FORMER ATLANTIC CITY MAYOR NOW IN FAVOR OF BEACH FEES

Former Atlantic City mayor and current State Senator Jim Whelan has changed his tune on the state beach fee issue. Whelan stated in a letter to Senate President Steve Sweeney on Thursday, that he is opposed to Sweeney’s proposed legislation to eliminate beach tag fees for communities that accept public money for beach replenishment. Whelan says he changed his mind after talking with local officials who stressed the importance of the fees to the operation of their communities. Whelan pointed out that many towns along the coast get less than half of the money necessary to maintain their beaches from beach tag fees.