SCTA Town Hall Forum – Saturday, August 21st , 10 AM

As you all know, at our June meeting we heard from our Mayor on the state of things in Surf City. We wish to thank him again for providing us with his insights. For this meeting we felt it appropriate to reach out to some other people involved with our town for their insights.

We have gathered some respected community leaders – all of whom live in or own businesses in Surf City – to bring another perspective. We really do believe our town is blessed to have such strong leaders working to make Surf City and LBI a better place to live. And the issues to be covered all seem to be ones that taxpayers/homeowners have raised concerns about.

Come on out to our August General Meeting which will be held on Saturday, August 21st from 10 am to noon at the Surf City Firehouse.

Below is some initial information on each of the speakers we have asked to come and give their perspective on the areas of our community they are knowledgeable and passionate about.

This will also be your chance to meet your SCTA board members as we will have a small session on the state of our affairs.

2021 SAND SCULPTURE CONTEST

Even though the skies were dark and gloomy, we had a very large turnout for the 2021 Sand Sculpture Contest. As always there was some fierce competition for this event. We have been running this event for over 15 years.

This year, we had 26 team entries in two different age categories along with 15 to 20 individuals in four different age categories.

Trophies were awarded to the First, Second and Third place winners in each category.

If you missed it this year, come on out next year for a very fun time. Below are some photos taken by board member, Chuck Edwards. This year we also were lucky to have one of Surf City’s resident photographers, Jim O’Connor take some photos.

THANK YOU CHUCK AND JIM

Fundraising to benefit Surf City Fire and EMS (just join SCTA)

As we all know, the past 15 months have been challenging to any organization that depends on fundraising for it’s support. The Surf City Fire/EMS are no different. They have had to cancel most of their events during this time including their Pancake Breakfasts. The goal of our 2021 fundraising effort is to help make up some of the shortfall they have incurred.

This year we, SCTA, will be donating $5.00 to the Surf City Fire/EMS with every paid 2021 household membership to SCTA. In addition, we will be giving each member home a free (and very fun) Surf City Beach Tote Bag. To maximize the dollars we donate, we are setting a goal of securing 750 SCTA member homes. If we reach this goal, and we need your support to do so, it means we will be donating $3,750 the Surf City Fire/EMS. We would round this amount up to $4,000.

The bag is made of canvas with reinforced handles for durability. It features an outside pocket for beachgoers to carry water bottles, snacks, books or magazines; it has an inside zipper pocket to hold keys or glasses. The fun, custom design also features our official Surf City logo.

Our Beach Tote Bag distribution to paid SCTA members will begin at our June 19th Meet the Mayor meeting which will be held at the SC Fire House.  In addition, we will have tables set up at each Surf City Farmers’ Market held Monday mornings starting on June 21st and running through Labor Day.   If you have already joined SCTA, just stop by and pick up your tote bag.  If not, come by to join, and then receive your tote bag.

If you are unable to come to the Meet the Mayor meeting or any of the Farmer’s Market dates, and would like to obtain a tote bag, please contact our treasurer, Bob Fried to make arrangements. He can be reached via email at robertafried@aol.com or by cell at 973-632-6222.

Thank you for your continued support of the Surf City Taxpayer Association.

Are you skilled in Website management and design as well as Social Media?

We are looking for a volunteer or volunteers to help us out with the maintenance of our website as well as our social media pages.

If you would like to get involved and have the skills shown below, please email johngausz@gmail.com

Thanks!

Position Summary

To create, post, and monitor digital communication of SCTA website.  

 To assist the board communications representative with the SCTA Facebook Group page and SCTA email blasts

WEBSITE: Using Wordpress, manage http://surfcitytaxpayer.com/

  • Review SCTA website and propose suggested changes for optimizing user experience, updating, adding, and revising pages. 
    • Layout / presentation
    • User-friendliness – clear, intuitive and easy navigation
    • Maintenance-friendly – ease of adding, rearranging and deleting content
    • Develop recommendations on the best usage of website
  • Update content to ensure all information and links are up to date and accurate. 
  • Tidy up basic formatting and spacing as needed throughout the site. 
  • Create and publish blog posts about activities and local happenings on the island. Include both written and photographic content. 
    • In Season: 3 posts per month = 12
      • May, June, July, August
    • Out of Season: 1 post per month = 7
      • February, March, April
      • September, October, November, December

EMAIL NEWSLETTER: Vertical Response

  • Curate and Send Email Newsletters:
    • In Season: 5 total
      • May x 1, June x 1, July x 2, August x 1
    • Out of Season: 1 newsletter per month = 7
      • February, March, April
      • September, October, November, December

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS REVIEW

  • Present an evaluation of SCTA online communications efforts including social media stats, email results, and website analytics in conjunction with the time and effort invested. 
  • Provide suggestions for improvement and implementation plan, costs, etc. 
  • Twice per year provide an evaluation of SCTA online presence including efforts to communicate via social media, website, and emails.
  • Meet with the Board to consult/advise on overall communications strategies and opportunities.

Qualifications

Experience and Skills

  • Knowledge of WordPress for managing websites
  • Facebook and other social media platforms
  • Email marketing – able to manage an email service provider like Vertical Response, including list maintenance, creating and deploying templates, running reports of results.
  • Creativity
  • Excellent written communication skills
  • Ability to find and take photos to support written content

Salute to Surf City Heroes Ceremony at Veteran’s Park

On Friday, September 25, 2020, The Salute to Surf City Heroes Week concluded with a recognition event at Veteran’s Park. Below is a video taken at the event, courtesy of SCTA member Richard Miller.

The event was attended by Surf City Taxpayer Association board members Chuck Edwards, Ron Fiore, John Gausz, Jean Daniels, Bob Lieber and Bob Fried.

Also in attendance were: Mark Dileo, head of Surf City Beach Patrol, Chief Kyle Costabile, Surf City Fire Company # 1 / EMS, along with several of our volunteer firefighters. 

The event was kicked off by Ron Fiore who welcomed everyone, read the proclamation declared by Mayor Francis Hodgson and announced that over 300 “Salute to Surf City Heroes” yard signs have been distributed.

Jean Daniels then presented four personalized plaques, as follows:

Surf City Fire / EMS – To Kyle Costabile

Surf City Police – To Kyle Costabile on behalf of Police Chief John Casella

Surf City Public Works – Bob McGowan, Borough Superintendent (unable to attend)

Surf City Beach Patrol – Mark Dileo

SCTA Treasurer Bob Fried stated  that on behalf of the SCTA Board and our over 600 member-homes and businesses, that four donations of $750 each are being given as follows:

Surf City Fire / EMS – presented to Kyle Costabile

Surf City Police – letter and check will be sent to Jon Potter, President of the Long Beach Island PBA 175 as requested by our police chief, John Casella.

Surf City Public Works – letter to Bob McGowan and check to St. Francis Human Concerns Food Pantry as requested by our Public Works Department.

Surf City Beach Patrol – letter given to Mark Dileo and check sent to Christine Hannemann, Surf City Borough Clerk, for the purchase of several new digital radios for the beach patrol, to assist in the transition from analog to digital radios.

The event was concluded with picture taking and SCTA giving out “Salute to Surf City Heroes” yard signs to those in attendance.

ReClam The Bay raffles

ReClam The Bay (RCTB) is a local 501(c)3 charitable organization, operating primarily in the Barnegat Bay estuary. One way RCTB raises funds is through annual raffle sales. 

They provide education about the Barnegat Bay watershed (which includes Barnegat Bay, Manahawkin Bay and Little Egg Harbor Bay) and how to conserve and improve it through shellfish-related, sustainable and resilient stewardship projects. 

RCTB is an all-volunteer organization that relies on contributions from individuals and businesses to support their efforts to grow shellfish, educate the public about water quality in the Barnegat Bay estuary and other “in the bay” projects like living shorelines.

Since so many community events have been cancelled this year due to COVID-19, such as Chowderfest which is a major source of their income, they are reaching out to the taxpayer/homeowner groups on LBI to see if their members can support RCTB by purchasing raffle tickets. 

The pictures below provide details on their raffle — and the copy below the photos explains how to get it touch and support RCTB

Drawings are held October 4, 2020.  You do not need to be present to win.

This year has been difficult for all of us due to Covid-19, and we at ReClam The Bay (RCTB) are no different.  Most of our work, including all our educational efforts, is funded through donations.  Educational sessions, selling RCTB gear and raffle ticket sales at various fairs, festivals and shows, including Chowderfest, is how we do most of our fundraising.  We are far behind where we need to be this year with so much being cancelled.   Can you help us?  There are many ways to donate:

  • at our website – reclamthebay.org
  • by texting RCTB to 44321 on your mobile device
  • but a fun and easy way is to purchase tickets for our annual raffle

Please email info@reclamthebay.org if you can help.  We will make arrangements to get you tickets through our members on LBI.

Request a Sign for Your Yard for “Salute to Surf City Heroes Week”

Your Taxpayer Association has organized a celebration to honor Surf City first responders and essential workers who’ve worked tirelessly and selflessly to keep us and our town safe and cared for during a most challenging Spring and Summer. You can join the celebration — and show your support — by putting a sign on your property for all our essentials workers to see (the sign is pictured below, shown in the ad running in this week’s Sandpaper).

FOR CURRENT SURF CITY TAXPAYER ASSOCIATION MEMBERS (or if you are not sure if you have paid 2020 dues):

We’ve arranged for EVERY taxpayer member to get a sign to display for free. Contact one of the following board members, either by email or phone, to arrange pickup:

IF YOU ARE NOT A CURRENT SURF CITY TAXPAYER ASSOCIATION MEMBER

You can purchase a sign for $10. This same $10 will also cover your membership cost for 2020. Please contact one of the board members listed above to make arrangements.

We look forward to an overwhelming show of support…and watch for more details on additional celebration activities.

SCTA Sandpaper Ad 9-9-20

SCTA Happenings in August

In August of 2020, we ran two of our more popular events. Even though we had to social distance, these 2 events fit the bill. We held our annual Sand Sculpture contest and our second golf tournament of the season.

SAND SCULPTURE CONTEST

On Wednesday August 5th, we held our annual Sand Sculpture Contest: which is our most popular event of the Summer! As with everything in 2020, there were challenges to hold this event, even more than just social distancing.

As you might remember, the day before the event, a tropical storm came into town with high winds and it took out the power. When the event started, the town still had no power, but that did not deter people from coming out to show their artistic talents. We had 43 entries in 6 different age categories.  There were 100 people that attended who ranged in ages from 2 years way into adulthood. We had people who were vacationing from all over the country participate in this event.

Trophies were awarded for first, second and third places in all six age categories. Our judges had a very difficult time coming up with winners as all of the entries were top notch.


We would like to acknowledge Ron Jon Surf Shop for their years of sponsorship of this event. Due to the trying times we are in, they were unable to donate this year. We hope to have them back next year as a sponsor.

Some of the people in attendance had so much fun, they asked when it will be held in 2021. They told us that they plan their vacation around this event. This event is always held either the first or second Wednesday of August depending on the tides. Check the website every year to know when it will be held if you are interested in competing!

Here are some of the entries.

Below are pictures of the winners with their trophies.

2nd GOLF TOURNAMENT

On Wednesday, August 12th we held our the second of our annual Mini Golf Tournaments at Island Golf on the boulevard. The weather was a little warmer than for our first tournament, but that did not detract from the event.  We had sixty-five participants.

Congratulations to the first place winners in each category; Nolin (8 and under), Kate (9 to17) and Dick (18 and above).

We would also like to thank the volunteers who came out to help with scoring; Anita Barnes, Ray Saunderson, Jack Shields, Janice Brisco, Harold and Flo Meiser, Margie, John Gausz, Jean, Dennis and Michael Daniels, Chuck Edwards, Steve Sedlack and Steve Joerg

Special thanks to Island Golf and Big Dipper Ice Cream

Below are some pictures from the event along with pictures of the winners in each category.