New Mayor/Council Elected
New Mayor/Council Elected
Honest Service Sought
11/4/18:
On May 8, 2018 the citizens of Long Branch finally had enough, there were other viable candidates, and so they removed the dirty Schneider Administration. Adam Schneider had been mayor 28 years. Councilman John Pallone, brother of Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone, and who barely won his first term as councilman, was elected along with his slate of 5 council candidates including senior incumbent running mate councilwoman Mary Jane Celli, Ed D.
The Pallone grew up around the corner from ground zero Community Place and have been supported by Ed Bruno of E&L Paving and owner Ray Greico of Atlantic Paving who also grew up in Long Branch and who have been defendants in the long-standing conspiracy to evade zoning laws and are under “pressure” of the municipal court to obtain valid zoning approvals.(See Judiciary/Unabated Violations – Municipal Court Complicit) Perhaps not surprisingly, under Pallone, Mr. Bruno’s numerous violations for illegally expanding the use was dismissed in the municipal court though Mr. Bruno provided false information on the dirty zoning permit application and is benefitting from income from the illegal occupants. The conflicts judge has become complicit and bought into the conspiracy by continuing to allow defendants to operate in violation as long as they submit plans for zoning approval whereas ordinance requires all zoning violations terminated within 30 days and they should be fined into submission until the lots are cleared pending proper approvals. This requires a trial but its obvious this judge Timothy F. McGoughran, the regular Ocean Twp. Judge would drag that out too. Municipal courts don’t otherwise provide injunctive relief – that’s up to a city attorney acting in good faith to enforce the ordinances or plaintiff.
To its credit, however, the first acts of the administration was to hold town hall meetings and bid out & replace the conflict-ridden (see, ie, “Arson and Corruption Covered Up..”City Attorney /Conflicts of Interest and “New Corruption Uncovered”) City Attorney James Aaron who built the Ansell Grimm Aaron firm’s real estate department on the backs of Long Branch and other residents thru ill-advised easily avoidable/expensive lawsuits, including eminent domain. Then on Oct. 1, 2018 it removed Kevin Hayes as business administrator and replaced him with Eatontown’s former police chief and administrator, George Jackson (salary $182,500) See “New Corruption Uncovered” update for the editor’s dealings thus far with him. Mr. Hayes still retains his jobs as Code Enforcement and Fire Bureau Chiefs though he has failed to perform required fire inspections and enforce mercantile license requirements at neighboring facilities. The new administration has been made aware of this (See “New Corruption Uncovered” update).
By the end of 2018 it should become apparent whether or not honest service will be provided by the new administration.
10/21/19:
It appears that honest service will not be forthcoming from this administration in this matter. Must be something in the air here in Long Branch,
5/25/2021:
After allowing plenty of time for the new administration to re-organize and to deal with Covid, on May 11, 2021 in preparation for the city council meeting the next day, a dear John letter was sent to Mayor John Pallone, with cc to the entire council, administrator and city attorney laying out the history of corruption, the ongoing lack of zoning permits despite rejection of the use by the zoning board and on appeal, the indefinite adjournment 7/16/19 by the planning board of the current application, and the fact zoning violations are to be terminated within 30 days by ordinance, not be allowed to go on for years. The letter also pointed out the potential official misconduct of the mayor and councilwoman Celli as their ol buddy Ed Bruno/E&L Paving holds the mortgage for the illegal occupants and continues to gain benefit while the neighborhood and editor suffer and are deprived of honest service. (See “Its Official” on homepage for definition of official misconduct) A link was also provided in the letter (see below – Ongoing Crimes/Conspiracy) documenting evidence of the ongoing conspiracy including crimes by the neighbors to force editor to give in or leave. Council was advised “If further harm and damage occur considering all this, I will be filing notice of continuing tort due to the palpably unreasonable lack of abatement. Public entities must act in good faith and lose immunity if palpably unreasonable. This principal was affirmed by a state judge in a prior matter.” (See “case(s)”/Case 6/Bauman Summary Judgment 9.28.12 Hearing & Decision)
The city attorney indicated he would refer it to Mr. Graviano who oversees building dept./planning &.zoning AND WHO DOES NOT FILE INJUNCTIONS – THAT’S THE CITY ATTONEY’S JOB (UNLESS DIRECTED NOT TO DO SO BY THE ADMINISTRATION/COUNCIL). Based on this it looks like it could be more of the same – a charade of notice of violations and summonses while it drags out in a kangaroo municipal court thru elections seeking filing of a renewed application which is identical to one already rejected. Editor will not let that occur and would seek the injunction and hold Long Branch responsible for the costs due to their palpably unreasonable lack of abatement as well as expose all the corruption come election time. A new van is planned for that. Also, as code enforcement was asked 5/10/21 to abate the neighbor’s placement of garbage on/in front of editor’s property per ordinance, which still occurs as well as the illegal parking which seeks to restrict access from editor’s property, this does not bode well. Editor will follow up at the next council meeting on 5/26/21.
8/17/22 Update:
Editor participated in two other zoom council meetings on May 26, 2021 and June 23, 2021 trying to get Long Branch to issue an injunction but the city attorney, after lying that he met previously with Editor, tells Council its nothing new and the zoning and code issues will not be enforced , referring to judge Perri ‘s dismissal in Case 6. (See Case(s) for Elections& Reforms) Plaintiff emailed a letter dated May 28, 2021 to mayor, council and administrator and city attorney disputing these assertions and explaining how these are new continuing violations and raised this at the June 23, 2021 meeting mentioning how his rights may be violated considering the public entity’s enforcement of zoning and parking ordinances elsewhere in town and beautification and quality of life efforts city wide, but received no further response. (See Amended Complaint for Case 7 @ Case(s) for Elections& Reforms.) Public records show no notice of violations are even written in contrast to the previous administration, perhaps because once written, if not correct or enforced, it can be addressed by prerogative writ in the superior court which can order it be corrected and enforced. A new complaint and order to show cause seeking restraints against the neighbors was filed on 12/28/21 in Chancery and a restraining order entered 12/29/21 but continues to be violated and contempt and is being sought against Rosario to be heard 9/16/22 along with equitable relief claims. Official misconduct is confirmed as Bruno discharges his mortgage with the neighbors the exact day Mayor Pallone and Councilwoman Celli and entire council receive Editor’s letter indicating his intent to participate in upcoming council meetings on the subject.
The fact the entire matter is being transferred to law div. for joining by Long Branch indicates it’s a new matter and Long Branch is responsible for enforcing its ordinances, at least in this matter, contrary to the city’s position.