Stop Feuding

Aug 16, 2023

By Gail Travers | on August 02, 2023

To the Editor:

The dispute between Beach Haven and the Holiday Snack Bar is sounding more and more like the longstanding feud of the Hatfields and the McCoys. Students of history know that feud began during the Civil War, had an informal ending in 1890, and yet the families did not agree to a formal truce until 2003, nearly 139 years later!

As with Hatfields and McCoys, this recent dispute could have surely been resolved with calm, informed adult conversations between all parties, but from my perspective, it has declined to such a low level, one wonders about the outcome. The anger and bitterness from all sides are appalling and such a lousy example to set for others. It’s certainly not part of the LBI culture I used to know.

My family and I have been loyal customers of the Holiday Snack Bar for over 35 years. Prior to the COVID pandemic, it was customary to be part of a long waiting line for a seat at the inside counter. The line was both inside the restaurant and outside. The addition of outside tables has given much relief to those lines.

The evolution of the neighborhood from the snack bar’s beginnings 75 years ago was expected. The increased development over the past 35 years of my patronage seems to have been more accelerated with just about every spot of land claimed with a building. This over-development is not exclusive to Beach Haven. It’s taken over most of the Island to the detriment of many small, independently owned businesses.

To all parties and their attorneys, please don’t let this dispute descend any further into Hatfields and McCoys. Work together for the good of all.

Elizabeth Blanchard

Scotch Plains, N.J., and Barnegat Light

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