1. Former Neptune Mayor James W. Manning Jr. is seeking to succeed Philip Huhn when Huhn retires as the Township’s business administrator, the Asbury Park Press reported late Tuesday. The paper quoted Huhn as saying he is advertising for a part-time assistant whom he can train to take over when he retires later this year. And Manning said he planned to apply for that job by Friday. The paper said, however, that another possible contender for the job is Vita Gadaleta, a former Allenhurst administrator for 16 years. The final decision will be up to the Township Committee. Manning presently works for the state Department of Labor as a grant administrator. He was a Neptune committeeman for 15 years, including three terms as mayor. The APP said Manning’s present job pays $66,600, whereas Huhn makes approximately $151,000 a year as business administrator. Huhn has said he intends to retire in December.
2. Officials are hoping to see a few improvements this summer to the beach shuttle bus system. Nora Shepard of EZ Ride, the company that operates these shuttles, told the Neptune Township Committee on Monday night that the routing might be rejiggered this summer. Instead of having a tourist shuttle bus connecting Ocean Grove with the Bradley Beach train station, Shepard said they hope to have a connection between Ocean Grove and the Asbury Park station this year. She also said that instead of running on last year’s schedule — from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. — they would like to extend running hours to 11 p.m. “so we can get the dinner crowd.” The shuttle service would begin on Memorial Day and run through Labor Day. However, Shepard also indicated that money could be a problem. For one thing, the system didn’t get a marketing grant from the state this year. Talks between her company and the Township will continue.
3. Neptune (but excluding Ocean Grove) is considering a move to single-stream recycling, which means commingling the various types of recyclables in one container. Deputy Mayor Eric Houghtaling, who oversees the Public Works Department, said the idea is still in the talking stage. But the present system of separating paper and cardboard from glass, metal and plastic is more expensive for the Township, because it is more labor-intensive. It also requires more sorting on the part of the resident. On the other hand, Mayor Randy Bishop said, the automated trucks used in picking up commingled recyclables are too large to operate in Ocean Grove’s narrow streets. So no matter what the Township decides, Ocean Grove will continue with the present system.
4. Speaking of The Asbury Park Press, it has another story on its website that might be of interest to Grovers. It reports on the danger of fires being set in vacant buildings by homeless people who take refuge there. The APP thinks the danger has increased due to the bad economy. Especially when the weather is cold. “As it gets colder, you have people seeking shelter, pulling boards off [buildings] to get in,” a Long Branch fire official is quoted as saying. Once inside, they sometimes start fires to keep warm.
Good point Ken, although I would extend the twice a week pick-up a bit. May is kind of busy, but the entire month of September is pretty much still “on season.” Otherwise, good point. We could cut it down.
Helen@theGrove : Just what did you mean when you wrote : ” the overcramped United Nations on the beach in OG. ” ??
Nancy’s plan may be a money saver. Is once a week, Labor Day to Memorial Day, garbage pickup for Ocean Grove residents off the table? (commercial is a separate issue because they should be paying customers year round). This is a question for the Township Commitee ought to consider. Others may have new suggestions.
Well, I guess I’m the lone voice for the town’s economy. Still think a crowded town is a healthy town.
About the recycling: All things are relative. Compared to Madison NJ, Ocean Grove is already much much easier. We alternate: Co-mingled one week, paper products the next. And garbage pickup? Once a week.
I agree with Helen regarding the shuttle. I vote NO. Our beaches are too crowded already. I think buying season badges for Bradley is a great idea… then we can go on the beach Sunday mornings too!
We’re not afraid of the train station. It’s certain of AP residents that are in/around the train station that raises concern. Daytime there is no problem. 10 pm on a hot summer night it can get pretty creepy. OG seems safe at any time to me.
Just a point … If people are really ‘scared’ of the Asbury train station, there is the Bradley Beach station and train fare is the same.
Good point about the post concert walks, Ken. But, I’d be a YEA resident. Still go with what it takes to make the town a fiscal success.
Years ago I lived in Aspen, and the “locals” complained about tourists all the time. But it is tourists that make small, vacation towns viable. I think the local businesses would be in the YEA category as well.
I hope the Township selects a person for the business administrator position that is new to Neptune. Neptune needs someone with a fresh set of eyes and no previous relationships.
Will all those willing to walk from the GA after a Sat. night concert please raise your hands…not even ONE of you! That aside, I would hope the last bus to Asbury RR Station is coordinated with the train schedule…sorta obvious. Any doubt how OG residents would vote if polled on shuttling in more people to the beach? My guess: residents-nay, CMA-YEA.
Amen Sister! In season, we do not need more folks here.
I am grateful for the shuttle; would love to see it marketed better so more would use it. Discount coupons for some of the local businesses, maybe? Anyway, the more people we bring into town, the happier our local vendors will be. Tourism is vital to a small town like Ocean Grove.
@Devo. Good point.
After observing the shuttle all summer I have several comments:
1. The shuttle was never full. There were MANY hours the bus was empty in both
directions, wasting gas, money, and polluting the air and street.
2. It just brought more people to crowd the beach. How about thinking of the
RESIDENTS and not just “bringing in money?” It was so ugly my family
bought badges in Bradley Beach and enjoyed the beach there instead of the
overcramped United Nations on the beach in OG.
3. The parking area offered at the Mid Town school has now been the target area
for over 4 shootings. Is that where people want to leave their car? And is it safe
to go back to the school parking lot late at night? NO!!!
4. Seemed like the usage was not commensurate with the cost.
5. It makes the town look like all the other towns now: Point Pleasant, Seaside
Heights, etc. What happened to our uniqueness? What’s next, turning town into
a complete zoo?
6. Who is at the bottom of this? They have never polled or surveyed the residents.
That simply is not fair. Maybe “we” don’t want a shuttle bringing more people in.
Let them go elsewhere. We’re full to capacity. We would like to enjoy our own
beach. That’s why we came here.
7. There’s plenty more. Anyone on board with me? Speak up.
Oh, I don’t know … Because not everyone is heading to the *Great* Auditorium; they are lugging “stuff” to their homes? They are traveling with children in tow? And a ten minute walk for some is a tough trek for others, making it a lot longer then ten minutes? Just a few reasons off the top of my head. That said, if the money isn’t there, it won’t get done.
I’m sure the bus company in point 1 above will find lots of people who want to hang out at the AP train station at 11 pm (ha ha). BTW, its only a 10 minute walk from the AP train station and the Grand Auditorium — so why do we even need a bus?