Long Branch Mayor Schneider and Council President Michael DeStefano can’t be serious in their recent denials that they provided the developer of the new Strollo’s preferential treatment in the controversial plan to relocate the noisy nighttime landmark to a purely residential block on Ocean Avenue North.
After one year of denials and stonewalling Mr. DeStefano was forced to recently confirm that a proposed ordinance amendment which would have protected the neighborhood’s residential character was pulled from the council agenda at the proverbial 11th hour in favor of the developer, and that he made the decision even though no written application was filed, let alone reviewed, by planning department staff.
DeStefano’s acknowledgement also confirms that he and other city officials violated the written code of ordinances that clearly establish when a planning department application is complete. After admitting that he had, somehow, adopted an “informal” application procedure for Strollo’s owner James Callano — a vague, unwritten, nonpublic, off-the-books policy not discussed, disclosed nor voted on by the city council — Mr. DeStefano still prevaricates and makes excuses designed to fool the public. While he now claims that the proposed ordinance did not “disappear” as has been alleged, only he and other administration insiders knew where it was hidden for the last year.
Recently the mayor retaliated against an entire neighborhood because some residents exercised their constitutionally protected right to publicly criticize city officials about the Strollo matter. In what appears to be punitive retaliation, the mayor changed the parking rules on Ocean Avenue North to favor Strollo’s customer parking needs as payback to the neighbors whose testimony exposed city hall secrecy to public scrutiny.
After five city officials who facilitated Callano’s real estate purchases and mortgage financing failed to disclose their personal or financial involvement in the matter, or recuse themselves from acting in their official capacities, DeStefano continues to defy common sense by repeating that nothing unfair nor unusual occurred.
Unfortunately, if he is correct that this behavior is business as usual in Long Branch, then that itself is “exhibit a” for why this administration must go. Being unable to distinguish secret insider dealing from sound public policy is the hallmark of public officials who have abdicated the public trust.
Jeffrey R. Williams
Loch Arbour