Homeowners in Long Branch will have their homes stolen if Mayor Adam Schneider and the city council are not stopped. The Long Branch politicians will once again use eminent domain to take Ocean Avenue homes from their rightful owners.
Mayor Schneider claims he is a generous man and is willing to work with the homeowners, if they relinquish their property without a fight. "I’ll meet with them as often as they want … We’ve been as careful and slow and considerate as we can be of the people who live there. (But) this is for the betterment of the city. We have to revitalize Broadway. We have to create jobs and a year-round economy." (as quoted in a local daily newspaper Jan. 15).
If the homeowners decide they would like to stay in the homes they have owned for decades, Mayor Schneider believes he has no choice but to kick them out using eminent domain.
The mayor maintains using eminent domain to seize the homes is necessary for the prosperity of the city. Politicians often attempt to dupe residents into believing a city is more important than the people who live in it. It’s time elected officials remembered they are supposed to work for individuals — not the city. Too often "city" actually means those powerful few (developers and builders) whose campaign contributions keep the politicians in control. The politicians of Long Branch must not be allowed to sacrifice homeowners in order to reward their benefactors.
Eminent domain is just legalized theft. Long Branch politicians should be stopped from stealing from their constituents. All New Jersey homeowners should watch what happens in Long Branch, because none of us are safe.
Virginia Flynn
Treasurer
Monmouth County Libertarian Party
Morganville