. Put on your liberal shoes and beat it.
#30 “VITO CORLEONE”
Ohhh… Four whole sentences! You’re getting there from your Cro-Magnon communication skills. Two sentences with the word “liberal” in them?!? Nah, I take that back, you’re regressing.
NOOOO VITO!! You and your wolves want control as usual, and “The Sheepdogs” simply want to live in a community lead by honest folks under the very umbrella of liberty of which we have provided through years of service. The sheep might not understand us, find us offensive and brutal at times, and keep their distance from us, but we would never harm any of the flock.
You’re goal however is to make us go away so you can pillage the herd. We’re not gonna “beat it”. The only thing we’re gonna beat is any future candidate in Belmar- liberal or conservative- that purports to be “patriots” and “supports the troops”, when in fact they are anything but freedom loving, benevolent leaders who put the needs of the community before their own.
I agree Vito. I’m tired of hearing McEvoy’s long winded holierthanthou rhetoric. He needs to get a life or at least a hobby.
31 you seem to be a fan of Lt. Col. Grossman.
MCEVOY It’s not You’re goal Rather Your goal. I was an English major at Rutgers. Also is the town going to supply the populace with a list of property owners willing to have trees planted on their property? Another dumb idea you favor. I don’t care if you stay or leave. Do what makes you happy.
#34 “VITO CORLEONE”
YAAAY VITO!! I WAS WRONG in my grammar. Great catch! You’re certainly learning to read but you still have no common sense. They can plant the trees in the parks in town. Not on other people’s properties. Are you that dumb you can’t think that far outside of the box? When are you gonna learn to avoid me and stop proving to the masses here what a f**l you are? Did they teach you about punctuation and capitalization at Rutgers in English class or just spelling? “It’s not You’re goal Rather Your goal.” WTF?!? Lemme fix that for ya Vito… It’s not “you’re goal”, but rather “your goal”.
I bet it wasn’t even you that caught that typo by me. I bet it was one of your buddies that called you from his parent’s basement and said, “Hey! McEvoy finally made a typographical error. WE GOT HIM! WE GOT HIM! Everyone head to The Belmar Blog and like the cowards we are we’ll all gang up on him anonymously and he’ll go away and then we can be in control of things again, because they’ll be no one to call us out on our bulls#!t!!”
#32 ANONYMOUS
My new hobby is giving “Vito Corleone” weekly Internet ********* right here in The Blog and I’m really enjoying it. He’s another cowardly bully like yourself who won’t put his own name on his insults and has never had anyone stand up to his cr@p before now so he’s spazzing on how to deal with it so he called you up for help, right? Those three whole sentences must have been torture for you to compose. Wow.
#33 “SGT CARTER”
Yes, for sure! I’m also a big fan of Belmar’s own Lt. Col. Bagley who speaks each year at the Veterans Day ceremony at Monument Row in Belmar. You don’t have to go far to find great field-grade officers that spell things out in ways that motivate us veterans to become better citizens.
I love Vito! Pass the popcorn.
JOE MCEVOY You’re one ***** person. My goal is to never talk to ****** like yourself on this blog again. Zero common sense. If people start planting trees in the parks, we will have the Ardennes Forest soon. You probably don’t know what that is. Sorry
Maybe this argument can be taken to Mr. McEvoy’s Facebook Group?
#38 I love it, the host of the platform asking the participants to ‘take it outside’. I want to say once again how much we all appreciate the work you do to support this Blog. I think some of us forget sometimes.
As for Mr McEvoy and Mr Corleone- this is not an argument really. McEvoy is defending the public comments of a staunch *********, Ms Sharkus. Vito, a staunch **********, is attacking Mr McEvoy because, well, he doesn’t like him. It is a sort of small scale example of the state of political discourse in today’s society. Everyone talking, nobody listening.
(Asterisks in place of political party are mine, Editor.)
#39 “Debate Club”
I’m not defending her. I simply understand what she said because I took the time to listen to her address and didn’t misinterpret what she said as “Vito Corleone” did.
#37 “Vito Corleone”
Stop you’re crying tough guy. Common sense would simply be keeping as many trees/greenery or more than there is currently. Anything else is your “City Boy” mentality ruining our small town.
#38 EDITOR
It’s not my Facebook Group. It’s the “Belmar/Lake Como/West Belmar Residents” Facebook Group. I’m one person there of over 800 confirmed Belmar residents.
“Vito Corleone” wouldn’t be able to anonymously bully people there as we ‘certify’ each member as having resident status and The Group is PRIVATE and not public so folks are relatively cordial in debate there.
The way one resident there who works for the wind turbine industry was silenced by the facts this week by several members who came up with amazing information on the basis of what is truly going on with this shill “green” energy would make folks like “Vito Corleone” shudder as he doesn’t have the bandwidth to perform at that level. You’re stuck with him here. As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate your patience and this will be my last comment here on this thread as I don’t want to waste your time and I can clearly see you’re losing patience.
Go ahead “VITO CORLEONE”. Now’s your chance to get the last word and also I know that you’re posing as more than one poster here as no one will come to your aid. I know this because you have a habit of leaving off the last period of the last sentence you write as do a couple other “anonymous” folks here. Nice try! Maybe you’re the one who should get a life or at least give up a life of multiple personalities.
You’ve been had! LOL
McEvoy “this will be my last comment here.”
Thank God!
I’d say, plant the trees down near the gazebo. But there should be no town rules requiring property owners to plant, or not plant trees.
No problem, McEvoy. I ‘m going away for a short period. However, I plan on being back within nine to fourteen months.
Administrator you didn’t post the other opra documents that show the purchasing agent’s salary prior to 2020. Why do you keep blocking out the dollar amount she got? It’s factual information. (Deleted by Editor.)
Tell me the number of the OPRAs, Editor.
#18 I was trying to give Walsh a fair chance but I think anyone working in the Borough with that kind of position and representing Belmar needs to set standards. I was willing to turn my head to Mr. Walsh’s prior to this position posts and videos, however, he is still doing same and has very recently posted a video I don’t think as a Borough official should be on social media.
Well I recently also saw other borough employees post incredibly negative things about the democrats here right in our state. So, if they can post willingly on their private social media accounts why can not another employee. Sounds more of like a party line hatred rather than him as a human. However, that being said, I highly doubt anyone coming to Belmar for vacation would ever google any employees social media account prior to a visit.
If the “Belmartian” would ever just focus on the real problems we have in town maybe we as a municipality would function better.
Go into Boro Hall one day. At max you will see 2-3 employees. When I would come in for my summer rental inspections it used to be an office of at least 6 people.
And I must say the last time I was in town hall the mayor happened to be there, something we never saw with the last administration or those prior. Maybe this mayor and council have a little more heart and care for the town, a difference from the others.
It has been barely two months of their administration it must be a good sign that all people have to complain about is the title someone was given.
#45 while I voted for this admin, and I find Mr Walsh’s videos kinda funny (the ones I’ve seen anyway), I agree. Once you become a paid government official, you represent all of us. That means acting with professionalism and decorum. Social media will still be there when you are done working in local government. It’s a simple rule all gov’t employees should follow, but so few do.
Look at opra request 21-349. Purchasing agent makes more money than long time employees
(Here is OPRA 21-349, Editor.)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qpx2F-bZCaLgj3fQVkhmI7z6PU7FnnX5/view?usp=share_link
Here are the other two OPRAed documents,
posted here on the Blog a few times before, Editor.
Might be that she had added responsibilities? More hours?
Salary for 2020 $67,000
Salary for 2022 $82,000
From $30,000 to $82,000😳😳😳😳
#46-I have many friends in Law Enforcement/Government jobs who refrain from posting politically natured posts or videos on their personal social media. Certainly Mr. Walsh can and should do the same! And he has over 1million followers so yes it is a concern!!
#49-Exactly!!!
#49 how does a purchasing agent get raises like that. Isn’t it a union job? Do they now have pay scales?
#50 why are we now so worried about social media posts on a private page? Other employees have made posts about our state politics. Why are we concerned with just one employee out of ALL the other employees? Is it the title he has that makes him different than everyone else on the Boro payroll?
Consistency would help most. So if it’s bad for him it’s bad for ALL Boro employees? I just do not understand everyone’s obsession with his social media.
And then we can open Pandora’s box and ask is it just full time employees that would be banned from social media, or the part time employees also.
#50 please explain your hatred towards this person and why he is the ONLY employee you have a problem with due to his political affiliation and that being a source of his social media influence.
Is there not a manual all Boro employees use for things like this? Or is it in their contracts that they can not have personal social media accounts.
Really not looking for a fight just genuinely looking for the reasons behind your negative posts on someone who has not even been employed for more than two months.
I just checked out John Walsh’s social media pages. To put it mildly, his posts are weird and creepy.
#51-His title alone is why people have an issue. I’m not saying he can’t post on social media, but I think he should refrain from political satire posts that are clearly one sided. It’s not that hard of a concept to understand.
As for the purchasing agent from what I have heard her title is in the union but she is not which is why she has such a high salary. Blame that on the former administration who as most know took care of who they wanted to financially.
There is a dpw guy who got 20k in increases over 2 years. (Deleted by Editor.)
Belmar.com is selling tickets for a restaurant tour, I asked before I bought tickets if the monies were going toward the piano and was told no. The monies go to a private event company YT Marketing that runs D’jais private sand castle contest. This seems very corrupt. How can the Boro sell tickets for private events?
#53 so then that should apply to all people employed by the Boro? And should it include part time employees?
How was the purchasing agent pulled from a union? And what union did they join? And how does one get to make $80,000 as a purchasing agent with 4 years max experience? Did they post the position that they were given? Most towns need to post all job openings. I believe it’s a requirement for State workers. Is the purchasing agent appointed? What did the last purchasing agent make? How many years were they employed there? Is it comparable and we are making mountains out of molehills for nothing? Maybe purchasing agent is a high paying position. That would be the only logical explanation for their increased salary over 5 years.
Joe McEvoy any insight on what is going on now that the new administration is in?
(Again, might be that she had added responsibilities? More hours?, Editor.)
#55- “Hey Jerry”
Hey *******, or is it ********* this time? “”Private event” means an event for which admission is restricted by invitation, TICKET, or guest list, or by other exclusion of the public from the event.”
I capitalized “ticket” so you don’t miss it. You certainly must have when you researched it the first time.
#56 “Glass House”
I just don’t know at this point as I’ve been researching offshore wind turbines for two straight weeks. UGH!
As far as your interrogatory, I’m still behind on trying to figure this one out and may just ask some direct questions to the Mayor at Tuesday’s meeting as I believe there’s a net savings with all the personnel changes within The Belmar Borough Offices. He has made the budget and each line item very public and transparent on the “Belmar.com” website but I’m admittedly lost and suck at numbers and don’t know how to “read” them as I do letters. 🙁
Many folks seem to leave out the fact that Mary Brabazon retired from her position and Mayor Buccafusco eliminated the Director of Special Operations position. The Mayor will be handling those duties himself through the use of organizations like “Y&T Marketing” and other means as the person possibly from the last administration who didn’t know the definition of a private event pointed out.
Here’s some of what I do know; We now refreshingly have a Mayor who has so far taken on a seemingly fulltime role before he even had a title- essentially since Election Day- and John Walsh I’m told will wear many hats and help out in many areas as per the Mayor’s direction. (I apologize to the folks here as I incorrectly stated he was given the title of Tourism Director a couple weeks back.) Volunteerism has already spiked under the new administration as well, and that’s a great vote of confidence that is often overlooked and very necessary for success in America as a whole.
The Mayor has been humble, visible, and making solid improvements that residents have asked for, such as moving The State Seafood Festival back to Silver Lake Park which almost 3/4ths of locals surveyed wanted done in a poll we took in the “Belmar/Lake Como/West Belmar Residents” Facebook Group. Although admittedly most wanted it there as a Local Summer or early autumn festival after the tourist season as other towns along The Shore traditionally provide. Hopefully the park’s lawn doesn’t get torn up for wedding season as was the case several years ago.
Most impressive though is that he is very reluctant to point the finger and to blame the last administration in instances like the boardwalk bathroom trailer fiasco where it was clearly the previous administration who dropped the ball… twice! He’s also been very benevolent in the fact that he didn’t clean house on certain boards and committees where he certainly was given the impetus by the majority of residents to do so. Maybe this is why the need for a trusted “confidential” assistant was needed as there are plenty of ****** left in the nest. However, in time and with patience, even ****** can become relatively docile.
I believe this man is a good soul who is coming from a place of love for this town and who may just heal it of twelve years or more of partisan pillaging and division after just a short time in office. I voted for Mayor Doherty and Mayor Walsifer and gave them a chance and regretted it on both occasions so I’m always cautious, although now I’m also highly optimistic.
You’ll always have the very small, very partisan, and very loud “ten percenters” on either side opposed to any Democrat or any Republican in the office. However, watch what happens in about a year or two with the partisan rhetoric and you’ll be elated. 😉
The 80% of us who simply want honest government from either party in the local environment and just want to live life outside of ego driven oligarchies here in our own backyards may finally get just that. It’s early for sure, and it needs to improve a lot, but give it six months and we’ll see where we’re at as a community after they “snap in” and start rollin’ on their own agenda for Belmar and if they stay approachable, capable, reasonable, and as dedicated and open to discussion with the folks they are working for; That would be us.
By the way, the Mayor has a very smart, sound, and proven way to get rid of the upcoming- yeah, pretty soon unfortunately- car rally “takeover” events that have plagued our town for many, many warm weather months now.
We’ll see what happens when crunch time gets here in the summer season and the influx of tourists and seasonal renters arrive and how competently the overload of issues they bring are handled. We’ll pretty much know then what we can expect for four years as far as year round resident and business quality of life issues go and if they will improve, stagnate, or fall. I do know many of the Belmar Borough workers who are absolutely ecstatic with their new working environment, that not only the new Mayor but also the new Belmar Business Administrator have created.
It’s certainly refreshing to see the Business Administrator sitting with the other appointed members of local government during council meetings and a Belmar Borough Attorney who doesn’t interrupt folks when they are addressing the Mayor and Council like the d!@k#e^d who last held that title used to do. A unit’s strength comes from its collective leadership at every level, but a unit’s personality is ALWAYS molded from the very top downward. That’s the most promising aspect early on of how these men truly operate as managers and leaders.
We’ll know by mid-summer just how capable they are in running Belmar. The many “Sheepdogs” of various political affiliations I correspond with weekly in town agree that early signs indicate many good things to come.
(Asterisks are mine, Editor.)
Spark Marketing redux Y+T, no differnce