Rainy Day Protest By Towers Residents Highlights Concerns

NORTH WILDWOOD – A steady stream of cars honked in support of residents of Marina Bay Towers Jan. 18. Through cheers of “save our homes,” and “honk for seniors,” residents of the Towers sent a message to all who drove by that rainy day: This is our home and we will never give up. The message was clear and unapologetic. The mood was lightened by laughter and, as Barbra Waterman (a resident of the Towers) said, “We are out here for a good cause.”
The past few weeks have proved to be busy, according to Bonnie McNamara, who helped organize the picketing and made signs for the event.
A rain date was selected in case of inclement weather, but residents went on with their plan in spite of inclement weather. Picketing began at noon outside the Towers front doors, and although the line thinned, cars honked horns in support of those who attended.
When asked why the residents decided to picket, McNamara said, “We want our neighbors involved.” She went on to say that if owner Paul Cocoziello goes through with foreclosing, “It will really mess up the neighborhood with the parking” and other matters.
Cocoziello has not been available for comment since the residents filed their suit. The case will go before a judge Jan. 21 in Mays Landing for a preliminary hearing.
“Basically we have three options,” McNamara said. “The judge will either give it over to a receiver immediately, it will go to court, or we won’t have a case. People before have been fighting this. We’ve finally got this far.”
Other residents joined with McNamara’s sentiment, telling of their concerns.
One senior, who has lived in the Towers for 13 years, said how “beautiful the place was when I first moved in.” She also added that now “the place has gone down the tubes.”
State inspections are also pending. However, residents are thankful for the public support they have and are receiving as they plead their case.
The same issues and concerns that went before North Wildwood City Council Dec. 16, 2014, found their voice again. Cocoziello had issued notices to many of the residents by way of a process server who gave out copies of a 50-page document.
In the document, residents were informed of Cocoziello’s wishes to convert 20 percent of the building into senior affordable housing and the rest as condominiums units to rent or to sell.
“That will be 80 percent of the building,” Waterman said at the council meeting. She went on to point out several key factors that, in her words, will affect North Wildwood in a negative way. “If he (Cocoziello) rents them out … that will put pressure on our school system. In the summer, he’ll make quick money.” Waterman also pointed out how summer renters may not behave responsibly and thus add strain on the North Wildwood Police Department.
“Where are 88 people going to park?” Waterman asked Council. “That’s going to affect our neighbors around us, who we’ve never had a problem with.” The Jan. 18 picketing was meant to alert the public and neighborhood of those matters.
Waterman concluded her statement at the North Wildwood Council meeting by saying that all she is concerned for the senior citizens who already occupy a large section of the Marina Bay Towers. “At this point we have a very dirty building, we have no safety, and we have environmental issues.”
McNamara pointed out how maintenance and upkeep have been neglected in various ways since 2006. “Now we have a situation where (Cocoziello) is before you again,” she told Council.
Funds were never appropriated for proper maintenance, according to McNamara. “Instead, what he has done is to gut every apartment that he could, which is a total of 30 some units – that’s how he gets the repair materials.”
With pipes bursting and apartments sitting empty, McNamara alleged that the ongoing troubles affect all citizens who call the Marina Bay Towers home.
The residents took the same forward motion as they displayed at the council meeting into the open air on at the picketing, voicing hope for a favorable outcome for the preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 21.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.