Taxi Ordinance Causes Uproar

Discussion of a proposed taxi licensing ordinance in the borough of Manasquan turned to argument during Monday evening's meeting of the Manasquan Mayor and Council.

In the end, the proposed ordinance, which was scheduled for a first reading and introduction on Monday's agenda, was tabled pending further review by members of the governing body and borough officials.

"We've been going through this thing for 18 months," Republican Councilman Don Grasso, the ordinance's chief proponent, said. "It's becoming a joke now that we have to review this again."

Monday's meeting marks the second time that such an ordinance has been set aside. Last September, a similar measure which would require taxi companies operating within the boundaries of Manasquan to register both their vehicles and drivers with the borough was tabled. That ordinance too was pushed by Grasso.

Mayor George Dempsey, a Democrat, expressed concerns over the final version of the ordinance, which was sent to members of the governing body by borough attorney Mark Kitrick on Friday afternoon. 

The mayor also noted that input from Captain Elliot Correa, who is heading the Manasquan Police Department while Chief Daniel Scimeca is on medical leave, had not been received until Monday afternoon.

Dempsey asked that the measure be tabled until the council's next meeting to give members of the governing body a chance to review both the ordinance and Scimeca's letter.

"Mr. Mayor, you've pushed this thing back for 18 months," Grasso said, clearly frustrated.

Dempsey and Grasso sparred frequently on the issue, arguing and shouting over one another. At one point, Grasso contemplated leaving the meeting and Dempsey threatened to have him removed.

The arguing was met with disapproval from members of the public in attendance with a person in the audience remarking that "we get enough of this in Washington."

Primary among Correa's concerns is the fact that licensing will make it difficult for taxis to do business in the borough. Particularly during the late night hours on weekends, Correa feels that an abundance of taxis helps in clearing bar-goers from the borough's streets, prompting Grasso to ask the captain whether it is the cabs or the police who enforce the law in Manasquan. 

Grasso, at one point, suggested that Manasquan consider closing bars at midnight to combat quality of life issues created by an influx of bar patrons on the borough's streets.

Correa, a 36-year veteran of the Manasquan Police Department, informed the councilman that Manasquan abides by the Monmouth County Uniformed Closing Law.

"The fact is we're a resort community," Correa said.

Support of the ordinance was split down party lines with Democrats Dempsey and Councilman Owen McCarthy generally favoring tabling the ordinance and Republicans Grasso and Councilwoman Patricia Connolly seeking the ordinances introduction on Monday.

Democratic Councilman Jeff Lee recused himself from the discussion as his son drives a taxi and sometimes serves customers in Manasquan. Democratic Councilman Ed Donovan was not in attendance.

Republican Councilman Joe Lucas, a police veteran who heads the council's public safety committee, took exception to Grasso's criticism of the department and the two argued on the point.

Ultimately, the council voted to table the resolution.

"You are witnessing government at its best, folks," Grasso joked when his motion to introduce the ordinance failed to receive the necessary votes.