Point Pleasant Beach, Boro Call For More Business Reopenings

POINT PLEASANT BEACH – Point Pleasant Beach joined a list of towns who have called for more business reopenings, saying the "Jersey Shore and the state of New Jersey can ill afford to lose an entire summer season."

The letter, addressed to Gov. Phil Murphy, said the towns we "are pleased" that he's finally relaxing restrictions, but "we feel it is not enough."

"We have each in our own way relayed the concerns of the business communities in our respective municipalities to your office over the last few months but now do so as a unified group," the letter says. "We trust and have faith that our small businesses have the best interests of not just themselves but for our communities in mind. We have faith in them and ask you to have the same faith."

The letter notes that several states have already lifted restrictions and "what we see is an economy, at best, slowly coming back for them."

"While stores are permitted to be open, business has been slow as many choose to stay home for a number of reasons, one being no longer having the discretionary income to spend as freely as they did a few months ago," the letter says. "If we wait longer, the effects on our economy here in New Jersey will be worse."

The lack of income combined with a fear of contracting or spreading the virus will cause consumers to stay home with or without government order, the letter says.

While this will be hard on small businesses, "at least they will have the chance to appeal to potential customers and employ others which benefits the economy, our tax base and most importantly the hard-working individuals who make our state function," the letter says.

"Our businesses are intelligent and know that in order to open they will be adhering to new health and safety guidelines," the letter says. "They can do so while still operating. Our residents are equally as smart and if they choose not to shop, dine or discover what our businesses have to offer because they personally feel unsafe, then that is their decision not to venture out.

"But let our residents decide for themselves now that we as a whole have been educated and our businesses are committed to safety.

The Jersey Shore economy is seasonal in nature and that season "is now upon us," the letter says.

"The people who operate businesses want to see their customers stay safe and healthy so that they can return again in the future. It is in everyone’s best interest to allow those that want to work and spend to be free to do so," the letter says. "The Shore and the state of New Jersey can ill afford to lose an entire summer season. We realize your restrictions are being lessened in phases, but that is not quick enough."

Businesses need to return to normal operating procedures with the ability to handle normal inventory and customer demands to the best of their ability, the letter says.

These mayors signed the letter:

• Bay Head Borough– Mayor William W. Curtis
• Beach Haven Borough – Mayor Nancy Taggart Davis
• Beachwood Borough - Mayor Ronald F. Roma, Jr.
• Berkeley Township – Mayor Carmen F. Amato, Jr.
• Brick Township - Mayor John G. Ducey
• Lacey Township - Mayor Steven C. Kennis
• Lakehurst Borough - Mayor Harry Robbins
• Lavallette Borough - Mayor Walter G. LaCicero
• Little Egg Harbor Township - Mayor Barbara Jo Crea
• Long Beach Township - Mayor Joseph H. Mancini
• Manchester Township - Mayor Kenneth T. Palmer
• Mantoloking Borough – Mayor E. Laurence (Lance) White
• Ocean Gate Borough – Mayor Paul J. Kennedy
• Point Pleasant Borough – Mayor Robert A. Sabosik
• Point Pleasant Beach Borough – Mayor Paul M. Kanitra
• Seaside Heights Borough – Mayor Anthony E. Vaz
• Seaside Park Borough – Mayor John A. Peterson
• Stafford Township – Mayor Gregory E. Myhre
• Toms River Township – Mayor Maurice “Mo” B. Hill, Jr.
• Tuckerton Borough – Mayor Susan R. Marshall