I woke up today and realized it is the 5th anniversary of the launch of GerritsenBeach.net.
A lot has happened since the launch of the site; hell, a lot has happened this past year. Many of the stories have been wonderful, and some, which usually get the most attention, are a little rough to say the least.
Now, I know there are mixed opinions out there about what people think this site is and what the site actually is. I will address them first by saying what I have said from the beginning:“GerritsenBeach.net strives to be an objective news site that was created with the intention of providing the residents of Gerritsen Beach with solid news and commentary on matters that are important to us.”
As I reflect on these past years, I have realized that there is nothing that has pushed me more than to try and give you unbiased community news. There are too many factions, cold wars between groups, cliques, behind the scenes banter, and problems for you to even imagine and sort through. I’ve tried to let you know about what is happening in the neighborhood so you can be informed, and, in the end, come together as a community.
This year, I do not know if I have succeeded in that goal.
Over the years, I have been demonized and physically attacked by community leaders over the contents of the site. I’ve so far successfully defended against legal threats by unscrupulous land developers. The site has been called every name in the book by just about everyone. However, some good things were said, including “Brooklyn’s Best,” “Gerritsen Beach’s own Thomas Paine,” and a “muckracking reporter.”
I have always tried to share the best and, sometimes, worst of the neighborhood. Sharing “the worst” seems to be a point of contention for some. I will attempt to address some of the contempt we’ve earned.
Let’s take Halloween, for example. Halloween has always been “bad” and complained about. Last year was particularly bad. The reaction that my photos were wrong and the source of the problem, I believe, is wrong to say the least. I also believe it is the opinion of a small amount of people. If you look back, I have covered the good and bad of Halloween for four years now. “Taking care of our own” seemed to be the motto of Halloween, but that shouldn’t mean protecting abhorrent behavior, it should be about protecting our neighbors and our neighborhood.
There are others that believe that the website is solely responsible for painting a bad picture of the community, and that the website sharing news outside the physical boundaries of Gerritsen Beach is wrong. I again need to disagree – bad things happen everywhere, including in our “physical” boundaries. Why prefer to live in ignorance of our community issues, rather than actually try to help do our part and correct them?
Despite this, we will continue to cover community news and events while having a new focus on helping bringing the community together. The website has evolved, the community is constantly evolving it’s a good thing and I am proud to be a part of it.
The site has come a long way, it has been a great five years and I would like to sincerely thank you all for being with us since 2006.
– Dan
Happy Anniversary GB.net, and congratulations Dan. I commend you on your perseverance and excellent reporting.
Keep up the good work!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Congrat’s Dan. Happy anniversary. Here’s to five more
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Keep up the good work, Danny. Don’t let the naysayers get you down. Oversized egos are the enemy of any community, and the root of most problems at the local level.
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Congrats on five years! I hope you many more. Keep up the GOOD WORK.
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Happy anniversary and congratulations.
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Dan, you do a great job. Thank you for the website.
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This is a great site for the community and for those who have moved away but their hearts are here.
Illigitimus non carborandum est!
Keep up the good work, love this site. It is even my homepage.
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Happy anniversary–I enjoy this site!
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Happy 5th Aniversary & Congratulations Dan! Keep up the good work. I especially like when you post about “lost & found” animals! It’s great that you care not only about our community, kids, & property, but also the animals!
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Congratulations Dan. keep up the GOOD work!
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Congrats Dan, your work has been excellent and informative. Keep up the good work and hope there are many many more years for you.
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Congrats Dan, don’t stop doing what you are doing. Despite what “some” may say or think, I feel you are doing a fantastic job and service for our community.
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I love what you do…..keep up the good work!
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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congrats on 5 years…keep it coming..you’re doing good work here!
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And a fine job you do.. Keep it going
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Congrats! We appreciate you! We’ve been gone from the Beach for many years but still have family living there. It’ll always be home. Thanks for all you do!
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Proud of you and Happy Birthday…..Reflection is a good thing! May the future bring you much happiness. Keep up the good work.
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Well done. Information given is not always what we want to hear but I am glad to get it. Keep up the good work.
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Dan, We need more like you in this world, thanks for who you are, Peace!
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BRAVO, well said keep up the good work
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Great website..you got some pair of balls and a lot of backbone..keep up the great work!
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I think you meant “you HAVE some pair of balls”
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Sometimes the truth hurts, but a story must be told. Congrats on the 5 years Dan!
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Congratulations, Dan! Keep up the good work!
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Boy, everybody is being nice. It’s like you died or something.
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I have enjoyed being able to keep up with the current events of our wonderful neighborhood. I agree that some of the bad news is hard to report on but I give you a lot of credit for standing up for what you believe is right.
Congradualations and look forward to the next 5 years
Hot debate. What do you think?
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You suck, site is terrible, go away.. Na, just kiddin.. Congrats.. Keep up the great work.. Cheers to 50 more years.. Thank you..
Hot debate. What do you think?
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I live in Las Vegas but I always read the Gerritsen.Net site. Never was born in the beach but attended P S 194, went to the Library, Health Station and all our friends were from the beach.
Your reporting is great, both good and bad reports bring the truth up about a community. There is more good than bad reported and your cummnity is stronger for it.
Congratulations to all “The Gerritsen Beachers”
Semper Fedlis
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You are growing and learning more and more each day, keep up the good work and thank you for putting up with the non-sense and never giving up.
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I am looking forward to another dozen of posts dedicated to traffic light installation progress. Keep up the good work!
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