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Editor, Asbury Park Sun,

The past few years, each spring, at least two flatbeds of palm trees are planted at the former VIVE sales office site between Cookman and Lake avenues, then dug up and trucked away in the fall. Not once have I heard anything but such comments as “tacky,” “ridiculous,” “this isn’t Florida,” and “where do they go in the fall?” Disgusted myself, I recently asked Asbury Park Mayor John Moor [quite a decent fellow] and via City Manager Michael Capabianco, learned that iSTAR–what a surprise–owns a palm tree plantation in Florida [where palms belong], and the trees return there in the fall. Lots of diesel pollution, and who pays for all this? I suppose the trees were part of the first failed “moneymaker gimmick” at the site: $500/season for lockers, hammocks, showers. This dud was abandoned, replaced last year by another: the site as a “rest and rehearse” ‘oasis’ [those palms!] for iStar should concede defeat…But the palm trees are back. iStar should concede defeat…perhaps cram more flimsy, cheesy VIVE-style condos there. [Both lots were under about two feet of water during (Superstorm) Sandy.] Add the same fragile shutters, moldings, railings [big storms’ delight]. Best idea: pave this lame ‘paradise,’ and put up a [much-needed] parking lot. iStar’s continued insistence on these silly palms at an unprofitable site is no surprise, given the company’s continued resistance to, and insistence on, proper remuneration for ceding Bradley Cove. Once again, “it’s all about the money.” What a dreary legacy.

Gena Scott

First Avenue

Asbury Park

[This letter represents the opinion of its writer and is not representative of any opinion of the Asbury Park Sun staff. All readers are welcome to submit Letters to the Editor to news@asburyparksun.com for our consideration. For guidelines on letter-writing and submission, click here.]

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