The decision to sell any beachfront property should not solely reside with a municipality alone....
Public access & land issues continue to loom over the Jersey Shore. The Public Trust Doctrine was signed into New Jersey law nearly two years ago. While this was a major victory for the chapter alongside many other environmental organizations, questions still remain when unconventional situations arise regarding the sale of any beachfront property. The most recent situation occurred in none other than our favorite shore town, Deal. The borough has voted in favor of selling a piece of beachfront property to an adjacent homeowner for $1,000,000. And so, is that it? Cherished oceanfront land is just sold like that?
A matter such as this requires hours of research, numerous phone calls, lengthy conversations & much more than a municipality just deciding to sell a piece of esteemed land. Yet, The Borough of Deal continues to move forward with no intervention from state officials. The chapter, in company with other organizations such as COBRA have tried to reach out to the offices of Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, & Assemblywoman Joann Downey multiple times for some insight & aid on the matter, yet have received little help. There is little to no state oversight when municipalities attempt to sell public beachfront property and it's time we push our officials that WE elected to step up to the plate to fulfill their duties.
We are urging everyone to contact Senator Vin Gopal, Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, & Assemblywoman Joann Downey using the information below and tell them it's time to respond to the call on this issue and many others. Give your officials your opinion on the sale of beachfront property and ask them why they have been so quiet.
Senator Vin Gopal | SenGopal@njleg.org | 732-695-3371
Assemblyman Eric Houghtailing | AsmHoughtaling@njleg.org | 732-695-3371
Assemblywoman Joann Downey | AswDowney@njleg.org | 732-695-3371
Tom Little- Chief of Staff to Assembly Members Houghtaling & Downey | tlittle@njleg.org
To construct one email, copy & Paste all four email addresses below (highlight all four, right click & select "copy", compose a new email & paste into the "To" section) : SenGopal@njleg.org AsmHoughtaling@njleg.org AswDowney@njleg.org tlittle@njleg.org