News

By Dan Moffett
    
    Town commissioners gave their approval for a Red Cross charity event on Point Manalapan, but not before plenty of hand-wringing over the possibility their good wishes might have some bad consequences.
    Desiree and Lambert Van Der Walde asked the commission to allow the Red Cross to make their residence at 45 Audubon Causeway a Red Cross Designers’ Show House from Feb. 19 to March 21 next year.
    Red Cross organizers say they hope to take in about $250,000 from people who will tour the home and inspect the work of various interior designers. The organizers say they expect to draw as many as 75 people per day, and where those visitors will park their cars has commissioners worried.
    “I would like to support the Red Cross because the Red Cross does such valuable work, so we really do need to do what we can,” said Commissioner Peter Isaac at the June 24 meeting. “I’m still concerned about the traffic.”
    Lambert Van Der Walde told the commission that about six cars per hour were expected to come to his home and that at least 33 parking spaces were available around the corner on Curlew Road. He said volunteers would park their cars at the town library or Plaza del Mar shopping center, and that a Feb. 18 party for 150 guests also would use the offsite parking options and take shuttles to the home.
    “Six cars an hour works statistically,” said Isaac, “but if they all arrive at the same hour?” Isaac said he was willing to give his support, “with the caveat that you move parking to the library if there are problems.”
    Police Chief Carmen Mattox said he reviewed the organizers’ plan and approved it: “I’m comfortable with this event. We handle parties and events like this all year.”
    Daryl Cheifetz, the mayor’s wife, who lives on Curlew Road and chairs the town’s architectural commission, told the commissioners approving the event was a mistake and sets a troubling precedent that “will allow other charities and fundraisers to come in to Manalapan.”
    She said she believed the town had a bad experience with a previous Red Cross event a decade ago, and that making a decision in June is unfair because too many residents are gone for the summer.
    “I do not believe that this is good for our community,” she said. “People are here for privacy and tranquility. This is in the height of our season and it goes on for four weeks. People are going to be coming in to our quiet little Manalapan and driving around and cruising.”
    The commission voted 4-1 to approve the Red Cross plan, with Commissioner Ronald Barsanti dissenting and Commissioner Clark Appleby absent.
    Mayor David Cheifetz said the town’s code prohibits commercial events — yard sales and garage sales — but charity fundraisers are not mentioned. Cheifetz said he wants to take the issue up at the commission’s next meeting. ;