FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joseph M. DiBella, Mayor

1-732-938-4500

January 29, 2006

Update on Colts Neck Cross

I write to you on a matter of the highest importance regarding our community.

Last year the Council and I elected to hold special hearings on matters related to a suspicious land re-zoning that resulted in the approval of 500 senior homes along Rt. 33. The approval was granted before most of the current council was in place. The re-zoning was done on what appeared to be a “rush” basis and outside the traditional Master Plan process.

We began to become suspicious after the Prosecutor’s office confiscated all records and files related to the approval.  Plus according to press accounts, at the time of the re-zoning from what had been a Highway tract to age restricted senior housing, the developer was donating large sums of campaign contributions to the Monmouth County Democrats. Allegedly this money was then “wheeled” to local Howell candidates who were responsible for granting the re-zoning. In addition, while the same developer was allegedly making donations to the County Party, the then Howell Mayor accepted a paid position with the County Democratic Party receiving that money. The same developer involved here in Howell has since been arrested by Federal officials for similar actions in nearby Marlboro, NJ.

According to State documents and Election Reports, contributions began to flow the same day the applicant first appeared in front of the Township Council asking for the special approval. The contributions ceased shortly after the necessary approvals were granted. In the end, in excess of $177,000 was donated to political organizations that later funneled the money to officials that were deliberating on the approval. After a series of special hearings, the Committee evaluating this matter concluded that those who voted on the special re-zoning were “conflicted” and as a result could not have objectively evaluated the matter.

The developed sued and this past week, the Township was notified that a Superior Court Judge found in their favor and has ruled that the 500 homes should be built. Needless to say, we are most displeased with this ruling. Corruption or even the appearance thereof has no place in government. We believe this latest decision is a major blow and set back to state wide efforts to fight corruption and ethical lapses at every level. To overlook the enormous amounts of cash that changed hands exactly while the approval was taking place is disturbing. It is equally disturbing that the Courts may present the latest obstacle or safe-haven in the war on corruption.

We do know that the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office is still investigating this matter. In addition, the Township will challenge this latest ruling and take its case to the next level. It is my view that we cannot negotiate on matter dealing with unethical behavior.

The principals and characteristics of honesty and integrity are the bedrock of what every public official must have in their heart while fulfilling their duties. Over the past 3 years the township council and I have worked hard to restore the public’s faith in their elected leaders here in Howell. While people will disagree from time-to-time on matters of policy or the decisions elected officials make, they must believe that their elected officials are honest and ethical people.  I believe this is the case here in Howell with the current governing body.

We are conscious of the cost to continue to litigate and so we will manage this closely. Yet at the same time the cost of allowing corruption to exist at any level is far too expensive to bear. I will keep you posted on the status of this matter. In the event you have any questions with this or any issue in the interim, please call anytime or email me at MayorDiBella@twp.howell.nj.us.