Former resident says Strollo's is city icon
In response to the article written by Evelyn Allison on Feb. 28, someone needs to remind Ms. Allison that the nature of the Jersey Shore - and I emphasize shore, referring to the beachfront - lends itself to a mixed residential-commercial neighborhood. People up and down the coastline flock to New Jersey's beach areas to enjoy the many amenities offered by these ocean towns and cities. Long Branch in particular offers a vast array of enjoyable activities such as the beach, racetrack, Seven Presidents Park, the seaside restaurants, Pier Village, and the Italian ice stands. These families do not come here with an itinerary that includes your bedtime schedule! Ocean Avenue north has always been and still is an integral part of this seasonal establishment. The families who patronize the businesses here are an important part of the lifeblood of Shore communities, such as Long Branch, Point Pleasant, Long Beach Island, Bradley Beach, etc. They bring money into towns and cities like Long Branch, which have little or no industry to sustain them financially. Ergo, we need these people.

Your description of the inclusion of Strollo's Lighthouse Italian ice stand is grossly overexaggerated. In all the years I've lived in the area, I have never seen customers lined up 100 deep. Nor were there radios blasting or cars flying up and down Ocean Avenue north.

Yes, there are teenagers, yes, there are children, yes, there are customers, and these are families. However, by no stretch of the imagination is there a party atmosphere as you have stated. Your Realtor should have informed you, or perhaps you could have investigated the area more thoroughly so you would have been aware that this is a residential-commercial zone. Don't blame the business owners and city officials and mayor for your lack of research.

This is not the only time you have complained about a structure being built next door to you. Let me refresh your memory: Among your many adversities, you tried to curtail the construction of the new home directly to your north. I accompanied the owner to every Board of Adjustment meeting over a period of four years listening to complaints about the same issues and then some. This was a residential building; you didn't like that either. Also, I was at all of the Planning Board meetings for Sapphire Beach. Mr. Allison did an ample amount of complaining there, and that was residential, too. These people were in their rights to build these projects. Let's face it, you want to be the only show on the block, devoid of neighbors, businesses, no music, no kids, no cars, just you. Shall we move the ocean, too? Remember, this is Long Branch - voted one of the top 20 beaches in the country - not Allisonville!

As far as your historical preservation of the block is concerned, what's more historical than Strollo's Italian ice stand? It's one of Long Branch's family "icons." Seems to me it fits right in with the character of the block.

Louis Dezso Maywood (formerly Long

Branch)