With regard to the Takanassee development matter and my misstatement regarding DEP Commissioner Lisa Jackson, I sought a city council resolution to demonstrate to the state government that Long Branch was serious about its desire to find a way to acquire the beach club as a public space. I misspoke when I indicated that I had personally spoken with Commissioner Jackson about it, but people should understand that “we” in the leadership of the coalition had spoken with her and her senior staff numerous times, including on the same day of the city council meeting in question. That very same day I spoke with Commissioner Jackson’s top aide Mary Comfort, who it was later revealed, was lobbying and coaching her own agency staff to approve the luxury development. My error was simple and unfortunate, but it does not change the fact that we spoke with and corresponded with the commissioner and her staff intensively and frequently during that time frame.
If the city is willing to use eminent domain to force working families out of their homes on the North Long Branch beachfront, we certainly could have considered acquisition of Takanassee for the public good four or five years ago when it was assessed for as little as $3.5 million. I believe the Schneider administration intentionally let that opportunity pass. At the very least, public debate, discussion and disclosure would have benefited the public interest. Two of the most important historic structures should remain on the Takanassee site in perpetuity. Their historic value is directly tied to the land, the lake and the ocean right there in West End and Elberon, one of the most historic stretches of coastline in Monmouth County.
As president of Surfers’ Environmental Alliance, I worked for years with Commissioner Jackson and her predecessor Bradley Campbell on beach access issues up and down the coast, preserving recreational opportunities for surfers, fishermen, beachlovers, sunbathers, swimmers and the general public.
It is more difficult than I supposed to be in government rather than on the outside fighting as an environmentalist or public interest advocate. And yet I still firmly believe that the public is better served when government officials keeping an arms-length distance from corporate developers, real estate investors, their law firms, lobbyists, vendors and campaign donors. You cannot serve two masters. Public officials, both elected and appointed, should keep their personal business activities and interests completely and clearly separate from their governmental roles.
Brian Unger
Member
Long Branch City Council