No Bathing Suits on the Boardwalk?

You may have heard on the news that the seaside town of Asbury Park has a law on the books that says "No bathing suits on the boardwalk!" Louise Murray, chairwoman of the Republican Party in Asbury Park wants Asbury to enforce this ancient law of no bathing suits on the boards.

It seems that for decades, there has been a little-known ordinance in the Monmouth County city that bans bathing suits on the boardwalk. The law reads:  "No person clad in bathing attire shall be on the boardwalk or the public walks adjacent thereto."

They must be kidding! So you go to the beach (wearing, what else? your bathing suit of course!) and you have paid Asbury Park $70 for a seasonal beach tag (outrageous!) but you have to wear your shorts, shirt, shoes and gold plated beach tag (because for $70 it better be gold plated!) to make the Republicans in town happy? What are those Republicans smoking these days?

I certainly support the right of someone walking across the boardwalk in Asbury Park to get to the beach to wear their bathing suit. When it's 90 degrees in the shade wearing several layers of clothing to go the beach seems extreme.

Ms. Murray, chairwoman of the local Republican party, is worried skimpy attire at the boardwalk’s bars and restaurants is threatening to wipe away Asbury Park’s image as a "classy" Jersey Shore town.

What she doesn't say is that in all likelihood the law dates back to when Asbury Park was founded by James Bradley, a bishop in the Methodish Episcopal Chruch. And at that time there were places to change into your bathing suit and walk to the beach without walking on the boardwalk. But times sure are changing and Ms. Murray needs to wake up.

Sure, a 'no shirt, no shoes, no service' is a reasonable request if you are going into a bar, restaurant or upscale store. But hey, it's a BEACH.

And while I understand Ms. Murray may not be heading to the beach to catch some rays or swim plenty of people are. Don't rain on their parade!