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The Lakewood Times

Do As I Say- Destroying Our Town One Department At A Time.   by HH

1/29/2013

12 Comments

 
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For every rule there is an exception. I am not sure who, if anyone, ever said that, but most of us in Lakewood know it as fact. Whether it is the police department, zoning, planning, inspections or even the tax assessor. Each department has someone that tells them what and how to do things above and beyond the law and rules.

We live in a town where a Mayor's son( not the current one)doesn't have to worry about getting a ticket because his father can have it taken care of. Where an officer might lose a promotion because he had the misfortune of having to give an original askan's wife a summons. Where our police chief is busy going to every ribbon cutting and political dinner, instead of making sure there is a police presence in high crime areas.

When one phone call from an influential CEO can pull more strings than a harpist on methamphetamines, we have a serious problem.  When he uses that influence to protect criminals that may endanger our children, we have a bigger problem.

If the police see that they are beholden to certain leaders, they answer only to them and all else is insignificant. When a regular Joe calls the police with a problem, the response is begrudging at best. We are not their bosses, they answer to a higher authority. If you have the right connections and you need something done, wham ! the divers are in the Lake looking for your ring. If you have no connections, or refuse to use them, you are on your own buddy.

This same problem is evident at the inspection department as well. Certain buildings get overlooked because they are owned by certain people, while others may incur a fine on a daily basis for having a wayward branch on the lawn. It is not that the inspectors are corrupt in any way. They just don't want to deal with the firestorm that would be caused if they inspected the wrong person's house. 

Favorable tax assessments or lack thereof are a result of knowing the right people. There are homes in Lakewood that pay no property tax simply because they have the right connections.

When a resident calls a committeeman to ask why his street hasn't been plowed and receives the answer; "I don't remember you donating to my campaign",,the truth becomes clear.

The public works department is not only useful to help keep our town in order, it is also a useful tool to threaten, and intimidate people.

Here is a little story that I know of firsthand:

For eight years I had been putting out boxes in front of Toys For Thought with no incidence or complaints, It is not always the neatest pile of boxes in the downtown area, but it is not any different than many others. One day I received a fine for putting my boxes out early. It seemed the truck didn't pick up the boxes that morning and they were left out all day. I went to court which was required, paid 250 dollars with an explanation.

Later that day, I was in the Township building to attend a meeting where I planned on speaking about the misuse of UEZ funds. Everyone knew about the speech. Before the meeting Bob Singer and Ray Coles approached me. They asked about the fine , and said. "that is ridiculous, you shouldn't have to pay a fine". I answered that I was happy to pay since it goes to the Town, and I love my town.

Two days later I get a phone call from a public works employee asking if I got a fine.I answered yes. He told me that he was told by a supervisor to go check my store for any offenses, and write up a fine. When he came to the store he found no problems. The supervisor sent a different employee the next day and found the leftover boxes. The employee explained to me that no other store ever receives a fine for putting out their boxes early. That same week I also got a stern warning that my home recycling bins had some garbage in them.

All of these special favors. All of these polite requests from those in power to focus on certain individuals, causes the rest of the Town a myriad of problems.

In order to offset tax favors the rest of us pay the price, literally by paying their taxes.
If you have a tenant moving in and you need a CO, and are told the inspector can't make it for another week because you don't know who to call to get it done. 

I find it so funny when a small sidewalk crack gets a summons while down the block there are apartments above stores that are roach infested, covered in lead paint ,with no heat.
If the inspectors would look at the town square they would give the Committee a summons for all the dangerous broken steps and holes in the sidewalks.

Someone once said that this town is run for 15 influential people. When I mentioned that to a person that works in the Township building, they said it is not true. "The town is only run for ten people".
I am really happy for those ten people, but can they at least ask   the heads of each department to still look out for the rest of us?
12 Comments
In the know
1/29/2013 06:42:05 am

I totally agree with you. I know first hand what happens when a township employee doesn't do what he is told to do, the intimidation and innuendos that follow. Unfortunately it is going to get worse because too many family members and friends are being hired to do their bidding and even those that are not related to officials are willingly doing what is asked of them. Everything you said is true

Reply
Merdi
1/29/2013 07:23:55 am

Where is Hal Halversonwhen we need him?

Reply
My Town
1/29/2013 08:26:29 am

Why don't you spell out the names of the 10 or 15 individuals? Don't keep everyone guessing, therby violating the possibilty of loshen horah (if it's the wrong guy)
You afraid of getting sued by langert & cohorts?
1- CEO=AK
2- Former Mayor=MM
3- Shenky
4- Abie
5-Lichtenstein Management
6-Zucker
7-Mueller
8-Flannery
9-Reinman
10-Rabinowitz
11-etc
12- Langert
13-
14-
15- Yudel

Reply
Langert
1/30/2013 11:55:03 pm

12? 12? Are you kidding me? Who did these rankings? I demand a forensic accounting!

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funding?
1/29/2013 08:39:34 am

The feds are actively following Lakewood's back door dealings. As long as it's going on they will not move in, obviously. As soon as it stops for a while, 4:00 AM door knocking.

Reply
My Town
1/29/2013 09:41:14 pm

Because the Rosh Yeshiva via CEO set up the Vaad & the corruption system as the Don Carleone family. When (not if) the Feds move in they will pick up a minyan to set up a kolel in the

Reply
Take back Our Town
1/29/2013 09:49:50 pm

Reb Elya Svei hut gezugt, ich hub moirah az in dee tzeitung vet shtein az min hut arestereet ainem mit der nummen fun mein rosh yeshiva. Don't worry he'll be in good company. He'll have a former Mayor, a few Twp Committemen, printer, Lawyer, Builders, Investors, engineers, shvitzers, Aguda knockers etc.

Yudel (ois vurf) doesn't have to worry as there will be plenty of parking, wouldn't need any more dormitories or Botei Medroshim, etc.

It's time for Reb Noson Tzvi's Z"L, Mir to take over the entire operation, Then Moshiach will be here.

Reply
y
1/30/2013 04:48:06 am

There should be elections for the Township department heads too. That will take care of many problems.

Reply
Take back our Town
1/30/2013 07:15:22 am

Currently the Lakewood corupt system is that the Township committeeman that is the liason to the board picks the board members, Corruption is the Motto. Abie, Benny, CEO, etc can pick & choose who's on & yet more who gets the boot.

The system must be the voters should elect the members not the corrupt liasons.

Reply
Shmiel
1/30/2013 09:04:38 am

The voters chose these committeemen!

Reply
Yenta
1/31/2013 09:36:18 pm

Blahblahblah. Sos constantly from you gripers. If you think you can do it better run for office get elected and show us.

Reply
Take back our town
2/2/2013 11:25:27 am

We must change the system for the liasons, attorneys, engineers, builders, shvitzers, shmuliks, steves, etc that corrupt the boards to the detriment of lakewood residents

Reply



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