The Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce had its Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, June 15 at Charley's Ocean Grill in Long Branch. This was the first "in person" meeting the Board of Directors has had in 14 months since the pandemic started. Board Members were happy to see everyone in person for this meeting. Chamber work was accomplished, food and service were great and we enjoyed networking and catching up with friends and business associates. Pictured are the Board Members and the Executive Director of the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce.

Statement from the Office of the Director of Public Safety

The City of Long Branch will be postponing the 4th of July Fireworks this year. Our Public Safety Director has been in contact with state and county law enforcement officials. He has made the decision that this postponement is in the best interest of our residents and businesses. We will be announcing the future date of the fireworks show later this Summer.

Please note that we have the best intelligence available in terms of crowd control for the Oceanfront area. The safety and security of our residents will always be our first priority.

Since the Chamber Awards Dinner is October 6, it would be great to offer seasonal gift baskets on the gift auction selection at the dinner: Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve. If your company wants to arrange one of these seasonal theme baskets or cover the cost of the Chamber putting one together for you, please let the Chamber office know. We look forward to the Awards Dinner October 6 and making it very festive for everyone. Baskets or donations are due to the Chamber Office by September 15, 2021.

As reported in the Link News on June 11, 2021. This is part of the article about Long Branch.

$13 million announced for the New Jersey Railroad transit station in Long Branch

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today announced that three transportation and infrastructure projects he requested for New Jersey’s Sixth Congressional District will advance in the House of Representatives. The project requests will be included in legislation that the House’s Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will advance on Wednesday. The Long Branch project is as follows: $13 million for the New Jersey Railroad transit station in Long Branch. The station will be made intermodal by bringing buses, trollies, taxis, and ride sharing services into the station property with an indoor waiting room. The money will also be used to build a new pedestrian bridge west of the station platform to reconnect the business and residential community on the west side of the tracks.

“Each of these projects are critical investments in our transportation system’s safety, efficiency, and reliability for the region’s residents and tourists. Members of Congress know our districts better than anyone else and can ensure that federal dollars actually reach the areas that need them,” said Congressman Pallone. “I look forward to seeing these projects advance through legislation in the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to the House floor soon for a vote.”

“The Long Branch intermodal station will give NJ Transit the resources it needs to increase interoperability between different modes of transportation that will greatly enhance commuter safety and accessibility for Long Branch residents and tourists,” said Long Branch Mayor John Pallone.

OCEANPORT, N.J. — Four local business owners completed the stand-up paddleboard (SUP) from Oceanport Paddle Club to the southern tip of Manhattan 30 miles away on Saturday, June 5, to raise money and awareness for several causes.

The paddlers — Chris Macioch of the Oceanport Paddle Club, John Majeski of SERVPRO of Eatontown/Long Branch and SERVPRO of Hackensack/Little Ferry, Jeremy Julio of Last Bite Mosquito and Tick Control and Bryan Zinski of Summa Love, Surfing and Yoga — came up with the idea as a way to challenge themselves physically and mentally, all while supporting organizations they believe in.

“We don’t think a paddle following this route has ever been undertaken,” Majeski said. “It will be a very difficult paddle battling winds, currents, rough water and shipping traffic in the Hudson River, but it will be worth it to raise funds and awareness for our important causes.”

Majeski paddled for the Kortney Rose Foundation, an organization dedicated to eradicating pediatric brain tumors. Julio supported the Lyme Light Foundation, which supports children and young adults with Lyme disease and raises awareness about the illness. Macioch chose CASA of Ocean County, an independent, non-profit organization, whose mission is to advocate for the best interest of the vulnerable children in foster care. Zinski paddled for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Coastal & Northern New Jersey, who aim to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.

For more on the paddle or to contribute to the paddlers’ causes, visit OceanportPaddleClub.com/nj2nyc2021.

The Chamber is asking our members if they could donate a gift card from their business so we can raffle them off at our Networking Events. It would be a business card raffle, no money exchange. This is to make things a little more festive. It is also a way to promote your business at our Networking Events. Our next Networking event is on Tuesday, June 22, at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa, and then on July 21 at Max's Bar and Grill. Please call the Chamber office for more info and details.

It seems like the Annual Business Awards Dinner is actually going to happen on October 6, 2021 after a year and a half of rescheduling from its original date March 20, 2020. Tickets are still available if you like to attend and items for our Gift Auction are always welcomed. Please call the Chamber Office for tickets and if you like to donate a basket or gift card from your business. Chamber number 732-222-0400 or email info@longbranchchamber.org.

If you need to contact the Chamber Office, please call

732-222-0400 or email to info@longbranchchamber.org

Michael Sirianni, Executive Director

Pauline Poyner, President 732-766-3330