Governor, surfers meet at Max’s

By Sherry conohan
Staff Writer

LONG BRANCH — Max’s Restaurant, famous for its hot dogs, entertained a famous customer Monday when Gov. James E. McGreevey dropped in for lunch, accompanied by several staffers and a slew of Democratic candidates.

"Mrs. Max" — the amiable Celia Maybaum — welcomed the governor with a hog dog heaped with sauerkraut. The governor thanked her with a hug.

"He’s a nice man," Maybaum said. "The first time he ran [for office] he stopped in and he called me his Jewish grandmother."

"I’m sure he’s going to do a lot for the state of New Jersey because he gives his all," she added. "He’s doing a great job."

McGreevey greeted the customers having lunch and listened to a contingent of surfers, including Brian Unger of the Surfers Environmental Alliance, who were worried about the impact beach replenishment would have on their sport.

William P. Rosenblatt, the mayor of Loch Arbour, spoke for a wider range of recreational activities at the Shore, noting that the fishing in Elberon is "unparalleled" because of underwater structures.

The governor said the state would continue to work cooperatively with everyone as beach replenishment progresses. Rep. Frank J. Pallone Jr., D-N.J., said an Army Corps of Engineers hearing on Elberon is coming up at which residents could present their concerns.

"I’m 100 percent for beach replenishment, but I have no problem working with surfers and others," he said, adding that the sand could be "sculpted."

"You can do beach replenishment and do it without hurting surfing," he added. "We did it at Sandy Hook. We changed the plans so as not to impact the cove area at the entrance."