READER'S WRITE

There are those rare instances in the realm of public discourse when one's respective political affiliations and philosophy must take a back seat for the sake of the truth and for common decency. Such is the case concerning the recent attack upon Atlantic Highlands Borough Council President Fred Rast by a person calling himself James Otis that appeared in your "readers write" section.

As the chair of our local Democratic Party, I am not in the habit of defending public officials of the opposite political party. However, the attack upon Republican Councilman Rast by Mr. Otis must be responded to by everyone in public life who are advocates for truth and fairness.

I would like to make it clear that I disagree with much of Mr. Rast's political philosophy and with many of his positions on the issues in our local government, especially when it comes to the preservation of open space. I, as did our two candidates in the 2000 General Election, Joanne Dellosso and Linda Macon, competed fiercely with Mr. Rast in one of the closest elections in the history of our community. Putting all of that aside, the attack by Mr. Otis on Councilman Rast was completely out of bounds.

In his letter Mr. Otis, who started off stating that he was a local "voter" and "taxpayer", accused Mr. Rast of being a "disgrace" to our community. Otis bases this assertion on events which took place at the May 14, 2003 meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Mayor and Council. During this meeting Councilman Rast questioned why the borough spent $115,000.00 to, as Mayor Harmon put it, to "monitor our boarders". Mr. Rast asked why the governing body had no objection to shell out $115.000.00 to pay this attorney. then go and propose substantial cuts in the budgets for our fire department and for the Atlantic Highlands School District? Also, at this meeting Mr. Rast requested that a cap be placed immediately on any additional funds paid to this attorney until the borough could properly explain the $115,000.00 expenditure. His request was reasonable and within the proper manner in which good government should work. His request was denied. Sad as it is, Mr. Otis labeled Mr. Rast a "disgrace" just because he called for fiscal responsibility from the Mayor and Council.

Otis also questioned Councilman Rast's commitment to our community and demanded to know what he has done to improve the quality of life here in Atlantic Highlands. From his questioning and demands in his letter it is clear that Otis has not been a part of our Atlantic Highlands family for all that long. Or, perhaps. could it be that Mr. Otis does not even exist at all?

For a moment , let us take an honest look at the facts concerning Councilman Rast.

1. Councilman Rast chaired a committee consisting of both Democrats and Republicans whose mission it was to reconstruct and repave the municipal parking facility on Railroad Avenue. Unlike other borough construction projects this work was completed in record time with no cost overruns and to the appreciation and satisfaction of our local merchants.

2. Surely no one could argue that Councilman Rast made a substantial contribution to our business district upon the completion of the Edwards-Rast Building located at 84 First Avenue four years ago. This building, which is the largest tax contributing structure on First Avenue, houses two new movie theatres, two floors of office space, a quality community bank and an artist gallery. Perhaps Mr. Otis could stop by one day and pay Mr. Rast a visit at is office in the building? I am sure that both Mr. Rast and Mr. Edwards would be happy to give him a tour. Then on the way out of the facility I would suggest that he stop by Atlantic Artisans and purchase some art from Nancy Ciasca, the gallery's owner. He could complete his visit by stopping in the Two Rivers Community Bank and open up a new account with the bank's top top notch and ever pleasant manager, Rose Watson!

3. Mr. Rast also owns and maintains a renovated building located at 42 First Avenue which houses the upscale restaurant, the Copper Canyon.

4. The once popular police bicycle patrols along First Avenue will once again become a reality because of the financial support of Mr. Rast, and his business partner, Leonard Edwards.

I believe strongly in the preservation of open space and in the protection of our boarders from the ravages of over development by greedy land barons. I also believe that everyone has the right in our great democracy to their respective opinions in the course of public debate and citizens and public officials should not be attacked and called a "disgrace" by misinformed persons just because of a difference of opinion.

The sad reality is that no one can confirm the identity of a Mr. James Otis, anywhere. There is no published, nor non-published listing for him in the telephone directory. During the past eight years I have regularly attended meetings of the Mayor and Council and I have never met a person named as such. Otis claims to be a "taxpayer and a voter" here in Atlantic Highlands. Officials at the tax office at borough hall have no listing for a Mr. James Otis anywhere on the tax rolls. As of May 23, 2003, no certificate of occupancy was issued for anyone under that name. If Mr. James Otis does , indeed exist, then he, or his landlord is in violation of local ordinance for not properly securing a certificate of occupancy. Also, as of May 23, 2003, there is no James Otis registered to vote in any of the four election districts in Atlantic Highlands. This information was obtained from Mr. Frank Goldstein, of the Monmouth County Commissioner of Registration/Superintendent of Elections office, in Freehold. Mr. Goldstein also stated that there is no one by the name of James Otis registered to vote anywhere in Monmouth County. What is going on here??

If there truly is a Mr. James Otis, then why didn't he question Councilman Rast at the May 14, 2003 Mayor and Council meeting about his position concerning the $115,000.00 payment for the attorney in question? Perhaps this name was fabricated by some person, or persons seeking to deflect attention away from the fact that borough officials allowed $115,000.00 to be paid to an attorney with no accountability to local taxpayers.

Joseph Hawley
Atlantic Highlands Democratic
Municipal Chair