IMPROVED ACCESS PROMISED FOR SEA BRIGHT
By Steve Machalaba
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association March 1995 Newsletter)
On Sunday, February 12, 1995, representatives of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association and the New Jersey Beach Buggy Association met with Sea Bright Borough Mayor Charles Rooney. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss beach access for fishermen and parking for their vehicles in the Bourough of Sea Bright. As many of you know, beach access and more specifically parking for fishermen's vehicles has been a long standing problem in many communities along the northern New Jersey coast. Those present at the meeting with Mayor Rooney were JCAA President William Degnan, NJBBA President Dennis Longley, NJBBA Treasurer Rich Volz, NJBBA Northern Courtesy Patrol Chairman Richard Malle and myself.
Mayor Rooney outlined the access points the borough has and will improve, or intends to have by the summer of 1995, for use by fishermen and others. Parking facilities are planned in conjunction with these access points which will include two locations along the reconstructed seawall in the northern part of the bouough as well as several wxisting locations in the center of the borough that will be improved. Sea Bright appears to be moving in a positive direction in regard to providing public access to it's beaches. However, providing this access is a condition of the beach replenishment project now in progress along the Monmouth County coastline. Unfortunately, most other communities seem to be unaware of this requirement or have intentionly ignored it. At least as a result of our meeting, we can look forward to some progress with public access.
§ Steve Machalaba is a member of Red's Surf Devils and is Chairman of the JCAA Access Committee (South).