Town triumphs in decade-long secession battle
The peaceful neighborhood of just about 500 residents has longed to be able to turn its back on Berkeley and join another township - Seaside Park. South Seaside community members feel disconnected from the Berkeley Township, as it is geographically isolated from the rest of its neighborhoods. The barrier-island faction is separated from the rest of the township, which embodies over a dozen towns and unincorporated communities, by the Barnegat Bay and a 13 to 16 mile-drive, the Asbury Park Press reported.
Residents have complained about not receiving their fair share of services and resources from the township, as well as carrying a disproportionate chunk of the township's tax burden. While making up only one percent of the township's population, South Seaside accounts for roughly 10 percent of its property tax base, according to 2024 court records filed on behalf of South Seaside.
As Berkeley's only ocean-front neighborhood, South Seaside residents argued the township has failed to develop its beach, provide 'adequate' sanitation services, and offer a sufficient police and emergency services presence. 'As a result, they rely heavily on Seaside Park for services,' the filing states.
Its decision, which was made on June 10, states that if South Seaside's request was denied, it would be 'detrimental to the economic and social well-being' to the people living there, according to the Asbury Park Press. 'We don't want to see them go, [but] it's out of our control. We really don't have much to say at this point,' Berkeley Mayor John A. Bacchione (pictured) told the Asbury Park Press. During a board meeting detailing the situation, experts estimated the rest of the township's property owners' taxes would increase about $148 each year if South Seaside left.
But now it is up to Seaside Park Township officials to decide if they are willing to welcome South Seaside. Seaside Park must perform a 'thorough review process' before giving the community the official go-ahead, according to Seaside Park Mayor John Peterson (pictured). 'There is a process and procedures that have to be adhered-to, and we can assume that the plaintiffs would be filing a petition,' he said, according to Shorebeat. 'No such petition has been received by the borough of Seaside Park as of yet, so as we speak, there has been nothing formal received from the South Seaside Park property owners. 'I would assume that that is something they're contemplating doing at their first opportunity.'
The attorney representing South Seaside residents, Joseph Michelini, said his clients are going to reach out to the township in the coming days. 'We will make a request of Seaside Park,' Michelini told the Asbury Park Press. 'At that point it's Seaside Park's decision.' But he said he is confident the municipal will gladly annex its tiny neighbor.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Community claims council ignored bid for Jedburgh's Carnegie library
A community group claims its bid to take over a historic library is being ignored by the local 125-year-old Carnegie Library in Jedburgh was closed by Scottish Borders Council during the Covid talks taking place over a community asset transfer, the grade B-listed building has been put up for sale on the open market for offers over £140, Borders Council said its officers were continuing to engage with everyone who had an interest in the property. Jedburgh was provided with two libraries by philanthropist Andrew Dunfermline-born industrialist, who made his vast fortune in America, officially opened the original library on the town's High Street in the building was not big enough to meet the demand for borrowing books - leading to a new library being commissioned a short distance away on returned to Jedburgh on 24 May 1900 to witness the opening of the larger Sir George Washington Browne-designed facility, which could hold 12,000 eye-catching building features the engraved inscription "Let There be Light" above the entrance. The larger library was one of about 80 buildings Scottish Borders Council decided to dispose of as part of cuts started in March 2024 to help it save money and reduce its carbon local authority also agreed to consult with communities on the future of properties considered to have a "significant civic presence" and explore the potential of transferring the buildings into community ownership.A council report, seen by BBC Scotland News, said community groups would be given six months to provide additional information after submitting a valid request to take over a community group Jedburgh Carnegie Building said it did not believe this process had been followed properly in relation to the Carnegie April, when the library was put up for sale, it has gathered more than 600 signatures for a petition calling on Scottish Borders Council to uphold its commitment to a community asset transfer. Bookshop owner Dean Freeman is leading the campaign for the community to take control of the said: "We were initially told by the council that a community asset transfer could be undertaken."However, they are now telling us that it is no longer an option and that we will have to be part of the competitive process."No reasons have been given and it's as if they are now ignoring us."We think this is wrong - the town is rightly proud of its rich heritage and selling off this building will achieve nothing." Jenni Sneddon, another member of Jedburgh Carnegie Building, said there were concerns about the library's said: "It would be such a shame if it was lost to a private developer. "The Carnegie Library is such a lovely building - there's so much light inside with the beautiful skylight. It is a versatile space and we have lots of ideas for using it as an arts venue amongst other things."We are not being too prescriptive about what we would do with the building as it would be up to the community to tell us what they would like." Musician James Wyness supports the group's said: "I want Scottish Borders Council to do the right thing and honour their original pledge to give favour to a community asset transfer."We have a lot of people backing us - people who want a community space - and I would ask the council to do the right thing."Our swimming pool's already been closed, our town hall is under threat of closure, there's going to be nothing left for the community." 'Broader strategy' Scottish Borders Council said the former library building was put on the market following a thorough evaluation of all available options. A spokesperson said: "While a community asset transfer was initially the preferred route, it is not the sole path being explored."The market listing forms part of a broader strategy to assess all viable opportunities for the building's future use, including potential community-led proposals."They added: "We remain committed to keeping all stakeholders, including the local community, informed throughout this process. "We recognise the building's significance to the Jedburgh community and are working to identify a solution that balances heritage preservation with sustainable, practical use."
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Prudential in $100 million US FTC settlement over unit's healthcare promises
Aug 6 (Reuters) - Prudential Financial (PRU.N), opens new tab reached a $100 million settlement to resolve U.S. Federal Trade Commission civil charges that its Assurance IQ unit misled consumers into buying healthcare plans that did not provide the promised coverage. A settlement with Assurance, which Prudential shut down last year, was filed on Wednesday in Seattle federal court. Assurance was accused of misleading consumers needing low-cost insurance, both online and in telemarketing, into believing its plans provided comprehensive coverage and essential health benefits of the sort provided under the Affordable Care Act. The FTC said Assurance claimed its plans would substantially lower medical bills but failed to disclose significant coverage and benefits restrictions, "leaving consumers exposed to unexpected and significant out-of-pocket healthcare expenses." Assurance did not admit or deny wrongdoing. A lawyer for Prudential had no immediate comment, and the Newark, New Jersey-based company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Prudential bought Assurance IQ for $2.35 billion in 2019, three years after the startup was founded in Bellevue, Washington, a Seattle suburb. At the time, Prudential said Assurance's direct-to-consumer platform would reach an under-served mass market for health services, including an estimated 17 million customers needing insurance. Prudential decided to wind down Assurance in early 2024, after taking $2.14 billion of goodwill writedowns in the three previous years. The case is FTC v Assurance IQ LLC, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, No. 25-01485.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
MTG urges Trump to pardon George Santos
Advertisement Marjorie Taylor Greene penned a letter urging Donald Trump to pardon disgraced former Congressman George Santos following the release of his emotional letter from behind bars demanding clemency. Santos was sentenced to seven years in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud and identity theft and reported to jail less than two weeks ago. He was found guilty of fabricating thousands of dollars in campaign finance records during his successful 2022 congressional campaign. Prior to his conviction, a 2023 House Ethics Committee report found that he spent donors' money on Botox treatments, trips to casinos and at high-end luxury retailers. In an emotional letter penned from prison on Monday, Santos said he's facing harsh bathroom conditions in the medium security prison in New Jersey . Santos, 37, claimed that he started to cry after putting on a 'fluorescent yellow jumpsuit that made me feel like a caution sign in human form.' 'The tears came faster than I could stop them,' Santos wrote. 'I didn't care who saw. That reflection, in that moment, made the weight of my decisions, my mistakes, and the road that led me there all too real.' 'The bathroom, though, deserves its own horror novel,' he continued. 'The closest thing I can compare it to is an abandoned gym locker room from a forgotten high school - grim, damp, smelling of mildew and regret.' In a letter to the Justice Department on Monday, Greene urged the administration to ask the president for clemency consideration for Santos. The conservative firebrand claimed in her letter that Santos' sentence 'extends far beyond what is warranted.' She called his seven-year sentence 'excessive' and noted that other lawmakers who have 'done far worse still walk free.' 'George Santos has taken responsibility. He's shown remorse. It's time to correct this injustice. We must demand equal justice under the law!' But it's curious timing as Greene has fallen out of Trump's tight inner circle and GOP leadership. Earlier this week, the Georgia lawmaker told the Daily Mail that she believes the GOP is abandoning the 'America first' principles of the MAGA base. 'I think the Republican Party has turned its back on America First and the workers and just regular Americans,' she said. Although Greene did reiterate her loyalty to Trump, she has split with the administration's stance on Gaza by calling Israel's actions a 'genocide.' MTG also recently demanded the DOJ release all files relating to Jeffrey Epstein. Greene's letter also comes after Trump declined to rule out pardoning Santos during an interview with Newsmax last week. However, the president noted that Santos did 'lie like hell' during his Congressional tenure. Trump went on to praise Santos because his 'vote was solid' for Republicans, while adding, 'And I didn't know him, but he was 100 percent for Trump.' The president concluded that no one has approached him about pardoning the former GOP lawmaker. Santos has previously stated that he asked the White House for clemency consideration. In the past, Trump has provided sweeping pardons and clemency to individuals who have proven to be loyal supporters of his administration. Upon assuming office for his second term, Trump issued pardons for all individuals imprisoned for the Capitol riot on January 6th, 2021. Santos became embroiled in numerous scandals for lying about his education, employment history and personal wealth. After a scathing Ethics Committee report on his campaign's financial abuses, Santos was expelled from Congress in December 2023.
