By ED SALVAS
About 50 people seeking to stop the fighting between Hamas and Israel gathered outside City Hall in Asbury Park March 13 waiting for their chance to address the City Council at its scheduled meeting.
Once inside, they they took their seats and one-by-one approached the microphone to urge the mayor and council to back a cease fire resolution to end the fighting. Many wore masks and were reluctant to give their full names and addresses. Reading prepared statements they demanded “an immediate call for a cease fire, humanitarian aid and return of all hostages, and the resolution be sent to the U.S. Senate, members of Congress and President Biden.”
The speakers described the death toll among Palestinians that now totals more than 40,000, as “genocide. They said more than 1.5 million people have been displaced and many children orphaned. One person who identified herself as Susan from Freehold and a business manager in Asbury Park, asked, “What’s the city to do? This is International politics.”
Mayor John Moor said in an interview this week that the council has not discussed the resolution request. Many of the speakers were not Asbury Park residents.
Turning to city business, Fourth Avenue resident Michael Sodano read a letter asking for a study of the way vehicles will exit the new building on Memorial Drive and Fourth Avenue. Area residents want the exit moved off Fourth to Memorial Drive but city traffic officials say the Fourth Avenue is better for safety reasons.
Eighth Avenue resident Rita Marano noted the death recently of Carol Torre, .an LGBTQ leader who was the first victim of eminent domain in the oceanfront redevelopment area.
The council also approved an amendment to the short term rental ordinance that stipulates that a property owner renting his property is also a full time resident of Asbury Park. Deputy Mayor Quinn said it’s meant to prevent people from buying property and renting it out year round.
Checks were presented to several non-profit groups on behalf of the Asbury Park Fishing Club from its 31st annual Fishing Show. Recipients included the Asbury Park Little League, Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Fulfill Food Bank, Boardwalk Cat Rescue and Asbury Park Preservation.
The nearly three-hour meeting was videotaped by APTV, and can be seen on FiOS channel 28 and Optimum Channel 77 as well as on Roku, Apple TV and at www.AsburyParkTV.com
