Direct From the Source

Sierra Club: Belmar Mayor Doesn't Get Importance of Sustainable Boardwalk Woods

Environmental group responds to Doherty's recent comments

Last week Belmar chose to forgo the use of Ipe for their boardwalk with Mayor Matt Doherty of Belmar being quoted stating: “It’s not an environmental reason that we’re not using Ipe, it was because we didn’t want to get tied up in court.” Jeff Tittel, Direct of the New Jersey Sierra Club issued the following response to the Mayor's quote: “The Mayor Doherty of Belmar doesn’t get it. If he actually cared about the environment and protecting his town from future storms or storm surges than he would have used recycle plastics and sustainable woods in the first place. It is not about whether or not he is going to get sued it is about what is right for Belmar and for our coast. Hundreds of people emailed the Mayor with concerns over the use of …

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CPOTom

9:12 pm on Monday, February 25, 2013

These same people will be vomiting on the boardwalk in August.   more ›

Letters to the Editor

Belmar's Choice of Boardwalk Wood Draws Ire of Environmental Groups

Sierra Club sends mayor letter

An open letter to Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty from Jeff Tittel of the Sierra Club: Dear Mayor Doherty, We are deeply concerned by the proposed use of Ipe (e-pay) for the reconstruction of the Belmar boardwalk. The Sierra Club has worked closely with Belmar in the past and the municipality has been at the forefront of environmental issues.  We know that the community wants to rebuild the boardwalk as quickly as possible but this must not be used as an excuse to undermine environmental protections not just in New Jersey but internationally. As a community that has suffered catastrophic impacts from storm surge and sea level rise, Belmar should be concerned about the impacts of global climate change and the impacts from severe weather.  Clear …

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No Compelling Need for WRAT Tower, Opponents Say

Sierra Club speaker tells council that asking Green Acres land to be diverted from recreational to commercial use for radio station tower should be 'a last resort'

Lake Como resident Diane Edgar wonders why borough officials, having invested time and money in Behrmann Park, would consider allowing the proposed WRAT-FM radio transmission tower to be raised on the state-protected parkland. While the WRAT's existing 300-foot-high tower on Main Street is an eyesore, replacing it with a 535-foot-high tower in the borough-owned park is not the answer, said Edgar, a 22nd Avenue resident who addressed the Lake Como Borough Council on Tuesday night. "We appreciate all the help that we have received with the park," Edgar said. "So I don't understand why anyone would want to see this monstrosity towering over it." Edgar and many of her neighbors urged the governing body not to apply to the state Department of …

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