Dan Howard

It’s official. Brigantine Beach has now hired an interim public safety director. Dan Howard, a retired police lieutenant from Mount Laurel, NJ., will handle admin duties like budgets and scheduling for Brigantine’s police, fire, EMS and beach patrols.

Howard is a 25 year veteran law enforcement official with over 17 years of mid and senior management/command level experience. He’s also a decorated police administrator with a track record in supervision , emergency management, volunteer fire and emergency medical services.

According to The Press of Atlantic City, “He’ll be helping to guide the captains to develop managerial decision-making and working with them to come up with efficiencies for the department,” City Manager Jennifer Blumenthal said Tuesday.

Blumenthal met Howard while they both worked for Mount Laurel township. 

Will Howard’s hiring lead to layoffs and budget cuts? “What other reason would they have to bring someone in than to find more ways to cut the budget?” said Brigantine PBA Local 204 President Rich DeLeon in an interview seen online at The Press of Atlantic City.

Brigantine has been looking to hire a public safety director for a few months now. The city sees multiple benefits in consolidating the administrative leadership of the PD, FD, EMS & Beach Patrols. This is also seen as a way of reducing the substantial, combined Brigantine salary expenses that totaled almost $9 million this year. See 2012 Brigantine Employee Salary Info

City Council will have a special meeting this Saturday June 22 at 10am at City Hall. Council will introduce Dan Howard to the city.

Read full story here

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According to a report in The Press of Atlantic City: combined salary costs for the Brigantine Police, Fire & Beach departments reached $8.8 million this year. In payroll documents, 19 fire & 13 police employees earn more than $100,000 per year. 2012 Brigantine Employee Salary Info 

About 60% of Brigantine’s municipal budget goes toward salary, insurance and employee pensions. 

“We’re really at a stalemate because we’re offering zero percent wage increases,” Blumenthal said. “That’s disagreeable to the labor union.”

Also reported in the Press of Atlantic City: Ray Cox was stripped of his acting police chief title last month, within a month of succeeding retiring Chief Stone. Blumenthal and Cox both declined to comment specifically on the demotion, although Cox said he’s consulting an attorney. Read full story in Press of AC here.

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This should make flood insurance in Brigantine more affordable, and make raising a home much less expensive. (homes don’t have to be raised so high)

According to KYW Newsradio report, there were some people ready to walk away from their houses. Instead of a $70,000 house lift, all that may be needed is a $30,000 lift. Some may still have to raise her home, but onto blocks, not stilts.

In the new maps, FEMA reduced the highest risk flood areas in Atlantic County by 80%, in Ocean County by 45%, and in Monmouth County by 46%.

New Jersey would like to see NJ homeowners build one foot above FEMA standards for additional protection. FEMA says the higher a home is built, the less insurance will cost.

Full KYW story here.

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The post Brigantine Beaches: HUGE for Summer 2013 appeared first on Brigantine Now.

Click to view slideshow.

Open Friday & Saturdays, 10 am to 7 pm. Sunday through Tuesday, 10 am to 6 pm. Closed Wed & Thurs. Located at Historic Gardner’s Basin Maritime Park, 800 North New Hampshire Avenue, Atlantic City. 609-266-5826

If you haven’t been to Historic Gardner’s Basin, you’re missing out on the “other” Atlantic City. Located on the back bay, where Gardner’s Basin, Clam Creek and Absecon Inlet all come together. In addition to Donna Elias’ Bayside Gallery, there are scenic boat tours, Para-sailing, half and full day fishing trips, eight unique shops and waterfront restaurants, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner….plus beautiful views of the back bay, commercial fishing fleet and a wonderful sunset.

There’s even the Atlantic City aquarium. Plenty of FREE, safe, on-site parking.

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After his visit, the man behind the all new Margaritaville; in front of Resorts Casino, stopped into the Root Beer Barrel for a little shopping. One of the items Buffett purchased was a Rootbeer Barrel t-shirt. He wore that fine piece of fashion on-stage a few hours later, in front of 50,000 fans on the Atlantic City beach.

While in Brigantine, Jimmy Buffett took the time to talk to local fans, and take some pics with the owners of the popular Brigantine surf shop.

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Buffett is part of this FREE beach concert featuring Wilson Phillips, Andy Grammer & Mac McAnally.

Concert starts at 1p. Show could easily attract tens of thousands of people to the area. Imagine, this awesome show is just 5 minutes from Brigantine Beach.

Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville just opened at Resorts and features slot machines, a year-round beach bar, live music and the LandShark Bar & Grill restaurant, which extends 200 feet over the beach.

Back in 2008, the Trump Marina was to adopt the Margaritaville theme, but the deal was dashed in 2009. Trump Marina is now the Golden Nugget.

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• ATLANTIC CITY COUNTRY CLUB   900 Shore Rd. Northfield, NJ 08225
  609-236-4400 http://www.accountryclub.com/ Atlantic City’s oldest, most prestigious country club. Open to public play. Rated #1 public/daily fee course in NJ. Top 100 US classic golf courses.

• BALLAMOR GOLF CLUB  6071 English Creek Ave. Egg Harbor Twp., NJ 08234
  609-601-6220 http://www.ballamor.com/ Named 4th best public course in NJ by Golf Magazine. Traditional architecture with modern touches capture beauty course. Open to public year-round for daily fee play and group outings. Located just off the AC Expressway Exit 9. 15 minutes from Brigantine Beach.

• BLUE HERON PINES GOLF CLUB 550 W. Country Club Drive  Cologne, NJ 08213
  609-965-1800 http://blueheronpines.com/home/ Golf Magazine “top 100″ Daily fee 36-hole championship golf course specializing in golf outings, meetings, weddings. 15 minutes from Brigantine Beach.

• HAMILTON TRAILS GOLF CLUB 620 Harbor Ave. Mays Landing, NJ 08330
  609-641-6824 http://www.hamiltontrails.com/ A great value among South Jersey golf courses at a great price. Regulation-length, 9-hole course for novice and seasoned player. Enjoy 9 holes in about 2 1/2 hours. You can play a second round of 9 at attractive replay rate.

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We really like to ACCURATELY document the amazing growth of our island community. Brigantine Beaches are big, beefy and beautiful. Just thought you’d like to see for yourself….Click to watch these videos we shot on June 1, 2013.

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