(Open letter to Long Branch City Council President Michael DeStefano)
In consideration of the recent appellate decision in the MTOTSA case, I would like to recommend that the city attorney be available for questions, comments and suggestions on the city’s legal and public policy strategies at our next workshop meeting in executive session Sept. 9.
The Gallenthin decision was recent, unanimous and lacked a strenuous dissenting opinion. Reading some positive comments in the newspapers recently from [City Attorney James A. Aaron and Mayor Adam Schneider, I am compelled to ask the administration to make a formal written
request to state public advocate Ronald K. Chen to consider helping our city government and our honorable residents and defendants in the MTOTSA neighborhood come together in a serious discussion about elements which, respectively, might cause both sides to move forward toward a joint solution.
If the city is truly serious about settlement talks on this stalemate in MTOTSA and in Beachfront South, then we should make this formal, written request to Mr. Chen, and perhaps to other distinguished jurists as well.
Brian Unger
Member
Long Branch City Council