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Editor, Asbury Park Sun,

On Saturday June 24th we will meet at 11:00 am in front of Asbury Tower to rally and march to iStar’s Asbury Park office to deliver the same message we delivered to the past City Council, the County Freeholders, and the State DEP: Asbury Park’s north end beach must be preserved.

Over the past 10 years, we have fought to prevent the illegal and irresponsible ‘Townhomes at Bradley Cove’ development on our north end beach. The area is a recreation hub for fishermen, dog lovers, beach goers, seniors, and surfers. It also floods from the lake and ocean during storms. Building there is a terrible idea.

The only obstacle standing in the way of preservation is iStar. We have a City Council that wants preservation, a County government that has pledged a quarter million dollars, and a State Government that has pledged over $1.1 million toward the effort. The City is looking to provide iStar with fair compensation elsewhere in the waterfront in exchange for the development rights. iStar won’t even negotiate. The issue may go to arbitration.

So come out 11 a.m. Saturday June 24th to send iStar the message. And if they still refuse to negotiate, the arbitration judge will surely be impressed by a community united with its City Council in its desire to protect one of the last coastal open spaces in Monmouth County.

See you Saturday,

Joe Woerner

Former Asbury Park City Councilman

[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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