Jackson council candidate’s campaign manager sparks backlash after saying town ‘could use a strip club’
Jackson, NJ – A campaign manager for Jackson Township council candidate Chris Pollak is facing sharp criticism after publicly remarking that the Ocean County community “could use a strip club,” igniting controversy in a town known for its conservative character and strict zoning codes.
The comment came during an online discussion between Pollak’s campaign manager, Elliot Shem Tov, and residents about expanding local business opportunities.
When one participant asked whether the township should allow adult entertainment venues, Shem Tov, said, “We could use one.”
Adult entertainment banned under zoning code
Jackson’s zoning laws explicitly prohibit adult entertainment businesses within township limits, a rule that has stood for years with little debate. The township’s master plan emphasizes maintaining a suburban residential character while encouraging family-friendly commercial growth.
Shem Tov later said, he was joking about his comment during a mostly serious interview this week published on YouTube.
In another moment in the interview, Pollak admitted that he is not going to stop overdevelopment, “I’m not stupid and I’m not going to pretend we’re going to stop overdevelopment. Development is going to happen.”