The Board of Education last night failed to bring up a vote for a sole candidate seeking to fill a vacant seat on the Board after charges against him surfaced, board officials told TLS.
Former Board member Tracy Tift, voted out during the last election, and the sole applicant seeking to fill the seat vacated by Yoni Silver, is facing civil charges for his alleged involvement in the case of Amit Bornstein – a 22-year-old Jewish Marlboro, New Jersey man who died in the Monmouth County Jail after an alleged beating. Tracy Tift, reportedly a Deputy Sheriff, and who reportedly threw the first punch, was named in the report and is facing civil charges, officials said.
The incident, which occurred approximately four years ago, is now in court.
With his alleged involvement in the case and pending charges, the Board majority decided not to accept his application, and failed to gain the two-member minimum to bring his name up for a vote. The single member allowing for his name to be brought up, was Ada Gonzalez.
The Board has until March to fill the vacant position.
[TLS]
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What are “civil charges” and what “pending charges” are you referring to?
Correct me if I am wrong but my understanding is that the Monmouth County Prosecutor has already determined that no crime was committed and as such, no one was charged with anything.
The ongoing action, as I understand, is a civil wrongful death lawsuit which, presumably seeks damages.
Sunday the APP reported that the County Prosecutor determined that no Crime was committed. Therefore, Mr. Tift was cleared of all charges.
It should also be noted that the incident took place 4 and a half years ago while Mr. Tift was serving as a Board Member and Vice President with integrity, professionalism and with the best interests of all children in Lakewood Township, not just the Public School District.
Mr. Friedman mentioned if Mr. Tift was elected that the publicity would be a distraction to the Board. Unfortunately, for Mr. Tift their behavior last night will generate more BAD publicity for the district then the civil case will.
I am sorry for the family and their loss, but when did the Board of Education get the right to play judge and jury and determine someone is not worthy based on a news article.
Mr. Tift meets all the requirements to be a Board Member in the past and present. What reason do they have to deny him? As your article points out that Mr. Bornstein is a Jewish Marlboro, NJ man, would their vote have been different if Mr. Bornstein was not Jewish?
To lkwd guy,
The Monmouth County Prosecutors office, that also runs the Monmouth County Jail, decided not to press charges. There is a strong conflict of interest. The civil suit, will give a more unbiased ruling.
the fact is the guy was arrested on minor charges and was dead within hours of entering jail. there was also never any allegation at any time, even by the officers, that he ever struck any of them, or even attempted to. Only that he displayed “aggressive behavior”
The fact is that Tracy Tift threw the first punch that lead to his death, this alone is reason enough for him not to be on the School Board.
How does a civil court matter affect a person’s ability to protect the interests of Lakewood’s children?
I remember reading with horror and tears about the gruesome nazi like murder of an innocent boy. Good job to remove this guy who punched the boy!!!
There are better methods of subduing an aggressive prisoner than punching him. That is definitionally bullying behavior. If given the choice, I think I’d be more comfortable with BOE members who have not been involved with killing someone, whether Jew, non-Jew, black, white, asian, or hispanic. Serving on the BOE is a privilege for those who are dedicated to coming to aid the people, not harm them. Let this serve as a reminder to all of us to treat each other kindly and only kindly.