Residents urge Belmar to support New Jersey ‘Super Fund’ and to back detained restaurant owner

During the regular public comment period, two residents pressed the council on separate civic issues: one asked the borough to formally back statewide climate legislation and another asked the community to support a local restaurant family after an immigration arrest.

Susan Mckitis identified herself as a representative of Food & Water Watch and said she was in Belmar to seek the borough’s support for the New Jersey Climate Super Fund Act (referred in the transcript as S3545A4696). Mckitis asked council members to sign a letter to the governor and legislative leadership urging passage and to consider passing a local resolution; she provided a sample resolution and said more municipalities are joining previous adopters. "We need your help," she told the council, noting rising climate costs and state-level climate funding proposals.

Later, Neil Sheek of 4th Avenue described a reported ICE arrest of a restaurant co-owner identified in the transcript as Roberto and urged Belmar residents to support the family’s two restaurants, including the Belmar location given in the transcript as Amelios Kitchen at 1006 Main Street. Sheek said a GoFundMe organized in Atlantic Highlands had raised most of a $100,000 goal and asked the council and community to boost support locally; the council president and other members thanked Sheek for the information and encouraged community support.

The council did not take formal votes on either request during the meeting. Staff and council members said they would review materials provided by the speaker about the Super Fund Act and the sample resolution, and follow up as appropriate.