To the Editor:
As the race for Ship Bottom Mayor gets closer, I would like to ask the two candidates the following three questions which I believe are relevant to fellow Ship Bottom residents who are intending to vote in November.
What are their individual plans with regards to the development of the open space at the Fortuna Development project? For example, how will the candidates design the area to enhance and benefit Ship Bottom residents?
Please explain ways to reduce property taxes here in Ship Bottom based on recent increases.
Lastly, an article appeared in the Shore News Network titled “New Jersey to Punish Towns Who Don’t Overbuild by Withholding State Funding for Schools, More” on Aug. 29.
The article states, “New Jersey municipalities that embrace higher-density housing will now gain an advantage when competing for certain state funding after Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a sweeping housing incentive measure into law Friday.”
“The new law ties preferences for certain competitively awarded state grants to local zoning decisions, rewarding municipalities that change their master plans and development regulations to permit more housing. The incentives extend into transportation funding and could increase state support for qualifying school construction projects by as much as 10 percentage points.”
Based on this article, how do the candidates plan on ensuring that Ship Bottom borough is not exposed to nor impacted by this new law?
I look forward to reading the responses from both candidates.
Gerard BuonpaneShip BottomOctober 21, 2026
