Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari doesn't want to lose valuable tourism dollars to competing states
"Virginia is for lovers." "The Outer Banks of North Carolina is an endless source of inspiration. Visit Outerbanks.org." These are not the kind of commercials Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari wants to see flashing across television screens in Ocean County and along the East Coast, not if he can help it. Vicari - who serves as liaison to the county's tourism bureau - is looking for the state to provide $3 million to produce commercials touting the Jersey Shore. And he wants it soon. Very soon. "We lose it this season, they are not going to come back to Ocean County," Vicari said at an Ocean County Board of Freeholders meeting this afternoon." The state needs to shore up its $4 billion tourism industry and let visitors know the Jersey Shore will …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Freeholder Joseph Vicari wants FEMA, banks, federal government to help get tourism back on its feet long before summer arrives
Freeholder Joseph Vicari was watching C-SPAN, listening to New Jersey Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez talking about the need for billions in federal funding to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. There was one thing that bothered him about it, however: all of the damage they discussed was in North Jersey. "The senators made it very clear about North Jersey, but I didn’t hear anyone mention the Jersey Shore," Vicari said. "They have to be more aggressive about getting the money for us, too." It's not just financial assistance Vicari wants to see for Ocean County, especially the small businesses that have been severely impacted by the storm. He wants to see FEMA do more to remove debris that will impact tourism, and he wants …
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Displaced residents and people tending to Hurricane Sandy recovery have filled hotels.
Among the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy since October 29, displaced residents and the onslaught of disaster relief workers to the area have had to face another difficulty – finding a hotel room. Sandy has led to full hotels in the Shore area and beyond as FEMA officials, insurance adjusters, utility crews, home remediation specialists and those displaced from their homes have made finding a room in Monmouth and Ocean Counties very difficult, despite the tourism season being long finished. “We are at 100 percent right now and closed to new reservations until January,” said Patricia Brecka, manager at the Comfort Inn on Route 37. Dana Lancellotti, director of sales at the Ramada on Route 9, noted the hotel is referring reservations …
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Senator says House bill is "a great threat."
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Saturday, July 28, 2012
Column as submitted by Sen. Robert Menendez: I know you share my love of the Jersey Shore, its great resources and the great economic engine it provides to our state. But today we are facing the great threat of oil drilling off the coast of New Jersey. Unfortunately, big oil managed to use its influence in the House of Representatives this week to get a bill passed that would allow drilling off the New Jersey coast and all along the eastern seaboard. If this bill becomes law, it could have a terrible impact on the tourism industry at the Jersey Shore, on commercial and recreational fishing, on marine life, and on New Jersey's delicate coastal ecosystems. An oil spill would ruin New Jersey’s shore for years to come. It would mean not …
Friday, May 11, 2012
We unearthed this promotional video from 2010 about the Seaside Heights amusements
Cue the montage of rooftop mini golf and Whac-A-Mole: in this 2010 promotional video the amusements of Seaside Heights are on display. As part of our continued look at tourism along the Toms River-Seaside corridor, Countdown to Memorial Day, we unearthed this 2010 video produced to entice visitors to Seaside Heights with images of the thrill rides, kiddie carousels, "high tech" arcade machines and boardwalk games of chance. Check out the video, which was produced by Seaside Heights Tourism. Although two years old, has much changed along the boards since then? Did this video stand the test of time and would it get you to visit Seaside?
Friday, March 9, 2012
Jenkinson's has a job fair on Sunday, Seaside has one May 5
Whether they are checking badges, scooping ice cream or sliding a slice into a pizza oven, the seasonal employers at the tourist destinations along Point Pleasant Beach and Seaside Heights are hiring now for the coming summer. Seasonal employment for these summer jobs is often thought of as work for teenagers and college students, but all are encouraged to apply. It's several months at minimum wage rates on the beach and boards. It's also as many as 800 people Jenkinson's hopes to hire, as part of an industry that employs more than 500,000 people throughout New Jersey. According to the New Jersey Travel and Tourism Board, one out of every nine New Jerseyans has a job in tourism. "Jenkinson's," said its Director of Marketing Marilou …
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Governor highlights environmental achievements in lighthearted Shore stop
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was in high spirits during a visit to the Belmar boardwalk Wednesday afternoon. A jubilant Christie came to the borough's Taylor Pavilion at 6th and Ocean avenues as part of a tour of the Jersey Shore to promote environmental issues and tourism. The governor also has planned stops in Manasquan, Seaside Heights, Atlantic City and a make-up appearance after being rained out in Ocean City on Tuesday. Arriving at Belmar Elementary School by helicopter and then being shuttled to the beachfront in an SUV, Christie spoke briefly and then took questions from the press before strolling the boardwalk and greeting constituents. "This beats being in Trenton," Christie joked from the podium. The governor explained that …
Friday, June 10, 2011
With a sudden heat wave ushering in an early summer, surfers feel the side effects
I moved into my new apartment in Beach Haven on May 1, after a friendly argument with my new landlord over the cost of electricity. After cutting a deal to pretty much get two free months (God bless international bargaining skills), I sheepishly inquired that since June isn’t all that hot of a month, and July’s pretty much a crapshoot on the heat, and by August we’re all pretty much like frogs left in boiling water (Google it), could I just forego footing the bill for electric as long as I promised to never turn on the air conditioning? One steadfast "no" after another followed. Since my living room has windows that can catch the wind from three out of four cardinal directions, I figured I still had a chance at keeping the bill low, so I …
Friday, June 3, 2011
Vicari: With sunny skies, tourists bring dollars to Ocean County over holiday
Soaring temperatures, crowded highways, and a long weekend. The Memorial Day celebration was what shore business owners dream about. Cash flowed like beer at tourist destinations like Seaside Heights and Point Pleasant Beach. Tourists paid up to $25 to park near the boardwalks. Motels were full to overflowing. Beaches were packed with people looking for relief from the heat and a place to have fun, although the chilly ocean waters kept most on the sand. “It’s a resurgence of the economy in Ocean County. We’re off to a good start,’’ said Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari. “Traffic was horrendous,’’ he said, because so many people were coming to the shore for a good time during the traditional start of the summer season. “Rentals are …
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Seaside Heights was in trouble long before Snooki slithered into town
What a difference 51 summers can make. A faded, pink-tinged 1960 Seaside Heights promotional film available on YouTube bears little resemblance to the Seaside Heights of today. The beaches and boardwalks are full of families. Women and teenagers for the most part wore one-piece bathing suits. The more daring wore modest two-piece suits. No sunburned rumps split by thongs, no men who shouldn't be wearing Speedos wearing Speedos. No gold chains. "Everywhere young people can be seen enjoying each other," the moderator chortles, as the film zeroes in on a wholesome young couple chatting on the beach. Now fast forward to Memorial Day 2011. "Seaside Heights| *Stabbing*| Sheridan Ave & Boardwalk| Monoc 1 is transporting a 28 y/o male to jersey …
Kurt
2:01 pm on Saturday, March 23, 2013
No because you weren’t nearly ready for Sandy and you will not be even close to turned around for the season. You believed that God and Government where going to protect you and the white night from DC was going to make everything all better. OPPS. Your Bad! Guess what your cash that really wasn’t yours anyway all went to the Middle East Ha Ha Ha. Foolish little Obamaites. more ›