Well done. While they had a festive look I was not fond of the advertising on
the city light posts.
----- Original Message ----
From: jwkeady <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, July 2, 2008 1:23:22 PM
Subject: [AsburyPark] Responding to Oak: North Beach Flags - Precedent
Oak,
I had to respond to your last post. While I am in agreement on much
of what you write to this group, we have a disagreement on this
issue. During our last Council meeting, we had a presentation by a
representative from North Beach about the flags. I raised the
following concerns.
1. I was disappointed that they took this action without permission
from the City. I commented that they followed the "it's easier to
apologize than ask permission" approach.
2. I asked my colleagues to consider how allowing North Beach's
action (putting up the flags) would impact the proposed waterfront
marketing plan we reviewed a few weeks prior which also included
lightpost flags.
3. I asked my colleagues to consider the precedent that allowing
North Beach to do this would set. In the same vein, I ask you to
consider the following questions.
a. You say that they sunk some money into their project and thus we
should "help them sell." What if everybody felt that way? I have a
home business on Cookman Avenue, I need revenue in these tight times
too, can I just put up flags on all the lightposts on the 600 block
of Cookman if I feel I need to boost my revenues? What about a
business like TJ's Pizza on Main Street, can they put flags up all
over their block and beyond? Since we all have invested here,
shouldn't the City "help us sell" too? Can you imagine the visual
clutter this would cause, not to mention the fights over territory?
b. If we allowed the flags to stay and stay for free, would we allow
businesses in the future to put up any ads they wanted on City
property free of charge? If we said "no" couldn't they turn around
and say, "but you let North Beach do it"?
c. What is this type of advertising on City property worth? Without
any research done on this issue, how could we make a fair decision?
I think these three groups of questions alone are enough to force
more careful consideration of what an action like this means. I was
very happy that my colleagues agreed and that is what we will be
discussing at tonight's meeting.
Speaking of tonight's meeting, I have a request of those of you who
participate on this group.
1. Please come to the meeting.
2. If you do come, please introduce yourself to me. I would like to
be able to faces and names with postings.
I hope this finds you well and enjoying the beautiful weather today.
Peace, Councilman Jim Keady
