March 13, 2008
Preservationists and environmentalists have rallied together for the Takanassee Beach Club in Long Branch, NJ. Protesting the proposed construction of a nineteen home community on this site, which is one of the last undeveloped coastline parcels in the region and has three historic lifesaving structures buildings that are virtually unaltered, the advocates for the Beach Club have urged the DEP to deny the Coastal Area Facility Review Act (CAFRA) permit that is required to develop the oceanfront site.
Meanwhile an ethics complaint has been filed by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility against an aide at the DEP Commissioner’s Office for violating due process and sharing information and ‘providing coaching’ to the developer.
April 14, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Mark DiIonno’s comments on his own article about this travesty:
My understanding is this deal is rife with the kinds of conflict of interest we’ve grown used to in this state. I wish I got involved before the permits were issued, too. But the deal is not done, and maybe someone will materialize with a plan to make this work as a historic park and public beach.
I will never understand why the people running this state don’t see the monetary value — let alone the cultural value and state pride — in heritage tourism.
From the American Revolution, to the maritime sites to Thomas Edison, we have it all. A few weeks ago I traveled to Mystic Seaport with my kids. There is nothing Mystic had historically that Tuckerton did not.
There is nothing Valley Forge has historically that the Morristown area did not.
We’ve blown it and continue to blow it.
The lack of foresight is astonishing. Anybody remember the Kuser Mansion at High Point? The Kuser’s donated all the land, money for the monument and their summer mansion. Instead of putting in a small hotel, or a B&B, or a catering hall, the state let it fall down. Literally.
I say it’s time to privatize our parks and historic. Sell them off to somebody who cares enough to make them work as money-making attractions.
April 14, 2008 at 3:35 pm
See Mark DiIonno’s blog: http://blog.nj.com/njv_mark_diionno/2008/04/lifesaving_station_needs_a_res.html