LONGPORT – One local resident is concerned there’s not enough for teens to do during summer. So, he asked the Board of Commissioners July 2 to approve holding several teen dance parties at the 33rd Avenue recreation complex.
Michael Bell, who has lived in Longport for 34 years, said he is willing to foot the bill to hold the dances, and that the commissioners should do what they can to make it happen.
“It’s boring here. They are not happy,” he said. “They go from one house to the next trying to cheer each other up.”
He said many people come to the shore with their children and grandchildren.
"I have seven of them," he said.
Bell said he has spoken with Chief of Police Frank Culmone, Library Director Ricky Gerhardt, Margate Police Lt. Jeffrey Lee and Fire Chief Levon “Lefty” Clayton about the proposal, but “time is of the essence” for the borough to get it approved so he can organize two dances before the end of summer.
Bell believes the basketball or tennis courts are the best place to hold an outdoor dance party because the courts are surrounded by a fence with a gate where participants can get their hand stamped. He said security would be provided by volunteers and police to make sure “no one gets out of hand,” and the speakers would face the ocean to prevent sound waves from rocking out neighbors. He also has a DJ ready to spin the tunes.
“I will foot the bill out of my own pocket, you provide the venue,” he said. “I will go house to house to explain it to neighbors.”
Bell said he would charge $20 admission for the dance, which would be held from 7-10:30 p.m. for 13-17-year-olds. He wants the board to suspend the 10 p.m. curfew to 11 p.m. to allow time for parents to pick up their children or allow them to walk home.
He called it a “worthwhile venture” for the children of visitors who come to the shore to have a good time and that he would promote it in the community.
“Summer’s just beginning. Let’s get the kids together and give them something to do,” he said.
Commissioners indicated that because of their monthly meeting schedule, there may not be enough time to get it organized and pass and ordinance to allow it.
Mayor Patrick Armstrong called bell “an advocate” for the teens.
Culmone said he has concerns about noise.
“I think there would be a lot of complaints from the residents there. They don’t like the sound of basketball and pickleball, he said. “I said I was willing to try, if he was willing to try.”
Commissioner Dan Lawler said he would like to gauge the response of residents about the proposal.
Bell pressed on, saying the commissioners have the authority to waive any pre-existing regulations.
Commissioners agreed to have the city administrator further investigate the proposal and put together a plan within the next week or so. Any movement by the board would require it to take some action at the next Board of Commissioners meeting on July 16; however, it takes several weeks to get an ordinance on the books, they said.
“Isn’t there a way to speed it up. You’re just putting up a roadblock. You have the ability to waive these things,” Bell said.
Attorney Pacifico “Pat” Agnellini said borough officials could only waive existing regulations in an emergent situation, and that the board would have to take specific action to allow it.
“You can plan, plan, plan, but boy when it’s time to strike, you better do it or you miss the opportunity and it’s gone,” Bell said.
Armstrong said “we hear your passion,” and recommended an ad hoc committee be formed so one dance could be held by the end of August.
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