Is Our Town Pro/Con Small Business? And Why It's Important

This is a letter submitted by my good friend.  I think it hits the mark and makes an interesting point.

Dear Editor:

As the President of the Wall Township Chamber of Commerce I am dismayed at the lack of support demonstrated by our elected officials in town.  Over the past several weeks I have read article after article about businesses trying to make progress in Wall, only to be stopped in their tracks by our electeds and their appointees.

On May 21, 2011, the Wall Chamber hosted its annual Arts and Crafts Festival at the Circle Outlets on Atlantic Avenue.  This is an event we have hosted for the past four (4) years and have even had it on township property.  Throughout its history this event has brought revenue both the vendors who participate and to neighboring businesses.  Over the years, for some inexplicable reason, the township has tried to impose various impediments to this event.  For example, two years ago, the town attempted to require us to hire off duty police to act as crossing guards when we wanted to have the event at T&T Coast (in an effort to promote their business).  The imposition of this demand required us to move to another venue.  Last year, we moved the event to Sea Girt Plaza.  We were advised by the fire inspector that we would be required to pay for separate inspection certificates for each vendor that had a tent covering their goods (it was over 85 degrees that day).  In response, we suggested that we rent one giant tent to cover all of the vendors and only pay one fee.

But, this year was the worst display yet.  In order to promote the event our event coordinator placed signs around town a few days before the event.  We have done this every year and have never had a call or complaint from anyone about the promotional signs.  This year, instead of receiving such a call, the signs were simply taken by code enforcement and disposed of.  These signs, all totaled cost in excess of $100, adding to the Chamber’s costs.  As it turns out, there is no ordinance, law or rule that prohibits the placement of the signs.  In fact, short-term event signs are specifically excepted from the town’s sign ordinance.  To date, we have no idea what happened to the signs nor have we had an offer of reimbursement other than the town’s code enforcement official’s eventual recognition of the mistake.

While these examples may seem trivial, they appear to be symptomatic of a much larger problem in Wall Township.  That is, our elected officials’ distaste for small business.  We have seen over the past several months the Township Committee and their appointed boards deny small businesses’ (that would bring jobs and tax ratable) applications for new businesses in some parts of town.  One, a check cashing business, has filed suit against the town claiming the town acted in violation of the Constitution and the other, a 7-11 on Route 35 was rejected by a close 3-2 vote. 

It is unclear to me why the town, with greatly reduced tax revenues as reflected in this year’s budget, would turn away ratables that add tax revenue without the burdens on our schools and other services.  Instead of turning their noses up at businesses they do not “like” the Township Committee and boards should be looking for ways to stimulate small business.  In these difficult times, placing roadblocks in the way of small business is not a smart model for progress.  I encourage our elected officials and appointees to change their current mindset and to help, rather than hinder, small business in town.

James Goddard

President, Wall Chamber of Commerce