Yep ... good post. Upward and onward. The lifeguards are much busier now than
five years ago ... <BG> ... what did the Captain bark at me once when I was on
the beach about two years ago in July ... ASBURY IS BACK! <BG>. Yep it is ...
if all we can do know is cry about some copper panels on some buidling ... this
is good ... if this is the main issue this week ... <BG>.
--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "Dave" <dsher4@...> wrote:
>
> With all due respect to Hinge and Werner (both of whom i respect for their
> posts, intelligence, knowledge and passion about the town, particularly
> werner who is extremely knowledgable on a number of topics), it is important
> that we realize that Asbury is not continental Europe and that ironically is
> a good thing. While gorgeous in architecture and history, the socialistic
> aspects of Europe have effectively brought the continent to its knees in a
> terrible financial crisis that in many ways is far worse than the housing
> situation that we went through here. The crisis in that content will
> continue to plague them for years to come and while all of us love Europe for
> its splendor, it is unfortunately a great place to visit but one who's future
> is troubled by its financial situation which will be an albatross for years
> to come.
>
> I too wish that Asbury could be completely restored to its former splendor.
> However, i am also aware that i have to balance that desire with the
> pragmatic aspects of the current and the future. Both in regard to economics
> and social change. While historic theatre's are romantic and whimsical to
> think about, we live in a world of iPod's and Facebook. Sometimes change is
> scary but it is a part of moving forward in history. Just like Asbury was
> transformative in its beginning, it should be so again. When reading the
> history books, the town was forward thinking with indoor air conditioning in
> the paramount or a train line over sunset bridge that took patrons downtown
> for shopping. in the 1920's this was futuristic stuff. We need to think
> about what is forward thinking now and attempt to tie it appropriately to our
> past. One size does not fit all.
>
> I for one think the town is on a very promising path of resurgence. Asbury
> has done extremely well though a brutal economic downturn. With no help from
> a very failed redevelopment plan, the town has found a way to claw itself
> further along house by house, business by business. Crime is obviously a
> very serious problem and one that needs to be addressed. So where do we go
> from here. Importantly, the economy is starting to rebound and the housing
> market has found its bottom although their is likely to be a shallow upturn
> rather than a resurgence. As werner has talked about i think the town's
> resurgence has its roots in music and entertainment. I'm glad bamboozle is
> coming to Asbury and anything we can do to promote both music and
> entertainment should be applauded
>
> how can we blend the past and the future? While i agree with Werner that the
> loss of some of the historical treasures are a tragedy, i also realize that
> the economic realities made it so. that being said, i think the historical
> artifacts and building that are left such as convention hall or the beautiful
> casino building should be brought back to their historical glory. This is an
> enormous economic undertaking and needs to be considered in light of
> reformation in the context of a return on invested capital. Even back in the
> 1920's, the architects of the buildings did not think they were going to be
> built for beauty alone without form of purpose.
>
> I am a bit discouraged regarding the posts i read on this site. I find that
> every post is castigating madison marquette for all of their transgressions.
> I want to say that i have zero affiliation with madison marquette and only
> have spoken to their representatives over an errant vodka soda one summer
> evening. i agree they have made some mistakes but as a homeowner in this
> town i am thrilled that they are here, undertaking an enormous monetary
> investment and trying to bring the town back in spite of its challenges. I
> know that given the circumstances most people would have cut bait at this
> point considering the investment and I for one am glad MM has not. I'm not
> sure what the alternative is. It's always easy to criticize but always more
> difficult to offer solutions.
>
> I'm not sure if anyone from Madison marquette reads this board. Or if any of
> the more involved citizens of Asbury would be willing to get involved. I
> think it would be a great idea to bring together an ad hoc group to discuss
> potential improvements to the redevelopment and or town under the concept of
> cooperation and not attack... effectively a brain storming group where no
> idea was stupid and attacks on the past, future or status quo were avoided in
> lieu of ideas about what could be better. With an understanding that
> economics matter, money isn't free flowing and that change has to be made in
> the context of pragmatic realistic decision making. Also, the AP police
> department does an excellent job but any suggestions from them as to how we
> could all get involved and help would be appreciated also. If anyone is up
> for it, please feel free to respond to the post and we can take it from
> there.
>
> Regards,
>
> Dan S.
>
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