It appears that those who drink da GOP'er "Kool Aid" may need to reach for a much stronger beverage. As daTruthSquad predicted would happen Manalapan Land Baron and Mayor For Life Andy Boy "ABL" Lucas will be brought before da State Ethics Commission to answer questions regarding what has now been called by many "Da Great Manalapan Land Grab!"
This is just da latest saga in da soap opera of Manalapan politics - but one that could be a serious game-changer for da upcoming election, and could also seriously impact what is fact becoming viewed ss a political vendetta lawsuit thrust upon one of da key whistleblowers of da Great Manalapan Land Grab, none other than da Queen of Manalapan, Michelle Roth.
First, lets look at da history of "Da Great Manalapan Land Grab:"
FEBRUARY 2011 - Da first glimpse of something smelling worse than appointing your political party boss to head up a sewer authority happens, when ABL was forced to recuse himself after he had already voted to give himself a massive tax break on property he owns - da farm in da middle of da Great Manalapan Land Grab! Da improper moment, exposed by da Queen, forced a re-vote that was approved when da GOP'er majority voted in favor of it.
APRIL 2011 - As da Great Manalapan Land Grab begins, ABL decides to run for more than one higher office, only to be rebuffed by da GOP'er county committee. How can da darling of Monmouth County GOP'er politics be rebuffed by his own? Cound da Great Manalapan Land Grab have had something to do with it?
MAY 2011 - Da Great Manalapan Land Grab now gets newspaper attention after da DEP looks into a wetlands issue. What is da GOP'er response - they blame da Queen for "tramping through this farm in the middle of the night with a flashlight, just looking for something to bust Lucas's chops with." proving you really can't make this stuff up!
JUNE 2011 - Readers of daTruthSquad speak out by da dozens over Da Great Manalapan Land Grab, standing by Committeewoman Roth and her claims that there's something that needs to be investigated here.
SEPTEMBER 2011 - This Great Manalapan Land Grab has become an out of control story that even da local Snoozepaper can no longer ignore. What some have called a politically motivated lawsuit, da Queen now faces a defamation lawsuit at da hands of former Colts Neck Mayor Stuart (no relation to da Mosked Man). He claims his "personal reputation has been forever damaged" by da claims allegedly made by da Queen.
What were those claims????
It appears that according to da real local information source da Manalapan Patch, "Roth had publicly criticized Stuart's role as a sitting member of the MCADB, suggesting that he exhibited a conflict of interest by helping Lucas fast-track the property. She called it "flipping" the land into the farmland preservation program within nine days. She has suggested that Lucas saw a financial gain from the transaction."
In layman's terms, a sitting Manalapan Township Committee person who is an elected public official whose job it is to stand up for da people she serves and their taxpayer money apparently questioned at a public hearing what has been called a questionable land deal, and subsequently asked questions whether it was possible da person who did da survey on da land who was also da same person allowed to vote on its passage had possibly committed a any type of conflict-of-interest by casting a vote on it!
Da question is - isn't it da job of a paid public official to question what they believe could be either something they believe is wrong, may be a mishandling of taxpayer money, potential or perceived misuse of taxpayer money or what they perceive to be a potential waste of taxpayer money or even worse, a perceived conflict of interest?
Now, to be fair, nobody is questioning former Mayor Stuart's real estate appraisal business, how he does his real estate appraisal business, or whether he should have done da survey in da first place. This is America, and we are sure he is a very capable survey guy. We've never heard complaints about this guy before in regards to his business. Who knows, maybe if daTruthSquad wants to flip farmland in da future or any other type of survey work we too might call on Mr. Stuart.
But, also to be fair, isn't it da job of someone elected to watch da millions of dollars of money of da taxpayers to question whether something might be a possible conflict?
Isn't it also interesting that this lawsuit was served during a recent Township Committee meeting, and isn't it even more interesting it comes less than two months before her seat in town hall is voted on????
Stuart made news last year, when sitting Monmouth Freeloader Lillian Burry wanted to make him da replacement for Manalapan's James Gray as county clerk. Both Burry and Stuart served on da same Colts Neck Township Committee at one time, and both are GOP'ers. Even a GOP'er politician questioned that possible political appointment.
Let's also not forget one GOP'er sho has supported his fellow GOP'er - Manalapan GOP'er Grand Poobah and Chairman Steve "Iron Girth" McEnery, who received a political appointment to da Sewer Authority that taxpayers pay for with their toilet flushing fees! He claimed under statement he had da proper experience for this job because he was a "manager" in da past. One can only believe that this means any 18-year old shift "manager" at a fast-food burger joint is now equally capable of being a "oommissioner" at da WMUA - another reason da state needs to take a serious look at politics in a small town!
DaTruth is, this proper investigation by da State Ethics Board into da Great Manalapan Land Grab is long overdue. We said before da state must look into this - for right or wrong. DaTruth also is, da lawsuit brought forth by former Colts Neck Mayor Stuart could potentially have been da final straw in da process, and may have potentially been da lynchpin into getting da State Ethics Board investigation!
Think about this -- every GOP'er dominated committee in Manalapan and Monmouth County has already voted in favor of Da Great Manalapan Land Grab and in favor of fellow GOP'er ABL completely in lockstep. Now, all of a sudden, a sitting township committee woman is sued because of questions she raised about da Great Manalapan Land Grab. Whether da case has or doesn't have merit is not da issue at this time. What is at issue is Da Great Manalpan Land Grab, and now taxpayers will finally be heard on da state level by da State Ethics Board - thanks to Michelle Roth!
DaTruth is, daTruthSquad has said all along that there are serious question during this entire process that must first be asked and answered - was there a conflict of interest on da part of Mayor ABL in any part of the process? Mayor ABL has refused a number of requests, even one for a former Manalapan mayor to simply do what all taxpayers must do - release da purchase price of da land in question. Mayor ABL has steadfastly REFUSED to release da purchase price. Why?????
Is there something to hide about this?
Was da land purchased below market value?
Was it purchased seriously below market value?
Was something not above da board?
These questions would never even be asked if ABL simply did what every taxpayer must do - release details for da public record of a land transaction.
However, this was not a simple land sale. What is at question is as da Asbury Park Press wrote "Roth said Lucas participated in discussions on properties that could have been awarded money from the township’s Open Space and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, the same pot that funds farmland preservation in Manalapan. At least three properties — two privately and one county-owned — which could have been preserved as open space through the fund were passed over after those discussions"
That is obviously a serious charge, and despite any questions, all GOP'er members of da Manalapan Township Committee still voted in favor of their GOP'er mayor doing da deal. Nobody questioned it, that is, except for daTruthSquad, another former Manalapan mayor and Committeewoman and Michelle Roth.
And, why should Michelle Roth be praised for her actions in this case ---- as da newspaper says "The committee specifically wants the state to look into Township Committeewoman Michelle Roth’s claims that Lucas participated in executive session discussions on properties that could have competed with his for funds."
Also at question was da land sale itself. Da purchaser was ABL and his family. Da seller was a company called Diamond Developers, a company that it has been reported is partially owned by ABL and his family!
And, making matters worse, it was a former Manalapan mayor who stood up to ABL and said there are serious questions of transparancy here, saying "Mr. Lucas, without planting one seed in the ground, you flipped—and the word is ‘flipped’—100 acres of land in a land scheme, a deal, in nine days. $1.15 million of farmland preservation funds for your efforts at taxpayers’ expense,” said former mayor Spodak. “This means you’ll receive a 100 acre farm and probably, the way, I’m figuring it, a house for free while the rest of the hard working residents pay for theirs. You’re not being transparent; that’s the biggest problem."
DaTruth is, there's more than one hero here. One hero is former Colts Neck Mayor Stuart, who shined possibly da biggest light of all on this Great Manalapan Land Grab by filing da interestingly-timed defamation lawsuit against da Queen for questioning da land deal in da first place. Another hero is Manalapan Deputy Mayor Ryan "Big Oops" Green, who may have oopsed himself into this by suggesting that da township not pay for da lawsuit against whistleblower Queen Michelle, making even more news about da Great Manalapan Land Grab come to light. Another, former Mayor Spodak took a lot of rebuke at a recent meeting yet still stood up to be heard on what he apparently believes is a "land scheme." Of course, da person who scattered da roaches and protected taxpayers was none other than Michelle Roth herself, for relentlessly pursuing something she believed is an injustice against Manalapan and state taxpayers, and is paying da price by being sued for it - standing up to cronyism "For All Da People."
Now, da State Agriculture Development Committee, which one of da final hurdles in da Great Manalapan Land Grab apparently listened to folks like Michelle Roth, and has decided to place a hold on their decision about providing Manalapan Mayor ABL his grand-prize winning $1.15 million to preserve da farm he refuses to divulge da price he paid for it, and only owned it just over a week!
Think about this --- food rots in less time than it took Manalapan Mayor ABL to buy just under 100 acres of land at a-yet-undisclosed price - and flip that land into a taxpayer-funded payday. Now, its up to da State Ethics Board to sort out da details. A bright light has been shined on this Great Manalapan Land Grab, and in this case daTruthSquad can't take all da credit. Credit for this goes where credit is due --- Former Mayor Spodak for wanting to know for da citizens daTruth -- former Mayor Stuart for wanting to right a perceived wrong and having it become a public spectacle -- and yes, Committeewoman Michelle Roth who under enormous pressure stood up to da GOP'ers and said in effect that "People" are questioning it - da "DEP" is questioning it - more than one "former mayor" is questioning it - da Asbury Park Press has questioned it - "daTruthSquad" has questioned it.
That's a lot of questions - and still no solid answers as to why taxpayers should hand Manalapan Mayor ABL a million dollar taxpayer-funded payday.
And that's daTruth.
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131 comments:
Could Lucus and all these GOP ers get locked up if this really was a scam?
This is why one party should never have total control of a town or county.
Fat man Mc Enerey is qualified to be working at the WMUA like my seven year old son is. BOTH know how to flush a toilet! These political jobs have to stop!
you're forgetting one other person who was screaming about this stinking deal--Fred Sloane took on his fellow hate-site teammates, to the point that lady brillo shut her site down.
Ha Ha ha serves these fu#*king low life politicians good. I hope they all go to jail...LET THE SUBPOENA'S AND SWORN TESTIMONY BEGIN, LET'S SEE WHO TURNS ON WHO FIRST. How mamy years can u get for conspiracy and perjury?
Bravo bravo bravo to Manalapan township commettee woman Michelle Roth for shining a light on these scumbags!
What an idiot Stuart looks like for for being suckered into this ever expanding web of this alledged land scam cover up.
Do they have any more unnamed buildings at Brookdale C.C. that can be named for our newest crook?
Of all the people in Manalapan politics its hard to believe Michelle Roth is the one who is looking out for taxpayers. But she did right with this one. Kudos to Michelle for standing up to the bullies.
Now we know what this land grab is all about. It's about taking taxpayer money and twisting the system for personal gain. I agree. There will be subpoenas for this one. If not, a state investigation will be the least of some of these politicians worries.
Michelle Roth just got my vote.
Can you just see the perp walk on this one ? lol
Rabbi Soloman Dweck's scam deal looks legit compared to these alledged crooks who appear to be ripping off the taxpayers.
Can't wait for the investigation begin.
The Hall of Shame on this deal should be named after Dildo Don "mind-yer-own-frikken-business" Holland, along with the nincompoops over at Lesser Media, publisher of the No-News Transcript, for whom no felons are off limits unless they're named Andrew.
I would like to know if there was a conspiracy to turn down the other properties in favor of this possible Mayor Lucus land scam.
I cannot believe that Susan Cohen would run on the same ticket as Dildo Don. If you know Susan, you know she'll be telling Girth, "It's him or me, take your pick."
Congratulations are in order for Michelle Roth, daTruthSquad, the Asbury Park Press and all the Anonymous posters of both political parties who persistently and overwhelmingly opposed this travesty of good sense and judgement. Hopefully, justice will prevail!
If proven guilty, Mayor Lucas should be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail. A "Lucas Law" should also be established to forewarn other potential wrong doers of the potential consequences of their selfish schemes.
How would you feel if you were a real farmer who had a legitimate request for farmland perservation funds and was turned down because of this alleged conspiracy to get Lucus a cool million dollars of hard earned taxpayer money?
Who was involved? Lucus, Holland, Green ? Who else? Don't they realize if found guilty of conspiracy and fraud of taxpayer money and denying real farmers the money that they 're looking to do some real time behind bars?
"If proven guilty, Mayor Lucas should be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail."
Lets remember that nobody has been proven of anything right now. However, if this Ethics investigation into Lucas even shows a slight improper action, if he doesn't take his land out of Farmland Preservation he should immediately resign from office, and I think he won't be alone.
Four words - GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY, GUILTY!
Here's what Andy Boy should be scared of most: Michelle Roth has been too silent on this issue. You know she knows something. When will she take down the GOP'ers like they took down her Manalapan Democrats when they pulled the alliance out from under her and Ward's feet?
I don't like the "Dildo" name for Don Holland, but he could potentially be in some hot water if he gets one of those subpoenas people are talking about. If anyone knows something, you would have to think a fellow farmer who was a part of the process on the local and country level would - especially at a time when he flipped to the GOP. His flip to the GOP could come back to haunt him.
I am demanding a criminal investigation into the possibilty that Lucus and his Repulican crew tried to defraud farmers out of this money. Just having Lucus withdraw his requst isn't enough, they must be punished if found guilty of conspiracy, fraud, racketeering they must serve at least 5 years in jail, maybe Holland and Green should only get 3 years if they are found guilty.
Let the investigation begin!
"This subject approved property was for sale for years in good economic times and never sold because the improvement costs for development were prohibitive. The most approved new homes for development would be about 8 on the 100 acre parcel...and even if built out, it would still provide much needed business for contractors, supply houses, appliance dealers, etc., as well as much needed municipal fees and taxes. The reality is that a local connected politician is unethically attempting to acquire this property for himself at full taxpayer expense."
@"His flip to the GOP could come back to haunt him."
Gee, d'ya think it could have something to do with his being given permission to do what he wants with his historical landmark?
ok, then let's call him DESERTER DON, for switching parties perhaps for corrupt purposes.
The fact that only 8 homesites could be approved on a 100 acre parcel tells it all! This land has never been any good for appreciable home development as it contains a huge amount of wetlands, bad soils, and already revealed contamination. It is highly questionable and suspect that Manalapan officials approved spending even one penny of our taxpayer dollars in trying to preserve it.
He fits in fine with the whole bunch of loathsome and arrogant connivers.
Michelle Roth is the only township committee person soaking the taxpayers for both health care and a salary. Michelle Roth has wasted tens of thousands of dollars pursuing frivolous litigation against her political enemies. Her vicious potty mouth has forced the taxpayers to pay for two defamation suits against her. She continually treats the township employees as if they are getting paid to pursue her personal agendas. She voted to hold back the needed increase in parking fees because she personally can't afford to pay the increase for a parking space she uses less than once a month, keeping commuters from using that space to earn a living. She has never run with the same running mate twice because no one wants to be a part of her corruption. She and her pet lap dog Spodak interrupt every meeting to waste everyone's time attacking someone else instead of doing something of value for the taxpayers. She appointed an unqualified attorney to be the WMUA commissioner and watched as he gave the felon Frank Abate a raise and somehow lost track of 12 million dollars. And then she accuses everyone ELSE of corruption.
Hey Squad, nice post about you from the NJ.com board. Hopefully people will also post about this land grab there before the GOP has them taken down to stifle free speech. We know that won't happen here!
5244.1.1.1.1.2.
Da Truth Squad has published
by Juillet, 09/26/11 4:27 PM
Re: I am glad.... by public, 09/26/11 4:27 PM
the whole story about this debacle. How much validity do you give the Truth Squad for investigative competency? The person who writes this seems to have done research on this Lucas issue.I'm impressed that the writer has so much patience to sum up the whole story in his or her creative way.Again, politics rears its ugly head. Hopefully , those who want to uncover the facts aren't doing it for self-serving reasons. Manalapan residents really want this straightened out and the truth revealed. Otherwise, the Mayor and his land deal will always be suspect. If the deal has some shady underpinnings, we want to know.
I think we're forgetting the wind card here is actually Michelle Roth. I think she has the goods on Lucas and is purposely waiting to spill the beans on anything he might have done that could be perceived as illegal. This time I'm on Roth's side.
We're in the middle of the Great Recession and the mayor of Manalapan is awaiting a million dollar payday from taxpayers? I'm glad I don't live in that town, but I'm looking forward to see how this soap opera ends. My guess is the State Ethics Board will rule there's a conflict of interest here and that could cause problems for those who supported this mayor.
Don't be fooled Ryan Green gets his health benefits off the tax payers back too. At least Roth didn't try to mislead the public like green did when he waived the townships benefit plan, then pointed his finger at roth for accepting the benefits, he already was getting them from his wifes state health benefits, paid for by the tax payer. What a phoney
I've read a bunch of newspaper stories about this land deal, but nothing like what is written here. If all of this is true than now I have no doubt that something underhanded is happening here. I'm glad the state is stepping in. But I think there needs to be more than just an ethics probe. The state and feds need to look into this.
He almost pulled it off, while his underlings on the township committee gave him the wink and a nod.
All but Michelle Roth, who called the Mayor out on
his attempt to soak us for a million dollar payday.
My hat's off to her for standing up for us taxpayers
she"ll get my vote next month and I usually vote
Republican.
Good job Truth Squad for making this easy to follow and understand!
Let the chips fall where they may, if these politicians have to go to prison if proven guilty so be it.
So some a$$ hole is suing the watchdog? If the a$$ hole is on a public board then he's a public person, questioning is routine. If the A$$ hole doesn't want to be critisized he should get off the public board and sit home to watch Dancin with the stars. I'm going to pass the word that no one should use this jerks company or vote for him ever again. Since this is still America where we still have have free speech MY opinion is HE's AN A$$ HOLE!
Trust me...the Feds are now involved and they are anxious to expose another wrongdoing politician in Monmouth County. As a "friend", I would encourage any locals involved in this "land-grab scheme" to come clean and cooperate with these investigators. Otherwise, the consequences could be severe!
Don Holland is on the Manalapan Township Committee. He has IMHO facilitated the entire process for Andrew Lucas. Watvhing him on the mettings he seems very proud of his involvement and seems like he sees nothing wrong with this. The good news is we see the wrong here and can do something about it. Holland is running for Township Committee again in November with Susan Cohen who also appears to be thrilled with her fellow Republican making a taxpayer funded windfall. Manalapan voters deserve what they get if they vote these two in for three additional years. Thank G-d the state is investigating this now!
The Asbury Park Press has now chimed in too, siding with the Squad and those against the Lucas Land Grab - Great Editorial:
http://www.app.com/article/20110924/NJOPINION01/309240011/Time-reverse-farmland-deal
Finally. It’s about time the state put at least temporary brakes on Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas’ attempt to pocket a cool million dollars of taxpayers’ money.
After a half-hour executive session discussion Thursday, the state Agriculture Development Committee tabled Lucas’ application for a farmland preservation deal in which he and his family would be paid $1.15 million.
The committee is requesting that the Monmouth County freeholder board, which previously signed off on the application, “seek an opinion from the State Ethics Commission concerning the actions of the applicant on the approval of this application,” said Ralph Siegel of the Garden State Preservation Trust.
Board members said the tabling was related to “allegations of conflict of interest.”
The whiff of conflict of interest is so strong that the deal should have never gone as far as it has. That the state has tabled the application is a sign that good sense and good government may yet prevail.
Lucas bought the 95-acre Burke Farm, assessed at $1.5 million, in March 2010 from Diamond Developers, which originally planned to build nine houses there. We don’t know what Lucas paid for the land, which is contiguous to his own farm, because he insists the previous owners want the amount kept confidential.
Lucas applied for farmland preservation through the state’s Planning Incentive Grant program. Depending on what he paid for the land, the mayor could get the property for free at taxpayers’ expense and a property tax break on that part of the property actually being farmed.
Lucas has maintained that since he didn’t vote on decisions on his own property, there is no conflict. But he did lead Township Committee discussions on other properties that could have competed for the same pot of money.
There are red flags all over this deal. Lucas acts as if he is some kind of “eco-hero” trying to save his town from developers.
Really? He and his family own the land. They can prevent it from being developed simply by holding onto it. That way, the money spent to preserve that property could be used to acquire another parcel or be banked until a property in greater jeopardy of being developed became eligible for the program.
Lucas continues to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to all of this. Commenting on the setback, he said, “I am glad to be doing my part in fighting overdevelopment in saving one of the last 100-acre farms in town.”
Even if the state denies him what he wants, he can still keep the land safe from development, simply by not selling it to developers.
Regardless of the State Ethics Commission ruling, the Monmouth County freeholders should use this opportunity to rethink their original decision.
This land deal reeks of political favoritism, lack of transparency, half truths and lies. Just one example that has yet to be commented on is his claim that this subject property is contiguous to his existing farm. I believe that is at least "two miles from the truth" as his existing farm is about that far away on a different road.
AFTER READING THE EDITORIAL FROM THE ASBURY PARK PRESS, I HAVE NO DOUBT NOW THAT THIS WAS CRIMINAL AND THIS NEEDS MORE THAN AN ETHICS BOARD. THE FBI NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE ALL OF THE POLITICIANS WHO AIDED AND ABETTED THE MANALAPAN MAYOR IN THIS LAND GRAB.
IMHO SOME OF THESE POLITICIANS NEED LAWYERS, AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL FOR THEM THIS TIME.
I second that opinion that the guy who is a public person since he sits on a public board who's suing watchdog Roth is an ASS WHOLE!
I feel bad for Don Holland. Talk about being duped. This guy turned into a puppet for Andrew Lucas and if they do find wrongdoing here, he could be in for a bad ride.
deserters deserve destruction.
Why feel bad for Holland? Do you think that he is that clueless? Do you think that he might be involved in a so-called "land preservation" deal some day?
Can someone please explain to me how a story about the Mayor's special land deal being referred to the Sate Ethics Board is a big story in the Asbury Park Press, and doesn't even rate a mention in the News Trascript? Should we assume the the Mayor has phoptos of of Mark Whatsisname with a sheep, or is there some other explanation?
If the Asbury Park Press is correct, then this deal made by Lucas for Lucas is nothing short of a land swindle that taxpayers will make him a millionaire. The fact that someone like Susan Cohen is silent on the issue shows me she's no longer her own person. She and Holland both lost my vote.
I can't wait to read in the truth squad about the FBI coming in and raiding Manalapan town hall for records on the land grab. You have to believe that's next. Then watch and see every Lucas supporter say they were against the land grab from the beginning.
This is why the News Transcript is often found lying in
gutters and piled up unread at the bottom of driveways through out western monmouth co. It can hardly be
considered a serious news source.
I don't feel sorry for Mayor Stuart in the slightest. He fell for Lucas's scheme. He filed the IMHO frivolous lawsuit. What he is claiming is in essence that a public official cannot have an opinion. I believe it will be tossed out of court, and he or whoever is backing him will be wasting their money.
Does the News Transcript still do a newspaper? I just read Manalapan Patch and this site to get my Manalapan news. Who needs the Transcript anyway. I thought they were biased anyway.
Here's my question - who will receive the first subpoena to testify?
Is there anyone other than Michelle Roth who is interested in the slightest in the 45 posts here (and dozens of posts in the previous blog) attacking (as she always does) her political opponents? Can it get any more boring? Maybe the News Transcript isn't covering the story because Michelle Roth defaming people is simply no longer news. This woman is a one person hate machine. She makes the now defunct hate site look like a Berkeley love fest. I guess Michelle doesn't think the taxpayers are paying for enough defamation lawsuits against her yet.
Should have voted for Eiger and Dworkin
"Is there anyone other than Michelle Roth who is interested in the slightest in the 45 posts here (and dozens of posts in the previous blog) attacking (as she always does) her political opponents? Can it get any more boring? Maybe the News Transcript isn't covering the story because Michelle Roth defaming people is simply no longer news."
Well, the NT IS now reporting on it, including the ethics issue and the statement by Lucas who shows IMHO that he's only in it for the money.
http://nt.gmnews.com/news/2011-09-28/Front_Page/Manalapan_mayors_application_for_farmland_money_ta.html
Even the News Transcript now, even though well after the fact is coming out and seems to have questions about this land grab by Manalapan's mayor.
If he really wants to protect the land as he claims, then just do it and don't take millons in taxpayer money for it. To me the guy is slimy for taking the action he is, and blaming a woman for being caught is even lower. He and his political party should be ashamed.
Was never really a fan of Michelle Roth - until now.
If the Manalapan mayor were upstanding, he'd pull his own application and place the farm into preservation without taking taxpayer money and he'd be a hero for life. Instead he wants a quick payday and has shown in all of these posts and newspaper articles he's nothing more than money hungry and looking for a 7-figure payday. Even worse, by the actions of some in his own political party he has shamed both the party and themselves by acting so stongly to protect him making this look like partisan politics. The only thing he hasn't done is invoke the name of Jesus into this. This is a very sad situation for both himself, his town and politics in general.
Lets face da real truth. Roth voted on that property to be developed. She took campaign contributions from builders, developers & da developers contractors. Roth fought hard to kill da Village Center project which would have brought in over $1.5 million in tax dollars with very minimal additional expense to the town. Now she is in favor of all these low income housing which will bring in bus loads of children? Could it be that da Village Center developers wouldn't
contribute to her campaign? We know for sure that the low incomes housing builders have contributed to her campaigns.
"Anonymous said...
Lets face da real truth. Roth voted on that property to be developed. She took campaign contributions from builders, developers & da developers contractors. Roth fought hard to kill da Village Center project which would have brought in over $1.5 million in tax dollars with very minimal additional expense to the town. Now she is in favor of all these low income housing which will bring in bus loads of children? Could it be that da Village Center developers wouldn't
contribute to her campaign? We know for sure that the low incomes housing builders have contributed to her campaigns."
Interesting points each and every one, but are you sure you're talking about Roth?
Lucas was for the Village before he was against it.
Lucas was in favor of the low income housing and voted to approve it.
Lucas OWNS a home building company in Diamond Developers, so he's not only in bed with DEVELOPERS - HE IS ONE.
Maybe Lucas also didn't get campaign money from the Village shich is why he turned against it?
All of these things you blame Roth for sounds a lot like Lucas to me - and Lucas is also a defendant in a Manalapan case that taxpayers are paying for (the Moskovitz case) and he was mayor when all of that happened!
Lucas + Roth = Perfect Together
Two spitting cobras in the same basket. It couldn't get better except for one monster problem--they are playing their arrogant and dumb games with our tax money. This is bipartisan crookery of the first magnitude.
The devil is in the details.. Maybe this is why the Mayor is refusing to divulge specific information on how he aquired the property.
All things considered, it amazes me how the other members of the Township Comittee did not see this as a potential ethics problem right off the bat. Could it be that they are really just rank amateurs, who didn't think anyone beside a disgruntled member of the TC would care.... Or were they accomplices, willing to roll the dice and stake their polical fate's on the outcome of a State Ethic's Hearing ?
Where are those Senator's and Assemblymen that the Mayor brought to our town, to lecture us on austerity and the virtues of the Governor's "Tool Kit". We heard them speak about the need to keep our public employees in check, their salaries and benefits were too generous in this economy.
Where are these stewards of our financial resources now ?
Politcal Patronage at it's finest. A sitting mayor is awarded a miilion in taxpayer bucks by entities controlled by his own political party. What's the big deal, that's how it works here, the sooner you learn to accept it, the less these stunts will cause you aggrevation. Being elected to public office does come with it's perks, he's just bellying up for his share of some of that homemade taxpayer pie.
Why has no one asked the obvious questions??
Andrew Lucas and his family own a family farm here in Manalapan for years, yet they have never filed an application to place that farm in Farmland Preservation. WHY is that??
Now, Andrew Lucas and his family buy the Burke Farm and they immediately file an application to place that land into Farmland Preservation. Why?
What makes this farm land so different? Seems to me that those actions answer many questions.. In my humble opinion I think that it shows Andrew Lucas could not purchase this land without taxpayers dollars. IMHO, Andrew Lucas does not need our tax dollars to keep this property from being developed he needs it to buy it.
Prior poster has "hit the nail on the head" in his opinion that Lucas needs our tax dollars to buy the farm. It is the opinion of many, of both political parties, that not only will he receive enough from Farm Preservation to buy the 100+ acres but will also have enough money left over to have a large home built for himself on the property....all at taxpayer expense.
and one would guess to buy it for less than the appraised value of the developement rights and then stuff the profit in his pocket.
how does this guy even look at himself in the mirror, much less face anyone else? who'd have ever guessed that the picture in the dictionary next to "chutzpah" would be a princeton WASP farmerboy?
This just in! Bernie Madoff just endorsed Andrew for Monmouth Couty Freeloader!
give it a rest Fred.
Wow! talk about a slimy politician. If this guy already owned a farm before he bought and tried to flip this other one, then why didn't he put his family farm into preservation? I have to agree after reading all of this he was going for the big payday so he can retire on taxpayer money. This guy should be arrested for swindling taxpayers IMHO.
This guy Lucas is a genious. He came up with the perfect way to swindle the system and screw taxpayers out of millions. I wish I thought of it first and had political friends who would line up and risk their political careers and help purportrate this scam.
With his educational background and past experience and involvement with Manalapan land preservation, this Lucas guy is no dummy. Therefore, IMHO it is virtually certain that he would not have initiated this land purchase scheme without having prior assurance that it would be immediately approved at the local level for NJ Farm Preservation. When the full truth comes out, I believe a lot of heads are going to roll.
This should have been caught and stopped months ago. A lot of people and the entire news media were asleep at the switch, and this is what happens in that event.
The Truth Squad wrote:
Is there something to hide about this?
Was da land purchased below market value?
Was it purchased seriously below market value?
Was something not above da board?
These are all great questions that the media has yet to demand answers to. I for one want to know the answers before I commit to voting Republican again this year. I supported Lucas in the past, but if we find that he is trying to get rich quick then I believe he should be removed from office, if not arrested first if it is proven he committed some type of crime.
Does anyone know when this ethics board hearing is going to be? I'm sure the Lucas Republicans will pack that place in support of him. I'd love to go and see this spectacle.
Word is there is a lot of grumbling among Republicans in town who believe he paid way less than he's trying to steal from the government.
Although I don't live in Manalapan, as a Republican and Tea Party supporter I'm shocked and outraged at the actions of the Manalapan mayor. Although I don't believe what he did was illegal, it is definitely unethical and gives all Republicans a bad name. He should do the right thing and take his land out of preservation and save the taxpayers money.
Did he use his political influence to fast track the process ?
I've heard it was unprecedented that his application was filed and awarded in such a short amount of time.
I am also an exManalapan resident living in Florida near other exManalapanites and we try to keep up with the local news as we still have friends and family back "home". Without deviation, all contacts agree that this Lucas land scam is wrong and unethical and is casting a negative image of our "hometown".
While I do not believe what Mayor Lucas did was illegal, I have to admit there is a serious "ethical" question here. The fact he refuses to announce what he paid for the land is a red flag, especially if it is determined there was something underhanded in that process. The fact the whole thing was fast tracked as it was raises another flag. Either he needs to come clean or remove his land from the process and choose another that has no questons or ties to a politician.
FOUR WORDS --- CALL IN THE FEDS!!!!
Are you telling me that Lucus is the 1st guy to scam the green acres / farmland preservation pile of money throughout the state?
IMHO he's the 1st unlucky dumb bastard who gets caught. I don't think that the state is going to look very hard in their investigation (if they actually pursue one). There may be to many skeletons of very well connected individuals hiding in that closet.
If the FEDS audit both programs I'm confident they'll find a mountain of other fradulent or corrupt green acres / farmland preservation deals. There has been untold sums of $$ already spent over the years. I doubt much detailed scrutiny was given to investigate the owership records of other deals.
Does anyone really believe that there were no other corrupt deals within these programs and the piles of money they spent on land?
And 'Lex' Lucus figured this scam out all by his lonesome?
When the state ethics board finds that there was no ethical violation -- as they will have to, since there was none -- it will be painfully clear that never have so few written so much about so little. This is yet another defamation by the Queen of defamation, Michelle Roth. Don't be surprised if when the dust settles, Michelle is defending a THIRD defamation case (or fourth? I lost count) with taxpayer money.
@"Don't be surprised if when the dust settles, Michelle is defending a THIRD defamation case (or fourth? I lost count) with taxpayer money":
Well, she and Lucas were a tag team for one of those pitiful litigations.
And, nope, no one has ever given a public accounting of the lawyers' fees paid by our taxes for those travesties of government.
who paid for that stupid comment?
Annon Wrote - "never have so few written so much about so little"
A million $$$, so little ? I guess if your one of NJ's millionaire farmers, a million bucks is chicken feed.
Nobody has posted this, but I think the most interesting part of this whole sordid affair hasn't even happened yet, and it has nothing to do with the Ethics investigation into Mayor Lucas.
Michelle Roth has been unusually silent lately on this issue. That means either she's truly run out of things to say, or she has something on Lucas that she's going to hide until either the debate or the Ethics hearing.
I'll put money she has a Lucas skeleton in her closet she's salivating over releasing.
The fact that the county Republicans decided to make Lucas walk the plank into an ethics hearing speaks volumes here. Even they must think somethings wrong here and want ot distance themselves from the Great Manalapan Land grab!
If Roth had anything else on Lucas, do you really believe that she would be able to bite her tongue and keep it on the down low for more than 5 minutes ?
Her track record say's, that it's highly unlikely.
While we witness the collapse of our economy and watch our families and neighbors face layoffs, downsizing,forclosures and bankruptcy. An elite politician is prepared to fill his pockets with taxpayer dollars. This will come back to haunt Gov. Christie and the GOP who have attacked public workers for their salary & benefits with great vengence.
But who now appear to be suffering from a severe case of laryngitis now that one of their own is set up to recieve a million dollar jackpot from the N.J. taxpayer. It's examples such as this that has eroded people's faith in their government and helped cement the stereotype that most politicians are greedy and are only looking out for themselves.
Regardless if this is all completely legal, it stinks to the high heavens and is a poke in the eye to every stuggling taxpayer in the state.
I always thought of Don Holland as a decent guy and "straight shooter". I hope he is not being "thrown under the bus" by his new Republican buddies on this unscrupulous land grab boondoggle.
Does anyone know the tax treatment of the preservation funds? Let's say the $1.5 million is like $600,000 more than the purchase price of the land. Is that a capital gain? Is it tax-free? Or should it be considered ordinary income as the proceeds of serving as Mayor and using your political influence to land a giant pay day?
Donut Don is a straight shooter when it comes to aiming bullets at his own feet. What a clown!
Lucas and Holland have been the "go to" guys for many years if a local farmer wanted to apply for Farmland Preservation. It seems very suspect that Lucas now claims that Holland approached him to enter his newly acquired estate into Manalapan Farm Preservation.
It would be interesting to learn who are the principal owners of Diamond Developers. For his sake, I hope Don Holland is not involved.
Will the Mayor's Ethics Hearing be open to the public ? Will the Press be able to report on the proceedings ? Will the specific details of this land deal finally be divulged ?
The only thing missing from Donnie Holland and Andrew Lucas is seeing them twirl their mustaches as they tie taxpayers to the railroad tracks as the train is coming through. They both are pathetic for what they are doing to taxpayers. I refuse to vote for either Republicans in Manalapan this year because they have been silent on the Lucas Land Scam. I'm ashamed ot be a republican because of them.
Why does Fred think everyone has a mustache?
I'm a Democrat, and I'm ashamed for what these greedy dimwits are doing to my town.
OMG, did you read Holland's statement to Mar Rosman quoted in the News Tranny?? He says he's asked EVERY farmer about preservation over the last umpteen years, as a routine matter, and that he went to Lucas with this question when a little birdie told him that Lucas had bought the Diamond property. Have you stopped laughing yet? Question for Don--if you went to every farmer, then you obviously had gone to Andrew previously about the Lucas family farm, and so you already knew that they weren't the slightest bit interested in preservation, so why did you go back? HOW STUPID DO YOU THINK WE ARE????
I read the Don Holland email reply to the News Transcript.
Question - did he actually write it or did Andrew write it for him like he was accused by the same newspaper of doing for someone else in 2005?
Question - If he wrote it himself, does he think we can believe this?
Question - if he didn't write this and someone else did, would you be surprised. I believe Holland stopped being his own man a while ago. It's a shame, because as Michelle learned, its only a matter of time before Andrew decides he doesn't need you anymore to help him advance his political agenda and land empire.
Good luck Don - you're going to need it especially if the Ethics Board does what it should.
I vividly remember a public Township meeting a few years ago where a local farmer asked Lucas during a rezoning discussion why he, the farmer, had never been approached to consider Farmland Preservation. The response from Lucas was that the Preservation committee does not solicit land preservation...and that they must be approached by an interested applicant. I'm quite sure the reply has to be a matter of public record.
I vividly remember a public Township meeting a few years ago where a local farmer asked Lucas during a rezoning discussion why he, the farmer, had never been approached to consider Farmland Preservation. The response from Lucas was that the Preservation committee does not solicit land preservation...and that they must be approached by an interested applicant. I'm quite sure the reply has to be a matter of public record.
As I recall, that comment was made by then Councilman Lucas to a long time Manalapan horse farmer that was questioning the definition of an acre in the new zoning law. I'm certain that other Committee members and residents in the audience remembet it as well.
I don't know if this falls under a legal question but I'll ask it here and hope someone has the answer.
In Upper Freehold Township there is a 37 acre piece of land that is up for sale for approximately $375,000. This land is currently in Farmland Preservation, but it states you can build on one of the acres. Can you sell the land you put in Farmland Preservation even if yoy get taxpayer money to buy it in the first place? Isn't that like ripping off the state? Does this mean Manalapan Mayor Lucas can flip the land he just bout into Farmland Preservation, get over $1 million from the state and then sell the land if he wants to for even more of a profit? Aren't there laws to prevent this? Does anyone know?
When you tell people in other states they are bewildered. Lucas is allowed at least one 4 acre homesite per 70 some acres in NJ Farm Preservation. In todays market that site is worth around $300,000. Add in the $1,100,000 and that yields him around 1.4 million. Subtract an estimated $800,000 for the purchase and he nets $600,000 in his pocket and 90 some acres of farmland for FREE! This has to be the deal (scam) of all time!
When you tell people in other states they are bewildered. Lucas is allowed at least one 4 acre homesite per 70 some acres in NJ Farm Preservation. In todays market that site is worth around $300,000. Add in the $1,100,000 and that yields him around 1.4 million. Subtract an estimated $800,000 for the purchase and he nets $600,000 in his pocket and 90 some acres of farmland for FREE! This has to be the deal (scam) of all time!
Unbelievable...but true! This guy can build a mansion with all the trimmings and own 90 acres of land at total taxpayer expense. He must be laughing all the way to the bank.
Don't you understand? In this day and age, you become a mayor in New Jersey for the VERY PURPOSE of getting rich at the expense of the taxpayers. Andrew knows the game, and is playing it just as a smart person would. Lay off him and get your OWN elected office that lets you rip off the stupid taxpayers!
At least Lucas is not Mormon
No, he may not be a Mormon, but many believe he is a complete "Moron" to think he was going to get away with this "boondoggle"
I missed the debate where Don Holland really took it on the chin. No eyewitnesses available here?
so, the three mouseketeers voted to deny a defense to the queen, REGARDLESS of the insurance company's decision on coverage?
consequences--
it's transparent that this is to protect the boy land baron from any disclosure that the stuart defamation suit is all part of a political conspiracy, but now that the queen is free to provide her own defense, LOOK OUT BELOW. none of these nitwits is safe.
AND--now that this precedent has been set, no one in his or her right mind will run for office or serve as a volunteer. for those who can't afford to pay 25k plus to a lawyer, it's a ticket to ruination.
correct, and now that she has been denied the equal protection of the laws as a result of a clearly discriminatpory and politically motivated decision to wrongly deny indemnification, she has a great civil case against the town and the mouseketeers for violation of her federally protected civil rights.
The far better question is how in the world does the Agriculture Board give contracts to its own members?
Vote says no to paying defense for local official
Manalapan committeewoman is target of defamation lawsuit
By Mark Rosman
MANALAPAN — By a 3-0 vote of the Manalapan Township Committee, municipal officials told Democratic Committeewoman Michelle Roth and Manalapan’s residents that the township will not pay to defend Roth in a defamation lawsuit that has been filed against her by a professional appraiser.
The action took place at the Oct. 12 meeting of the governing body.
Republican Deputy Mayor Ryan Green read a two-page resolution that was subsequently passed by himself and Republican committeemen Don Holland and Jordan Maskowitz.
Roth and Republican Mayor Andrew Lucas recused themselves from discussion on the matter.
James Stuart of Colts Neck, a professional appraiser and member of the Monmouth County Agricultural Development Board, is the plaintiff in the lawsuit. He is accusing Roth of defaming him and harming his personal and professional reputation.
The township is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.
The lawsuit, which has been filed in state Superior Court, Freehold, references comments Roth made during two committee meetings held earlier this year. The lawsuit seeks damages for the professional and personal harm Stuart claims he has sustained as a result of Roth’s comments.
At issue is the public’s pending purchase of the 100-acre Burke farm on Iron Ore Road in Manalapan. The farm is controlled by Lucas, who has applied for farmland preservation funding that would come from local, county and state coffers.
Stuart’s lawsuit states that he performed an appraisal of the Burke farm on behalf of the county. His firm, the Stuart Appraisal Company, determined the value of the farm to be $844,800. The appraisal was signed by Stuart on Oct. 20, 2010.
In light of the widespread public protests against corporate and government greed, Lucas's "land-grab" application should be withdrawn immediately.
If ever passed, and the word spreads, this "scam" could be a prime example and rallying point for more protests everywhere.
Lucas friend Art Gallager ARRESTED! Why can't that happen to Lucas? Delaware isn't like the politically challenged NJ.
I just read in the Asbury Park Press that Lucas supporter Art Gallagher was busted for some illegal activity in Delaware and is in jail awaiting extradition.
Birds of a feather......
Nice job of Michelle Roth wiping the floor with her old running mate Benedict Don Holland at the debate! Great work Michelle!!
Occupy Manalapan anyone??????
Is it true that the allegations being made that Michelle Roth's remark about Stuart Aprraisal were entirely Political?
According to the News Transcript "During two public committee meetings this year, Roth questioned the propriety of having Stuart conduct an appraisal of the farm and then voting to approve it for the farmland preservation program as a sitting member of the county’s Agricultural Development Board."
My question is this, Has Stuart Appraisal been used on other Farm Land preservation applications while Michelle Roth sat on this township committee?
If so why didn't Mrs. Roth take issue on those past applications with Mr. Stuart as a voting member of the Ag Board???
Hmmm....
Posted on nj.com........" I believe it was Mayor Lucas, a public figure, that initially declared publicly that the Burke farm was contiguous to his family farm. If I am correct ( I believe that statement was reported in an Asbury Park Press editorial) it would appear to be an intentional attempt by a public official to deceive the public and, as such, should be subject to charges of fraud and deception."
"If so why didn't Mrs. Roth take issue on those past applications with Mr. Stuart as a voting member of the Ag Board???"
Wait, so your saying that when an elected official has a political motive for making a statement about a conflict of interest of another official, the motive is the basis for a defamation suit? Welcome to America: You just ended all political debates and terminated free speech.
Over on Moremonmouthmusings, there are dozens of posters cackling over the current legal difficulties of the administrator of that blogsite who has apparently been charged with matters of which no one has knowledge. When I read those postings, I immediately thought of this site and the infamous, now defunct, hate site, as well as the hundreds of postings by the man of a thousand names, F. Stone. There is little doubt that the postings in this thread are from Michelle's supporters, possibly the same Mr. Stone. What we have seen in the last two years, however, is that these hideous tactics of character assassination do not work. As to the moderator of moremonmouthmusings, he would not be the first person to be accused of something of which he was not guilty. To revel in the charges when the revelers don't even know what the charges are speaks not of the moderator's character, but of the posters' character. It is this kind of brutal personal attack that is the principal reason George Spodak has become the town jester, Fred Stone is simply regarded as a useless abomination, the hate site is defunct and Michelle Roth will never win another election. The people are tired of the constant defamations. They will prove that once again in three weeks. As for the continued, endless tirade against Andrew Lucas, I don't believe I've ever read more ridiculous accusations and so many postings from a poster or posters so clearly unaware of the actual facts. What we are seeing is hate for the sake of hate. It is rejected by a civilized community. It is rejected by Manalapan. The champion of those haters will be removed from public office as the result.
It is interesting that the poster who constantly attacks Ms. Roth and saying that Ms. Roth is engaged in hateful statements is doing exactly what she claims Ms. Roth is doing. Also, I wonder if Ms. Roth is in fact voted out of office and we have a committee consisting of entirely one party how any dissenting voice will be heard in Manalapan. Food for thought.
Is that gonna be the Mayor's answer to the State's Ethic's Board.. This is really all about a few hateful bloggers ? Awesome !
"So many postings from a poster or posters so clearly unaware of the actual facts" Really...so let's review a few actual facts that we are aware of:
1) This approved building property was for sale for years by a professional developer and never sold because the improvement costs to develop it were economically unfeasible.
2) Mayor Lucas, a public official, allegedly bought the property for an undisclosed price that he still refuses to reveal and Don Holland, Manalapan Committeeman, publicly states is none of our business.
3) Immediately after the alleged purchase, Lucas get the property "fast-tracked" for Township and County approval into the New Jersey Farmland Preservation Program for approximately 1.1 million dollars of taxpayer monies.
4) Early in 2010, Lucas informs a Colts Neck custom farmer that was previously farming the ground that the State is buying him, Lucas, the farm and that the prior farmer has to leave.
5) After local approval, it is revealed that the property has contamination that would prevent it from State approval.
6) Mayor Lucas votes to give himself a huge tax break on the property, and after discovery claims that he didn't recuse himself because he didn't recognize the property as his own.
7) Etc., Etc.
And now you know why so many concerned local residents of both major poolitical parties are adamantly opposed to this suspicious "land-grab" that has cast an unneeded dark shadow over Manalapan Township, Monmouth County, and the State of New Jersey.
Thank you for keepng me in your thoughts.
"Wait, so your saying that when an elected official has a political motive for making a statement about a conflict of interest of another official, the motive is the basis for a defamation suit? Welcome to America: You just ended all political debates and terminated free speech."
This is a response to the above posted statement. I am not Mr. Stuart and his reasoning for filing his defamation suit against Mrs. Roth was his choice. The question was, "Has Stuart Appraisal been used on other Farm Land preservation applications while Michelle Roth sat on this township committee?
If so why didn't Mrs. Roth take issue on those past applications with Mr. Stuart as a voting member of the Ag Board??? "
Not one is questioning Roth's rights to freedom of speech. But since you brought it up, Doesn't Roth have a moral and a fiduciary responsibility not to say things that will create legal jeopardy for the township she represents?? "
"IMHO when lawsuits are filed against one of our elected officials as a direct result of a statement or action taken by the said elected official,it is WE THE TAXPAYERS OF MANALAPAN WHO GET STUCK FOOTING THE BILL AND PAYING FOR THOSE REMARKS."
please, what she said is entirely relevant to the township's well-being and she has a privilege to say so as a public official with respect to a public figure unless said in bad faith with knowledge of falsity. the law suit is meritless, politically-motivated,a nd will be dismissed when a motion for dismissal is made.
Here is what is going to happen. The Republicans on the ethics board and the Gov. will make it look like a fair consideration, then, Lucas will get his ethics approval.
Even a village idiot knows the land deal is to get a sitting politician almost a hundred acres of prime Manalapan land paid for with tax dollars.
As to the meritless nature of the lawsuit against Ms. Roth, please see the comments in ths Asbury Park Press by Ms. Cohen stating the lawsuit is frivolous.
Just as i always suspected! while they both list their ages as 54, mrs cohen is really mrs roth's mother !
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