Asbury Park NJ offers little transparency in 2024

I think Bruce Springsteen should write a new ditty about the shop-worn questionable conditions of his favorite city, Asbury Park, N.J., and the surrounding townships.

Better yet, he should rewrite the song, My Hometown, from the 1984 album “Born in the U.S.A.” He could call it, “My Craptown.”
Yes, the residents of New Jersey have definitely “woke up” to a New Jersey that's unrecognizable from the great state it was when Springsteen grew up, but this article is not about “The Boss.” It is about the

greed and the poor leadership that has pushed this part of New Jersey into a downward spiral that would require a clean sweep to reverse the decline of this part of the state, particularly South Jersey.
The clutches of doom have just about destroyed the future for most youngsters in this state.
Covid was just an excuse to pick what's left of the state’s carcass. As cities and towns around the
Garden State price out the middle class, gouging is the new normal. When you think of the ‘Soprano State,’ the term South Jersey is likely in the same sentence. Most of New Jersey has reaped the rewards
of progress, and while South Jersey is finally starting to move forward, there is still one constant:

Camden is still a dumping ground for dead bodies.
Not too long ago a woman's body was pulled out of a car from Cooper River. A body was also
found in the trunk of a car a block from the hospital.

Looking at Burlington County, the state has
surpassed that county a long time ago.

Poor leadership and a lack of proper parental and school
discipline has weighed down what buoyancy was left. The two counties still use the race-card as a driving force that ultimately has stagnated yet fueled their financial gains until recently.

Monmouth County has always been on the radar also, but has found ways to stay out of the news cycle. Recently, a husband-and-wife team that runs charter schools in Asbury Park and Neptune is under fire for allegedly misappropriation of money that belongs to the taxpayers of New Jersey.

A renewed interest in Asbury Park brings up some inconsistencies in policies and numerous questions on financial responsibility.

Let's not forget the past local infamous names including Van Pelt, Ritacco, Scannapieco, and many other government representatives who stole, coerced, fixed, arranged, bribed, and then were caught by the FBI and convicted.

Lately, the Asbury Park City Council has found refuge hiding under their desks. When questioned
about the poor management of the Saint Patrick's Parade Group, and the commandeering of overpriced parking spaces in and around the city. It seems, if your Team Asbury Park you get to enjoy all the free perks the city provides.

The music scene is no different, built on the backs of the
taxpayers of Asbury Park. I find the shenanigans, the Wonder Bars so-called after the parade official party charging a cover of $20 probably wasn't the best read.
The Wonder Bar has long been known for its rude and unkind disposition.

Can't mention arrogance without highlighting the ''Stone Pony'' which was Springsteen’s favorite kick, but years later, the music venue offers little if any help with the broken system of acquiring the over-priced tickets.

Both music venues have enjoyed a free city ride much too long. With extremely selfish employees representing such iconic music spots.

I wonder next month when “The Boss” plays the beach in Asbury, if the City Council will have free seats in the front row while the rest of us have to pay upwards of $300-5,000 per ticket.

Hey, Wonder Bar and the Stone Pony stop ruining music fans experiences when visiting your establishments.

Maybe Senator Bob Menendez of South Jersey can help. Or maybe he’ll be in the front row too …?

First Reported Google JoeCrin@SJNews