“We’re the only town who did not welcome them, that seems to be a problem,” said former Councilman Brian Boms at this week’s meeting of the Mayor and Council, chiding the reaction of some members of the governing body to the procession of vehicles that came through the borough last month honoring the memory of Charlie Kirk.
There was also praise for the Atlantic Highlands Police Department and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office who were present when all the cars, pick-up trucks, motorcycles, and out-ot-town residents ended a row of vehicles that had begun traveling together in Toms River and went through towns in Ocean and Monmouth County before gathering for a finale at the Yacht Harbor.
Boms led a series of speakers at this week’s meeting who expressed considerable criticism, anger and questioning of Mayor Lori Hohenleitner for failing to see that the gathering of Garden State Deplorables and other followers of the late leader of Turning Point USA that sunny Sunday was not something to be feared, criticized, stalked or made to feel unwelcome.
The Garden State Deplorables is a group of citizens, some 5,0000 members strong, that was formed in 2021 with the goal of making New Jersey a place that is affordable and safe. Towards that goal, it promotes political candidates that advocate change to New Jersey’s property taxes, the highest in the country, it’s high crime, extreme utility costs, tolls and road conditions. It is so named based on Hilary Clinton’s statement several years ago that conservative voters are Deplorable.
Boms said the procession had gone through 32 towns and all were being good neighbors until arriving in this borough where some in the procession felt the Mayor was “stalking them” as they came into the harbor . They said she used vulgar language rather than greeting and welcoming them.
Hohenleitner accused Boms of not telling the truth and said, “I know what I did, and I have no regrets.”
Later, however, when presented with audio evidence that sounded like she did shout an obscenity at a motorist who said “Hello Laurie” to her, Hohenleitner recalled the incident and said it was the one thing she regretted, apologizing for the foul language.
A series of citizens spoke out during the public portion of the meeting, attended by approximately 50 people and 17 or more on ZOOM when it was operative. The screen was blank during several different portions of the meeting, making it impossible for those at home to see, hear, or participate in the total proceedings of the council meeting. At one point, the meeting was halted briefly while apparently successful attempts were made to restore ZOOM.
Many of the speakers pointed out the procession of vehicles was a peaceful parade honoring the late Kirk by a group that has had similar processions throughout Monmouth County for many years, with the Harbor generally the last stop in the long procession.
Speakers at this week’s meeting challenged those local residents who had addressed Council last month objecting to the procession, saying it was “a Proud Boys procession” from a group “associated with violence” or with a strong affiliation with vicious political feelings and racism.
At that meeting, in response to questions of why the police aided the procession, Hohenleitner noted the group has been here before, she has seen them and motorcycle rides weekly, although noting this year’s procession was the largest, she has seen.
She said while the police were not notified in advance, when they learned the profession was coming, they were prepared “to be sure there was no escalation” noting the annual food tasting was also taking place and the police needed to keep the procession moving. She indicated the procession had the right to go through the borough without any special permits or advance notices.
However, in spite of the mayor indicating the police did not receive advance notice of the gathering, successful OPRA requests for audio and e-mail messages obtained within a week after the meeting showed several communications not only between the Chief and Gregory Forest, the leader of the Deplorables, as well as with the mayor, Councilman Brian Dougherty and others that clearly indicated many in borough offices, including the police department had at least four days’ notice of the group coming down First Avenue to the Harbor and being assured they were within the law to do so.
But at this week’s meeting, Hohenleitner countered charges she was stalking people, making them feel unwanted and wanting them out of the borough, with details of her own day’s activities and the fact she was out of town until 2 p.m. and drives through the harbor daily, as she does through other parts of the borough.
Speakers further questioned why the gate to one section of the harbor’s parking area was kept locked, some saying Councilman Brian Dougherty had asked a harbor employee the night previous if it the gazebo lot could be kept locked until Sunday.
While he at first denied doing anything more than asking about the locked lot, Boms quoted from a text from Dougherty sent Saturday night to the police chief asking “ Would there be any reason why we shouldn’t keep the gazebo lot locked in the harbor tomorrow until our visitors depart? If they can’t park, maybe they won’t stick around,” the text message said. The response was a recommendation he call the harbor master for a response saying, “not sure what’s on the plans for that lot.”
Another Saturday evening text to the Mayor from Dougherty read “There’s a no parking sign on the gate to the gazebo parking lot that says no parking starting Monday. Can we keep that gate locked tomorrow so they don’t have anywhere to park?” indicating Hohenleitner was also aware the procession was coming through the next day. She responded to the councilman “you can ask the chief.” Persons writing another text Boms had at the meeting were not identified but said “I spoke with Security, and they were going to double check that it was kept locked. With a thumbs up sign of approval for a message that said, “they’re not supposed to open it tomorrow at all.”
While Hohenleitner contended differences several times with some of the speakers at the council meeting, borough attorney Marguerite Schaefer spoke quietly with her at least three times, seemingly recommending she simply accept comments, saying at one point “you won’t win this one.” Schaefer also admonished the audience saying the public portion was a time for asking questions and making comments, not having conversations.
It as former councilman Steve Boracchia who had been at odds with Hohenleitner earlier in the public portion when she told him he had a blog about her, who asked if council and the public could get the matter closed and all learn to live with each other’s differences. Spatola added “Let’s all take it down.” Michael Ciano, added “we are having a lot of back and forth, but we can all do a better job of listening.”
It was made known that October 14 would be Charlie Kirk’s birthday and hopefully the borough would grant a permit expeditiously should any person or group want to have a gathering to honor his memory similar to a recent ceremony Middletown Township held at Croydon Hall.
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Isn’t it revealing that the individuals who preach tolerance and diversity have no tolerance for any thought, idea or position that diverges from their own. The profanity is just an added bonus.
When you pray for rain you’ve got to deal with the mud.
I couldn’t agree with you more! So many people who identify as MAGA supporters have so little flexibility toward conservative Republicans who find Trump and his life time of repulsive baggage difficult to stomach! If the nonsense continues the Democrats with have a field day come the midterms!