The Stone Harbor Borough Council will introduce an ordinance on first reading at its next meeting that will allow the Borough to offer free beach tags to all military veterans. The new ordinance is in response to Governor Chris Christie’s approval of a new state law on January 21st that permits beach communities to offer free or reduced fee beach tags to veterans. Council will consider the policy change at its next meeting on Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 at 4:30pm at Borough Hall.
“Stone Harbor wants to address this new beach tag policy provided by the Governor at our first opportunity in order to show our gratitude to all veterans who will visit our beaches for generations to come”, said Stone Harbor Mayor Suzanne Walters. “We want to recognize the sacrifices made by members of the United States Armed Services in order to protect the freedoms enjoyed throughout the country and in our home State of New Jersey”.
Borough Council will consider an ordinance that will amend Chapter 156 that will permit the Borough to issue free beach tags to any individual who has served in any of the Armed Forces of the United States who were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable and who either have served at least 90 days in active duty or have been discharged or released from active duty by reason of a service-incurred injury or disability. Veterans will be required to display a beach tag, but no fees will be collected from the veterans. Veterans will simply present documentation consistent with the new state law in order to obtain a free beach tag in Stone Harbor.
Stone Harbor has offered free beach tags to active members of the New Jersey National Guard. The new State law signed by Governor Christie allows this expression of gratitude to be extended to veterans as well.
If approved, the new ordinance will be in effect in time for the summer 2014 beach season in Stone Harbor.
