Neptune City Introduces Redevelopment Plan
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Neptune City officials introduced a comprehensive plan for the redevelopment of much of Steiner Avenue at the Borough Council meeting Monday, setting in motion a course of events that could lead to significant changes in the designated areas.
Several residents were in attendance when the somewhat controversial plan was voted on, but no comments were made.
Mayor Thomas Arnone announced that he could not legally answer questions about the plan until the public hearing, which is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 11. The plan will next go to the Land Use Board for its review and approval.
“I’m not shying away from questions, but legally I can not take questions without you viewing the plan,” he said.
The mayor also said he and other officials will continue meeting with residents and business owners in the redevelopment zone.
If there are no significant changes in the plan it will come back to the council for public hearing and adoption.
The plan inclueds a mix of townhouses and commercial. The first phase is scheduled to take place along Steiner Avenue where the Charline Motel now stands.
Also at the meeting council presentations were made to winners of the Red Ribbon Week essay contest.
Michelle Vigilio announced the winners, in grades four to eight, before asking each to read their essays.
Red Ribbon Week, being observed this week, is devoted to alerting youngsters to the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Community members are asked to wear red ribbons all week as a reminder to children to make appropriate choices if approached.
Arnone said he and other community leaders visited the Woodrow Wilson School in the borough to speak to students about making “really good decisions.”
He said in the older grades several young people, who had completed stays at New Hope, a facility for young drug and alcohol abusers, spoke to students about their experiences.
The youngsters, who stay overnight at New Hope for about five to six months, talked about how they began using drugs and alcohol.
“They really tried to help our kids,” said Arnone, “they did a phenomenal job.”
Many of them he said thought it was no “big deal” when they began using illegal substances because it was just what the other kids were doing, said the mayor.
Arnone praised Michelle Virgilio, chair of the Neptune City Alliance to Prevent Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and Mary Sapp, also a member, for all their hard work.
Seventh grader Nicholas Gokberks’s essay was entitled “I Know to Say No,” and reminded readers to say no in a confident way when asked to do something they know is not right.
“No is a great word,” he said.
He also credited the borough’s many drug awareness programs for his being able to say no to drugs.
“That makes the borough feel good,” said Arnone.
During his report the mayor said that Bennett Avenue in the borough has been repaved and work scheduled for Third Avenue has begun.
The mayor also said that the police department will be out in full force during the Halloween holiday and asked residents to be vigilant in reporting any suspicious behavior.
“Society’s crazy and we have a lot of children, so any help residents can do keep a good eye out. If you see something strange call right away.”
Read more about your town by picking up The Coaster at your local newsstand or subscribe today.
Published every Thursday.
