Negative 'baggage' would thwart Klemp's bid for mayoralty
This letter is in response to an article regarding Township Councilman Donald Klemp calling for the ouster of the East Brunswick Democratic chairman because Klemp was not informed as to the reason he wasn't selected by the party to run for mayor ("Klemp Says Party Head Has Undemocratic Ways," Sentinel, May 1).

I believe he wasn't selected because he was carrying too much baggage, as was Mayor William Neary, to run a successful election campaign. The chairman was smart in not publicly announcing the contents of the baggage since it would cast a negative light on the past activities of the Democratic administration.

The baggage contains the following: construction of the police firing range; the Suburban/Academy bus fiasco; Sgt. Geraldine Garrett's appointment to lieutenant; trucking companies permitted in zones that ban trucking; permitting a usedcar lot in a zone that bans usedcar lots; extending a commercial zone into a residential zone; allowing a bank to locate on an undersized lot and reducing the back buffer by 50 percent. Councilman Klemp was on the council when the above took place.

The police firing range was built at a cost of $1.4 million. The entire police force was, at the time, receiving adequate training at Sea Girt, etc., at a cost of only $25,000. Yearly maintenance for the structure is approximately $200,000.

Academy Bus Co. was awarded a transportation contract over Suburban Bus during a council meeting when Councilwoman Meryle Asaro stated that not enough information was available to make an intelligent decision. She suggested that the vote be tabled. Her request was denied. Suburban consequently sued the township and won. Litigation cost the township $600,000. The judge presiding over the case said that not enough information was available to make a decision.

Sgt. Garrett was passed over twice for her rightful promotion to lieutenant. She sued the township and won her promotion. The litigation cost the township approximately $60,000.

Trucking companies were allowed to locate in the Turnpike Industrial Park (which bans trucking) on three occasions. The noise from these companies disturbed the local residents. Complaints to the council and administration fell on deaf ears. The residents hired lawyers and successfully removed the truckers all three times.

Aused-car lotwas permitted to locate on an undersized lot on Route 18. The township allowed it to extend 80 feet into the residential zone.

Abank was permitted to locate on an undersized lot and to reduce the rear buffer between it and the residential zone by 50 percent.

These activities, certainly, would hinder a campaign for mayor.
Frank Coury
East Brunswick