"My YouTube video was me frustrated as a business person and a person that cares about the town," said Gale Coleman, life-long Borough resident, owner of 3C's Luncheonette on SW Central Avenue, and Councilwoman.  Coleman said the New Jersey Department of Transportation completely ripped up Route 35, despite promising Borough Officials in a series of meetings that the construction would be done in phases.

"There's thousands and thousands of feet ripped up with absolutely no workers, nothing going on at all," Coleman told Townsquare Media during a phone interview this morning.

Coleman called the project an inconvenience that's impacting Borough residents. "Also may I remind you that people are still trying to rebuild their homes from Super Storm Sandy." She noted it has been difficult for residents to get modular homes into the area.

"A lot of the businesses have mortgages to pay. No work, no payment for a mortgage. No customers, no payment," said Coleman.

Coleman's observations and concerns are supported by Seaside Park Mayor Robert Matthies, who called her YouTube video "very interesting and attention-grabbing." He agreed the construction is creating a hardship for residents and businesses alike. "The immediate concerns are access, parking, public driving safety," he said.

Matthies noted Borough officials have been in contact with Legislators in the 9th District and said they are monitoring the situation. "We expect that they [The state D-O-T] will do everything possible to lessen the negative impact of their work while construction is taking place," he added.

 

 

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