Point Pleasant, New Jersey

Point Pleasant is a Borough in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the borough population was 19,306. The United States Census Bureau's 2008 population estimate for Point Pleasant was 20,139. Point Pleasant is distinct from Point Pleasant Beach, which is a separate community

Point Pleasant was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 21, 1920, from portions of Brick Township, based on the results of a referendum held on May 19, 1920. The borough was reincorporated on March 12, 1928.

Geography

Point Pleasant is located at 40°04′47″N 74°04′14″W (40.079642, -74.070419).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.8 km2), of which, 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2) of it is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) of it (15.14%) is water.

The Borough is bounded on the north by the Manasquan River, on the east by Point Pleasant Beach and Bay Head, on the south by Beaver Dam Creek and on the west by Brick Township. The town is home to the Point Pleasant Canal, completed in 1925, at the northern end of the Intracoastal Waterway. The two lift bridges over the canal, at Route 88 and Bridge Avenue, can be opened as many as 300 times per day during the summer to allow boats to pass underneath as marine traffic has the right of way.

History

Around 1500 the area that included the future Point Pleasant was the ceremonial meeting place of the Lenape Indians, who called it the "Land of Tall Timber". In approximately 1665, the first Anglo settlers arrived in the area, who were mainly fishermen, farmers and boat builders.

On February 15, 1850 Governor Daniel Haines and the New Jersey Legislature separated Ocean County from Monmouth County, and created Brick Township, including the Point Pleasant area, which became independent of Brick Township in 1920, though the post office carried the designation "West Point Pleasant" until 1956. According to the town's official website, many longtime residents still use that name. The town's first mayor was Melville B. Parker was chosen and as the borough's first mayor, after J.H. Harvey declined the position after being elected. The town was initially a logging town, although logging was never a significant part of the local economy.

In 1924 the Manasquan River-Bay Head canal was completed as part of the inland waterway. The canal, which divides Point Pleasant in half, provides a passage for boats, and is the northern most leg of the Inland Waterway which traverses the Atlantic coast to Florida. In 1964, Senator Case introduced legislation that changed the canal's name to the Point Pleasant Canal.

Point Pleasant Borough was once regarded as a summer resort, though its website insists that it is a "year round community of approximately 19,000 residents".

Demographics

Historical populations

Census Pop. %±

1930 2,058

—

1940 2,082 1.2%

1950 4,009 92.6%

1960 10,182 154.0%

1970 15,968 56.8%

1980 17,747 11.1%

1990 18,177 2.4%

2000 19,306 6.2%

Est. 2008 20,139 [4] 4.3%

Population 1930 - 1990.[

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 19,306 people, 7,560 households, and 5,231 families residing in the borough. The population density was 5,461.6 people per square mile (2,111.6/km2). There were 8,350 housing units at an average density of 2,362.2/sq mi (913.3/km2). The racial makeup of the borough was 85.83% White, 5.33% African-American, Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.41%, 0.14% Native American, 0.54% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races..

There were 7,560 households out of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the borough the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $55,987, and the median income for a family was $64,798. Males had a median income of $50,828 versus $32,886 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $25,715. About 2.0% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Point Pleasant is governed under the Borough form of New Jersey municipal government. The government consists of a Mayor and a Borough Council comprising six council members, with all positions elected at large. A Mayor is elected directly by the voters to a four-year term of office. The Borough Council consists of six members elected to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis, with two seats coming up for election each year.

The Mayor is the head of municipal government; sees that state laws and borough ordinances are faithfully executed; presides over the Council. votes only to break ties; can veto ordinances subject to override by ⅔ majority of Council; and appoints subordinate officers with Council approval. After thirty days or upon Council disapproval, Council fills posts.

The Borough Council is the legislative body of municipality. The Council overrides a mayor's veto by ⅔ majority of all members, confirms mayor's appointments. The Council gains appointment power upon failure to confirm mayor's appointee or after office vacant for thirty days. The Council has all executive responsibility not placed in office of mayor.

The Mayor of Point Pleasant is Martin Konkus (R), term ends December 31, 2010. The members of the Borough Council are Council President Susan Rogers (R, 2010), William Dikun (R, 2010), Toni DePaola (R, 2012), Jack McHugh (D, 2011), Christopher Leitner (D, 2011) and Mitch Remig (R, 2012).

Federal, state and county representation

Point Pleasant is in the Fourth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 10th Legislative District.

New Jersey's Fourth Congressional District is represented by Christopher Smith (R). New Jersey is represented in the United States Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Bob Menendez (D, Hoboken).

10th district of the New Jersey Legislature, which is represented in the New Jersey Senate by Andrew R. Ciesla (R, Brick) and in the New Jersey General Assembly by James W. Holzapfel (R, Toms River) and David W. Wolfe (R, Brick). The Governor of New Jersey is Chris Christie (R, Mendham). The Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey is Kim Guadagno (R, Monmouth Beach).

Ocean County is governed by a Board of Chosen Freeholders consisting of five members, elected at large in partisan elections and serving staggered three-year terms. As of 2009, Ocean County's Freeholders are Freeholder Director James F. Lacey (Brick Township, term ends December 31, 2010), Freeholder Deputy Director John P. Kelly (Eagleswood Township, 2010), John C. Bartlett, Jr. (Pine Beach, 2012), Gerry P. Little (Surf City, 2012) and Joseph H. Vicari (Toms River, 2011).

Education

The Point Pleasant School District serves students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. Schools in the district (with 2006-07 enrollment data from the National Center for Education Statistics are two elementary schools for grades K-5 — Nellie F. Bennett Elementary School (822 students) and Ocean Road School (565) — Memorial Middle School for grades 6-8 (765) and Point Pleasant Boro High School for grades 9-12 (1,061).

In media

A fictionalized version of the town was the setting of a short-lived 2005 television show, Point Pleasant.

Point Pleasant is mentioned in The Sopranos episode "Employee of the Month", as the city in which Johnny Sack and his wife own a condominium.

Notable residents

(B) denotes that the person was born there.

Antonella Barba (born 1986), contestant on the sixth season of American Idol.

Peter Cancro, CEO of Jersey Mike's Subs, who started working at the Point Pleasant location as a 14-year old.

Tawny Cypress (born 1976), actress appearing on K-Ville as Ginger "Love Tap" LeBeau.

Kirsten Dunst (born 1982), actress born in Point Pleasant in 1982.

Laurel Hester (1956-2006), police officer who rose to national attention with her deathbed appeal for the extension of pension benefits to her domestic partner.

Leonard Lomell (born 1919), United States Army Ranger who played a pivotal role in destroying German gun emplacements on D-Day.

Diamond Dallas Page (born 1956), former professional wrestler.

Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953), playwright.

Christie Pearce (born 1975), USA Soccer player.

Kurt Pellegrino (born 1979), MMA fighter- Fighting under the UFC brand.

Soraya (1969-2006), Grammy Award-winning, musician.

(source:wikipedia)