The Alternative Press
NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF SUMMIT, BERKELEY HEIGHTS AND NEW PROVIDENCE

 

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Letters to the Editor, May 2008

 

May 29, 2008

 

It’s squeaky not squeeky

 

Dear Editor:

 

It’s time for Mike Kelly to change the name of his newspaper. The Press is anything but independent.  It is clearly a partisan publication, especially in its coverage of Berkeley Heights’ politics. Mr. Kelly can no longer be considered a fair, detached or objective newspaper man.

 

On the front page of last week’s edition, he claims that “the Township Council has been dominated by a so-called “new majority”…with Ms. Perna and Mr. Bruno in the minority”.  Is that as opposed to the “old majority” to which both Perna and Bruno used to belong?  The one which for many years was dominated by Mr. Cohen’s supporters?  The one which Mr. Kelly has always supported? Is he upset that his boys and girl no longer have the “upper hand” as he perceives it?

 

Kelly also claims that voters were denied an opportunity to learn more about the candidates’ views. His reason: Mr. Delia & Ms. Kuhnau declined an invitation to participate in a debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters.

 

Either the League spokesperson chose not to speak or Mr. Kelly chose not to hear the full reply from the candidates to the debate invitation. After attending the last few debates, the candidates told the spokesperson, they no longer feel that the League is a non-partisan organization. 

 

I and many others who witnessed the 2006 debate concur. The League denied John Miller, the only other mayoral candidate, the opportunity to participate in that debate. Contrary to what I was told by the same spokesperson, the League allowed David Cohen to campaign and politically promote himself that evening.  Not one member of the League made any attempt to stop him.

 

As a result of this manipulation, many residents, including myself, no longer have confidence in the League’s ability to sponsor a non-biased debate.

 

Further, it is the incumbents, Ms. Perna and Mr. Bruno who requested the League to sponsor this primary debate. In my twenty-five years as a resident, I have no recollection of the League of Women Voters ever sponsoring a debate for the primaries. It’s curious that they should agree to sponsor one now.

 

Mr. Kelly continues his partisan “opinion” by stating that before the candidates can be taken seriously, they must demonstrate a much higher level of community service. Does Mike Kelly, like Bill Maher, now have his own list of “New Rules”?

 

Since when has community service been a prerequisite to running for office? While service is very honorable, there are examples present and past of council/committee members who never performed community service before they were elected to office. In addition, a number of the positions held by the incumbents are by mayoral appointment only; little more than popularity contests. Only Mr. Bruno’s tenure on the Board of Education can be considered as bona fide experience for elected office.  The most admirable and noble service mentioned is that of Cub Scout leader.

 

I think even the incumbents would agree that being on call 24/7  to risk your life as a volunteer fireman (or member of our Rescue Squad) is the most honorable community service any resident or candidate could possibly perform. It may not be as Mr. Kelly puts it, “preparation for elected office” but it most definitely speaks to the measure of the man or woman who volunteers for it. Strength of character should always be more valued than political savvy when electing someone to office.

 

In a classic, “those words will come back to haunt you” moment, Kelly complains that “The voters were denied an opportunity to learn about the candidates’ views.” This comes as no surprise, since Kelly would not accept press releases from either Mr. Delia or Ms. Kuhnau. The reason given was that he wants to make the paper smaller; but not so small that he doesn’t have the space to bash them, while praising and endorsing their opponents.

 

Let’s call The Independent Press what it really is, The Partisan Press. After all it is a “smaller” name and as an added bonus, has a nice alliterative ring to it.  The current publication is little more that a collection of advertisements and activity announcements anyway.

 

There is never any real news to be had, and now that it’s to be smaller they’ll be even less of that. Come to think of it, if it weren’t for the Letters to the Editor (also often victims of the editor’s partisanship) why would anyone even bother reading it?

 

Rosemary Hazan

Berkeley Heights, NJ

 

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May 26, 2008

 

BH Primary

 

Dear Editor:

 

The Berkeley Heights primary is just days away coming up on June 3rd. This town began to put its foot down in the last election toward meaningful change. It was monumental in the history of Berkeley Heights that two independent candidates were victors over the party loyals. Why? Simply that folks have had enough of the nonsense. It was a clear message from the residents. In the upcoming primary there is the opportunity to continue and finish the job started. Cut through the political BS in campaign literature. That always amounts to an incumbent politician being responsible for all the good and taking no responsibility for anything bad. That is how it works and we all know it.

 

Campaign signs are popping up all over town. A simple observation. Why are the incumbent’s signs on all the developer properties? That kind of bothers me as it should anyone. I like to believe that someone I vote for will represent the citizens at large as first priority with an unbiased vote. Our town has a track record of agendas and loyalties, yet the job calls for independent thinking and unbiased representation.

 

If you attend the general meetings you will see that Ed Delia has never taken to the microphone to make a point that acts contrary to the citizens’ best interest. People are always first priority, developers and unsound fiscal moves second. As a regular citizen he dedicates a lot of time attending every meeting and stays informed on all the issues. He has a good understanding of what is going on in this town and makes for a worthy candidate in this primary and as councilman. Stop and talk to Ed or his running mate when you see them and ask the questions that concern you.

 

Becke Kuhnau has grown up in this town and is a graduate of Governor Livingston High School. Our family has known hers for over 30 years. Becke has been through our schools and knows them, not just commenting on them and never sending their own children through them. She is a homeowner, works in town, and faces the same issues of trying to make ends meet that face many residents. I appreciate her sensitivity to Senior Citizens as she has good family values. The thing I like about Ed and Becke is they are owned and controlled by no one. They are one of us, concerned citizens, and regular independent people. Neither are looking for any gain between the lines.

 

One of the incumbents running is on public record for sending an email the night prior to the 2006 election stating certain comments were made by myself and my wife that were false. Neighbors shared a concern that was responded to inaccurately by Mrs. Perna. I asked the direct question to Mr. Bruno at the citizens hearing of the public meeting if the alleged statements made by my wife and I, being witnessed by both of them, were accurate the way Mrs. Perna wrote in her email. He commented "no" they were not. It is also on record where an additional concern was stated about a meeting in the back room of town hall with council members and presentation by a developer with regard to the downtown development. The concern was for potential negative repercussions of the adjacent residential property. No written minutes of the meeting were to be found as the reason I was told was this was "executive session" - normally accounting for legal, personnel, and acting contract issues - of which this fell into none of those categories. No meeting admitted to but yet executive session status. Sound fishy?

 

Instead of answers to my questions there were a stream of denials until former Councilman Ronner set the record straight and clearly stated at a public meeting that there was indeed a meeting with this developer present. I was asked by Councilman DiPasquale to come back to the next meeting in two weeks and discuss all concerns openly. I agreed. In the days to follow Mrs. Perna and the former Administrator instead found it necessary to file a complaint to have me questioned and investigated by the Union County Prosecutor's Office for possibly obtaining information illegally. Is this just insanity? First there was no meeting and nothing existed and suddenly it evolved to how did I obtain it with an apparent need to know before I came back to the microphone at the next meeting. Hiding something? The investigation boiled down to no criminal activity being found as stated to the council in the closing letter by the Prosecutor's office. It resulted in a great embarrassment for our town.

 

Was it simply retribution or was it to deter citizens from speaking out with genuine concerns by taking a simple discussible issue and retooling it as some emergency to action? Other comments on record by Mrs. Perna along the way include "we should be more like Summit", "we should be more like Westfield", and  "people in this town need to learn to walk" (comment made the night a downtown parking lot plan failed for good cause). Do you want this to continue as your elected representation? Most I believe like Berkeley Heights as Berkeley Heights and we can make our own decisions with regards to walking, thanks.

 

Good luck to the candidates that warrant consideration - Ed and Becke. Voters are watching with their own eyes, measuring behaviors, and seeing the obvious. Casting votes straight down party lines has faded and the best candidates are due the job. That is how it needs to be in town politics.

 

Without your vote on June 3rd nothing will change.

 

Charlie Pratt

Berkeley Heights, NJ

 

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May 25, 2008

Who Should Choose in Berkeley Heights

 

Dear Editor:

I just read Mr. Bonacci’s endorsement of the opposition Republican Candidates for Berkeley Heights Township Council.  Mr. Bonacci always claims to speak truthfully and forcefully on every topic under the sun.  His endorsement explains why he supports these two candidates.

 

This is a direct quote and the opening statement in that endorsement; “I heartily endorse two Republican challengers to the incumbent Republicans in the June 3 primary.  Although I am an Independently elected Council member I have first hand experience with the incumbents and know how they have obstructed Council work both publicly and privately.  The key here is obstructed.

 

 These are Mr. Bonacci’s hand picked candidates and they apparently share Mr. Bonacci’s philosophy of government.  That philosophy is not to solve problems, fix wrongs or offer solutions but to obstruct. 

 

The Webster definition of obstructs is “to block or close up by an obstacle”.  The recent intervention by the County Prosecutor over the Berkeley Heights police department is a prime example.  Thank goodness a rational solution has been worked out on that topic.

 

Mr. Bonnaci has told me in, one on one conversation, that he plans to take over the Berkeley Heights Township government by either creating an Independent Party or taking over the Republican Party.  There is a choice in the June 3rd primary.  Berkeley Heights can either be either blocked and closed up or remain as one of Money Magazine’s top 100 places to live in the whole country.  Fortunately that is a Republican Voter choice not Mr. Bonacci’s.

 

Bob Miller

Berkeley Heights, NJ

 

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May 24, 2008

 

Former Committeewoman Supports Delia/Kuhnau

 

Dear Editor:

 

Candidates Becke Kuhnau and Ed Delia are running for Town Council in Berkeley Heights.  They are independent thinkers and not beholden to anyone in town.  They have promised never to take campaign contributions from developers or special interest groups.   They support the new proposed township budget of a zero percent increase.  They want to switch back to a two-story maximum height for the downtown master plan.  They are willing to give their time to help Berkeley Heights residents. 

 

Everyone I know has complained about the unsightly three-story buildings downtown.  These oversized and empty buildings, with their lack of parking, have not benefited our town. Yet, in the May 21st Star Ledger Mr. Bruno states that he “questioned whether prohibiting a third story was the answer”.  Mrs. Perna stated in the same article that, “She agrees that building heights must be reduced but three stories should be permissible”.

 

Becke Kuhnau and Ed Delia know that the people in town do not want more ugly buildings.  They feel that the Ordinances need to reflect the residents desire for a more attractive appearance.  Set backs and maximum heights need to be established and limited.  They have promised to do all that they can to limit the buildings to two-stories.

 

A vote for the incumbents would be business as usual.  Please vote for Becke Kuhnau and Ed Delia, the candidates with a voice for the people.

 

Linda Ruedisueli

Berkeley Heights, NJ

 

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May 23, 2008

 

Councilman Bonacci Endorses Three Challengers

 

Dear Editor:

 

I heartily endorse two Republican challengers to the incumbent Republicans in the June 3 primary.  Although I am an Independently elected Council member I have first hand experience with the incumbents and know how they have obstructed Council work both publicly and privately.

 

I have limited knowledge of the Delia-Kuhnau ticket but see them as young and highly interested long term residents that should be applauded for coming forward and attempting public service in what is a trying atmosphere. Republican Congressional Candidate Tom Roughneen has also applauded them publicly at a senior Citizens meeting.  I also endorse Captain Roughneen for our district.

 

I was so impressed with the Delia-Kuhnau 30 minute interview with moderator Bill Bennett, also a Berkeley Heights resident.  I encourage residents to view theTV-36 interview in the coming week.   It will air on Sunday at 4:00 p.m., Wed at 6 and 10 p.m., Friday at 10 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m.   Honest, high integrity and simple answers to questions along with statements of their approaches were quite refreshing.

 

Mr. Delia is no stranger to our Council meetings and has contributed his knowledge of our Town in a significant way to control parking and development and provide feedback from a resident’s point of view on important issues.  He and Ms. Kuhnau are beholden to no one and will act very responsively on all issues.

 

While not a Republican I strongly urge my Republican friends to vote on June 3rd and put the best candidates forward that they can for the November election.

 

Councilman John Bonacci

Berkeley Heights, NJ

 

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May 22, 2008

 

Cranford’s Water

 

Dear Editor:

 

Isn’t it a pity that the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders can almost silently erect a footbridge for the convenience of concert performers and their roadies in the blink of an eye yet a footbridge to ensure the daily safety of Cranford ’s school kids apparently takes an act of God?

 

Isn’t it a pity that the Board of Chosen Freeholders justify dragging their feet when it comes to their complicity in Cranford ’s flooding problems by putting the blame on Cranford ’s governing body?

 

And isn’t it a pity that even though there is a Freeholder hailing from Cranford itself that that Freeholder, even when she was board chairwoman and up for reelection, didn’t position herself as a champion for the interests of central Union County residents, after all the water doesn’t stay in Cranford alone.

 

One has to wonder exactly why she recently decided to go on the attack against her home town rather than hold accountable the highest paid county employee for his lack of common courtesy to simply return a telephone call or two to an elected Cranford official. County Manager George Devanney has taken this tact before when he ignored the repeated telephone messages and requests for a call back from a Summit Councilwoman who was hot on the trail of information for the “Summit Report” on the relationship of county services received vs. county taxes levied against the municipality.

 

 The county manager seems to repeatedly forget exactly what his role in county government really is, very simply put he is an employee, and an over paid one at that. That he has the audacity to not return the phone calls of elected municipal officials is cause for concern because he has admitted, in the Summit situation at least, that it was politically motivated . Devanney has inferred that there was no love lost between the all Democratic county administration and the Republican Common Council, but was confident that now that there was a Democratic Mayor in Summit that relationship and communications were sure to improve.

 

Perhaps Devanney has taken it upon himself to act as a self appointed monitor of which municipalities gain favor and which ones don’t.  It is a sure bet that in the corporate world any CEO would receive his walking papers for not taking calls from a major investor. Residents of Summit and Cranford contribute a healthy chunk to the county coffers and therefore could certainly be considered major investors.

 

It is interesting that Freeholder Kowalski, rather than Chairman Estrada released a statement on behalf of the rest of the board and it is very obvious that the county information department drafted it for her.

 

As a life long Cranford resident Kowalski would be well acquainted with the history of flooding in the town. She certainly should be able to recall the flooding of her youth when in 1968, Springfield Ave, Nomahagen Park and parts of the Boulevard near the skeet range were under water as were many other parts of Central Union County near the county parks.

 

Surely she realizes the impact that Hurricane Floyd and the Tax Day Storm had on not only Cranford but her neighbors down river.  But the tone of the statement almost makes her appear foolish and uninformed when she scolds her own mayor and governing body for not going through the proper channels. Perhaps Devanney in his infinite wisdom squelched any communications to open those channels and decided to put Cranford in its place.

 

Did it ever occur to the Freeholder that perhaps she could be pro-active? Did she at any point in this saga pick up the telephone or shoot the governing body an Email asking “yo, what is up here?” Does she read the local newspapers?  Was she ever the least bit curious about what was going on, was she ever prompted to put a fire under anyone by following up with her state and federal representatives asking where does the county fit in? 

 

An internet search for information on Rahway River Flooding turns up a plethora of government studies, reports and analysis going back decades from everyone from the Army Corp of Engineers to the DEP. There are those who would be surprised to learn that the City of Rahway uses the Rahway River that causes flooding in Cranford as its source of city drinking water. Also, in the early eighties that drinking water was contaminated with chemicals from manufacturing plants located on Fadem Road just off Route 22 in Springfield . That the same Rahway River that hosted canoe races caused flooding so bad in Rahway that they had to declare their public library a total loss and build a new one.

 

Cranford officials have long recognized that the flooding is a regional issue and not just confined to their town but where have the county freeholders been all of these years. One has to wonder why two long time freeholders Chester Holmes and Rick Procter both from Rahway have remained silent on the flooding issue even though they have also been heavily impacted in that city costing the taxpayers money. Could the anchor of the downtown revitalization, the Union County Performing Arts Center paid for by the county, somehow hold the answer?

 

To his credit Cranford Mayor Bob Puhak is trying to be optimistic now that he has recovered from getting Kowalski’s ill guided missive. Cranford would do well to proceed with caution when working with the county and it is imperative that they keep the residents and neighboring communities appraised of any discussions and progress that is made as the county has a knack of placing the blame for their own short comings and screw-ups on everyone else. And that would be a pity.

 

Patricia Quattrocchi

Garwood, NJ

 

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May 21, 2008

 

Dear Editor:

 

On April 15, my son Geoffrey Gelfand passed away after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He experienced much unnecessary and unfortunate

suffering at the hands of the powers that be during his imprisonment in Union County Jail in 2004. He was frequently denied medication for his removed

thyroid, to the point where he was debilitated mentally and physically as often as not, and as his disease returned to his throat, causing bleeding, and pain

to the point where eating was so difficult that he'd lose as much as 30 pounds a month. His jailers denied proper medical examination and treatment despite

his pain and suffering, which was quite alarming to his cell mates.

The jail's idea of medical responsibility was to give him access to a doctor who told him "You're fine". Well, he wasn't fine at all. When he complained about

pain and bleeding from his throat, this "doctor" callously responded, "You didn't care about that when you were out on the street, did you?", ordered no tests,

and sent him back to his cell to suffer.

By the grace of God, after 6 months of degradation and suffering, my son Geoffrey was transferred to state prison. By this point his condition was so obviously

dire that within 48 hours of the transfer he was mercifully brought to a hospital intensive care unit. I received a phone call from the prison to give me the

horrifying news: my son had a new incidence of cancer. Had he remained in Union County jail, it would not have been long at all before he'd have expired.

Ultimately, delay in treating his tumor necessitated his losing his voice box. He spent his last 2-1/2 years unable to speak.

Geoffrey spent the last months of his life preparing for his passage-more precisely, preparing others. He carefully planned out gifting his loved ones, spending

time with them, saying all that he wanted to say, giving and leaving something for everyone. He spent much of his last year trying to prepare his father to be

able to accept his coming passing. Despite his pain and fear, he was magnificently thoughtful of those he loved.

His character dwarfed that of the petty and small minded children charged with responsibilities at the Union County Jail. I hope each person who made that

choice to be so inhuman to my son and others reads this story, and through some small miracle, in some slight way, feels just a little ping of conscience about

what a vicious and hurtful being they have reduced their self to. Maybe, just a little bit, they will think about this the next time they find their self in a position to

treat a defenseless prisoner with or without consideration for that person's well being.
 
Dexter Gelfand
in loving memory of my son Geoffrey Gelfand

Clark, New Jersey

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May 20, 2008

 

Dear Editor:

 

Councilman John Bonacci didn't vote yes for a Recreation Center for the whole Berkeley Heights community of residents.  Plans for the center include both dedicated senior space and shared space that can be used by seniors. 

 

In his most recent letter about the portion of Stanford Drive owned by the town, the options John sites include "a library, a Police Station or" "could also be sold for cash".  Does John know:

 

Berkeley Heights zoned Stanford Drive as Open Land;

 

Union County's Recreation and Open Space Inventory (ROSI) includes Stanford Drive, and

 

-  the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Green Acres Program for Open Space includes Stanford Drive and pledged $200,000 for its purchase. 

 

Does he intend to engage the State of New Jersey in a diversion process that would necessitate dedicating a different part of Berkeley Heights of the same acreage as Green Acres?  How would that be beneficial?

 

Thomas Pirone

Berkeley Heights

 

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May 19, 2008

 

June 3 Primary Challengers Delia and Kuhnau Decline League Debate

 

Dear Editor:

 

As a Berkeley Heights resident and registered voter, I was disappointed to learn that the two challengers in this years Berkeley Heights Primary Election, Mr. Delia and Ms. Kuhnau, declined the League of Women Voters’ invitation to debate incumbents Mrs. Perna and Mr. Bruno.  I can’t remember when, in recent election history, candidates rejected the League’s offer.   This has always been a great venue for candidates to air their views and receive immediate feedback from their challengers and visa-versa.  It is also a great venue for residents to ask questions of the candidates and receive immediate feedback.  Even if unable to attend the actual debate, we have been able to observe this interaction on TV34.  It is one of the best means, in my opinion, for the voting public to make an educated decision when casting their ballots.  It is most critical when two of the candidates are new to the playing field because most of the time they have no track record. 

 

Linda Espeland

Berkeley Heights, NJ

 

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May 18, 2008

 

Stanford Drive and Tax Revenue Loss

 

Dear Editor:

 

A March letter by Mr. Thomas Pirone continues to make the wrong comparisons.  The 259 townhouse units is old news and not the right comparison.  The right comparison would be anything that could have been done at the site just before the "bad decision" to buy the site with Union County.  That could have involved rezoning for high tax revenue usage including private homes, light industrial etc.  It is foolish to compare with an old discarded alternative that was rendered inoperative by a series of actions.

 

Now of course my view and purpose, as a Councilman, is to remind residents of past poor decisions so that they can understand better what to demand of their elected representatives in the present and future.  Bad history should not be repeated.  Currently nothing can be done with the Union County portion of the site unless they decide at the County level to gift the property back, etc. etc.  Barring that they will proceed with their plan (not voted on by Berkeley Heights residents by the way).  As far as the Town portion of the site, the decision is in the courts.  Depending on the judgment of the court, a recreation center often misstated as a community center will be built or voted on and then built or delayed further depending on the vote outcome.

 

Should the recreation center not go forward, the option is not to have weeds and a fence, Mr. Pirone.  The options are many including a library, a Police Station or other Town properties.  The site could also be sold for cash and higher tax generating usage could be accomplished.  Everyone should get their respective heads out of the sand here and proceed when proper to do so with the best total interests of the Town in mind.  Things that are done are done but things that aren't finalized can be optimized.

 

Councilman John C. Bonacci

Berkeley Heights, NJ

 

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May 15, 2008

 

Vote for Kelly Hatfield

 

Dear Editor,

 

Many New Jersey residents may not be aware that there will be another primary election held in New Jersey on June 3rd.  It is essential that our local residents go to the polls and vote, because for the first time in a very long time, they will be able to cast their vote for a most committed and knowledgeable local community leader to represent us in the US Congress: Kelly Hatfield.  I've had the great pleasure to work with Kelly on Council and see her in action for many years before and after her nine years there, always as a strong and smart advocate for our towns. 

 

Her credentials are wide-ranging and impeccable.  Before running successfully on an economic growth platform (to build Summit's parking deck and revitalize our downtown, as well as preserve 68 acres of forested watershed as open space), she worked tirelessly as a strong advocate for excellence in public schools, serving six years as President and member of Summit's Board of Education. She was appointed to the NJ Legislative Special Education Funding Task Force and continues to advocate for special needs children by serving as a board member of Bethel Ridge (providing support for persons with developmental disabilities) and as a trustee of the Morris-Union Jointure Commission Autism Educational Foundation.  

 

A true fiscal conservative, Hatfield was a leader in the now fairly common practice of seeking private-public partnerships, smart moves that save taxpayers millions.  She works collaboratively and has the experience and the contacts needed to bring relief to our local communities.  A research scientist and professor of Microbiology by trade and a mother of three grown children, Dr. Hatfield has the skill and determination needed to continue to advocate for our towns, bringing new businesses, jobs and economic growth to New Jersey.  

 

I urge you to go to the polls this June 3rd and cast your vote for Kelly Hatfield.  It's a positive move for your community and for New Jersey.  

 

Diane S. Klaif

Councilwoman, Summit 

 

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May 8, 2008

 

Changing Votes in Public Council Meetings a New Low in New Jersey Politics

 

Dear Editor:

 

When is the last time the vote of an elected public official was changed in New Jersey?  Has New Jersey politics sunk to a new low with an out of control Mayor David Cohen and a cooperative Township Attorney Thomas Scrivo in Berkeley heights, NJ?  Have the Republican and Democratic Council members reverted back to the old time politics in the Town Hall back room under this Mayor’s leadership?  I ask the voters in Berkeley Heights and New Jersey if they want to continue to be labeled this way.  I ask them to be vigilant and make sure this action is not catchy like the flu.  I specifically ask the voters who supported Bonacci-Nelson in their successful Independent campaign during 2007 if they are outraged and take this as a personal affront to their representatives vote cast in their best interest and in good conscience.

 

On May 6, 2008 at the Town Council meeting a recess was called by the Mayor and the movements in and out of the back room resulted in a change in the legally cast vote of Councilman Bonacci from “I abstain” stated clearly in a firm voice.  They changed it to “no” by the Mayor’s directive to the Town Clerk, almost inaudible, and then proceeded to have the Mayor cast a fake tiebreaker vote and misuse the law to get that vote.  No legal citation was clearly made by either attorney.  The other Council members were silent and appeared to not understand or care about the important issue at stake even when Councilman Bonacci objected verbally.  Do we need to change these Council members in order to follow the law?  Mr. Nelson commented in his Council Report and I agree with his frustration at these antics.  I am frustrated too but I am also going to continue to raise my voice and do whatever else it takes to be heard.

 

By the way, the subject of the ordinance while important doesn’t matter as much compared to this serious disenfranchising vote violation towards the residents who elected this Councilman. But, there was another ordinance listed that night to introduce a legal Administrative Code and it also included a comprehensive 27-page Police Department authorization and it also included an Appropriate Authority designation suggested by a Council member other than myself.  Why didn’t the back room politicians and the Mayor act upon that ordinance written by the most qualified lawyer, Mr. John Phillips, who lives in our town, was an elected official for three years, was a Berkeley heights Township Attorney for eleven years, wrote the original Administrative Code and delivered his work product to the Mayor and Council and Attorney on February 29, 2008?  February 29 was more than two months ago.  The Mayor tried to prevent discussion a few weeks ago on that alternative and managed to limit the time by the way he conducted the meeting.

 

Can it be that a precedent has been set by two lawyers so that other mayors and their attorneys and future mayors and their attorneys can now change the votes of officials elected by the people to represent them?  The people must speak.  Who can they talk to?  This issue can be a worse curse than bribery and lobbying and money politics if not stopped in its tracks. 

 

Please let your elected officials know.  I refer you to a recent article in the Star Ledger Thursday morning May 8, 2008 which reasonably states some of the aspects.  Mr. Gluck quoted the Union County Prosecutor Mr. Romankow as saying he was disappointed in the “abstain” vote.  Gee, that’s too bad because it eliminates one person you can talk to and he has law enforcement responsibilities in this County. 

·        Does he understand what an abstain vote is? 

·        Does he follow the issues in Berkeley Heights and know that this town had an Administrative Code and an Appropriate Authority over the Police in the first 90 days of 2007?

·        Does he know that our then Township Attorney, Mr. Ed Kologi, worked mainly with the responsiveness of Councilman-elect John Bonacci to develop that Administrative Code and Appropriate Authority? 

Maybe he wouldn’t be so disappointed if he checked the record.  Maybe the record would show that Dr. Bonacci has done a lot of favors (tax decrease, investment savings of a million dollars, more transparency in government, etc.) for Berkeley Heights since his time in office and also one vote that favored property owners like Mr. Romankow which was defeated by the Mayor and his cohorts.

 

Gabe Gluck (doing a pretty good job of reporting this time) also quoted Mayor Cohen in the same article.  The Mayor seems to think no ones rights were taken away when he got his way after holding this town hostage since he cast one of his other famous tiebreaker votes.  That’s right.  The Mayor cast a tiebreaker vote on March 12, 2007 preventing an ordinance from passing which would have established a permanent Administrative Code and a permanent Appropriate Authority.  The Town would have been legal then and proceeded normally to move forward.  So who was the obstructionist then and who still is?

 

 This Mayor is quite disingenuous when he doesn’t get his way and his Council friends Bruno and Perna are right there to help him ready and willing with their big rubber stamps.  He tells me I should vote no if I was against the ordinance.  I want to tell him why doesn’t he bring the alternative ordinances up for vote so people can speak out?  I did vote no on the introduction of the ordinance in question because I did not want it introduced since we had an earlier Administrative Code ordinance that the Mayor had prevented from being introduced.  Do you have any idea of what that one was on April 22, 2008?  It was simply to change the words “committee” to “council” on every page of our eventual administrative Code. 

*Why on earth would he argue and use tactics to prevent this one?

*Why did he not take action from February 29, 2008 when Mr. Phillips sent his work product in? 

*Why did he refuse to pay Mr. Phillips for his completed work? 

*Why did he authorize his Township Attorney Mr. Scrivo to attempt to duplicate the work? 

*Why did Mr. Scrivo agree to do the work and charge the Town when he knew another attorney had been assigned the work? 

 

Well, I have to tell you the work provided by Mr. Scrivo is inadequate and I pointed out the discrepancies at the April 22, 2008 meeting in public.  Anyone who wants to can get the 27-page Police section of Mr. Phillips and compare it to the 7-page work of Mr. Scrivo’s office and also compare both to the Berkeley Heights old code (i.e. maroon book) in the Town Clerk’s office.  Perhaps the Prosecutor should do that and then direct his disappointment in the right direction.  Perhaps he ought to look further into why the Mayor and one of his Council members worked behind the scenes to block a petition of the voters asking to vote on $10 million for a recreation center mislabeled as a community center when we could better spend the money on a Police Station.

 

I would like to end by telling the residents to write their Congressman but I really don’t know what to request that the voters do.

 

Councilman John Bonacci

Berkeley Heights, NJ

 

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May 2, 2008

 

Re:  Mr. Delia’s Candidate Statement

 

Dear Editor:

 

I read the candidate (Berkeley Heights) statement of Mr. Delia, and found it full of innuendos and claims which are unfounded. As the “Builder” he speaks of, I had to respond. His remarks are preposterous, his views are antiquated, (a “downtown” with a height limit of 2 stories) his motive unknown, he is uninformed, and basically a grump.

 

Attacking Mr. Bruno and Mrs. Perna is a frivolous attempt at trying to smear good, honest and viable servants, to imply that they are corrupt is downright deplorable, and Mr. Delia should immediately retract those statements unless he can back this claim. I also take umbrage at the insinuation that I “buy” favors, at any level, for any project. This is an insult and defamation of my good name, and Mr. Delia is forewarned to comments of this nature.

 

Mr. Delia states “builders can do whatever they want without notifying the neighbors”. He is so off-base it comical. As a “candidate” he be better informed before shooting his mouth off, and should know that not ONE, but FOUR notices were sent to the neighbors (certified mail, as required by law) by Mead Meadows Development for this project. 3 for NJ DEP approvals over the last 2 years, and 1 announcing the planning board meeting for this project. The plans were and are available for anyone to review, and the DEP has approved the project, yet I hear people speaking at meetings as to “water standing” on the street, and “wetlands” being present. This approval IS public knowledge, yet the yapper’s keep on yapping.

 

We spent tens of thousands of dollars in of engineering studies, all complying with the strict environment laws. We would expect the township council and planning board to refrain from the questioning of these matters, as under MLUL 37-2 and 21, they are NOT matters that need any further comment by the governing bodies, and jurisdiction is preempted by the State, therefore questions should be directed to the DEP.

 

The fact that this project is an “age-restricted” project, and supported by seniors who NEED and WANT this type of housing means little to Mr. Delia. The fact that the project would aid in providing credits to the town’s COAH obligations (which are increasing shortly), means little to Mr. Delia. The fact that an ordinance was changed to eliminate retail on the first level of buildings is very prudent of the town, and supported by the fact that you do not place retail stores on dead-end streets. The town erred when it passed the ordinance in the first place. Yet another knee-jerk reaction to appease the few.

 

Mr. Delia has an ax to grind. Maybe he wishes he was a builder, or maybe he is just plain jealous that people, and businesses (yes, developers are viable and needed BUSINESS enterprises) and have a right to build on their land, and MAKE MONEY doing it! I for one am fed-up of all this developer “bashing” which has polluted minds with the perception that we are demons, greedy and selfish. These are businesses that employ millions of people, and make up a huge part of our economic vitality.

 

It seems that only 3 or 4 yapping pinheads complain incessantly about these “issues”, and it is apparent that these chronic complainers are the minority. Many people I speak with think the downtown is looking better every year. Residents need to know that these are the very same whiners that blasted the Walgreen's, Commerce Bank, and the Hotel, and the list goes on. They collectively would complain if trees grew larger than 3 stories…if a builder planted it. It’s silly, and they should be ashamed of these childish antics in the name of "community concern" that just wastes the Councils’ time.

 

I have built many homes in Berkeley Heights, and my customers have all been very satisfied, and many have evolved into friendships. I will continue my endeavors, and anyone trying to prevent me from doing so will be dealt with accordingly. No one… EVER will prevent me from making a living for my family in the only vocation I have known since I could lift a shovel.

 

I don’t know what Mr. Delia does, however seeing his “candidate statement” pretty much put to rest his chance at being a politician. Mr. Delia claims the “downtown” is “esthetically unacceptable” and that there is “distasteful over-construction throughout the township”, yet also claims his campaign is to preserve “the great place that we all know it is”. Ridiculous and preposterous statements, therefore a word of advice… Don’t lie, don’t bash good people, do your homework so your facts are straight… oh yeah, and get a life.

 

Nicholas Cocuzza

Principal, Mead Meadows Development LLC

 

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