Residents press council to restore Long Branch youth football field after four years of denied permits

Community organizers urged the Long Branch City Council on March 11 to restore local youth football access after multiple seasons in which Long Branch teams played elsewhere. Louis Gordius said it was the fourth consecutive year his group had sought the field and described equipment shortages and what he called repeated administrative delays in permits and responses from recreation official Charlie Shirley. "Long Branch football is falling apart," Gordius said, asking the council to let local kids play in their town rather than travel to neighboring fields.

Casey Zimmer, speaking after Gordius, said the group has repeatedly been told staffing shortages or scheduling conflicts prevented field use and that, when teams are on-site, she rarely sees Long Branch staff or a police presence. Zimmer emphasized the time-sensitive nature of the youth season and the financial burden on families who must travel out of town for games. Both speakers said they had submitted permits recently and asked for clearer timelines and staff follow-up.

Council members acknowledged the comments. Vice President Dangler had previously visited and inspected the field, Gordius said; city staff said the recreation office handles permits and that Gordius and others should follow up with Charlie Shirley for a status update. Council President and other members pointed to existing public forums (first-Wednesday public hours, committees and 'coffee with the mayor') for more detailed follow-up and urged organizers to use those channels and the clerk's office for scheduling. The council did not take formal action on the field request during the March 11 meeting; organizers were told to pursue the clerk and recreation department for next steps.