Ask any TruthTeller and they will tell you that you probably couldn't pass a declaration in Congress that says "America is da best country in da world" without debate and scepticism, and even then da vote might be split depending on who first sponsored it. Of course, that's da high-priced, benefits for life, pensions galore, free health care people we send to Washington, DC. Interestingly, you can find da very same thing happening in some small towns like Manalapan, New Jersey.
Recently, Manalapan's Queen of Politics came under fire for what was called a "conflict of interest." It's not da first time she's come under fire for something political. And as you know, this blog has posted more than once things da Queen had her tentacles in that seemed a little unsightly. However, in this case, we had to investigate, and what we uncovered was what you have to call a "$50 conflict," an "attack dog," and a severe case of "forgetful-itis."
Here's how this breaks down:
ISSUE 1 - DA $50.00 CONFLICT:
At da meeting of da Manalapan Township Committee last month, Mayor for Life Land Baron Andy Boy presided as da GOP'er-led council wanted to add what is in effect a "commuter tax" of an added $50 each year to the commuter parking permits. Da lone objector it seems was da Queen, but it was soon revealed by Mayor for Life that a "citizen" approached him and told him that da Queen had one of those commuter tags, and she should have not voted against da $50 increase - and not have voted at all, citing da "conflict of interest" call. Of course, even if da Queen were in Bangadesh, da 34% increase would have passed. However, she took rebuke not just from Mayor for Life Land Baron Andy Boy, but also from Mayor for Life Lap Dog Ryan "Big Oops" Green, who da great Manalapan Patch wrote "said that “it is difficult to take [Roth’s] comments seriously because she has a personal financial self-interest in the outcome - hence, a conflict of interest.”
DaTruth is, she does have one of those tags, and probably should have recused herself. Any lawyer will tell you if you sniff any smell of something that can be considered a potential conflict, just don't vote on it. Now, da Queen isn't a lawyer, but da township does have one on da payroll and apparently he never told da Queen to go to da bathroom when da original vote was taken. So, yes, da Queen is guilty of a $50.00 conflict in da court of public opinion.
However, if da Queen is guilty of da $50.00 conflict, then Land Baron Mayor for Life Andy Boy is guilty of much more, one would have to ponder. Remember, he voted to approve a land grab of over $1 million dollars this year - and that was for himself before he was told he too must recuse himself from da vote he already submitted to approve and a new vote had to be taken!
ISSUE 2 - "ATTACK DOG"
This is not da first time Ryan "Big Oops" Green has come to da aid of his leader, Mayor for Life Land Baron Mayor Andy Boy. He stood by and said nothing by not questioning his leader when da Great Manalapan Land Grab was happening - before - during and after.
Interesting, Big Oops apparently didn't see much "See NO Evil" when another conclict of interest reared its ugly head. This one, interestingly, was picked up not by da highly-paid township attorney, or Big Oops himself. It was uncovered by da Queen, who pointed out that da recently approved July billing paid by taxpayers for da town included a payment of exactly $362 to a company called CME Associates for survey work on the highly controversial Burke Farm in Manalapan.
Now, to be fair that's not a billion dollars, but it is more than da $50.00 Big Oops went on da attack over when it involved da Queen.
Now, to be fair as well, maybe Big Oops just missed this or didn't read it over line by line. He could have a descent excuse.
However, to be equally fair, in case he missed it -- da Burke Farm made news once or twice recently. It might have been something he -- and Mayor for Life Andy Boy should have remembered --- since Mayor For Life Land Baron Andy Boy BOUGHT da Farm in da controversial Land Grab deal! And yes, Andy Boy didn't recuse himself on this vote --- Just like he didn't earlier this year when they had to do a re-vote on da same Land Grab issue!
So, you can guess that when it comes to $50, some in da GOP'er inner circle might want to demand a forensic accounting. But, when it comes to a dollar figure between $352.00 and $1.2 million dollars - that's OK.
ISSUE 3 - "FORGETFUL-ITIS"
Mayor for Life Lap Dog Ryan "Big Oops" Green doesn't have da nickname "Big Oops" for his snappy dressing and good looks. Now, he was quoted by da great Manalapan Patch as saying “it is difficult to take [Roth’s] comments seriously because she has a personal financial self-interest in the outcome - hence, a conflict of interest.”
Hence, isn't that special.
Isn't this da very same guy who voted in favor of da Land Grab? Hence, isn't he also da very same guy who voted to approve a high-priced-well-above-minimum-wage job for a woman? Now, that doesn't sound like anything, unless you know what they won't tell you -- da woman has da last name "Green." Da woman was his own sister! Did he not recognize da last name "Green?" We can only give him da benefit of da doubt and believe he didn't recognize his own last name, or his own sister's first name?
DaTruth is, well, you already know. In Manalapan, it's OK to have your own sitting mayor grab up 90 or so acres of land without reproach, despite smelling a bit like da part of da barn where da bull does #2, but when it comes to owning a commuter parking permit that you pay for each year without using taxpayer money, that's when you have to call in Ken Starr and da special prosecutor.
Only in Manalapan can a Democrat come under fire for wanting to do right by commuters, as long as her name is da Queen, and you can vote on approving your own land grab and not come under fire, as long as you're a GOP'er named Andy Boy.
Maybe that one reason even da county politicians made a claim this year that Manalapan politicians need to keep their politics within da confines of da township borders and not drive their personal issues into Freehold. Maybe we should send all of these members of da Manalapan Township Committee to Washington, DC.
And that's daTruth.
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54 comments:
Let's just call a spade a spade. The repuglicans have a lousy slate and a worse record, so their only strategy is to throw dirt at the Queen. only whatever they throw at her will wind up sticking to the repuglican ticket, otherwise known as the Manalapan Mediocrities.
Looks like Fred is posting again. We know its not Larry posting from Raintree.
I am no fan of Roth. However, voting to not raise fees which affects hundreds of Manalapanians is no different than voting to not raise property taxes when you are a resident. This is much different than voting for changing farmland tax status thus saving thousands of dollars for a few properties in which Mayor Lucas owns one of the few.
The difference is the political guarantee of votes for lowering your own taxes when lowering for a few not for many. Also, thousands in Lucas pocket or $50 in Roths pocket. There is a difference!
We didn't even address the million tax dollars which Lucas will receive on a propety he paid less than 600k for by his own statement in a township meeting.
I don't have much respect for Queen Roth, but now that he's voted himself a million dollar land grab, I've lost all respect for Andrew Lucas. He's just a politician IMHO, nothing more.
I read about that in the newspaper too. Andy's attack dog rips Roth over $50, which is just 2 hours worth of the salary he had once approved for his own sister! And add what Lucas did, and I've had enough with the Manalapan Republicans. I would have voted for Susan Cohen but I'm sitting out this year just on pronciple only.
At least Roth stands up for commuters. She just got my vote.
Like others...I have never been a fan of Mrs. Roth, but in this case, I believe she did no wrong in opposing the $50 commuter parking increase and believe she is 1000% right in opposing Mayor Lucas's million dollar land swindle.
It was previously posted that Lucas stated in a Township meeting that he paid less than $600k for the property that he is allegedly approved to receive 1.2 million dollars. It is my belief, and that of a great many others, that he has so far paid virtually nothing for this property and that the alleged purchase price is contingent upon him acquiring our taxpayer funds from the Farmland Preservation Program to purchase the subject property.
I'm very happy to see that to see that daTruthSquad.com website has not "gone fishing" like the HATE site did. Manalapan residents and everyone in Monmouth County should read this site and post concerned comments. Wake up! Manalapan Mayor Lucas is about to "steal" a 100 acre parcel of land and homesite in Manalapan for himself at a needless taxpayer expense of over 1.2 MILLION dollars! It's wrong, and I for one won't vote for any Republicans in Manalapan this year because of it.
Vote Manalapan Democrats. Send a message to people like Mayor Lucas that he can't play politics with our land for personal gain!
I've been on a waiting list for a parking spot for over 3 years. The town needs to do something about people like Mrs. Roth who have a permit just in case they have to go into the city. I'd be interested in seeing when she received the permit and how long was she on the list.
her permit doesn't slow you down. i've been on the list for years too, but the issuance of new permits is not affected by the number outstanding but by the actual number of spots being occupied.
Roth is just damned lazy to walk to the back parking lot like the rest of the peons.
The goofballs are growing unreal, and nobody is watching the shenanigans:
"MANALAPAN — A former Colts Neck mayor is suing a Manalapan committeewoman for defamation, and township committee members here say they don’t want to foot the legal bill.
Former Colts Neck mayor James Stuart, a county Agriculture Development Board member, says Township Committeewoman Michelle Roth damaged his Freehold Township appraisal business’ reputation with statements she made at May and June public meetings. Members of the governing body said Wednesday the township shouldn’t have to pay for Roth’s comments, which questioned whether Stuart helped fast-track a land preservation deal for Mayor Andrew Lucas.
“I do not want to see a single taxpayer dollar go towards defending this lawsuit,” Deputy Mayor Ryan Green said. “Mrs. Roth has been here long enough. She should know what to say and what not to say.”
Roth referred questions about the lawsuit, filed in Superior Court Sept. 6, to Township Attorney Roger McLaughlin. McLaughlin said only that discussion about the complaint would continue at a future committee meeting.
According to the lawsuit, Roth publicly – and falsely – suggested Stuart gave priority for a property owned by Lucas and family to get business for Stuart Appraisal Co. Stuart and his company appraised the property while he was a member of the county Agriculture Board.
She called Lucas’ plans to enter his Iron Ore Road property into a farmland preservation program – through which the state, county and municipality pay a property owner to preserve their land – “a fleecing of the taxpayers." She said the problem with the process was the appraisal company’s involvement, according to the complaint.
Stuart is asking for legal costs, for unspecified damages and for the court to bar Roth from defaming him and his business.
“Citizens do not want any taxpayer dollars spent defending Mrs. Roth again,” said resident Rhoda Chodosh. “We are so fed up with lawsuits that have been politically motivated and end up going nowhere and the taxpayers have to foot the bill.”
Stuart’s lawsuit is at least the third potential legal matter over defamation involving Township Committee members here in recent years.
Former Police Chief Stuart Brown sued Roth in Superior Court for statements she made in 2009 about his behavior.
Also, in 2009, Stuart Moskovitz, former Township Attorney and past mayor here, sent the township a notice of intent to file a lawsuit against Manalapan, Roth, Lucas and former mayor Richard Klauber. He claimed they filed a frivolous negligence lawsuit against him and made defamatory statements about him."--app.com
I thought our State is almost broke ? Where are they getting the millions of $$$ to pay out on these sweet farmland deals ?
The farmland money is set aside through a dedicated fund for such. There are state, county & municipal funds. Facts are that if the property Lucas had preserved was not approved the money would have gone to preserve a property in Middletown or Millstone. Another fact is that Roth voted to have that property have affordable homes built on it. Coincidence? She received a hefty campaign contribution from a developer & contractors who happen to build affordable housing.
Re: "new permits is not affected by the number outstanding but by the actual number of spots being occupied."
If that is accurate, then why are there 30, 40 or 50 or more vacant spaces every day? Somebody is feeding a line a pure baloney here.
Michelle Roth...is it true she's the only one who still receives health benefits from us?
Roth seems to have alot of lawsuits with the Stuart in them! Stuart Moskovitz, Stuart Brown & James Stuart.
"her permit doesn't slow you down. i've been on the list for years too, but the issuance of new permits is not affected by the number outstanding but by the actual number of spots being occupied."
Yes her permit does slow you down. She does not occupy a spot on anything close to a regular basis. There are many people who do this.
You should have to check in (electronically) and if you are not using your permit regularly, you should lose it.
Roth is also a part owner of units in covered bridge. yet she voted on number of issues regarding covered bridge. The TC had to re-vote on a number of issues last meeting because of this. She has recklessly called a man of high integriy a cheat and now she is being sued for it. THE THIRD LAWSUIT against her.
IMHO, she is the one without ethics. Everything she does is politically motivated.
Why does it seem like local politicians have a license to steal? Andrew Lucas is taking Manalapan like Grant took Richmond. All Roth is doing is blowing the whistle on corrupt politicians. Good work for her.
It has repeatedly been alleged that Mayor Lucas is planning to pay for this personal million dollar property with monies to be acquired from the NJ Farm Preservation Program. Interestingly, no one has ever refuted these claims. In light of his current position of political influence and his active participation and control in Manalapan's Farmland Preservation Program he should be denied access to these taxpayer funded programs at this time. Although, probably legal, it is a highly unethical transaction that "stinks to the high heavens" and creates another black-eye on Manalapan and New Jersey politics.
That's the long-winded way to say IT STINKS!
To say the least, this Lucas million dollar "boondoggle" is highly questionable. The stated purpose of the NJ Farmland Preservation Program is to prevent existing farmers from selling their land to housing developers. It was not intended to provide the funds for an individual (and a politically connected one at that) to purchase real estate property for their own personal use.
http://manalapan.patch.com/articles/video-wmuas-annual-report-to-township-committee-turns-political#video-7824649
By Mr Green's logic, no property tax paying citizen on the town council should vote AGAINST a property tax increase, because they have a vested financial interest in the outcome of the vote. This reality bending logic seems to be quite popular with the GOP these days.
I'm SHOCKED, totally, to learn that one scurvy politician appointed another scurvy politician to sit as a WMUA commisioner. [just how many chairs does Iron Gut need to fit his behind on?]
So, you have a politician who appoints his super-sized party boss to a political patronage job, and then goes out and gets taxpayers to buy him a large part of the town, and his minions agre to whatever he says including the township administrator who could be voted out of her job. No wonder this town is so screwed up and taxes don't drop. Michelle Roth and her running mate are looking better and better each day as an alternative to this Republican patronage party.
There is a big difference between wrongdoing and simply manipulating the system for your own gain. What Lucas and the other Republicans are doing is not illegal. They're just much better than the Democrats at manipulating the system to their own benefit. That's why Lucas is getting rich, McEnery has a commissioners job and Roth and the Democrats don't.
Can we say Rebecca Aaronson & Bill Sherer two DemoRats who were given FULL time positions at motor vehicle?
i can't wait to hear what lyin ryan has to say when some idiot files a completely frivolous defamation lawsuit against HIM, and he has to reach into his pocket to bail himself out. what a moron!!
Actually, the bar is at highest for any public official to win a libel or defamation suit. Actual malice has to be proven. Michelle Roth has had some recent learning in that field.
Silly season is upon us...
The "silly season" is never out of season in Manalapan, thanks to the dependably continual minstrel show on Route 522 at Taylors Mills.
Whoever wrote this just said it all. Well written and thanks to the writer for saying on NJ.com what really needed to be said:
This is a terrible
by db7753, 09/21/11 7:30 PM
Re: I am glad.... by public, 09/21/11 7:30 PM
abuse of political clout. This man is benefiting from the law by accepting this deal while he is a sitting mayor. Andrew you should be ashamed of yourself. What you are doing is what you percieve on the surface as a good thing but you are directly benefiting from taxpayer dollars. How do you go to sleep at night. The you have the nerve to shut down Michelle Roth when she questions a bad appointment to the WUMA and you and your cronies decide to shut down taxpayer funds on lawsuits when we all know you authorized a considerable amount on lawsuits that you were involved with All I can say is shame on you and I only hope we all have a long memory when you decide to run again
You gotta admit, Andrew has the biggest balls in NJ. I'm mayor and I control what can be said in a meeting and can take whatever money I want for myself. I can even vote to give myself money. I can sit in executive session when I am a defendant in the case being discussed. Hey I want to lower my own taxes. Let me vote on that. The township attorney better not object or I won't appoint him next year.
Huge balls!
gOD BLESS dENNIS!!
http://nt.gmnews.com/news/2011-09-21/Front_Page/Committee_members_comments_prompt_suit.html
I wonder is the mosk man will defend Roth in her lawsuit. I bet he would if she called. LOL
if i were the queen, i'd get stu moskovitz to represent me, then file a counterclaim for malicious prosecution, then seek discovery and he'd wind up proving that andy boy and his band of boobs are the ones who--in breach of their fiduciary duty to the township--put jim stuart up to filing this ridiculous lawsuit, and all for political purposes! stu is the man for this job!!
If I were Michelle Roth, I'd drive directly to the office of Stu Moskovitz and have him represent her. That would be Andrew's worst nightmare.
Think about it. If Moskovitz could do for Roth what he did to Drew Shapiro when he represented his father against him, Roth could take the entire Republican party down!
Roth should countersue for malicious prosecution, and name Lucas in the lawsuit. She should also file a lawsuit against the county for allowing Stuart vote on the same land grab he did the work for IMHO. And yes I agree she should seek out Moskovitz because he would win that case and win big, much like he also wins all of the other cases he takes against Manalapan Township.
Michelle - 3 words:
CALL STU MOSKOVITZ!
If Ms. Roth obtains Stu as her attorney, get ready for the $#@% to hit the fan. It will be epic.
Just think...if Stu can help the Queen get Andrew's balls...she can then become the King:-)
We call upon Mayor Pukus Lucus to come clean and just say what he paid for the land. Until he does that it gives the impression that he did something wrong. Come clean Mayor unless you have something to hide.
guess what----he has something to hide.
Isn't one of Roth's closest allies a high-powered lawyer in his own right?
i remember reading here that he was disbarred and sent to jail. is that true?
"The farmland money is set aside through a dedicated fund for such. There are state, county & municipal funds. Facts are that if the property Lucas had preserved was not approved the money would have gone to preserve a property in Middletown or Millstone. "
The question that needs to be asked is, if we are in such a dire economic situation, why is the state facilitating this ? It's not like anyone is going to be building housing developments on that land anytime soon,
there is no money! But the state has millions to squander on shady schemes ? This is insane, how can this be happening when communities are on the verge of going under across the state ? These programs should be cut back just like all of the other painful cuts that our Governor has mandated to help keep us from imploding. The fact that a sitting Mayor is set to reap a Million Dollar payout from the taxpayers in this state, really has to make you wonder what the hell is going on here in NJ.
I believe if Christie does decide to run for president, this shady land grab could become part of Obama's campaign against him. Nothing reaks of cronyism like a million dollar land deal supported by a Republican for a Republican on all levels. I can only speculate that for Andy, it will be worth it.
Cuts in employee pay & benefits, layoffs, pay freezes, mortgage forclosures, the closing of firehouses in our urban cities.
Looks like Snooki & Mayor Lucas are going to be among the few great success stories that have emerged from these difficult times.
Previous posters are correct in their belief that these Farm Preservation Programs should be postponed immediately as there is virtually no residential building demand in NJ at this time. We have more than enough open space and what we do need right now is development that will produce jobs and stimulate the economy.
In regards to local dedicated funds for Farmland Preservation local Manalapan taxpayers have been fleeced for years as the percentage charged was never reduced after the tax rate reevaluation some years ago and we are consequently paying about twice the amount originally approved.
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