JACKSON, NJ—Residents in Jackson have received a robocall stating that NJEA candidate for township council Elenor Hannum is suing Jackson Township and has cost the township ‘millions’ of dollars. But is it true?
The message stated that Hannum, a long time detractor of local government is suing the town, but is she?
In March, Hannum filed a tort claim seeking damages of $250,000 against Township Attorney Gregory McGuckin and Council President Jennifer Kuhn for a total of $500,000. While she has not yet officially filed her lawsuit in court, she has made it clear that she intends to sue and has even told many people in the community, including a law enforcement officer, that her intention is to sue the township.
After an outburst at town hall, Hannum stormed out of the council meeting room after Councilwoman Kuhn called her ‘out of order. ‘ Outside the chamber, police officers told Hannum she could return to the meeting.
Allegedly, she told the officer, “No, I’m going to sue the township.”
Her husband, lawyer Eric Hannum, who is also running for council with his wife, tried to clear the air this week, saying the tort claim is only an action that is necessary for somebody who wants to sue the township. Hannum eluded that his wife would sue the township should the pair lose the election.
At this point, it is not certain whether Hannum is representing his wife and running mate in the legal action against the township.
Their running mate, Amanda Trombetta, is also under scrutiny for a lawsuit. A few years ago, Trombetta was allegedly a recruit at the Port Authority Police Department. She sued the police department for $1.5 million, claiming an instructor called her an “American Girl Doll” during the recruit hazing process. She never graduated but won her case against the police department.
It is not known who send the text. The campaign for Borrelli, Burnstein, and Palmeri said the text was not sent by the campaign.
