JACKSON, NJ – Ken Seda, a former Jackson Township resident and brother of past Jackson Mayor Mark Seda today called upon the Ocean County Board of Commissioners (formerly freeholders) to stop sponsoring the hate and bigotry that has been endorsed by current Jackson Mayor Michael Reina against religious Orthodox Jews in Jackson.
Seda said the actions taken by Reina and the council which have lead to multiple lawsuits including a federal investigation by the Department of Justice and a more recent investigation by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office are doing nothing but costing millions of dollars and hurting all of the residents of Ocean County.
In a lawsuit filed by the Attorney General’s Office, the state charges Reina and the Jackson Township Council of engaging in activities such as creating a ‘watch list’ of Jewish owned homes, spying on Orthodox Jews, creating ordinances meant to keep Jewish people from wanting to buy homes and other actions that violate the constitutional rights of Orthodox Jews.
The lawsuits by the Department of Justice claim Reina is the kingpin and lead orchestrator of the effort to keep Jewish families from moving to Jackson Township. In return, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners continue to reward Reina with a $106,000 per year public job with the county. He serves as supervisor of bridges and has several legal cases on file from employees claiming he harassed them on the job, including a disabled bridge worker who he fired for not being able to climb ladders.
Reina’s contract with the county expired on December 31st and county offcials continued to keep Reina on the payroll, even giving him a raise at the last county commissioner’s meeting. County officials, including the commissioners and Business Administrator Carl Block have ignored the issues and legal troubles facing Reina and are under pressure from political leaders Ocean County Chairman Frank B. Holman and New Jersey Assemblyman Gregory P. McGuckin to continue to retain Reina, who in return hired both men for lucrative jobs within Jackson Township, earning a combined $250,000 annually from taxpayers there.
Seda, a Republican Candidate for County Commissioner called on Jackson Mayor Reina , Council President Andrew Kern and the township Council to end the bigotry, racism & anti semitism that is creating tensions he says will. “Hurt Jackson Township residents and Ocean County. The anger that is festering will lead to more division and violence.”
Seda instead calls for leadership which will assemble businesses, religious organizations, civic organizations and government in addressing this monumental problem.
He also suggested the Jackson leaders should also be creating initiatives which will instill respect for all human beings regardless of their race, nationality, color, creed, party affiliation or gender.
“Jackson Township like Ocean County needs to rebuild the values of its governments and Revive its people with principles like our forefathers did in the Congress of 1776, so we can live in peace and harmony,” Seda said, quoting the Congress of 1766, “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
