Here Comes The Judge

On June 17, there will be a tight race for Village Justice taking place in the village of Atlantic Beach located at the western tip of Long Island. Martin Cohen, a long-time resident of the village, will face off against incumbent Michael C. Meyerson, who has served as village judge for the last eight years.

Marty Cohen says that it’s time for a change in the village and we agree. The issues may seem relatively minor when viewed from the perspective of the larger issues being dealt with around the world, but Mr. Cohen says that as a resident, there are changes that are very much needed.

Atlantic Beach is an incorporated village that is connected to the Five Towns by a simple bridge. A large number of Five Towns residents are members of the local beach clubs on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean that begin their big season at this time of year.

“That’s one of the important matters that has not been effectively addressed,” says Mr. Cohen. He adds that he is specifically referring to what he describes as cars driving over the bridge at recklessly high rates of speed onto the serene streets of Atlantic Beach village.

Mr. Cohen says that the current village justice, Judge Meyerson, very often accepts plea bargains for speeding summonses, allowing the offender to pay a fine for a parking violation instead. The logic behind such an arrangement is due to the fact that the revenue received from the speeding ticket is split between the village and New York State. That breakdown comes to 70% for the village and 30% for New York State. On the other hand, with a parking violation, the village takes in 100% of the fine. In reality, that is an eye-opening, borderline scandalous process that Marty Cohen says endangers the residents of Atlantic Beach. That translates to speeders knowing that they can plea down to a parking violation and suffer no real consequences, such as a fine or points on their license when caught speeding.

Marty Cohen says he is hoping to be the voice of reason in the village and will try to maintain peaceful relations and open dialogue. On that matter, Mr. Cohen is referring to the matter between Chabad of the Beaches and the village regarding plans for Chabad to build a community center at the edge of the village not far from the bridge. Chabad leadership has said the group is willing to settle their case with the village, but the village insists on going to court, where Mr. Cohen says the village will definitely lose, with costs in the event of a verdict in favor of Chabad to be passed down to village residents through tax increases.

Atlantic Beach needs a voice of reason, especially at this point in time. That’s why it’s important that you cast your vote on June 17 for Martin Cohen.

Read more of Larry Gordon’s articles at 5TJT.com. Follow 5 Towns Jewish Times on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates and live videos. Comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome at 5TJT.com and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.