Ex-Planning Bd. member wants chairman to resign

Ex-Planning Bd. member wants chairman to resign
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

TINTON FALLS — A former Tinton Falls Planning Board member is calling for the resignation of current Planning Board Chairman Joel Davies.

Paul Abrams read a lengthy statement during the public discussion portion of the April 22 Planning Board meeting.

"It's time, Mr. Davies, for you to take some responsibility and be held accountable to the taxpayers of this borough," Abrams said. "It's time for the people to get better representation than what you have provided over the past several years.

"It's time for you to resign as chairman of the Planning Board. It's actually past time for you to leave that chair," said Abrams, who left the board in December of 2002.

Abrams went on to request that Tinton Falls Mayor Peter Maclearie ask for Davies' resignation.

"If he doesn't resign, will you Mr. Maclearie ask for his resignation?" Abrams asked.

Maclearie had no response.

In an interview on May 8, Davies said he has no plans to resign from as chairman of the Planning Board, a position he has held since 2005, adding that his term is up on June 30.

He also said that he would like to return to his position for a new term, but that would depend on the outcome of the mayoral election.

"It depends on who wins the election," Davies said. "I have served Tinton Falls for 19 years as part of the Board of Education, Zoning Board, Open Space Committee and the Planning Board."

Abrams again spoke at the May 5 Borough Council meeting, where he asked Maclearie whether or not he had requested Davies' resignation.

"I did have a conversation with Mr. Davies, I will say that," Maclearie said. "I did not request it at that time, but we did have a long conversation after that meeting."

A lawsuit was filed on behalf of the Planning Board, as well as the borough, mayor and council, in state Superior Court in May 2006 against Abrams and the proposed developer of the CECOM property.

According to Abrams, the borough's motion for summary judgment was denied in October 2008.

According to Planning Board attorney Dennis A. Collins, the litigation is currently in appellate court.

The suit charged Abrams, along with Saymark Realtors and Abraham Leser, who owns Tinton Telecom LLC, with manipulation, fraud to guide governmental action for private gain, and racketeering activity.

The suit alleges that Abrams used his public position for private gain when he helped further the developer's plan to change the zoning of the former military site to age-restricted housing.

The borough based its charges on allegations that were made in a suit brought by the Newman family against the borough, alleging improper conduct in rezoning the CECOM site, which is adjacent to their property.

Among the claims Abrams made at the Planning Board meeting is that his name and reputation have been damaged by the borough and Davies.

"During the past three years, I have suffered discredit and attacks from this Planning Board and the Borough Council," Abrams said. "The attacks have been against me, my business and my family.

"And the collateral damage to come is immeasurable. Too many people have assumed that my business has been closed."

Abrams charged that the many people in the borough government are culpable, but singled out Davies.

"I say 'you' as a collective 'you,' " Abrams said. "This Planning Board, the Borough Council, your legal representatives and the mayor all have culpability in the matter.

"But I specifically mean you Mr. Davies," Abrams continued. "The chairman who went beyond his duties in the vilification of Paul Abrams.

"You led this crusade against me and it has a very high cost attached to it."

Davies declined to comment on specifics of the claims, but said that the facts will come out.

"I think the facts will speak for themselves," Davies said.

Contact Kenny Walter at kwalter@gmnews.

com.


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