Change the Bradley Beach Form of Government to Council Manger? Vote NO!

  • Keep our Nonpartisan Small Municipality Form of Government

  • Keep Bradley Beach Leadership Local

  • Keep Accountability with the People

  • Keep and Protect our Small-Town Values

September 25, 2025

Letter to the Editor

The Coast Star/The Coaster

Jane DeNoble

I invite you to vote no on the proposed change of government in Bradley Beach. The foundation of our success in Bradley Beach is teamwork. Now more than ever.

Currently our government requires a majority of elected officials — your neighbors — to deliberate and agree on the best path forward. This essential collaboration ensures accountability and refl ects the diverse voices of our small municipality.

The proposed change would replace this vital team structure with the authority of one voice — a hired city manager.

We simply cannot aff ord to lose the system of checks and balances that keeps our Borough responsive to its residents. We need engaged, locally accountable leadership, not a lone appointed employee.

Let’s protect our small municipality government that works for us and keep the decision-making process in the hands of the people you elect.

I strongly encourage you to vote no and safeguard the future of our beloved borough of Bradley Beach.

JANE DENOBLE

Bradley Beach Council President

Third Avenue, Bradley Beach  

October 1, 2025

Letter to the Editor

The Coast Star/The Coaster

Mitch Karp

Bradley Beach is a special place, and I believe we should be very cautious about changing something as important as our form of government. The proposed switch to a Council Manager form of government system sounds appealing on paper until you dive into the facts; it’s a risky experiment our town doesn’t need.

Nearby towns that use the manager system, like Ocean and Howell, have faced lawsuits, costly settlements, and frequent turnover. Instead of creating stability, the system has produced chaos — with taxpayers left to pay the price.

Even more concerning is the loss of accountability. A mayor is one of us: a neighbor who lives here, walks our streets, and is directly answerable to voters. A manager, no matter how professional, will never have that same stake in our community. And managers rarely stay long. In just two mayoral cycles, Bradley Beach has had two mayors but eight administrators. That isn’t stability.

The truth is, we don’t need a new structure. We need good leaders. And we already have the best accountability tool available — the ballot box. If a mayor isn’t doing the job, we can vote them out. That’s simple, democratic, and far more reliable than hoping a hired manager will put Bradley Beach first.

This proposal isn’t progress. It’s change for the sake of change — and it risks giving our town’s future to outsiders who may not be here for the long haul.

Let’s keep our government close to the people who actually call Bradley Beach home. Vote NO in November to keep our proven form of government in place.

Mitch Karp

Third Avenue, Bradley Beach