Lakewood, NJ – A crowd of about 40 Orthodox Jewish men railed against the political establishment, in the front yard of the mayor’s home. “This has never happened before,” said one man after another.
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What sparked the protest at Mayor Meir Licht-enstein’s 14th Street home was outrage about a Municipal Court decision.
“I don’t know why they came to my house, why this was about me. This was a judge’s decision. I think it’s despicable that people come to someone’s house like that, harassing my family,” Lichtenstein said.
Municipal Court Judge Philip Miller found a member of the Lakewood Landlords Association guilty of failing to obtain certificates of occupancy for a rental property and overcrowding. In all, he was fined $3,000 and ordered to serve 40 days in jail. The jail sentence was stayed, giving the landlord time to appeal the verdict and obtain the necessary COs, the attorney for the group said.
“He’s shocked to say the least. People with DWIs are getting off with fines,” said Marcel Katz, a founding member of the landlord association, which is suing the township in Superior Court.
More than 40 landlords allege that Lakewood quality-of-life ordinances are unconstitutionally vague. The landlords say they’re being held responsible for the wrongdoing of tenants, who violate leases and don’t follow codes, and should be the ones who are fined.
In the meantime, the township is moving forward with the prosecution of code violation summonses, which carry fines as high as $750 each.
Let him sit in jail, does the crime, he does the time…..
You guys are doing a great job destroying the jewish community. I am proud of you. keep up the great work.
Adolf Hitler
To: chaim said…
“i thiught there was no computers allowed in lakewood. go back to your learning. or i forgot your wife went to work in manhattan so you can sleep”
I’m a Brisker with a rich Shver. Does that answer your questions- my wife and I can BOTH sleep.
i thiught there was no computers allowed in lakewood. go back to your learning. or i forgot your wife went to work in manhattan so you can sleep
To 11:45 PM –
Please, may I politely correct you, only if youre a Brisker with a rich Shver, in BMG, YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WANT.
anon 9:05am.
The landlords don’t seem to understand the responsibilities of property owners. They say they’re being held responsible for the wrongdoing of their tenants, who violate leases and don’t follow codes. The landlords have it all wrong. They, as landlords, are the responsible parties. They must see to it that tenants understand and follow regulations regarding the number of people residing in a house — “and boot them out if they don’t.” DID YOU EVER TRY TO EVICT A TENANT? IF YES HOW MANY MONTHS DID IT TAKE?.
I THINK ALL THE PEOPLE FROM BMG ARE THE ISSUE BEC THEY OWN IN RAINTREE AND CHESNET AND THEY CANT AFORD TO LIVE THERE SO THEEY RENT TO THE MEXCIAN BUT IF YOUR IN BMG YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU WHAT
Thank you Shloime 4 finally taking this story off the front page. I think everyone realized that this aint the place 2 fix the problem, and that all we were doing here was stuff we shouldn’t have been doing. Again, thanx 4 the opportunity to vent a bit, and now, onward 2 bettering ourselves and not Yenem!
To:i think the government should put a cap of a certain amount of years and then you lose your kids if you cant take care of them 1:54 PM
The day they put a serious “cap on it” – is the day that Kollelim will be limited to the VERY wealthy.
I agree with anon 210
ENough. YOu are looking stupid.
Probably the same 6-8 people placing these comments.
Gut SHabbos. And may we soon witness the coming of Moshiach bba.
To my fellow Lakewooders its time now already to eat Kugell lets all cease all the kvetching here agut Shaboss
12:52
my grandmother came here in 1948 from a DP camp with a false passport. (btw, there were often 12 people per room in that DP camp.)
self sufficient? you gotta be kidding. most of my siblings are in federally subsidised housing, get food stamps. i grew up on medicaid, WIC, etc.
learn english? tell that to my brothers. my youngest brother wouldn’t pass 3d grade. my grandmother never learned english and got by on shrewdness and charm.
in condemning mexians and making all sorts of assumptions about their immigration status, we are being just plain racist and xenophobic.
1:29 PM
my grandmother came here too in 1948 learnt how to speak some english weny out to work whatever she was able to get worked hard eventually bought a house and started her own business
had she gone on public welfare i probably would still be on welfare unfortunately for some people this becomes a way of life and gets passed down to next generation of public welfare
it might work for you but its wrong and i think the government should put a cap of a certain amount of years and then you lose your kids if you cant take care of them
My Car is a 1965 Rambler that my father in law gave me way back. untill it still has one square inch of metal that is still straight i will be packing in my family and drive that car
plenty of mexicans learning in bmg as well as a large sprinkling of south americans
bmg even accepts (….as signed for by bmg in order to be an accredited college to be eligable for fed grant $$)
I agree.. If the mexicans will start learning the whole issue becomes mute
i think that if the maxican will start driving banged up cars everything will be solved..no mosre pick ups it has to be BANGED UP ON THE ALL FOUR CORNERS with no HEADLIGHTS
the real discrimination is not so much the housing..its the KOLELL SHOW ME ONE MEXICAN IN KOLLELl? You cant find not ONE MEXICAN IN THE BIG BAIS HAMIDRASH LEARNING..that the real discimination
THE LAKEWOOD TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE THAT A TENANT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER CROWDING SO WHY TICKET LANDLORD GIVE TICKET TO TENANT !!ITS LIKE GIVING A SPEEDING TICKET TO OWNER OF CAR AND NOT THE DRIVER! WITH THIS SOLUTION ALL WILL BE SOLVED.TENANTS WILL KNOW THEY CANT OVERCROWD OR ELSE THEY WILL PAY.
My car is a staion wagon that rusting already…but when im driving down the roads with my 15 kids inside im the happiest women in town
Lakewood and an ole chevy.. And im a happy camper man. I am driving a banged up painetd over a different color on almost every door station wagon with twine holding the doors shut and im happy. guys stop to complain about lakewood . there is no better place .
to 12:52
my grandmother came here in 1948 from a DP camp with a false passport. (btw, there were often 12 people per room in that DP camp.)
self sufficient? you gotta be kidding. most of my siblings are in federally subsidised housing, get food stamps. i grew up on medicaid, WIC, etc.
learn english? tell that to my brothers. my youngest brother wouldn’t pass 3d grade. my grandmother never learned english and got by on shrewdness and charm.
in condemning mexians and making all sorts of assumptions about their immigration status, we are being just plain racist and xenophobic.
I OWN A HOUSE IN LAKEWOOD I ALLEGED THAT THERE WAS OVERCROWDING SO I CALLED THE TOWNSHIP INSPECTORS TO HELP ME BECAUSE WITH ALOT OF PEOPLE MY HOUSE WAS GETTING DESTROYED ! THEY CAME DOWN TO “HELP” ME BUT INSTEAD THEY HELPED THE TENANTS !I THINK WE SHOULD TICKET THE TENANTS AND THEY WANT BRING IN EXTRA PEOPLE IF IT WILL COST THEM THE FINE !AND MY HOUSE WANT GET DESTROYED AND I WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE INTO IT
more illegal mexicans in public school mean more taxes for us poor working folks
dont have medical coverag kimball has to treat them for free again its the honest taxpayer whos gonna pick up the tab
now whos gonna welcome who. they should be cleaning up the town for free
could any one tell me what did the vaad or township comitee do to lower taxes
TO ” i wish we would stop scapegoating mexican immigrants who do our undesirable work; it is mean and not very smart”. 12:44 PM
You are entirely right- the Slumlords should be living right among these people, they can best $afford$ to help them out in their hour of need, not cast them off to someone else’s block. After all, they are profiting the most from these rentals- they ought to befriend them and give back with kindness to the impoverished they earn their living from, not distance themselves from the impoverished. They ought to live side by side with them and be there for them 24/7.
if your sister lives with 14 kids in three rooms she should be treated like the mexicans overcrowding
to those who criticise the crowded oonditions among mexicans living in lakewood: have you had a look at williamsburg or monroe? my sister has 14 kids in a tiny three bedroom flat. at any given time, when i try to phone her, i can barely hear my own voice over the din.
as to illegal, i’m willing to bet 90% of those folks have papers. many were born here. why assume they are undocumented?
disgusting yards? how about the landlords pay for landscaping?
afraid to have your wives and daughters walk down the street? how about unlearning some prejudice that fuels fear? how about friendly relations (take over some challah when they move in) so you have less to fear?
the difference between the mexican population and our grandparents who came to this country is that they had to apply to get in and come here legally and prove that they were self sufficient in supporting themselves .they never were caught stealing and they had to learn english no government paper was handed to them in their native language you came here to america you spoke english and thats all
i’m having a hard time understanding how children and grandchildren of immigrants who came here destitute, often without legal papers and who lived and continue to live off public assistance harshly judge those who are now coming to this country for a better life, possibly without papers. i wish we would stop scapegoating mexican immigrants who do our undesirable work; it is mean and not very smart.
We;ll take up a collection seee if we can’t get just a million, and I will take bets that you will be running out of lakewood.
why the roshei yeshiva they dont represent most people around lakewood to me they represent the most corrupt institution in lakewood even though they may be for themselvwes good people
they just happen to be employed by a yeshiva that happens to be in lakewood they dont own the town they never did nor will they ever
let them clean up their own stink before they can focus on everyone else”s
I agree give me Lakewood and an ole chevy.. And im a happy camper man. I am a happy Lakewooder with a banged up station wagon with tri colors
Moshe Finkel of Shevach Meats also donated money, food, and othwer things in order to make sure no one blows the whistle or sees through his charade. Can’t we all grow up and realize that just because a lowlife wears a black hat, gives tzeddakah from traif profit, learns daf yomi and does all the right things not neccesarily are they frum and erlich.
I think we still haven’t learnt the lesson of looking past the black hat.
Just what do you expect people to look for past the black hat, tzedoka, learning? What does make a person ehrlich?
TO all the lakewood haters.. You guys are justs jeolous of us..Lakewood is the best place to live in the world.. I would not move out even if you give me a billon $ All I say is ..leave us ALONE be busy with youn crap. eat you own garabage. JUST LEAVE US ALONE BABY
As one who lives in Brooklyn AND DOES NOT INVEST IN LAKEWOOD, you guys in lakewood are making a terrible chilul hashem.
STOP IT. It is imperative that the roshei yeshiva in Lakewood, if they care aobut the relgious atmosphere in lakewood, be advised of this situation and take real action.
I, for one, am so sick of reading this filth and hatred and anti-Torah discussion that I am not coming back to this post.
Do you know any frum person who would want to rent an apt. above a store on second street. I don’t
Moshe Finkel of Shevach Meats also donated money, food, and othwer things in order to make sure no one blows the whistle or sees through his charade. Can’t we all grow up and realize that just because a lowlife wears a black hat, gives tzeddakah from traif profit, learns daf yomi and does all the right things not neccesarily are they frum and erlich.
I think we still haven’t learnt the lesson of looking past the black hat.
Al Tistakel B’kankan Ela B’ma Sheyesh Bo.
To Anon 11:03,
A charitable action with money that was acquired through unclean methods and manners is not a virtuous deed. A greater charity would be communal wide, ala cleaning up his tenement houses from the unruly vagrants that currently occupy them.
It is no secret that Lakewood has become a town where one must look over their shoulder before entering particular areas after dark; this should not have to be the case. Charity at the expense of a community is ignoble at best, criminal at worst.
I think everyone here is forgetting that this is the WORLD WIDE WEB (www) – everyone has access to this blog, not just frum yidden. What’s happening in Lakewood is a big enough chillul hashem. Let’s not make the chillul hashem bigger with all these comments!
THE LANDLORD IN QUESTION
HAPPENS TO BE A VERY CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE A MENTCH WHO HAS A FOOD STORE IN LKWD AND GIVES OUT FOOD FREE EVERY SINGLE WEEK TO MANY MANY FAMILIES WHO ARE INDIGENT
B4 U KNOW THE FACTS DONT GET INVOLVED
BTW THIS GOES TO THE KVETCHER WHO IS LAMBASTING LKWD
MANY OF THE ABOVE PROPERTIES ARE OWNED BY INVESTORS FROM OUTSIDE LKWD WHO SAW A TREMENDOUS BUSINESS OPPURTUNITY AND ARE THE GUILTY PARTY HERE NOT PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE/LEARN IN LKWD
Its amazing if Lakewood would have a non jew as a mayor The mayor would help us out.But being that the Mayor is a yid he cant do anything because every ones watching him so there for what do we need any jews in office for.The second thing is if not for these people where would BMG get there donations from its definately not from kollol people Mayor Lichtenstein I love u dearly but when some one needs help u must help .You cant run from problems. Btw Passaic NJ currently has the same problems with 3 out of 7 frum counsilmen will never help a yid because what for people will say its discrimination so they have to bend there backs for the goyim its time to get unfortunately the frum chevra out of office and put goyim in their places .The goyim want our votes so they will do what we want. Have A Great Shabbos
Uri,
This is not a fight between the minyan and the investors. Let the minyan continue to do the wonderful job they do.
You know where to find bash- if you feel you can help explain how he is ruining things for you and work on fixing the problems then go in and speak to him.
Just to say you want a fight is not like you!
I know you very well- dont be a hater!
hey uri cool it
rubin riv
The investors have now complained that “how come the town is only enforcing overcrowding at our slums? Why arent they cracking down on all the illgal basemnts?” These investors are the biggest scum in the earth. They’re actually pushing the town to come after the residents who have tennants in their basements. MOISER!!!!!!
knocker pocker,
get off this blog. get off of here.
no need for your hatred.
enough hatred against yidden in this world already.
Chaim Strauss – Meet me at “the minyan”.
WIMP.
We will kick your you know what.
Knocker-pocker / URI BEAN
re 9:17
You said it like it is 100%
Sometimes when i go shopping in the not frum stores i feel like i am labeled and people look down at me-not up like they should to a member of the am hanivchar.
This is all due to the chilul hashem this town has been producing.
The tension is so strong I feel like i should remove my kippa and be like anyone else. I always go out of my way and am super super polite to all goyim weather its letting them turn in front of my car or holding the door open for 3 ladies….. I FEEL I HAVE AN ACHRAYIS TO SHOW THE PEOPLE THAT ALL FRUM YIDDIN ARENT WILD AND BAD.
I sincerely hope and am confident that somewhere out there right now is the next and up and coming individual molded in the form of Horav Hagoan Aharon Kotler ZTL, who has the foresight and wisdom and siyata dishmaya to form a new community affordable to many that can become and stay a mokom torah that will truly be a beacon on to the nations of the world. In other words, it should be a close knit community that will be the first of its kind,i.e. a community that will be m’kadesh sheim shomayim. Not a community that gets written up in the newspapers every few days, not a community that has a reputation amongst goyim as being freeloaders off the govt. dole, not a community where frum jews are hated by goyim and irreligious jews, alike.
Lakewood has become and is a big disappointment.
The fact that a yeshiva of world renown sits in Lakewood means NOTHING. WHat counts is what the umos haolom say about Yidden.
THe whole and entire essence of Yiddishkeit is to be m’kadeish shem shomayim. That is why G-d put you and me on this world. Plain and simple. Whether it is through torah, mitzvos or maasim tovim, the bottom line is to be m’kadish sheim shomayim. Placing a physical yeshiva structure in a neighborhood surrounded by chilul hashem and bad feelings amongst goyim and non-relgious jews is….
I will let you fill in the rest of the sentence.
Thank you
Say “no” to intimidation
Lakewood must stand its ground in enforcing township codes that regulate overcrowding and require landlords to obtain certificates of occupancy. Protests at the mayor’s house after a property owner was fined this week for code violations show how irrational critics of the township’s quality-of-life ordinances have become.
Mayor Meir Lichtenstein had every right to be upset after about 40 men crowded outside his house twice Tuesday, forcing him to relocate his family overnight. The action against a landlord earlier that day was a municipal court matter beyond the mayor’s control.
Questions about code enforcement belong at Township Committee meetings, not at the mayor’s private residence. The Lakewood Landlords Association has already taken the township to Superior Court, challenging the quality-of-life ordinances as unconstitutionally vague.
The landlords don’t seem to understand the responsibilities of property owners. They say they’re being held responsible for the wrongdoing of their tenants, who violate leases and don’t follow codes. The landlords have it all wrong. They, as landlords, are the responsible parties. They must see to it that tenants understand and follow regulations regarding the number of people residing in a house — and boot them out if they don’t.
“The town is not going to allow people to have overcrowded, unsafe housing,” Lichtenstein said in defending the quality-of-life program. There is good reason for code enforcement officials to address overcrowding issues. It just may prevent a tragedy at one of those properties. That’s why township officials must continue their campaign against code violators.