Why have many members of the Republican Party turned against Robert Kleinberg? One only had to walk around the municipal complex on Marlboro Day to see the scores of people wearing “Republicans for Jon Hornik” T-shirts. Scores of others were wearing T-shirts provided by the Democratic ticket of Hornik, LaRocca and Marder.
Here are the top 10 reasons why many in the Republican Party have turned against Kleinberg:
• Kleinberg pushed for unadvised lawsuits that have cost taxpayers exorbitant legal fees, in excess of $1 million.
• Allegations that he illegally used the township’s vehicle for personal use, and that the mayor and chief of police are at odds.
• Allegations that most township employees are afraid of Kleinberg and don’t want to work for him.
• Allegations that the mayor verbally abused a minor child at a bar mitzvah he was attending.
• Allegations that Kleinberg appointed unqualified people to the Planning Board so that he could manipulate the laws and push his personal agenda.
• Repeated blunders by the Planning Board granting variances for development without properly qualifying the applicants’ requirements, and without giving residents the right to cross-examine witnesses and eliminating the Citizens Voice portion of town meetings that would have allowed residents to address the Planning Board with their issues.
• Not having enough Planning Board members for a quorum and unnecessarily costing the township, and applicants, in wasted fees.
• Repeated reports that the mayor hardly ever shows up for his Planning Board meetings.
• Allegations that the mayor tried unsuccessfully to influence members of the zoning board to pass an application for a used-car dealership.
• The mayor rudely walked off the dais on the zoning board during its yearend report presentation, which he requested.
The Republican Party made a mistake in backing Kleinberg four years ago. Now, many in the party support Jonathan Hornik for mayor. The party also stands firmly behind Marlboro Township Council President Jeff Cantor in his bid for freeholder.
Joshua Pollak
Marlboro

