ORTLEY BEACH — The first mounds of sand for one of New Jersey’s largest beach replenishment projects started being pumped onto Ortley Beach this week as Shore towns on the northern Ocean County peninsula, which for decades had fought hard against engineered beaches, relented after Hurricane Sandy. After having at least two projected start dates fall…
Government News
Gov News is news provided by local, municipal, county, state, regional, federal, international, military and law enforcement agencies.
Rullo: Guadagno "Sold Her Soul"; Secures Powerful Lakewood Orthodox Bloc Vote
LAKEWOOD-The influential political power brokers of Lakewood Township, the Lakewood Vaad, have announced Kim Guadagno as their candidate of choice for governor of New Jersey in Tuesday’s Republican primary election.
In a report yesterday on the political news website, Ocean County Politics, editor Gavin Rozzi broke the news through a video published by Lakewood’s “First Amendment Activist” of a robocall sent out by Rabbi Yisroel Schenkolewksi, one of the Vaad’s religious and political leaders.
In the call, Schenkolewksi urged Lakewood’s Orthodox voters that a vote for Guadagno, Lakewood’s large bloc vote remains powerful.
“Let us stop those who are trying to divide us and weaken us,” Schenkolewksi said.
Guadagno’s opponent in the election, Ocean County resident Joseph Rullo wondered what offers or promises Guadagno made to Lakewood in return for the endorsement.
“It’s so corrupt how one guy can cut a deal to get 13,000 votes for promises after elected in Lakewood,” Rullo said. “Kim sold her soul….Lakewood is a sanctuary city with no rules.”
The news also doesn’t sit well with voters in the Republican stronghold of Ocean County where an ongoing confrontation exists between Lakewood’s growing Orthodox Jewish population and the surrounding gentile townships of Jackson, Brick, Toms River and Howell where Rullo is showing strong against Guadagno and the other Republican establishment candidates.
In a new SaveJersey poll, a shore area conservative blog site, Rullo is leading the pack with 41% of voters. Rival conservative Steve Rogers polled with 22% with Guadagno and her establishment arch-nemesis Jack Ciattarelli trailing with just 14% and 16% respectively.
In the latest Shore News Network poll, consisting mostly of Ocean County residents, Rullo received 51% of the votes and Guadagno 27.8%. Ciattarelli (8%), Singh (7%) and Rogers (5%) all trailed.
Rullo hopes his conservative platform and open support of Donald Trump resonates with the New Jersey voters on Tuesday. He backed the president in last November’s election and has been a staunch supporter of Trump since his announcement in 2015.
Rullo said he feels most of New Jersey’s Trump supporters will be behind him, while Guadagno, Ciattarelli and Singh compete over the balance of the establishment type voters in the state.
One Injured as Man Jumps Out of Window to Escape Lavallette Condo Fire
by Al Della Fave, OCPO
LAVALETTE-On Thursday, May 25th 2017, at 1:21 am, The Lavallette Police Department and Fire Department were dispatched to a structure fire at 1806 Grand Central Avenue. Upon arrival, emergency personnel observed the second floor of a two story, multi-unit dwelling condominium structure was fully involved in fire. Both Seaside Heights and Seaside Park Fire Departments assisted with fire suppression.
RELATED NEWS >> Lavallette Police Officer Under Fire by Toms River GOP Smear Campaign
Despite the intensity of the flames responding units found upon arrival, the fire event produced one minor injury. A 45-year-old male was transported to Community Medical Center for non-life threating injuries sustained when jumping from the second story to escape the extreme fire and smoke conditions.
The subsequent investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes/Arson Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Lavallette Police Department determined that the area of origin was on the exterior of the south side of the structure, along a balcony style walkway on the second floor. The point of origin is on top of outdoor carpeting that lined the floor of the walkway in between unit #7 and unit #8. The cause of the fire is deemed accidental and improperly discarded smoking material cannot be eliminated as the cause of the fire.
https://www.facebook.com/JerseyShoreHurricaneNews/videos/1592115787474594/
Reagan's 11th Commandment All But Forgotten in Toms River GOP Primary
TOMS RIVER-Republicans in Toms River have long adhered to the 11th commandment, an often spoken, unspoken rule that is cherished by many party loyalists. It was created by GOP’s most revered leader in its over 150 year history, President Ronald Reagan. Reagan invented the idea of the 11th commandment during his 1966 campaign for governor of California.
“Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican,” he said.
In recent weeks, that commandment has been shattered and is now scattered in broken pieces across the township’s bayfront and oceanfront properties as the hotly contested ward 1 Republican primary election has turned into a knock ’em dead, mudslinging bloodbath.
In what is being described as a hit piece, issued by Toms River’s establishment Republican Club against Lavallette police officer Justin Lamb, elected Councilman George Wittmann is the latest in a line of party Republicans coming out against Lamb.
Wittmann said Lamb was unqualified to be a councilman over a 2015 dispute he had with a Toms River Police Officer over a noise complaint at an Ortley Beach residence where Lamb was in attendance.
According to a police report, also released by the Toms River Republican Club, Lamb had a disagreement with a Toms River officer, however no complaints or charges were ever filed and the matter was never revisited.
Lamb said the incident was a non-issue and just another attack in a barrage of negative campaigning against him by the Republican establishment to keep him from getting the party’s nomination.
“This release by my opponents, just the latest in a long line of mud-slinging and dirty campaigning, was not a surprise. I spoke out against the deficit in their carefully crafted budget, and they scrambled to amend the budget and close the gap,” Lamb said. “I spoke out against the extravagant and opulent firehouse proposal, another backdoor tax increase, and in an historic voter turnout – and a very lopsided vote – our community shut those plans down. It appears that I carry the voice of the people, the township council follows my lead, and my opponents have no real ideas of their own.”
After that vote, establishment Republicans called the residents of Toms River anarchists for voting against the lavish $14 million facility and blamed Lamb for influencing the vote.
Lamb added that since he started campaigning on local issues, the Toms River Republican Club has been relying on personal attacks and mudslinging. Lamb also questioned the club’s use of what he described as party attack dogs, while his opponent, Maria Maruca has remained mostly silent during the campaign.
“With less than three weeks to the primary election, the GOP establishment is running out of time to derail my campaign with dirty politics,” Lamb added. “My opponent remains bizarrely silent during this campaign, and I’m still not sure that she has a plan. Her attack dogs keep barking insults, but we will continue to rise above it. They want to keep their status quo, but I want reform. I want us to do better.”
“I will continue to stay on-message and to fight for the issues that matter in our community. I will continue to discuss plans to curtail unnecessary spending, decrease property taxes, and fight an overwhelming heroin epidemic in my neighborhood of Gilford Park,” Lamb said. “While the establishment strives to keep Ward 1 stuck jogging in place, I will continue to work on ways to move forward for a better Toms River.”
The 11th commandment, issued by Reagan is important during political primaries, because the former President felt if Republicans attacked each other during their primary elections, those attacks would be used against them during the general election against their Democrat opponents.
In March, during a gubernatorial showcase hosted by the Ocean County Republicans, Ocean County Republican Chairman George Gilmore reminded those candidates of the 11th commandment before they spoke to the audience and those involved in the current mudsling were all in attendance.
NJ Attorney General Will Pay You $25,000 to Snitch on Corrupt Politicians
TRENTON-Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced two new initiatives to fight public corruption, including a reward program offering up to $25,000 for tips from the public, as well as a program that offers lower-level defendants in a corruption scheme the potential to avoid prosecution if they reveal the crime to the Attorney General’s Office so more culpable defendants can be prosecuted.
New Jersey has tough anti-corruption laws that provide mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment and parole ineligibility for people who commit crimes that touch upon their public office or employment. The Attorney General’s Office has utilized these laws in recent years to prosecute major cases involving elected officials, government employees and companies receiving public funds. A critical challenge, however, is securing the initial leads that allow such crimes to be uncovered and prosecuted. The new programs are designed to encourage those with information on corruption to come forward.
“It’s a troubling reality that along with the many public officials and employees who carry out their duties with integrity, there are some who abuse their authority and corruptly exploit their positions for personal gain,” said Attorney General Porrino. “We know these bad actors are out there, and we’re casting a wide net to catch them with these two new programs. For members of the public who have personal knowledge of corruption and are fed up with it, we’re offering an added motivation for them to turn their anger into action.”
“Our whistleblower program strategically allows secondary players in corruption schemes to come clean and avoid prosecution,” Porrino added. “Whether we’re talking about a skilled public worker assigned to act as a personal handyman for his boss, or a contractor asked to pay bribes to a local code inspector, or a corporate employee pressured by executives to make illegal political contributions, we’re offering a way out of such predicaments for those who come forward first and are less culpable.”
“These new programs offer strong incentives for people to come forward confidentially and help us root out public corruption, whether they’re tipsters from the public seeking a reward, or public workers or others seeking to extricate themselves from a corrupt scheme,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “By offering the programs for a limited time, we’re looking for swift results, and we will vigorously pursue every lead.”
“By implementing the Anti-Corruption Reward and Anti-Corruption Whistleblower Programs for a relatively short time frame, we are hoping for quick and decisive action by anyone with knowledge of public corruption by elected officials and government employees,” said Colonel Rick Fuentes, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police. “The goal of the initiatives is to encourage those to come forward with information that will eventually lead to the prosecution of anyone who engages in these corruption schemes.”
Attorney General Porrino announced the following programs to promote reporting of corruption cases:
Anti-Corruption Reward Program
- The Attorney General’s Office is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for tips from the public leading to a conviction for a crime involving public corruption. The reward program will be funded by the Attorney General’s Office using criminal forfeiture funds.
- Individuals applying for this reward must provide information about a crime that has not previously been revealed to law enforcement and they must not have participated in the crime.
- The reward limit for any case is $25,000. In most cases, only the person who first reports the crime will receive the reward. However, where two or more people provide different information that is material to successfully prosecuting the case, the reward may be apportioned.
- The reward is not available to government employees who learn of the crime in the course of their employment if they have an official duty to report such crimes.
Anti-Corruption Whistleblower Program
- This program encourages eligible individuals or corporations to self-report their involvement in criminal activity, in return, in appropriate cases, for an agreement by the Attorney General’s Office to waive prosecution of the whistleblower.
- Individuals interested in participating in the program can choose initially to report information anonymously and/or through an attorney to determine whether they are a likely candidate for waiver of prosecution under the program. They can then decide whether to proceed with the formal application.
- The program is restricted to lower-level participants in a crime who provide information that enables the Attorney General’s Office to charge higher-level defendants. The whistleblower must provide truthful and complete information and must cooperate as required by investigators.
- An individual will not be eligible for the program if he or she is an elected official, had a controlling role in the criminal scheme, or enlisted another party to participate in the scheme.
- The whistleblower may be subject to forfeiture of public employment depending on the circumstances.
- Corporations may apply for the Whistleblower Program only where the criminal activity at issue was committed by employees of the corporation, without the knowledge, acquiescence or participation of the high-level employees, officers, directors or shareholders seeking waiver of prosecution for the corporation, and only where the corporation took prompt action to terminate the illegal activity or report it to law enforcement once it was discovered.
The programs are intended to encourage individuals who have information on public corruption to come forward promptly, so they will be open for a limited time. Both programs will expire on Aug. 1, 2017.
The Attorney General’s Office will keep the identities of applicants to the programs confidential to the fullest extent possible, subject to any statute, rule of court, or judicial decision to the contrary which may require disclosure to certain parties, including, in certain circumstances, a criminal defendant. Applicants to each program may be interviewed by detectives at the discretion of the Division of Criminal Justice. The applicant may also be required to give his or her verbal statement under oath and sign a written memorialization of his or her statement.
Additional information about the two programs can be found posted with this press release on the Attorney General’s Office website: www.njpublicsafety.com.
Individuals may report information and apply for the Anti-Corruption Reward Program or Anti-Corruption Whistleblower Program by one of the following methods:
- Call the DCJ hotline 866-TIPS-4CJ to speak with corruption detectives 24 hours/7 days a week;
- Visit www.njdcj.org to submit an online report;
- Write directly to DCJ at the following address:
New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety
Division of Criminal Justice
25 Market Street
P.O. Box 085
Trenton, NJ 08625-0085
Attention: Anti-Corruption Reward Program OR Anti-Corruption Whistleblower Program.
Ortley Beach Lord House Station Rededicated
The Toms River Township council and mayor attended the Lord House re-dedication ceremony and plaque unveiling in Ortely Beach last Saturday.
“The Friends of Ortley Beach researched the history of the Ortley Inn and organized the event. Edie Segree and Barbara Biedenbach of the Lord family were in attendance,” the township said.
Originally established as the Ortley Inn in the late 1880’s, the Lord House was destroyed by fire in 1922. The Lord family purchased the rights to the business and built a single-family home. The Township acquired the land in the 1960’s and constructed a parking lot. The lifeguard station was added later.
Photo: Handout Photo/Toms River Township.
Guadagno: Christie would make a good FBI director
NEWARK — Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno may be distancing herself from Gov. Chris Christie as she runs for the Republican nomination to succeed him, but she didn’t scoff Wednesday at the idea of Christie becoming the new head of the FBI. President Donald Trump on Tuesday fired James Comey as FBI director. Christie has a background…
Agudath Israel Files Lawsuit Against Jackson Township for Religious Discrimination
JACKSON-A series of laws and ordinances enacted by the township of Jackson in recent months has led to Agudath Israel of America filing a religious discrimination lawsuit against the town.
In March, the township passed two ordinances aimed at limiting the building of schools and banning the construction of school related dormitories. Township officials cited quality of life concerns for the residents, but Agudath Israel claims the ordinances were adopted to hinder the constitutional rights of the influx of Orthodox Jewish residents to the township.
“The adoption of the Ordinances was motivated by discriminatory animus against the Orthodox Jewish community, they treat religious educational institutions differently and worse than various nonreligious assembly and institutional uses, they unreasonably limit and exclude religious educational institutions from the Township, and they make housing unavailable within the Township based on religion,” Agudath Israel claims in the legal filing.
The organization, which represents Jewish interests nationwide said Jackson Township’s elected officials have been trying to “Build a Wall” around the township to deter Jewish residents from moving there.
“The Ordinances are the latest action taken by the Township in a long campaign to erect a wall on its border with Lakewood Township, where many Orthodox Jews live, in order to discourage them from moving into Jackson,” the lawsuit continued.”
The lawsuit also claims that Mayor Michael Reina told residents not to sell to Jewish residents.
“Its Mayor has told residents ‘Don’t sell’ to the Orthodox Jewish community, its township council president said that a suggestion that Orthodox Jews move into communities such as Jackson was ‘reprehensible,’ and referred to the community as a ‘threat’ to Jackson, and noted that the Township Council ‘is on the same page”’ with a community that harbors substantial hostility toward the Orthodox Jewish community,” the lawsuit claims.
In the meetings Shore News Network has covered, Reina always made it clear that the township has no right to restrict who can and can’t buy homes and said if residents were concerned about the home sales, the only option was to not sell their homes. Reina often told distraught residents that they lived in America and it’s not anyone’s right to tell another who they can and can’t sell their homes to.
The lawsuit also targeted Republican Councilman Robert Nixon who said of the growth of the Jewish population in town, “The threat can be eliminated if people held their ground and refused the offers being made on their properties and remain committed to Jackson Township and their neighbors.”
Nixon has been on the frontlines of the township’s battle against the Orthodox Jewish growth in the township.
Jackson Township officials have not yet responded to the lawsuit.
The 35 page filing released today by the Lakewood Scoop can also be found on our Shore News Network and JTOWN Magazine Facebook pages.
Suspected Point Pleasant Aspiring ISIS Terrorist Stabbed Mom's Dog Because it was "unclean"
A Point Pleasant man who was accused by the FBI of providing material support for ISIS was caught after police were called on a report that he had stabbed his mother’s dog and threatened to kill her.
According to the Point Pleasant Police Department, officers arrived at the residence for a report of a male subject threatening to kill the family dog.
Responding Point Pleasant Police officers set up a perimeter around the residence and attempted to make contact with the male resident.
“During our attempt to negotiate, 20 year old Gregory Lepsky emerged from the residence and was taken into custody,” police said.
According to a report in the Asbury Park Press, Lepsky told first responders he wanted to kill the dog, because under his view of Islam, the pet was dirty.
He also stabbed himself. Lepsky was transported to Brick Hospital to be treated for a self-inflicted laceration.
The family dog was located within the residence alive, however, sustained a significant laceration to his back. The dog was immediately transported to an area veterinary hospital.
A large knife was recovered from the suspect’s bedroom that was believed to have been used in the attack on the dog. Detective Scalabrini of the Point Pleasant Police Department charged Gregory Lepsky with Terroristic Threats 2C:12-3a, Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose 2C:39-4d, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon 2C:39-5d, Criminal Mischief 2C:17-3a and Animal Cruelty 4:22-17c(1).
Through the course of this investigation, information was developed to connect Mr. Lepsky with ISIS and a potential plan to build and use a pressure cooker bomb. Detectives from the Point Pleasant Police Department commenced a joint investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
Gregory Lepsky, 20, of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, will appear in federal court today to face allegations that he planned to construct and use a pressure cooker bomb in support of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization. Lepsky is charged by criminal complaint with one count of attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
During searches of computers and other digital evidence linked to Lepsky, law enforcement found evidence of Lepsky’s plan to build and detonate a bomb as part of his support for ISIS. During several social media communications, Lepsky told others that he intended to fight on behalf of ISIS, and that he would, if necessary, become a martyr by driving a “bunch of explosives” to where the “enemies” could be found and blowing himself up.
Law enforcement also located a series of instructions that had been published online by another terrorist group that gave specific, step-by-step instructions on how to build a pressure cooker bomb, which coincided with the delivery to Lepsky of the pressure cooker a short time before his arrest. In addition, law enforcement recovered a message forwarded by Lepsky from another ISIS supporter stating that if a westerner could not travel to Syria to fight for ISIS, he could conduct a terrorist attack in his home country using improvised explosive devices.
NJ Governor Christie Vetoes Dem Bill that Sought to Block President Trump from Being on 2020 Ballot
TRENTON-A bill approved by the legislature in the blue state of New Jersey that could have kept President Donald Trump off the ballot in the Garden State in 2020 if he doesn’t release his tax returns.
“This legislation would prohibit general election candidates for President and Vice-President from appearing on a ballot in New Jersey unless they file a copy of their federal income tax returns for the five most recent years with the Division of Elections and would also prohibit any elector from voting for President or Vice-President unless the candidate complies with the bill’s requirements. This is clearly unconstitutional. The United States Constitution sets the rules in this regard to prevent politics like this bill,” the governor told the senate on May 1st.
The Presidential release of tax returns is a relatively new practice in the history of the United States with President Richard Nixon. No law requires anyone running for office to release their tax returns.
“Unwilling to cope with the results of last November’s election, the Legislature introduced this unconstitutional bill as a form of therapy to deal with their disbelief at the 2016 election results, and to play politics to their base. Any claim to the contrary is belied by the press releases its supporters issued immediately upon its final passage and the plain language of the bill,” the Governor continued.
Tax returns are now an issue in the 2017 election to replace Governor Christie with Democrat millionaire Phil Murphy’s refusal to release his own tax returns. Murphy, in December held a brief viewing of his returns for reporters, but under the law aimed at Donald Trump, Murphy’s “viewing” would not have satisfied the law vetoed by the Governor.
Ocean County Governor’s favorite, Republican Joseph Rullo, an avid constitutionalist said Democrats should start worrying about fixing the problems before them and less on individuals’ income tax returns.
“The Democrats front runner hasn’t released his tax returns only allowing reporters a peek at a designated time,” Rullo said. “I will not release my tax return as a private citizen. The state has more worries than mine and Trumps tax returns like fixing New Jersey.”
Rullo has been a staunch supporter of Trump since his candidacy began and blasted the attempt by the Democrat majority legislation to use their office to make a political move against the President.
There is currently no law that requires any candidate for office to release his or her tax returns.
Lakewood charity raised millions without registering with state, report says
LAKEWOOD — A Lakewood charity that raised $4.6 million over five years didn’t register with the state as required by law, according to a report on APP.com. Services for Hidden Intelligence is the fundraising arm of the School for Children with Hidden Intelligence, whose director was indicted earlier this year on charges of theft and money…
More than Half of New Jersey Republican Voters Undecided for Next Governor
TRENTON-A new Quinnipiac University poll released this week shows that 51% of New Jersey’s Republican voters don’t know who they are going to vote for on June 6th as their party’s choice to succeed Governor Chris Christie.
Of the remaining 49% of decided voters, 23% said they are voting for Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, who served as Lt. Governor under Christie for the past seven years.
North Jersey assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli was showing at 12% in the poll and Ocean County candidate Joseph Rullo had 3%.
“The news that they’re supposed to elect a governor this year doesn’t seem to have gotten through to a lot of New Jersey voters,” said Maurice Carroll, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.
The poll was not good news for the Lt. Governor’s prospects of being the next governor with more than half of her party still not on board with her candidacy.
The poll also revealed that Democrat candidate Phil Murphy would “trounce” Guadagno. In the poll Murphy received 50% when people were asked, “Who would you vote for today?”
Guadagno received just 25% of the overall vote from those polled, with 21% saying they either don’t know or don’t care at this point.
Joe Rullo Challenges New Jersey's Assault on Gun Rights in Jackson Township
JACKSON-New Jersey candidate for Governor and Ocean County resident Joseph Rullo spoke Wednesday night in front of a standing room only crowd at the Jackson Township based Central Jersey Rifle and Pistol Club about the citizens’ right to carry and conceal in the Garden State.
Jackson Township is New Jersey’s third largest municipality by square miles with over 100 square miles of land, most of protected pinelands and wetlands, making it one of the top hunting destinations in New Jersey.
It’s a town where each deer season cars and trucks line the roads near the thousands of acres of protected open space. It’s one of those few places in New Jersey where a deer stand in the woods or a duck blind in an old cranberry bog is a common sight.
Rullo spoke to some 300 of those avid hunters and gun rights advocates at the club’s regular meeting.
Rullo took aim at Democrat politicians such as Senator Cory Booker, the former mayor of the City of Newark, where violent crime in that city is five times greater than elsewhere in the state for promoting restrictive gun control laws that Rullo said only empowers the bad guys.
During his speech he also took aim at the length of time it takes for law abiding citizens of New Jersey to obtain a firearms permit.
“In this town, you can’t get your gun permit approved in six months and that is inexcusable,” he added. “As governor I will work immediately with the New Jersey State Police and chiefs of police to help make the process quicker and give them the resources they need.”
Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno was also in Rullo’s crosshairs. At the March 8th Ocean County GOP nominating convention, Guadagno bragged about being a female armed with a gun, a right she shares with few other women in the state.
“Never underestimate a woman with a bulletproof vest who carries a gun,” Guadagno bragged before her opponent Jack Ciattarelli and the Republican establishment present at that event. Rullo agreed with the Lt. Governor, every woman should be allowed to arm and protect herself, not just the political elite.
“Everyone should be able to carry a gun in New Jersey, Kim,” Rullo said in front of the Jackson gun club. “But we don’t even know where the hell you stand on the second amendment…we don’t know where half of them stand.”
Rullo said that the government is so worried that everyone will apply for conceal and carry permits, but said that isn’t the case, instead said even if few people actually applied, it would be a deterrent because criminals and terrorists won’t know who is armed and who is not.
He doubled down on his commitment to conceal and carry, saying if elected governor he will turn down his right to be protected by armed security if the average resident can’t be afforded the same protections.
“I will not be protected by guns financed by taxpayers when the people of NJ are sitting ducks stripped of their rights to conceal carry,” Rullo said today. “I will hire my own personal protection if it is necessary with my salary. The irony is I believe my life has been in more danger as a candidate with so many controversial issues.”
“I have over 100,000 social media followers from all my pages pages combined and as many candidates receive threats during the campaign,” he added. “I don’t have the state police watching over me at most events if the Lt. Governor is not at the event.”
140 Lakewood Teachers, Faculty Receive Rice notices
LAKEWOOD-The besieged Lakewood school district suffered another blow this week after 140 public teachers and faculty members received a Rice notice regarding their future employment in the district.
The story was reported on the Lakewood Scoop this morning.
Laura A. Winters, the district Superintendent sent the letter on Tuesday, stating the district will be holding a meeting at 6:30pm on Monday, May 8 and, “will discuss and may recommend action(s) which may be of interest to you.”
Teachers may opt for the meeting to be held in a public meeting. Teachers were asked to sign the form and return it to the superintendent.
The district is facing a $15 million budget shortfall and may end up laying off at least 100 teachers according to previous reports.
RICE notices inform public employees of an impending meeting to discuss an worker’s employment.
Establishment Republicans in Toms River Launch Attack Against Primary Challenger Lamb
TOMS RIVER-A press release issued by the Toms River Republican Club, the political powerbrokers of the community, criticized fellow Republican opponent Justin Lamb, just days after Lamb thanked the town council for holding the line on taxes in 2017.
Lamb, an Ortley Beach resident and Lavallette police officer running against incumbent Maria Maruca in the June 6th Republican primary criticized the township council, calling the all-Republican council out for raising taxes in previous years, but backtracking on a 2017 hike after his open criticism.
The township council, in April submitted a new budget that lowered spending by nearly an additional $1,000,000 after Lamb’s criticism.
The township establishment Republicans grilled Lamb for only criticizing the municipal budget while making no comment on a school board tax hike.
“Lamb pans the zero tax increase by the Republican Kelaher team, fails to criticize the HUGH[sic] tax increase levied by dem controlled BOE,” a statement issued by Toms River Republican Club Chairman Robert DiBiase read. “Members of the Toms River Regular Republican Club are pushing back against political newcomer, Justin Lamb.”
Lamb responded quickly to the attack by the Republican power base.
“This unfounded criticism does not surprise me in the slightest,” Lamb said. “Regardless of what a local club spokesman may opine, I have not slammed a zero percent municipal increase, rather I’ve questioned the township council’s leadership prior to my announcement and the tendency to react hastily to the challenging issues facing Toms River.”
“His candidacy is fundamentally questionable,” DiBiase said. “I see no measure of credibility here, his actions so far seem intentioned only to help Democrats in November.”
Lamb responded to say the township Republicans, including the club chairman, who he noted is also employed by the township, are trying to squash his right to legally challenge them in a Republican primary election this June.
“I find the attack on my eligibility to run for office, a right bestowed upon me through the United States Constitution, completely baseless,” he added. “I’ll continue to focus on the real issues our community faces and not on personal attacks. I will keep driving the agenda going forward and hopefully, the so-called Republican establishment will continue following my lead on addressing these issues.”
Lamb, a Republican is running against incumbent Maria Maruca in the June 6th Republican primary for Toms River Township’s Ward 1 council seat.
Governor Christie Visits Toms River to thank Chief for Medicine Collection Activities
https://www.facebook.com/tomsriverpolice/photos/pcb.1484906988187679/1484906414854403/?type=3
Governor Chris Christie spoke at headquarters today about the opiate crisis. He was joined by Mayor Tom Kelaher, Ocean County prosecutor Joe Coronato, and Police Chief Mitch Little. They spoke about project medicine drop and how people can dispose of unused medication in a safe way. Anyone who wishes to get rid of unused pills can bring them to Toms River police headquarters. Plans are in the works to have Walgreens Pharmacies state wide become a secure collections site. The Governor praised Toms River Police Department as being at the forefront of collecting these medications and keeping them out of the hands of those wishing to abuse them. Last year we collected 2,000 pounds of unused medication form residents through our onsite collection box as well as community outreach events.
Brick May Offer New Liquor License to New Laurel Square Tenant
In a recent “Facebook Live” session, Brick Mayor John Ducey gave residents a hint of two new projects involving liquor licenses within the township.
First, Ducey said a food store tenant who is moving into the now vacant former Pathmark space at Laurel Square could be in the market for a liquor license.
“We’re waiting for confirmation whether or not the food store wants a liquor license, if they do we’ll put one out for sale, it will fill two of the store fronts at the former Laurel Square Pathmark,” Ducey said.
Ducey also hinted that a new restaurant could soon occupy the former Joe’s Crab Shack restaurant at the Brick Plaza.
“They [New Pathmark Tenants] did contact some people in town to see if they were selling them,” Ducey said.
Ducey said the tenants also contacted the owners of the license belonging to Joe’s Crab Shack, but were rejected because they have plans to open a new restaurant at the site, utilizing that liquor license.
Brick Township Bans Puppy Sales from Puppy Mills
BRICK-The township council passed an ordinance that effectively bans the retail sale of puppies and kittens township wide.
The township amended a previously written ordinance that restricted the sale of dogs and cats and removed language that allowed for the sale of the pets by pet stores, kennels and licenced breeders.
The law in the township now prohibits the sale or transfer of animals who were breeded for sale, but allows the sale and transfer of rescues or donated pets.
Prior to the amendment, there was a legally existing non-conforming use claws in the ordinance that was stricken from the township code by the council vote.
The ordinance was a result of residents complaining about purchasing sick animals bred in puppy mills and through an effort by the Puppy Mill Awareness Campaign, a campaign sponsored by the Friends of Animals United, NJ.
The Brick Shorebeat today published a comprehensive news article regarding the ordinance passage.
Freehold Borough school district to sue state over lack of school funding
FREEHOLD BOROUGH — The borough’s school district intends to sue the Department of Education over millions in state aid the district claims it’s not receiving. A resolution that sets the stage for litigation unanimously passed the Freehold Borough Board of Education at its meeting Monday evening. A lawsuit will be filed in about a week or…
Rozzi: With Drone Ban Ordinance, Toms River Council Flies to Unconstitutional Heights
Tonight, the Toms River Township Council will consider an ill-advised and legally questionable ordinance that would severely limit the ability of citizens to operate drones in accordance with federal law over the skies of the township. The ordinance should not be passed because it is preempted by federal law and its provisions deprive individuals and journalists…
Taxes Going Up…Jackson Council Votes to Exceed NJ 2% Budget Cap for 2017
JACKSON-Taxes in Jackson are on the rise again.
On April 11th, the township council approved an ordinance to raise taxes beyond the state’s annual 2% tax increase cap set forth by Governor Chris Christie.
The council voted 4-1 in favor of the tax increase in which the budget exceeds the 2% cap by $1,040,243, a total appropriations increase of 3%.
“The Township Council hereby determines that a 3.00% increase in the budget for said year, amounting to $1,040,283 in excess of the increase in final appropriations otherwise permitted by the Local Government Cap Law, is advisable and necessary,” the approved ordinance states.
Council members Scott Martin, Barry Calogero, Robert Nixon and Anne Updegrave voted in favor of exceeding the 2% tax cap.
Council President Ken Bressi rejected the Mayor’s request to exceed the cap and dissented with his fellow councilmembers, saying only, “no” when asked for his vote by township clerk Ann Marie Eden.
This year, the township will collect $155 million in taxes between the township, school board and fire companies, including $2.2 million for open space purchases, $31.8 million in municipal spending, representing an overall increase of nearly $1,000,000 for the municipal government.
According to the proposed budget, the 6 member mayor/council body will cost the township $175,603 for part time services including base pay, medical benefits and employment taxes.
Total personnel costs for the township will be $28,000,000 in 2017.
Township executives feeling under the weather in 2016?
In total, the township will pay out $2.9 million, or 10% of the total payroll for 2016, in compensated absence (sick pay) pay, including $34,500 to the Director of Public Works, $32,000 to the Chief Financial Officer and $27,000 to the chief of police.
According to the U.S. Census, The median income for a household in the township was $65,218, and the median income for a family was $71,045. Males had a median income of $51,276 versus$33,882 for females. The per capita income for the township was $23,981.
Professional Expenses
Jackson’s legal campaign donors stand to make out big again in 2017, with $857,000 in payouts expected, an increase from $831,000 in 2016, an overall increase in legal costs for the year. Professionals on the land use board and engineers also will see increases in 2017.
Code enforcement wages will increase from $287,000 to $305,000.
You can view the complete budget on the Jackson Township website, here.
Opponents Blast Guadagno Tax Plan as "Short Circuit" and "Rearranging Deck Chairs on Titanic"
TOMS RIVER-This week Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno unveiled an immediate property tax relief proposal which promises tax cuts for middle class families.
Guadagno called her tax relief program a property tax ‘circuit breaker’ by capping a homeowner’s property tax bill to a percentage of their household income, but campaign rival Joe Rullo today said that her plan will short circuit because it relies on an audit of state finances that has neither yet been conducted nor is guaranteed to free up the $1.5 billion necessary to make it work.
“Like a circuit breaker for electricity, which automatically stops the flow of electricity after exceeding a safe capacity, the property tax ‘circuit breaker’ kicks in if the school portion of a homeowner’s property tax liability exceeds 5% of their yearly household income,” Guadagno said. “The homeowner will receive a direct credit on their tax bill for any amount exceeding the 5% threshold. Depending on the school district, average savings under this plan would be $1,000 annually.”
“The administration of Christie and Guadagno has missed revenue projections for years,” Rullo said. Rullo said the plan is nothing more than typical baseless Trenton posturing and smoke and mirrors that voters have grown weary of. Rullo said Guadagno’s “circuit breaker” plan, like most other plans that promised tax relief for New Jersey residents is bound to short circuit an already overloaded breaker box.
Rullo said the plan relies on too much on an audit that hasn’t yet been conducted and will probably not turn up the $1.5 billion needed to support the plan, adding that gimmicks such as the Lt. Governor’s “Circuit Breaker” plan are what have driven New Jersey to its current state of affairs.
Instead of addressing the major problems in New Jersey headon, Jack Ciattarelli said the plan is dangerous and irresponsible.
“The Lt. Governor’s so-called plan is disappointing and akin to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. Proposing a $1.5 billion property tax plan by saying it will be paid for with undetermined savings and assumed revenue growth is both dangerous and irresponsible,” Ciattarelli said. “This kind of proposal is a continuation of the failed economic and fiscal policies of the last 7+ years that have led to 11 credit downgrades, the highest property taxes in the country, and a record number of people fleeing the state.”
Ciattarelli said few hardworking Jersey residents would actually benefit if her plan was to go forward.
“The Lt. governor’s plan is also flawed in that it provides zero tax relief to many middle-class families. Based on her own projections, a family where a public school teacher is married to a police officer would be considered ‘too wealthy’ to benefit.” he added.
Candidate Criticizes Toms River Council over Airbnb Legislation
TOMS RIVER-Seaside vacationers looking for a place to spend a few days on the barrier island in Ocean County these days are turning to Airbnb to find short term summer vacations rentals.
Airbnb is a San Francisco based firm that connects rental property owners directly with potential renters through their iphone, mobile devices and online.
The service allows travelers to book accommodations worldwide, directly with the property owners.
The Toms River Township council has recently attempted to regulate Airbnb style rentals within its borders, restricting short term rentals under 30 days on the mainland year round and limited airbnb rentals to a period between April 15th and September 15th on the barrier island.
Justin Lamb, a Lavallette police officer who is challenging incumbent councilwoman Maria Maruca in the township’s first ward called the ordinance a knee jerk decision.
“The Township Council’s overreach in its hastily delivered Airbnb measure illustrates the type of bad decision making that needs to end now. The ordinance as delivered was a knee-jerk reaction that was short-sighted and showed the lack of understanding the governing body has with our residents. After coming under fire by our Ward 1 residents, they now are quickly working to undo the draconian course they prematurely took,” Lamb said. “As a strong Republican, I believe that any restriction on individual property rights is not consistent with the same conservative principles our Township Council members now claim to be running on in this primary election. With that being said, the council’s unwillingness to craft an ordinance that balances the interests and concerns of every resident in Ward 1 should not be tolerated. This type of knee-jerk decision-making must end now. The residents of Ward 1 deserve a more transparent and rational governing body.”
Toms River’s first ward is split between the eastern portion of Toms River on the mainland and the township’s barrier island communities.
The township is scheduled to host a public hearing to revise the airbnb ordinance on April 25th at 6pm at town hall.
Underdog Hirsh Gets Column A on Ocean County Primary Ballot
On Monday, Ocean County Clerk Scott Colabella drew names for ballot positioning for the June 6th Primary Election.
Political newcomer Hirsh Singh won the drawing, securing column A. Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, the Ocean County GOP establishment nominee will be in column C, flanked by Jack Ciattarelli (B) and Joe Rullo (D).
Candidates will appear in the following order – Hirsh Singh – Column A; Jack Cittarelli – Column B; Kim Guadagno – Column C; Joseph Rullo – Column D; Steven Rogers – Column E. Democratic Gubernatorial candidates will appear as follows: Mark Zinna – Column G; William Brennan – Column H; Jim Johnson – Column I; John Wisniewski – Column J; Philip Murphy – Column K; Raymond Lesniak – Column L.
Rullo Calls Guadagno, Ciattarelli Career Politicians, BS Artists in Facebook Live Message
The battle for New Jersey’s Republican nomination for Governor got hot this week after Ocean County candidate Joseph Rullo called his opponents “bullshit artists” and “career politicians” in a Facebook live message.
Rullo used the 40 minute session to call for an end to career politicking in New Jersey and played his Trump card again with his supporters.
While his opponents Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno and Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli continue to fight over establishment GOP support across New Jersey, Rullo doubled down on the everyday New Jersey resident who isn’t vying for political appointments or contracts in the event of a November win.
https://www.facebook.com/Rullo2017/videos/1322138681154810/
Rullo reiterated his support for conceal carry legislation, tougher stances on illegal immigration and out of control taxes in the Garden State.
He also told his supporters that when his opponents were turning on Trump, he has stood behind the President from beginning to present.
In the video, Rullo again expressed his displeasure of the state being last in many important categories, including among the highest gas prices in the nation, highest property taxes, highest exit rate and highest cost per mile of road in the country.
Rullo has won 10 out of 10 online polls this year, including a poll conducted by the Asbury Park Press.
Jackson MUA Approves Up To $15,000 Pine Snake Survey for Six Flags Water Plant
JACKSON-At the February 23rd meeting of the Jackson Municipal Utilities Authority Commissioners, MUA Director David Harpell reported that a more involved pine snake survey at the proposed Six Flags Water Treatment Plant will be required before the authority can bid the project out.
“Mr. Harpell stated that the Authority heard from our environmental consultant this week and they identified mammalian burrows which could be an overwintering habitat for the pine snake. Mr. Harpell stated that the Authority will have to do an RFP for this additional survey and we will plan on awarding this project in March,” the MUA said. “The survey can be done early April to see if pine snakes are present. If no pine snakes are identified, we should be able to go out to bid on the project. Mrs. Blake questioned if there is anything that can be put into the holes to see what is in it and Mr. Harpell stated that the normal routine is to put silt fence around the hole and wait to see what comes out. Chairman Allmann stated that if the Authority should need any approvals on this survey prior to the award at the next public meeting, please notify the Board.”
On Tuesday, the authority issued a public notice awarding the contract to DuBois Environmental Consultants, LLC in an amount not to exceed $15,000.
Private Beach Debate Boils Over as Proposed Parking Fees Could Aide Off-Limits Beach Clean Up
DEAL-A plan by the borough council is under fire by the New Jersey Chapter of the Surfrider Organization. The organization is claiming that beaches aren’t the only thing here that need cleaning, but so does a new ordinance that could allocate public funds to beaches that are off limits to the general public.
According to Andrew L. Chambarry, Esq., representing the public, “The Borough of Deal has proposed their most sinister parking plan to date. They want to charge the public for parking passes which would fund the purchase of a beach sweeping machine. The machine will be used to clean beaches that you can’t access.”
At a public meeting on April 5, 2017, the Borough of Deal introduced Ordinance #1143 which would require permit parking during the summer months on five streets (Monmouth Terrace, Monmouth Drive, Hathaway, Sydney and Neptune Ave) with two vital beach access points for a cost of $100 for the summer or $50 per month.
“Mayor Cohen also said, and this is a direct quote from the public hearing, that this ordinance is the lesser of two evils,” said Harry Chambarry. “So he admits that the ordinance is evil.”
A release by the organization read:
At the meeting, Mayor Cohen said it best, “If you want easier public access, you’re going to have to pay!” The Borough wants the public to pay $100 for a parking permit that won’t guarantee a space. They won’t restrict beachfront residents from purchasing permits and parking on the street to keep you away. They won’t admit that restricting parking is restricting access. They have no plan for ADA access or handicapped parking. They have no plan for increased traffic west of Ocean Ave. They want to push Ordinance #1143 through.
Worst of all is the Borough’s reasoning behind the Ordinance. They plan to purchase a $100,000 “beach sweep” machine to clean the beaches. Sounds great right? Wrong. Deal has notoriously horrible public access. Many of the street ends lead to dead-ends where access points should be. These street ends were vacated by the Borough in the 1980’s and early 1990’s to benefit adjacent homeowners and create private beaches. In essence, the Borough wants to charge you for a permit to fund beach cleaning equipment for beaches that you can’t enjoy.
The borough tried to pass similar ordinances in October 2015 and June 2016 restricting access. Those ordinances were tabled after they were met with fierce opposition. Ordinance #1143 is another slap in the face to local taxpayers, given that Deal’s beaches were recently the benefactor of a $40 million taxpayer-funded beach restoration project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
It’s clear to everyone that the Borough intends to keep surfers, fisherman and the general public away from what they consider to be “their” private beaches. We have a right to access and enjoy the shoreline under New Jersey law. We can’t allow the Borough of Deal to restrict access to beaches that we all paid for.
Ocean County Says It Is NOT a Sanctuary County
TOMS RIVER-Ocean County officials are trying to set the record straight, it is not a sanctuary county, despite it once being identified as such by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Division of Homeland Security (ICE).
As of August 2014, Ocean County was officially designated as a sanctuary county.
According to ICE, Ocean County previously stated it would not honor ICE detainers unless an individual committed an indictable offenses such as being a danger to the community, offenses against property, offenses against others or offenses against public order, health and decency.
Ocean County also honored ICE detainers for offenses such as escape and eluding police officers.
Now, the county wants to let the world know it should no longer be called a sanctuary county.
“We are not a sanctuary county, nor has Ocean County ever had an interest in being a sanctuary county,” said Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety.”
We have been actively working to correct the record and have Ocean County’s name removed from whatever lists are out there calling us a sanctuary county.
“ICE has taken steps to memorialize this information (March 31) by removing Ocean County’s name from its declined detainer outcome report list of sanctuary counties and cities,” Kelly added.
The change officially took effect in 2015, when Sandra Mueller took office to replace longtime jail warden Theodore Hutler and rescinded a previous policy that placed restrictions on when suspects would be reported to ICE.
In an email sent to Ocean County Jail Warden Sandra Mueller on March 30, an ICE official wrote: “I want to thank you again for the continued cooperation between the Ocean County Department of Corrections and ICE… I have submitted your updated policy regarding Immigration Detainers dated July 28, 2015 to the department responsible for Declined Detainer Outcome Report and have explained that Ocean County works very closely and cooperatively with ICE.”
Shortly after the email, Ocean County’s name was no longer listed on the ICE declined detainer outcome report, but was listed in prior reports.
Ocean County’s 48 Hour Immigration Detainer Policy was crafted on July 28, 2015 by Jail Warden Mueller. This was done to cooperate with the intention of detainer requests by ICE under the Priority Enforcement Program (PEP). This policy was jointly developed with ICE. Under the policy Ocean County would maintain custody, not to exceed 48 hours, of a removable alien who has been identified as an immigration enforcement priority under the Priority Enforcement Program and that probable cause existed that these individuals are removable aliens. Earlier detainment procedures were not this specific and had not been created in partnership with ICE which appears to have resulted in the county being viewed as a sanctuary county.
Now, the county must hope the change filters through many resources on the internet that continue to list it as a sanctuary county as the federal government begins to take aim at sanctuary cities and counties with the threat of reduced federal funding.
Hard Rock plans to create 3,000 jobs, invest $375M in Atlantic City property
ATLANTIC CITY — They’re going to rebuild this city on rock and roll. The former Trump Taj Mahal is receiving a $375 million facelift that will turn it into the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City. Officials anticipate the project to bring 1,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permeant jobs. The opening is anticipated for summer…
Christie to Amtrak: We want our money back
New Jersey will stop paying the rent to NJ Transit’s landlord at Penn Station New York until Amtrak guarantees the Northeast Corridor is in good repair and may sue to get 2016’s payments back. Gov. Chris Christie directed the state Attorney General to stop making the $2.5 to $5 million in monthly rent and maintenance payments…
NJ Transit nightmare spills into 4th day, but full service could return Friday
An almost week-long commuting nightmare for NJ Transit train commuters may be over on Friday when Amtrak officials say they expect to complete repairs to track damage from Monday’s train derailment in Penn Station New York. “We’re hoping to have the work done by Friday,” said Mike Tolbert, an Amtrak spokesman. Until then, NJ Transit trains…
March Madness in Ocean County: Top Craziest News Stories You Might Have Missed
2017 has been a very strange year here in Ocean County in the news. Here’s our list of the top 10 craziest stories in case you missed them.
Million Dollar Heroin Man Released via Bail Reform Act
A Manchester man caught with a million dollars in heroin is back on the streets hours after a coordination law enforcement operation takes him off the street thanks to New Jersey’s bail reform and speedy trial act. Read it here.
St. Patty’s Day Drunk Driver’s Crash Caught on Video
Watch as a pizza delivery driver’s dash cam captures this reveler crashing into the median in Silverton. Read it here.
Deranged Man Shot by Toms River Police
Toms River Police forced to shoot a deranged man in apartment complex standoff. Read it here.
Accused Pedophile Weeps as He’s Sent to Jail
A man accused of sexual crimes against children in Little Egg Harbor finally incarcerated after outcry by the public and local chief of police, Richard Buzby. Read it here.
WOBM Radio Host Drives into Multiple Park Cars, Nothing to See Here
An odd story about money and power as a WOBM Radio host drives into several parked cars and eludes police, yet the media which receives advertising dollars from the wealthy host’s philanthropic organization remains silent. Read it here.
Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer Charged with Stealing Coke
Sharing a Coke took on a new meaning in Ocean County in March after a Sheriff’s Officer was charged with stealing cocaine from an evidence locker for his own use. Read it here.
Gymnastic Coach Charged with Child Porn
A local gymnastics coach who teaches young girls charged for possession of child [censored]ography. Read it here.
Letter says no Goyim at new Lakewood Shopping Plaza
A letter written by a Lakewood resident condemns the thought of non-Jews and Jews interacting at a newly proposed shopping plaza. Read it here.
Anti-Trump Protesters Scuffle on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk
Watch as these anti-Trump protesters engage Trump supporters at the March MAGA March in Seaside Heights. Read it here.
Finger Flipping Quad Rider Caught
A quad rider who vandalized a local school and flipped off the security camera was identified by police. Read it here.
A Dangerous School Bus in Lakewood
Watch as this school bus driver in Lakewood just can’t wait in traffic like everyone else. Read it here.
Barnegat Bay Pirate Ship For Sale
A replica pirate ship that sails the Barnegat Bay went up for sale. Read it here.
Ritacco Style Politics Blocked by Toms River School Board
The Toms River School Board blocked a move to appoint Ritacco tied firm to a $97,000 appointment. Read it here.
Little Egg Harbor Jumps Off Florida Overpass
A Little Egg Harbor Man jumps off a Florida overpass after pushing a cop down in the sunshine state. Read it here.
Man Exposes Himself to Point Pleasant Teenage Girls
Police searched for a man who exposed himself to teenage girls. Read it here.
Hooking Up For Bernie, Now Helping Seniors
A Brick woman who made national headlines by using dating app Tinder to campaign for Bernie Sanders given appointment to township housing authority. Read it here.
Statement Against Gentiles in Lakewood Shopping Center "Walked Back"
Yesterday, we reported on an article posted on the “Take Back Lakewood” website in which a post on the page claimed to show 1,200 signatures in opposition to a retail mall project in the Cedarbridge office park.
Along with the petition was a letter from an unsigned resident highlighting their opinions against the development, citing things like teenagers hanging out, boys and girls co-mingling, gentile (non-Jewish) owned shops and other reasons.
The letter also referred to non-Jewish residents as “goyim”, those who are not Jewish, many non-Jews feel it is a derogatory term. The letter referenced the potential presence of goyim within the shopping plaza as “terrifying”.
Today, Take Back Lakewood is walking back its claim that the letter and the petition were connected and the original article was pulled from the website.
“We have now spoken with the organizer of the petition who clarified to us that the petition had 2 simple lines on it – as written on the text of the petition page – it reads (in a mixture of hebrew and english) : ‘We are requesting from Cedarbridge Corporation to withdraw from their involvement in making a shopping center in our town’.”, TBL, stated.
“The intention of the organizers of the petition related to the fact that the Yeshiva (BMG) was founded upon and espouses certain values. Those values include living a life of austerity and shunning materialism in the pursuit of living a life dedicated to the service of God. Many in the yeshiva community choose not to eat out in restaurants (yes even kosher ones) choose not to indulge in nice cars or name brand clothing and instead dedicate their time and efforts in the service of God. Most do not have a TV in their home and many do not have internet. Some don’t even own a cell phone. They are entitled to choose to live their lives in that way the same way America allows individuals to choose how to live their lives. While they would not tell others how to live their lives and indeed many many people in Lakewood do live a more luxurious lifestyle with nice houses, cars and nice strip malls, they felt that it was unbecoming of BMG to tarnish it’s name by suddenly changing gears and promoting materialism since in this case, BMG/Cedarbridge was the applicant and developer. If a private developer were to apply for a mall that they would not object. The reality is that private developers have been building stores all over Lakewood and the BMG students have not objected to that. Their concern related to what they felt was a weakening of the yeshiva’s values and a lack of practicing what they preach in regard to materialism,” TBL continued.
“Furthermore, the intent of the letter which was written by an individual, was not to say that non Jewish stores should not be allowed in Lakewood. When BMG was initially accused of promoting materialism through a shopping center that would be built in the middle of a predominantly jewish area, some of the concerns related to the fact that there would surely be tenants who served non kosher food, draw traffic to the area on Sabbath when most stores in the area are generally closed, and possibly have stores like Victoria Secret etc which would display pictures of scantily clad women that would generally not be preferred by the ultra orthodox. Again, the primary objection related to the fact that BMG was the developer. It would be analogous to a Catholic Church building an abortion clinic,” the statement continued.
“No one in Lakewood is trying to deny business opportunities for gentiles,” TBL added.
You can see the full post on Take Back Lakewood’s website.
Although the letter and the petition are now alleged to be disjoined from each other, the letter highlighted the deep cultural divide between some in Lakewood’s Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and the surrounding communities which must be overcome as the Orthodox community expands into neighboring towns.
The original letter is published below:
Report: Protesters Defiant at Lakewood Planning Board Meeting
The Lakewood planning board attorney, according to a report on Joyce Blay’s News & Views threatened to put protesters in jail at a recent meeting in the township.
Since last year, Deutsch and other residents opposed to over-development have attended public meetings of Lakewood’s planning board and the Lakewood Zoning Board of Adjustment, not as development application objectors, but as public policy protesters.
At the March 21, 2017 meeting of the Lakewood Planning Board, retail advocate Herschel (Harold) Herskowitz took a seat behind Deutsch in the audience. Both men, seated next to the aisle, held up protest signs.
In a telephone interview with NJ News & Views later that evening, Herskowitz said he was not intimidated by Jackson’s comments during the meeting.
“I said, ‘Mr. Jackson, please, I want to be arrested!”
Related:
https://youtu.be/YAvBCxe9HjE
Judge: Ocean County Corruption Lawsuit to Proceed
FREEHOLD – A judge Friday rejected a motion by Ocean County to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a former detective in the county prosecutor’s office who alleges county-wide corruption, according to a published report. The Asbury Park Press reports the motion was denied by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Jamie S. Perri. The case was moved…
Developer Proposing 35,600 Square Foot Business Park on Hyson Road
JACKSON-Jackson Properties, Inc. is proposing to build a 35,600 square foot commercial and warehouse facility at southwest intersection of Hyson Road and Challenger Way. The application is requesting to be heard at the April 3rd planning board meeting.
According to land records, the property was purchased by the Township of Jackson for
Two buildings will be built on the 4.05 acre parcel. The lot was historically designated as residential zoning, but was changed to limited commercial during the last rewrite of the Township’s master plan, a project led by Councilman Ken Bressi, but is now Limited Commercial.
Under the designation of limited commercial zone, medical, professional, assisted living, day care, preschool and other various light commercial facilities can be built on the once residential property. Warehouse facilities are not on the list of applicable uses of the property.
Raymond F. Shea, esq. is the attorney representing the applicant.
Plans for New Cell Tower in Jackson Introduced
Eco-Site, a North Carolina based telecommunications firm is proposing to build a 105′ cell tower at 405 Cassville Road (Route 571) in Jackson. The 17 acre property is zoned R3 Residential under the township’s master plan.
In a notice published today, the company is accepting comments from the community regarding this project.
In the public notice published by the company, the property is denoted as a historic property, located near the Cassville Crossroads Historic District and is located across from St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church.
Any interested party wishing to submit comments regarding the potential effects the proposed facility may have on any historic property may do so by sending comments to: Project 6116004472-AMG c/o EBI Consulting, 6876 Susquehanna Trail S., York, PA 17403, or via telephone at 585-815-3290.
Site location via NJParcels.com.
April Fool's Day Video Targets Kim Guadagno, Jack Ciattarelli, Phil Murphy and Joe Rullo, NJ Governor Candidates
Celebrating April Fool’s Day is an age old media gag that can’t be passed up. This year, we take a look at the race for New Jersey Governor in New Jersey, one of the most important political elections of the 2017 cycle nationwide. While most of the candidates are playing the Trenton and D.C. political game by the Politics 101 playbook, local resident Joe Rullo has been out there doing his own thing. He’s been ignored by the establishment elite, big money donors and even his own opponents who have already written him off as dead.
Like Donald Trump, many are saying Rullo is doing it for the name recognition, but as the primary heats up, Rullo, is in dead last in every big name poll that sampled 200 or so random landline telephone owners, but he’s won virtually every online poll in the state, yet his opponents, the media and all of the other cogs in the Trenton machine walk by and shake their head at him.
The last time we heard Rullo speak, he said “I’m not like the others”. My mind instantly flashed back to a childhood moment. I was maybe 7 or 8 and Sesame Street was on and the the “Which of these things don’t belong?” game came on. As Rullo was speaking, I was humming the song in my head. I instantly knew that was my 2017 April Fools Day skit for the Shore News Network if he was still in the race.
So here it is:
https://www.facebook.com/416437185078997/videos/1411455585577147/
Ex-Trump Adviser Flynn Seeks Immunity to Testify in Russia Investigations
U.S. President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has offered to cooperate with congressional investigators looking into contacts between Trump campaign advisers and Russia, as long as Flynn is granted immunity from prosecution. The Wall Street Journal first reported Thursday that Flynn is in talks to try to get a promise of immunity, but…
Prominent NJ Democrat Slams Bail Reform Failures
JERSEY CITY — Mayor Steve Fulop took a shot at New Jersey’s bail reform during his sixth and final state of the city address tonight, saying the system is keeping the city from “turning a corner” on preventing gun violence. Fulop, in a 30-minute speech delivered in the Casino in the Park banquet hall, slapped state…
Bail Reform Supporters Battle Each Other in Court Over Flawed New System
TRENTON — After sweeping changes to New Jersey’s bail system took effect this year, prosecutors and defense attorneys who joined hands in supporting the reforms are now duking it out over the ground rules. The state Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a dispute regarding evidence rules at the hearings where judges decide whether to order…
Photo: Students Make New Sign for Middle School
Students from Brick’s Lake Riviera Middle School, who donated their time over the past several months to construct a new sign for Emma Havens Young Elementary School pose as they unveil their creation.
Increase in Crisis Interventions Opens Door for Police Taser Use in Ocean County
Manchester Township — Approximately 50 patrol officers and supervisors successfully completed the two day Conducted Energy Device or ‘Taser’ operator’s training this month which was taught by a contingent of certified police instructors from around Ocean County. Nearly half of the 50 officers received their certification on March 15th, while the other half received their certification today. The department purchased the devices in February after they were authorized for use by law enforcement officers in Ocean County earlier this year. Conducted Energy Devices or ‘Tasers’ provide officers with another tool which can be used to safely resolve volatile and potentially violent situations before such encounters escalate to a level where deadly force may be otherwise necessary. The ability to carry and/or use CEDs by law enforcement in New Jersey has only recently been approved by the Attorney General’s Office despite the fact that police officers in many states have been carrying these devices for years. In New Jersey, there are strict guidelines as to when they can be used.
The decision to purchase these devices was made after extensive research was conducted and after careful consideration was given as to their usefulness by officers on the street who have been seeing an ever increasing number of vastly unpredictable and oftentimes dangerous encounters. One such type of call where officers are seeing a marked increase in occurrence is in the area of mental health related or emotionally disturbed persons (EDP) calls. The Manchester Township Police Department has seen a 61% increase in the number of mental health related calls between 2012 and 2016. In 2012, department personnel responded to 298 mental health related calls wherein officers responded to 481 such calls in 2016. These types of calls have the propensity to turn violent, oftentimes with little to no warning to the officer. With the deployment of the CED, officers now have a viable option for controlling such an individual without putting themselves in an oftentimes dangerous situation.
The benefit of such a tool was almost immediately known this past Sunday evening when officers responded to a residence in the Pine Lake Park section of the Township for a call involving a suicidal, 27-year-old female armed with a knife. Upon arrival, the officers made contact with the subject who was actively slashing herself with a large kitchen knife. After refusing to comply with repeated commands by officers to drop the knife, a Conducted Energy Device was deployed on the subject. The Conducted Energy Device immediately incapacitated the female, allowing the officers to safely take her into custody, before she could inflict further injuries on either herself or the responding officers. Once secured, the female was transported to a local medical facility for treatment of her self-inflicted knife wounds as well as for evaluation of her mental health issues.
“The use of the Conducted Energy Device by our officer allowed for a safe resolution of an incident which could have easily had a very tragic ending should the officers have needed to utilized deadly force to subdue this individual”, said Chief Lisa Parker. “Prior to the deployment of the CEDs, an officer in this situation would have had less options and little choice in resolving the situation without the risk of significant injury to those involved. In this case, the use of the CED, saved a life.”
In addition to the two-day CED Operators Training Course, authorized officers are also required to attend a one-day Law Enforcement Officers Response to Individuals with Special Needs/Mental Health Issues training course, which is taught by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and area mental health professionals and successfully complete an on-line CED training though NJLearn, which is an e-learning management system (LMS) managed by the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
The 2 worst 'foxes' in Trump 'hen house'
By Perry Hicks Donald J. Trump arrived in Washington with so many long knives arrayed against him, one would think he would have been more cautious about just who he would retain. Astonishingly, he was not. Consider two of Obama’s holdovers: FBI Director James Comey and U.S. Attorney Dana Boente. Together, these men could well form…
Former Obama official admits: We spied on Trump
WASHINGTON – A former Obama official appears to have inadvertently confirmed the former president’s administration spied on then President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team for political purposes. Speaking on MSNBC March 2, Evelyn Farkas, deputy assistant secretary of defense under Obama, confirmed that not only was the previous administration collecting intelligence on the Trump team, it was…
Trump to Host Chinese President at Mar-a-Lago Next Week
The White House confirmed Thursday that Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit the United States for talks with President Donald Trump on April 6. President Trump will host Xi for two days at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. A White House statement said the agenda will include “global, regional, and bilateral issues of mutual concern,” without…
Bridgegate sentencing: Bill Baroni receives 2 years jail time in scandal
NEWARK — Bill Baroni, the former deputy executive director of the Port Authority who became caught up in the bizarre scheme of political retribution that became known as Bridgegate, was sentenced Wednesday to 24 months in prison. “I regret, more than anything, that I allowed myself to get caught up in this,” Baroni said in court…
Chadwick Island Bridge to be Replaced
Originally built in the 1950s, the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge has served the residents of the island well providing access from their homes to Route 35. It even weathered Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.
But age has taken its toll on the timber span and Ocean County will now oversee a study to determine the best course of action for rehabilitating or replacing bridge located on the northern barrier island in Toms River Township. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) Board of Trustees approved $325,000 in federal funds for the study at its March meeting.
Funding for the study is provided through the Local Concept Development Phase of the NJTPA’s Fiscal Year 2018 Local Capital Project Delivery Program. The Local Capital Project Delivery Program awards grants to NJTPA member counties and cities to investigate all aspects of a project, including environmental, right of way access, design and feasibility issues. The NJTPA Board approved a combined $2.76 million for studies in FY 2018 and FY 2019 at its March 13 meeting in Newark.
Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari extended his appreciation to the NJTPA for providing the funds for the study.
He noted the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge is used by many bicyclists and pedestrians especially in the summer months.
The two-lane bridge on Strickland Boulevard crosses the Barnegat Bay, connecting Chadwick Beach Island and its 300 homes to Route 35.
In 1985, new deck boards, pile caps and railings were installed. The timber bulkheads and load-bearing piles are deteriorating and need to be replaced. The bridge’s width and sidewalk do not meet current standards.
According to the NJTPA, Local Concept Development is the first phase of the Local Capital Project Delivery Program, which guides projects from initial concepts all the way to construction.
During the initial phase, the County will identify and compare reasonable alternatives and strategies and select a preferred alternative. Projects that complete this initial investigative work may be eligible for eventual construction with federal funds. More information on the program can be found at www.njtpa.org.
Democrats Must Join GOP in Confirming Gorsuch
Millions of evangelical Christian and pro-life conservative Catholic voters, who overwhelmingly supported President Donald Trump last November, are watching intently as the United States Senate now considers the nomination of Judge Neil M. Gorsuch to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. This massive bloc of voters, which made up a record 26 percent of the total…
The 'Religious Left' Is on the Move
With President Donald Trump’s election to office, Christian progressives have taken a more vocal stance on issues such as climate change and social justice — while conservative Christians are holding their ground. “Although support for the religious left is difficult to measure, leaders point to several examples, such as a surge of congregations offering to provide…