The dedicated volunteers who make up the Zoning Board in Barnegat voted for ALL of us, as a majority of them said NO to the placement of a cell tower on Lower Shore Road. Small town values of caring for your neighbor, preserving our historic areas, thinking about future generations, and good old common sense are alive and well in Barnegat.

This decision puts much needed faith back into our system. Where our elected officials have let us down, it is the people of Barnegat who have stepped up and made a difference. Starting with Jamie Griffin (see our Barnegat Award of Character page). Without her efforts - along with the many good people that live on Lower Shore Road -- this area would have been negatively affected for future generations. But ultimately it was up to the Barnegat Zoning Board to do the right thing. A grateful town thanks these Board Members for their dedication and wisdom. Good job, everyone. It is nights like this when we should all be proud to live in our little town.

The night did not go by without a shocking moment, though. Former Zoning Board Chairman - Fred Rubenstein testified that he was pressured by Committeeman Thomas Hartman during the application process, and Rubenstein asked the Board to have the Ocean County Prosecutor's office investigate Hartman. Clearly there will be more on Hartman's alleged wrong-doing, but for now the focus should be on the good news...that the system works. A cell tower should easily be located at another - more suitable - site so everyone in the end wins. That's good news for all.