It's official: Seven Presidents Ocean Walk

It's official: Seven Presidents Ocean Walk
BY KENNY WALKER Staff Writer
Much to the delight of residents, the Long Branch City Council approved a resolution to rename the boardwalk pathway along the oceanfront as Seven Presidents Ocean Walk at Long Branch.

The council was praised by residents at the Aug. 11 meeting as they voted to approve the resolution 4-0. Councilman Brian Unger was absent for the vote.

The idea for the renaming was presented at the July 28 meeting by Dennis Sherman, representing the Save Ocean Avenue Committee, who suggested the council make the name change by passing a resolution.

The original resolution would have resulted in changing the name of the boardwalk to Seven Presidents Ocean Walk.

However, some members of the administration requested that Long Branch be included in the name.

At first Sherman was reluctant to see the inclusion.

"We felt that Long Branch in the title would detract from the title," Sherman said at the workshop meeting. "We wanted to keep the ocean walk focus on the seven presidents' history."

Sherman did make some suggestions for other ways to include the city's name to the council and committee.

"You could have City of Long Branch underneath it," Sherman said. "That's kind of a long title."

He also suggested that when posted on the city's website, the words "at Long Branch" could be used.

Councilman Anthony Giordano, who originally questioned the name, seemed happy with that.

"Any literature, any letterhead, any discussion will have it be known as part of Long Branch," he said.

Council Deputy President Michael DeStefano was happy with the resolution and praised the committee for its work.

"It took them a long time to get here," DeStefano said, "and to finally get to this point. And if that's the way they feel, I don't think it's any detraction to exclude that as long as it's in literature and postings."

DeStefano went on to give examples all across the country of landmarks that do not include the name of the city where they are located, including Central Park in New York City and the Riverwalk in San Antonio.

"There are parks and historic monuments in a lot of cities that don't carry the name of the city," he said.

Giordano went on to say that he would like the resolution changed to carry the Long Branch name.

"I like Seven Presidents Ocean Walk, I just think it should say at Long Branch," Giordano said. "I just think the official name should be Seven Presidents Ocean Walk at Long Branch.

"People outside of the community would know where it is," he added.

At the end of the workshop meeting, the council and Sherman agreed to include "at Long Branch" in the signage.

"We are very anxious to get this resolution passed," he said. "I think it would be fine."

During the public participation portion of the council meeting, Sherman and a handful of other residents spoke in favor of the resolution.

"I would like to thank you for moving the resolution forward," he said. "By passing this resolution, we are now able to join all the wonderful parts of the oceanfront together."

Sherman went on to say that this would have a big impact culturally on the area.

"We are going to be able to inject a lot of history, art and the many things that will make the entire oceanfront one," he said, "make it in a way that everyone who comes to the boardwalk will now be able to enjoy and experience the history of Long Branch."

Bill McLaughlin, another member of the Save Ocean Avenue Committee, praised group members for getting the resolution on the docket.

"This small group of us got together to form the Save Ocean Avenue Committee," he said. "We have worked hard to enhance the area."

McLaughlin also praised the city for working with the committee.

"Many improvements were made, thanks to the city, especially Fred Migliaccio and Stan Dzuiba," he said. "If this resolution passes, then we can truly say that government is for the people."

Residents not directly involved with the committee also had some good words to say about the resolution.

"I would like to thank Bill McLaughlin and Mr. Sherman for all they've done," resident Lori Ann Vendetti said. "I hope you continue to beautify the oceanfront."

"I want to compliment all the people who got together for this resolution and the City Council," resident Harold Bobrow said.

Save Ocean Avenue members, in addition to Sherman and McLaughlin, are city residents Mary Jean Lepis, Bob Kenyon and Wally Bruchman. The group can be reached via the website at ttp://www.saveoceanave. com.


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