Jersey Shore Views...: March 2008

Ocean County's Photographic History

Nineteenth century photography in New Jersey is the topic of a presentation April 8^th at the Barnegat Branch of the Ocean County Library.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Barnegat Library in conjunction with the New Jersey Council for the Humanities (NJCH), the program will focus on Ocean County photographers active before 1900.

In a slide lecture, Gary Saretzky, an archivist and photographer, will profile these pioneers and discuss their achievements and contributions in the context of NJ photography in the 19^th Century. 

Saretzky has worked as an archivist for nearly 40 years.  He currently serves as the Monmouth County Archivist and has since 1994.  He's been an instructor of the History of Photography at Mercer County College and has also coordinated the Public History Internship Program at Rutgers University.

Under the auspices of the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the NJCH he lectures around the state on topics related to the history of photography.  Saretzky has published more than 100 articles and reviews on the history of photography and photographic conservation.

The program is free and open to the public.  It begins at 2:15pm, on April 8th at the Barnegat Branch of the Ocean County Library located at W. Bay and Burr Street in Barnegat.  For further information call 609-384-6121.

THIS PROGRAM IS OFFERED THROUGH THE HORIZONS SPEAKERS BUREAU OF THE NEW JERSEY COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES, A STATE PARTNER OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES.      

Several New Jersey Legislators have proposed a plan to assist homeowners with subprime loans, those loans typically written for those will bad credit and low incomes.  State Senator Ronald Rice wants a 6 month moratorium on subprime loan defaults, a new loan fund to help people stay in their homes and to allow some homeowners who loose their homes to stay for awhile.

The legislation calls for:

• A 6 month moratorium to giver borrowers time to find a solution.
• Creation of a fund generated by a $2000 fee charged to lenders for each subprime foreclosure and $1 million from the NJ Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJ HMFA).  The money would provide loans and counseling to help people stay in their homes.
• Allowing those with subprime loans who loose their homes through foreclosure to remain as renters until the property is acquired by someone who wants to occupy it.

Will it work, will it be passed and signed into law?  I think it'll be a tough sell.  Questions that immediately come to mind are; will the fund produce enough money for real help, how many borrowers have worked to improve their credit since purchasing so they qualify for a new mortgage and will banks then become landlords, required to provide everything now mandated in the NJ Landlord Tenant Law.

I'm sure more questions will follow, but this is something to keep an eye on.

Interested in the housing market in southern Ocean County, NJ?  Click on the link below to view the numbers!!

February Market Update

If you need a similar report for any towns in Monmouth, Ocean or Atlantic counties, give me a call.