A day in court The Courier,July 17 Posted:07/20/08
Attorneys for area residents and officials were in court attempting to delay the demolition of the Route 36 Highlands bridge up until Monday afternoon.
“There are still outstanding issues regarding preservation of historic landmarks, but the big issue in this case was the prevention of the unnecessary destruction of this landmark,” Citizens for Rational Coastal Development (CRCD) Counsel Stuart Lieberman said.
The group filed an application for an injunction Monday morning and was heard that afternoon, Lieberman said. He noted the speedy, but thorough, judgment.
However, the motion for an injunction was denied and the destruction was permitted to proceed, he said.
“This seems to be becoming a mute point because in a short period there is no longer going to be a bridge,” Lieberman said. “We are all heartbroken.”
The counsel said his clients still had to meet to decide how to proceed with the suits currently filed against borough and state entities.
Sea Bright Mayor Maria Fernandes said the borough was still waiting for a response to motion for a stay that was filed on Friday, July 11.
Fernandes made no indication that Sea Bright would be withdrawing its complaint.
“I don’t understand why other things can’t be put aside to take care of this. This is a bridge being demolished,” Fernandes concluded. “We are at the mercy of a federal judge.”
