(The following is the contents of the letter which was read at the UEZ reorganization meeting this past Tuesday). Mayor Langert & Township Committee members, The Lakewood Downtown Commission was established in order to bring suggestions to the Township Committee regarding what need to be done to revitalize our downtown area. We have been trying to work with the UEZ and LDC to fund projects that will help prevent the further deterioration of our city center. We have come to realize that there are currently some serious problems within the structure of the LDC and UEZ which are a major hindrance to our efforts, and to the well being of our town. First and foremost, there are members on the UEZ that are also members of Lakewood’s VAAD. The VAAD is a special interest group that wields influence on a large portion of Lakewood’s electorate. That being the case, we feel that it is highly unethical for any member of the VAAD, or any paid member associated with them to be on a commission that makes suggestions for public funding.
Previous cases of favoritism for projects that have no merit in regards to the needs of the public, for fellow VAAD members are just one example of the mismanagement that can occur in such a case.
Furthermore there are some serious issues in regards to the UEZ funding of the Lakewood Community Services Corp. and its Job Link programs. Many of the services the LCSC provides are redundant, and already provided by the LDC. The Job Link, and English language courses serve few individuals, if any, and can be provided elsewhere in our community free of charge.
The Downtown Commission, in its effort to be able to work with the LDC, and UEZ, must strongly suggest that Abraham Muller not be made chairman of the UEZ. We suggest that he resign immediately due to a conflict of interest. We furthermore suggest that the outgoing chairman, Moses Weinberg resign from the LDC, and his paid employee Ada Gonzalez resign as well for the same reason.
We also strongly suggest that no further UEZ funding be given to the LCSC or Job Link programs until there can be a proven need for such programs as a separate entity of the LDC.
We suggest that the LDC vote to have Dan Czermak made chairman, and that members of the Downtown Commission be appointed to the board as well. We hope that you will listen to our suggestions, for the good of your townspeople.
We look forward to working closely with the LDC on projects that will benefit the downtown redevelopment. We would like to be a part of bringing back a sense of pride to our downtown, and in turn to our town in toto.
The LDC and UEZ now have more paid employees then when Corby was Director. The $$$$ bleeding continues.
“Veheesim nekiyim” this is no way to operate in a “ihr hatorah”
“Veheesim nekiyim” this is no way to operate in a “ihr hatorah”
On the contrary. As we’ve seen before, having someone with conflicting loyalties in positions of power and in position to distribute funding is not a way to operate in an “ir hatorah”. The person attempting to correct it is not the one at fault. Unfortunately, the only way to go about it is through the political process. Most people will realize that there really is no other way at this point. Don’t be upset at the guy trying to correct the wrongs, but at those who created the issues in the first place. I don’t know of anyone who has any issues with R’ Muller personally, and this is not about him. It’s about doing things the right way.
Dan is the man! although he never likes OR WANTS ‘attention”!He has the “patience” and even keeled tempermentt that we need in order to deal with all the street labourers.he stands “tall” in these dark and ‘sickly’ times
Why does Dan or mueller want to be on these boards?
I do not understand what there is to talk about. There should be no Vaad members on boards deciding where money goes. Finished. I feel saddened that hershel felt the need to make this public. But I do believe there are many that realized the impropriaty already but were scared to speak up.
Fly right or fly home!!!!!!
i dont get it . you are essentially saying that you feel the vaad members are not to be trusted so they shouldnt be on this uez committe . So why do you trust them in other matters ? And if you trust therm in other matters then why dont u trust them here ?
Isn’t the new Chairman a member of the LCSC?
Why can’t all of Lakewood have a vote? I thought this country was a democracy? Even the voters were not voted in?
The LDC also voted $10,000 salary increases for two of their employees. So what is their new total salary?
Why did Hershel not read his letter, as he said he would do, at the Township Committee meeting tonight?