FREEHOLDER DIRECTOR VICARI CALLS ON GOV. MURPHY AND THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO REVOKE A NEARLY 10-CENT GASOLINE TAX INCREASE
OCEAN COUNTY, NJ- “Enough is enough”, Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari said following Trenton’s announcement that the state gasoline tax will jump by 9.3 cents on October 1. “This comes just weeks after the Parkway and Turnpike toll increase go into effect,” Vicari said. “I’ve said time and again that these increases are especially unfair to Ocean County residents, who tend to commute longer distances than residents in other counties without the benefits of mass transit.” Vicari penned a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy and local legislators demanding that the increase, which was “automatically” triggered by a shortfall in gas tax revenue, be revoked. “The tax increase was the result of the Governor’s stay-at-home order and the decrease in vehicles on the road because of the pandemic,” Vicari said. “While I understand the reasons behind Gov. Murphy’s actions, the pandemic has already led to record unemployment and business closings. Our residents don’t need the burden of another state tax increase.” The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders unanimously opposed a 23-cent hike in the gas tax in 2016 and again came out against a 2-cent increase in 2018. Vicari pointed to federal census statistics that show more than 108,000 Ocean County residents commute 30 minutes or more to work. More than 90,000 people travel outside of the county to reach their workplace. Additionally, more than 82 percent of local commuters use their own private vehicle. Only 2 percent rely of public transportation. “This is a far cry from Northern New Jersey counties that are served by numerous bus, train and light rail line,” Vicari said. “The gas tax is unfair to Ocean County residents who have no other choice than to drive to work.” The percentage of county residents that use public transportation is only slightly higher than those employees who walk to work, which is just 1 percent of the total workforce. Vicari also said Ocean County has yet to see any promised benefits from the earlier gas tax increases. “We’ve seen no progress on the widening of Route 9,” Vicari said. “In fact, the state has made it clear that it has dropped any plans to widen the roadway and instead will simply ‘improve’ some intersections. Lakewood and northern Toms River Township are among the fastest growing regions in the state yet motorists are forced to use a two-lane highway that has remained basically unchanged for a century.” Vicari also questioned the impact of the tax increase on the county’s $5 billion tourism industry. “Our seasonal businesses have already suffered great hardships under the governor’s restrictions on indoor dining. Now people are going to have to spend more to reach the Jersey Shore, meaning they will have less money to support our local shops, restaurants and amusement parks,” Vicari said. In his letter to the governor and legislative leaders, Vicari called for “immediate” action to override the automatic gasoline tax increase. “These are not normal times. The tax increase was triggered by events that none of us could have foreseen,” Vicari said in the letter. “Immediate action needs to be taken to cancel this oppressive burden before it impacts our residents.” |
OCEAN COUNTY EXTENDS BEACH SEASON!
(Toms River) – We call it “Locals’ Summer” and you’re invited! Several beaches in Ocean County have chosen to extend their season through the month of September and, with any luck from Mother Nature, into October.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of us on some level and made summer seem like it just came and went for many,” said Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Public Health Coordinator/Health Officer. “The weather has been great and the water is clean so why not extend summer a little longer this year and enjoy what many of us locals call the best beach months because of the smaller crowds with slightly cooler temperatures and the ocean water typically still stays warm.”
Did you know that Ocean County has some of the highest quality, most frequented beaches and water quality in the United States? Each year the Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) and its Cooperative Coastal Monitoring Program (CCMP) ensures that over one thousand individual Ocean County water samples are laboratory tested for quality and clarity. Through this continuous quality control process, our residents and visitors alike can rest assured that their visits to our beaches will be safe, fun and memorable.
“There is no shortage of effort or academic capital that goes into ensuring the quality of our manicured beaches and our clear, blue waters and we want everyone to visit and enjoy all that Ocean County has to offer,” explained Peter Curatolo, Ocean County Health Department Chief of Administrative Services. “Ocean water quality in particular has been outstanding this year. Our coastal ocean beaches and waterways continue to impress and provide lasting memories for all who visit. Sun, sand, surf, boardwalks and world-class restaurants are all here for everyone to enjoy. So pack a bag and we hope to see you at the Shore!”
But the OCHD is urging residents and visitors to remember the important safety protocols when recreating at our beaches, local eating establishments and retailers.
“Ocean County has some of the best beaches in the country,” said Ocean County Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health. “We certainly want our residents and visitors to enjoy this beautiful resource but the pandemic isn’t over and we need everyone to do their part in mitigating the transmission of the COVID-19 virus by adhering to all the social distancing measures and by wearing a mask when appropriate.”
Regenye added that the beach can be very therapeutic and the perfect environment to mentally recharge and clear your mind. “Whether you just like to relax, do some fishing or enjoy boating activities – the summer is still here and going strong. If you do swim, make sure you find beaches that still have life guards on duty and never swim alone.”
Even though it’s later in the season, don’t forget to stay hydrated and use sun lotions with a UVA protection of 30 or higher. Sunglasses and hats are also important protection from the sun.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests these critical tips while at the beach;
- Keep your blankets and chairs a good 6 feet away from your nearest neighbors.
- Don’t share food, drinks, equipment, toys and supplies with people you don’t live with.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Sneeze and cough into a tissue or sleeve.
- Wear a face covering if social distancing isn’t feasible. (Especially if waiting in line for restrooms, food vendors, or any activity that brings people in close distance of others).
- Stay home if sick.
- Children under 2 should never wear a face covering.
- Follow all posted and announced beach guidelines related to COVID-19 and other safety rules.
“Many Ocean County residents live here because they enjoy the ocean and beaches as do the visitors that come every summer,” Little continued. “But during the pandemic, all beachgoers must respect the safety of others as well as their own. It doesn’t matter how healthy you may feel, remember you can still transmit the COVID-19 virus when infected even when you’re asymptomatic.”
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a long-time resident, we invite you to come and enjoy our extended summer. Ocean County – A GREAT Place to Live, Work and Recreate!
For more information regarding the CCMP water testing program or COVID-19 guidelines please visit the OCHD website at www.ochd.org. The OCHD is also providing a general COVID-19 Information Call Hot Line for residents and clinicians to answer questions regarding the coronavirus. The number is 732-341-9700 ext. 7411.
The NJDOH (NJPIES) hotline is available for questions around the clock at 1-800-222-1222 or by dialing 2-1-1. Other related sources; for medical COVID-19 questions call 1-800-962-1253 (24/7) or Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive alerts.
Additional information can be found at:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at
https:/ /www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019ncov/summary.html
or New Jersey Department of Health website at:
https://www.state.nj.us/health/cd/topics/ncov.shtml
Beach Haven Charter Boat Fishing Association Weekly Fishing Report
Ocean County, NJ – Although the weather was not very cooperative the last two weeks of the summer in Beach Haven and the New Jersey summer flounder season which closed September 5, the captains of the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association made the most of it when they could. The fluke catches just seemed to get better and better with some very nice catches of fish going into the fish boxes.
At this point, the captains are keeping one eye on what problems Hurricane Irma might bring to the East Coast while keeping their fingers crossed for the folks in Florida who live along the coastlines.
Captain John Lewis of the “Insatiable” summed up the last portion of his summer fishing activities. “August gave us great fishing inshore with lots of fish coming over the rail and keeper fluke along with black sea bass, bluefish, squid and mackerel on every trip.” Captain John notes that he plans to be active in pushing government officials to provide more fishing opportunities as far as the seasons go and urges other captains and anglers to do the same.
For the next few weeks Captain John says he will be fishing for porgies, bluefish, and bonito inshore while looking for sharks, tuna and mahi offshore. He also has plans to continue his busy schedule of boat deliveries up and down the entire Atlantic seaboard.
Additional information on the Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association can be found at www.BHCFA.net.
Jim Hutchinson Sr., BHCFA
