Secretary of State Nina Wells visits Belmar to discuss Jersey Shore Tourism

July 1, 2009 by admin
Filed under Belmar Updates, Downtown News, Tourism Commission, Tourism News

New Jersey Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells made a stop in Belmar on Thursday, June 25, 2009, to discuss Jersey Shore Tourism and hear from County and local officials about how the New Jersey Office of Tourism can help. Secretary Wells was accompanied by Monmouth County Tourism Director Jeanne DeYoung, and members of her staff. Also joining the Secretary were Jennifer Stringfellow, the Secretary’s Public Information Assistant; John Ciufo, the Administrative Director of Planning, Economic Development, Tourism and Regulatory Affairs for Monmouth County; and Amy Fitzgerald, the Director of Economic and Workforce Development for Monmouth County.

Representing Belmar were, Mayor Ken Pringle, Borough Council President Merry Brennan, and Belmar Tourism Commission representative Mary Brabazon, who greeted Secretary Wells and the County contingent on the boardwalk at the Taylor Pavilion as they exited the Monmouth County SCAT bus.

The group then boarded a trolley provided by Bar Anticipation and toured Belmar’s beachfront, neighborhoods, downtown and the marina. Along the way, Mayor Pringle pointed out the various projects Belmar has undertaken over the years to improve the Borough as both a community and a tourism destination. The Mayor also discussed Belmar’s long-term goals to redevelop the downtown, as well as the ongoing efforts to renovate the marina, and develop a new marina building that will include a fine-dining restaurant on its second floor.

Taking in the sites at the Belmar Municipal Marina (from left to right) are Monmouth County Tourism Director Jeanne DeYoung; Belmar Council President Merry Brennan; Belmar Tourism Commission assistant Mary Brabazon; Mayor Ken Pringle; Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells; Jennifer Stringfellow, Public Information Assistant to the Secretary; and Amy Fitzgerald, Director of Economic and Workforce Development for Monmouth County

The Mayor and Council President Brennan also discussed with Secretary Wells a variety of ways in which Belmar could work more closely with the New Jersey Office of Tourism to help promote Belmar as a tourism destination, particularly for those visitors looking for a healthy, environmentally sensitive, and family-friendly atmosphere.