MIDDLETOWN SEEKS KABOOM COMPENSATION
A view of the Navesink River from Cooper’s Bridge, where Middletown officials are concerned more people will gather this year to see the fireworks. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge)
By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
While the sky lights up and music blasts across the Navesink River Sunday, and Red Bank’s north end is bursting with crowds and pre- and post-show traffic, Middletown, too, will have its share of it all.
But unlike Red Bank, the neighboring township is footing the bill for the police overtime the event necessitates.
Not fair, say Middletown’s leaders, who share concerns that, with a new fee this year to watch the Kaboom fireworks show at Riverside Gardens Park in Red Bank, more people are apt to catch the view from the north side of the river, making more work for its police force.
“It’s gotten worse every year,” said Middletown Committeeman Gerry Scharfenberger, who called Middletown the fireworks’ “incidental victims.” “It’s not an event that we sanction, but we’re left having to deal with the police and crowd control.”
In years past, Red Bank taxpayers kicked in for their own police department’s overtime, but the council pulled that from its budget last year amid a series of austerity measures to control taxes.
This year, the Kaboom Fireworks Committee is again paying that overtime cost through its fundraising efforts.
But neither the Kaboom committee nor the borough compensates for the overtime needed in Middletown, and Scharfenberger, a former mayor, says that shouldn’t be the case. The township’s overtime bill runs between $15,000 and $20,000 for the 30-minute show, he said.
Mayor Tony Fiore said the town has drafted a letter to Red Bank asking that it consider kicking in to help defray the costs, but isn’t optimistic, given Red Bank’s tight finances, he said.
“I just hope in the future that one of their fundraising goals for Kaboom, that they’ll consider their neighbors,” Fiore said.
Each year, Fiore said, Middletown’s streets are jammed with traffic going in and out of Red Bank, and crowds tend to gather on Cooper’s Bridge to catch the fireworks. With the entry fee to Riverside Gardens Park to watch the show, he fears there will be more people gathering on the Middletown side.
Fiore said it’s not just Red Bank that should consider Middletown, either. The Navesink section of town, across from Rumson where an identical fireworks show takes place, is also host to large crowds and bottleneck traffic. The town will also ask that Rumson consider helping cover police overtime.
“Each town should be taken into consideration when these things are calculated,” he said. “It would be the right thing to do.”
Jul 01, 2011 @ 14:14:36
This is a ridiculous request. Since the residents of the gigantic town of Middletown share in the fun on land, by boat and including big bashes along the waterfront, why doesn’t Middletown run fundraisers like Red Bank does to cover costs?
Jul 01, 2011 @ 15:12:37
Good point & well said Chris!
Jul 01, 2011 @ 16:40:07
Since all of these shows are Multi-jurisdictional why dont our officials lean on the County Sheriffs and State Police which we ALL pay for…
Just saying!!
Jul 01, 2011 @ 17:48:50
Why doesn’t Middletown charge admission for some prime viewing areas to defray expenses?
Jul 02, 2011 @ 00:46:19
Kevin: I was thinking the same thing. But couldn’t figure out where that might be. I don’t know if there are any parks, lots or dead-ends available for such a gathering.
And I agree with the rest of you. The need for Middletown Police presence is most notably due to the massive number of Middletown residents who enjoy the fireworks.
Jul 03, 2011 @ 12:01:23
I think they are nit picking here I mean really how much money is really going to be raised form charging 10.00 for an adult and 5.00 for a child in that small Park ? I realize every bit helps but its a drop in the bucket as to what it actually costs to run. And there probably isn’t a house on that side of the Navasink river that isn’t throwing a party tonight That i can guarantee you.. Years ago We Use to sit up on theNavasink country club golf course and watch it. I dont know if that still goes on . Speaking of which If your a rebel rouser or a drunk Id stay out of town tonight or you will get busted There is a huge task force in place to quell the crap that went on here last few years from what i here
Jul 03, 2011 @ 12:06:32
I agree that surrounding towns should be more involved in fund-raising efforts if they want help in paying police officers for overtime, but it sounds almost like Middletown wants compensation without any contribution to fund-raising efforts. Nothing is stopping them from doing fund-raising of their own! And as Chris said, Middletown does take part in their own festivities, not to mention the amount of money businesses probably make on Highway 35.
Middletown should be able to fund-raise and pick up their own tab.
Jul 03, 2011 @ 16:41:57
I acknowledge Middletown is in a difficult spot.
Since they’re not involved in the fireworks show it’s going to to be difficult to fund raise.
I’m sure the disorderly conduct arrests they’re sure to make will help defray the extra costs.
Jul 04, 2011 @ 13:30:02
Yea think of how many catered Parties were had over on the other side of the river and how much their local vendors cashed in on it. So they get the Show for free basically with out all the headaches Red Bank has to deal with I think Red Bank would gladly take a 15000 price tag on the event ! By the way it was a GREAT show ! Kudos to everyone who helped pull it of. f Ive never seen so many teenagers in my entire life. ! was down at the foot of Broad and Mechanic for several hours & For the most part a very well behaved lot man How many people were there ????
Jul 04, 2011 @ 21:49:01
@ Donald- You should have come down to Marine Park, the place was half empty! I arrived at the park around 8:30 or so and was able to walk all the way down to the area next to the restaurant at Marine Park with plenty of breathing room.
Jul 05, 2011 @ 06:40:07
Pat i heard that from more then a few people I was stunned because i couldn’t figure out where they could have fit everyone. I watched a parade of non stop people flood down broad & front St from 630 on. By 830 the street was just packed But someone in our group had just come back and said they just went down to the park no problem . Amazing Didnt realize the town could hold this many people and there was still a lot of parking very close at 630 as well. I guess the weather kept a lot of people away I know we had quite a few no shows for our party because of it.But they missed a great show One of the better ones ive seen