The Clear Choice for Brigantine

02/03/2020

Hundreds of people came out to support the Chief Arthur Brown Scholarship Foundation at its 27th annual Pre Super Bowl tailgate party at Docs Oyster House. Senator Chris Brown welcomed everyone including Congressman Jeff Van Drew, Mayor Andy Simpson, Council Reps Karen Bew, Mike Riordan, Former Mayor Phil Guenther and others who contributed to the foundation awarding over $300,000 in scholarships and financial aid in support of local charities.

11/22/2019

Thanks A.C. Press :)

BREAKING NEWS: AC PRESS COMMENDS NEW COVE REGULATIONS

Thanks to A.C. Press for today's editorial on Page A6.

Brigantine Could use Help of Visitors to Keep Cove Beach Fun

The Cove circular beach at the south end of Brigantine is a best-kept secret that got out to the world long ago. Now crowds in 4x4 vehicles and boats descent on it during the summer, bringing challenges to the municipality and its police.

Last summer, the noise, litter and drinking were sometimes too much. There were too many fights and even a bomb threat.

City Council responded sensibly this month with an ordinance allowing Brigantine to take some steps to restore order — while leaving drivers and others to enjoy their sand-and-surf fun.

Next year, city police and officials will be allowed to check coolers 36 quarts and up or with a 24-inch side for quantities of alcohol. They’ll also be authorized to limit access to the Cove or even close it in response to overcrowding or conditions deemed unsafe or impeding law enforcement.

The new controls are aimed especially at holiday weekends that have produced the most trouble and complaints, Fourth of July in particular. Brigantine is also seeking to have the N.J. State Police station a patrol boat at the Cove that weekend.

The city also plans to increase the size of its police patrols from the current two officers, and to add more lifeguards to beaches there.

Brigantine officials appropriately are seeking to pay for the increased enforcement and oversight with additional funds from the sale of permits to drive on the city’s beaches. Buying a 2020 permit in January and February will cost $200, just $25 more than this year. But those buying after March 1 will pay $100 more than this year’s $200 in-season price. Local residents are advised to not wait like most people, who buy their permits in June and July.

The city’s actions are a well-thought-out response to the increasing popularity of beach driving and use of the Cove.

Just seven years ago, 2,700 permits a year were sold. That grew slowly to more than 3,000 permits in 2017. With the rebounding national and state economies and word-of-mouth about the Cove spreading further, last year vehicle permit sales nearly doubled to about 5,800.

If the higher permit prices that fund the additional city oversight also discourage some from buying them, that wouldn’t be the worst thing. People may also start avoiding the holidays because the beach is too crowded.

Cove visitors should realize their increase in numbers puts a burden not just on the city but on themselves as well. They should welcome the new policies that will preserve their beach driving and partying experience, and behave in ways that don’t wear out their welcome with city officials and Cove neighbors.

11/08/2019

Thanks Mayor :)

11/04/2019

Great job Mayor! :)

Mayor Andy Simpson promised to change the culture at the Cove beach and after Wednesday night's council meeting new rules will be in effect to do so. Ninety nine percent of beachgoers at the Cove won't be affected by the changes but the new rules in place will be enforced when needed for the safety of all beachgoers. After July 4th weekend, the mayor organized meetings with State Police, Coast Guard, Brigantine PD, Lifeguards, City Manager Jim Bennett, Deputy Mayor Vince Sera and Councilman Mike Riordan to coordinate improvements for public safety at the Cove. Freeholders Rich Dase, John Risley and Former Mayor Phil Guenther have also been very helpful when needed and we ask you to please get out and vote for them tomorrow Nov 5th. Column B

10/17/2019

Great Job by Mayor Simpson :)

Thunderous cheers erupted in council chambers after skateboarders aged five to fifty pleaded to save Brigantine Beach's beloved skateboard park and Mayor Andy Simpson applauded the crowd then agreed "We will save the park". The crowd was elated as one young skateboarder screamed "Our Mayor is better than Santa Claus" More info to follow......

09/27/2019

Good Stuff :)

Mayor Andy Simpson with Brigantine Economic Development Chairman Mike Riordan and the Brigantine Sons of Italy (Pat Campitelli Lodge #2520) are happy to announce the Inaugural Columbus Parade will take place Saturday Oct.12th and Invite Everyone to Celebrate the Maritime Achievements of Christopher Columbus and Our Poud Italian American Heritage here in Brigantine :)

09/15/2019

Mayor Andy Simpson and Freeholder Rich Dase have reported Mosquito Ground Spray Scheduled for Sept 16th in Brigantine

The Atlantic County Office of Mosquito Control has scheduled a ground spray application for Monday September 16th in Brigantine as part of the county’s ongoing efforts to control adult mosquitoes and reduce the spread of mosquito-borne illness.

The ground spray application will take place, weather permitting, between 4 am and 6:30 am. The area to be treated is bounded by 12th Street North, E. Shore Drive, Golf Course Drive, N. Shore Drive, W. Shore Drive, Lafayette Boulevard, W. Shore Drive, Risley Road,Bayshore Avenue, 6th Street South, W. Beach Avenue and E. Beach Avenue.

The application will be done using Zenivex, the trade name for etofenprox, applied as an ultra-low volume aerosol.

The Environmental Protection Agency does not require people to relocate or take special precautions during mosquito control spraying. The public may choose to avoid or minimize exposure by staying indoors during application; keeping windows shut; window fans and air conditioning off or set to circulate indoor air; keeping children’s toys indoors; keeping pets and their food, water dishes and toys indoors.

For health information about the pesticides to be applied in this area, call the Atlantic County Office of Mosquito Control at (609) 645-5948.

Mosquito Control officials remind residents of the importance of removing standing water from their properties and cleaning their gutters to eliminate potential mosquito breeding grounds.

For more information, visit:www.aclink.org/publicworks/mosquito or call the West Nile Virus hotline at 1-877-64FACTS.

08/08/2019

BREAKING NEWS: Mayor Andy Simpson met with Top Officials from the NJ Marine Police, U.S. Coastguard and Brigantine P.D. to discuss the new rules enforcement at Cove Beach. Mayor Simpson, Deputy Mayor Vince Sera, Councilman Mike Riordan, City Mgr Jim Bennett and Capt Rich Casamento were on hand ironing out the details that will be announced shortly. More info to be released soon....

08/02/2019

Great 3rd Ward meeting tonight in with Dennis Haney, Andy Simpson, & Mike Riordan.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this evening- 😄

07/31/2019

Your at work

Brigantine Working With DEP To Protect Plovers & Foxes:

On Friday, July 12th, city officials met with representatives from the , including the Division of Parks and Forestry, and New Jersey Fish and Wildlife to discuss how we can work together to protect both piping plovers and foxes. We had open and honest discussions about predator management and what can be done to improve the current situation.

Read More: https://vinceseranj.com/dep%3A-plovers-%26-foxes

07/30/2019

Council Takes 1st Step to Repaving City Street in

Council members unanimously voted to pass an improvement authorization at the July 20th council meeting.

The City is working to repave roads, repair and upgrade our water and sewer systems, and make needed investments to the City’s infrastructure.

There will be a public hearing on the improvement authorization at the August 7th council meeting.

07/21/2019

Great morning with Dennis Haney supporting Team and the Police Unity Tour.

Our council team is proud to sponsor Team Brigantine’s 10th ride to DC.