Names of the Five Mantoloking Residents Holding Up Rebuild and Recovery [OPINION]

Mantoloking was one of the hardest hit areas when Sandy slammed the Jersey Shore. Plans for restoration are in the works and nearly ready to begin, but five residents are holding up progress for the entire town.

Teixiera, Walsh, Maltese, Hartzband and Roberts/Gusmer. These are the five families out of 128 who will not sign easements to allow the town of Mantoloking to access their private beach property for dune restoration. Thus, putting all Mantoloking residents in danger if another storm were to hit the town. This is according to Chris Nelson, a Mantoloking resident who serves as special counsel for the borough.

Now the borough will work with the state attorney general’s office to pursue litigation, Nelson said. The six-member Borough Council has already appointed a special counsel to initiate eminent domain proceedings against any oceanfront property owners who failed to provide an easement.

Mantoloking wants to be part of a federal effort to replenish its beaches with about 200 feet of sand and an extensive dune, but knowing the Army Corps of Engineers project won’t come until after the next hurricane season, borough officials are acting now to establish temporary protection.

The borough submitted three plans to the state Department of Environmental Protection and is waiting to hear whether it can get funding for any of the plans, Nelson said.

[source: APP]

While these owners undoubtedly paid a pretty penny for for their property and luxury of having their own beach, it's not responsible of them to put their neighbors at risk because they don't want to potentially lose land. After Sandy, we all lost luxuries. How could you hold up the much needed process of rebuilding after seeing Sandy nearly wipe Mantoloking off the map? Are dunes too much of a price to pay for their own safety and the security of their neighbors? None of the five families have spoken out, so there are no answers. As of now, it comes down to one word. Selfishness.

TELL US! Do you think these families are doing the right thing by not allowing the town access their properties?  What would you say to the five people out of 128 holding out? Let us know in the comment section below.