I didn't insult you. You insulted me. I simply called you out. I own a
'trendy' club in town and your distain, or misunderstanding, for what I and
others are actually doing is an insult.
Let me ask you: what are you doing, Lisa? What business are you developing?
What investment have you made? What have you done to fix the problem that you
so clearly see? Are you running for a seat on the council? Are you opening a
club?
If you are truly investing yourself into making a difference, I apologize. If
you one of many that sit back and judge, without getting involved, well,
then....
For me, I sit on 3 Asbury Park boards, 2 of them for over 7 years. I volunteer
countless hours to the preservation of Asbury Park but more importantly in its
progression into a viable, sustainable, healthy, thriving community. I've been
involved in planting over 1500 trees in the city, I've open 2 businesses in
town and working on a 3rd. Yes, I've read Daniel's book. I've given at least
20 copies to people over the years, including the presidents of Madison
Marquette and iStar. It's an incredible read. It's about a lot of people that
'did' something, not just talk about what other 'aren't'.
I've completely restored my 1928 home to its former glory, a structure that was
complete neglected and almost falling down when I purchased it. I don't think
anyone who knows me, my home, my work, my businesses or my view about the
potential of this town could say that I don't value preservation. I understand
the importance of preservation but at the same time, I understand business.
This is my major problem with many people in this town. They long for the past
but don't have a clue as to how to create something real in today's terms.
I've put my money, my time and my passion on the line to create, support and
cultivate a true culture in Asbury. I've been booking local bands at my club
for the past 2 years. I've lost thousands of $ doing so, but I still do it.
I believe wholeheartedly in preservation and supporting the arts. What I don't
support is sentimentality and the emotion that people have for 'the past'. The
Fast Lane is a broken building in a broken industry. The building has no
value. You were the one that called out for it to be saved. If you don't have
the ability to step up and do something, then don't call others out for not
doing so.
You're correct, the government has made many, many mistakes in Asbury over the
years. The current council, as well as the zoning and planning boards are
continuing to clean up the mess of generations of corrupt and stupid developers
and politicians. Do your homework and put the blame where it belongs.
I'm a firm believer in the saying: are you either part of the solution or part
of the problem. I feel I'm part of the solution. What part are you, Lisa?
--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "Lisa" <liannucc@...> wrote:
>
> Insulting people is not the way to make your argument.
>
> And you know what, I do know a lot about the music business (a family member
> owns a club in town), and I do know the business is in serious trouble. I
> also know that Asbury Park has a bunch of empty condos already and does not
> need more condos sitting empty. I know that developers do not spend money to
> do what is best in the long term, they only invest to make money in the short
> term and then get out. They don't do what's best for the majority unless the
> government regulators force them to.
>
> I am not naive enough to think developers are going to do something solely
> for historical preservation reasons (and by the way, historic preservation
> needs a viable business plan too). But tearing down a unique structure to
> build a generic one that will attract a homogeneous community is not my idea
> of moving forward or building a strong local economy. Businesses and renters
> are being driven out by astronomical rent increases as it is. This has
> happened all over, and decimates the creativity and diversity that attracted
> people in the first place.
>
> The government is responsible for the mess this city is in, and they've
> gotten away with it because no one has held them accountable. Are individuals
> going to come up with the political and economic capital to rebuild without
> some existing infrastructure (you know, like roads, sewers, etc.) that gets
> regularly maintained? Read 4th of July, Asbury Park by Daniel Wolff if you
> want some history on this. Besides, the government is the authority here, not
> developers. Unless they are sitting on (or should I say leaning on) the city
> council, of course.
>
> I am sorry you think so little of historic preservation. There is room for
> development and for history; they need not be mutually exclusive. Cities like
> Philadelphia, Boston, New York, and Washington DC are just a few examples of
> how it can be done. It's only a zero sum game if you choose to make it one.
>
>
>
>
> --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "rslnyc" <RSLNYC@> wrote:
> >
> > Lisa,
> >
> > While I understand your emotion, you obviously know nothing about the music
> > business. The Fast Lane is not a viable venue, even if it was in mint
> > condition. It's about economics, not brick and mortar. Developers build
> > things that are economically viable. I know, the devil is in the detail.
> >
> > Most of the good people in Asbury who remember the good ole days have no
> > clue as to the current disaster the live music business is in. The live
> > music industry has changed, drastically. It will never be the way it was
> > in the 70's. That business model is busted, big time. Additionally, its
> > not the city government that's going to save music in Asbury. Please stop
> > asking them. They can barely pave roads, let alone save a drowning
> > industry.
> >
> > I do have a solution, Lisa: YOU buy the Fast Lane, spend the 2 mil it needs
> > to be rehabed, build a team of admin, tech staff, bookers and book your
> > bands! You will lose your shirt, unfortunately, like every other small
> > live venue in the area. But, you'll preserve all of the good feelings that
> > are important and be able to tell people you are standing in the spot that
> > Bruce met the Ramones - that would be cool.
> >
> > Signed,
> >
> > Russell
> > Trendy Club Owner
> >
> > --- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "Lisa" <liannucc@> wrote:
> > >
> > > Asbury Park: Where Music Lives??
> > >
> > > Except when it gets in the way of redevelopment and making the big bucks.
> > > Bye bye 4th Avenue and the music venues that supported this town during
> > > the really hard times..
> > >
> > > Once again we see that eminent domain has reared its ugly head on the
> > > Jersey Shore, and this time, it seems we're biting the hand that feeds.
> > >
> > > Although it's been closed for a while, The FastLane is historically
> > > significant as it was the first place where many artists who later played
> > > the Pony got their start: John Cafferty & Beaver Brown, Jon Bon Jovi,
> > > John Eddie. Not to mention all the prominent bands that played there over
> > > the years. And lest we forget, it's the place where Springsteen met The
> > > Ramones. Surely it deserves a better fate than the wrecking ball.
> > >
> > > And then there's Asbury Lanes, the coolest thing to happen to Asbury in a
> > > long time, a diverse, funky joint with a loyal fan base that books a wide
> > > array of bands. And Conventio Hall continues to decay.
> > >
> > > Where Music Lives...except we don't really want to preserve the music
> > > scene, do we?
> > >
> > > A strong local economy comes from economic diversity, not from endless
> > > condominium sales, "trendy" clubs and overpriced restaurants. Get with
> > > the program-no one is going to live in Asbury if there's nothing to
> > > do...And remember, by definition what's trendy today is passe tomorrow...
> > >
> >
>
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