Hershel On Today’s Upcoming UEZ Meeting
Today,the UEZ will be meeting in the municipal building. There will be a vote to disburse 4.5 million dollars worth of money towards various projects. $950,000 will be allocated towards a financial assistance program. This is money to be given towards small business loans for those that qualify.
$1,000,000 is going to be allocated for the Franklin Street Redevelopment Area. This is property located on Main street near Clifton. It was purchased in piecemeal fashion over the years for no apparent reason. There is one more piece of property slated to be purchased. While the entire project is suspect, most of the property has already been acquired, and this last lot is integral to any future development that may take place. Although the project should never have been started, there can be benefit drawn from this mistake. $1,200,000 is for the acquisition of downtown property that will be for future parking. The Downtown Merchants obviously support the acquisition of these properties. This will make it possible for cars to drive from the Bagel Nosh parking lot and park behind stores all the way down to the parking lot in front of the post office. I personally acquired one of the properties to be purchased, to make sure this project happens. This will be replacing slum properties with convenient parking along the entire length of the western side of Clifton Ave. Although I, and many other downtown merchants will benefit from this project, it is integral to any future plans for the redevelopment of our downtown, and will end the need for any further discussions of $20,000,000 parking garages.
There is $1,275,00 being allocated towards emergent stadium repairs. While this is an absolute waste of money, insofar as it will not bring any financial benefit to our town, there is very little we can do at this time. The funds being allocated are a reserve. We only ask that there be a way which the funds can be reallocated at a future date if needed for a more deserving project.
This latest cluster of funding, although partially beneficial to the goals of bringing businesses and jobs to our town, still has much to be desired. The Downtown Commission will be working closely with the UEZ to make sure that all future funding be used for business development, and job creation, with a focus on redevelopment. We can put the past mistakes to good use in the future. We will be bringing many new projects to the UEZ. We hope to have the support of the people of Lakewood and look forward to getting your input for all future projects.
The days of blindly funding The Blue Claws, The Strand, and LCSC projects with no regard to benefit, have ended. There will be a focus on funding projects that will bring a better quality of life to the largest segments of Lakewood citizens (and sometimes non citizens) possible.
There are 28 Comments to "Hershel On Today’s Upcoming UEZ Meeting"
Heshel keep it up your the best we have. The first person to have the guts to publicly say it as it is….
Hershel your happy now?
Hershel, did you question the funding of the extra police and cossing guards posted along 14th st. to babysit drunk children????
Hershel, Would you oppose extra crossing guards a police posted aroun town on Halloween, how about Cinco De Mayo Oh thats right, that doesnt happen. But while you are asking for cutbacks be sure to ask the committee to cut back on extra Police around Passover.
The blue claws benifits lots of people it is packed and it is a lot of enjoyment just because it does not benifit one group of people it should not be looked at as providing no benefit!
did I just hear right???? Hershel owns one of the properties that will be bought with this $$$$???? Yes I know he says that he bought it to prevent others from using it in an inappropriate way BUT this is big. Hershel you are not impartial. Shocad Yavair Aini Chachomim. You have a monetary interest here!!! I am disappointed.
Hershel are you willing to sell your property to the Township for exactly what you bought it for so that no UEZ funds are wasted?
You mean HH actually went out and bought a property for thousands of dollars letovas haklal, his store is a hobby, he is not just another special interest in Lakewood. I must be just a deranged blogger… nothing els makes any sense!
keeping the EMS Dept should be the ‘Priority”
This guy is a joke! There will be a focus on funding projects that will bring a better quality of life to the largest segments of Lakewood citizens (and sometimes non citizens) what does that mean? sounds a litte racist to me.
What about if you are not in that largest segment of Lakewood? do you still count?
Gee who is going to benefit from the Franklin Street properties? I have heard many rumors and would like to know the truth
At least when Hershel stands to gain he is open about it. He disclosed all his interests.
When “others” benefit they bury it as deeply as possible.
Hershel, thanks for the transparency!
He is a joke. Anyone who is going to “benefit” or “Profit” from anythng in this should keep there mouth shoot!
Hershel please, please, ignore the peanut gallery
this whole thing is a joke they are alcating money for projects that most of them is not important, but the most important issue who is controling the funds if spent correctly and there is no waste and under the table deals, they alocated money for the stadium, who told them that you need that amount of money, who is in CONTROL
Please note that Mr HH was not chosen or elected tp represent our community . We have no problem in funding cultural projects like the stadium and Strand that benefit other communities than our own . Please do not infer that our community only cares about itself just because one poster who gets a lot of space on some blogs makes it sound that way . We are not selfish .
isn’t this conflict of interest? he may not serve on any committee if he owns property that is involved. isn’t that law?
HH: your silence is deafening
oy the kranks are out in force tonite. so much ignorance in such a little space? another TLS miracle. where do you find these bottom feeders? instead of sitting here pontificating, get educated and get involved. THEN voice your opinions. You might be surprised to learn how things have really been working around here for a loooong time and appreciate the plasticity of the new transparency advocates.
The third eye seems to be affecting your brain. Herschel has always said he wants what will benefit the largest amount of people. He means jews and non jews alike. You obviously know nothing about him. His ideas make the most sense, and can help make this city a better place to live for all people. Us seniors think he has the right ideas. Keep it up son.
where’s the coffee?
To 12. Transparency is not the end, it’s just a tool used to expose self interest and coruption. It has been exposed I think the game is over….
4.5 milion to projects how do we find out which projects?
DOES ANY BODY KNOW WHICH PROJECTS?
WHY MY COMMENT DOESNT SHOW?
Hey kim. When you put your money where your mouth is and do something to improve lakewood you can talk. Until then we can only consider you as being one of the angry people that hersel has brought exposure to their corrupt behaving. You probably would be fine having a five story parking garage or throwing money into every connected guys pockets. Hersel has said from the beginning his plans. Everyon except you seems to appreciate them. Maybe you should give us some transparancy and tell us what your negios are.
To number 25. When you say everyone except Kim appreciates Hershels plans you are including me and from reading this blog, alot of other people that do not agree to his plans. Please only speak for yourself. Until Hershel comes clean about all the property he owns in the downtown area , I will continue to question his motives. I do not believe any of this garbage about being so concerned about the people in this town. I think he is only concerned about lining his own pockets.
My comment is directed to # 26hershel fan not 25
There is nothing better than seeing the face of our politician when they realize, hersh needs no favors from them, he never asks for special treatment, doesn’t need special zoning or planning changes made. He doesn’t have a moisad that needs to trade property, Is not hooked up with any police officers that can do him a solid. He never begged for property tax relief. There is nothing more menacing to you guys than someone who gets a fine for something as lame as garbage collection, and pays the fine with a smile and thanks the judge. You guys thrive on peoples need to get that special favor, and beat the system. There are no secret properties that need special approval. there is no conflict of interest, unless his desire to repair the center of our town is a conflict because he has a store there. Would you condemn him for placing a crosswalk sign on Clifton so people can safely cross, because he crosses the street as well?
Why don’t you guys attacking him reveal what you are trying to protect? You want business as usual.
Hershel is running and then you will see really how people feel.when is the announcement?