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Resident urges city to assert control over Pier Village flag displays, cites eminent-domain concerns
Summary
A public commenter said Pier Village's display of Israeli flags and the site's eminent-domain origins give the city a role in determining which flags fly and asked the council to require prominence for the U.S. flag.
Jeffrey Walstein, who said he was born in Long Branch and lives at 9 Gloria Court in Tinton Falls, used the public-comment period on Aug. 13 to urge the council to press for a U.S.-first flag display at Pier Village, saying the site "exists because the city of Long Branch confiscated that land through eminent domain." "The symbols displayed there should reflect The United States Of America, not the State Of Israel," Walstein said.
Walstein told the council he observed six Israeli flags and a single American flag at Pier Village and said the city "provides Pier Village with a disproportionate amount of city resources," including promotion in tourism materials and public safety resources. He argued that some private spaces created through government action can function as public forums and that the Fifth Amendment's public-use requirement for eminent-domain takings imposes a public trust on the property.
Walstein said he wants the council to "acknowledge Pier Village's quasi public status as a land created through eminent domain, and to take a stand that our national flag should be the only flag displayed with prominence." He also expressed strong, personal views about Jared Kushner and his businesses and asked why city resources should subsidize private enterprises.
Walstein's remarks occurred during the public-participation portion of the meeting. The council did not debate or act on his request at the Aug. 13 session. When Walstein asked for an on-the-record response, the council president closed the public participation portion and the meeting proceeded. The city clerk announced that members of the public seeking additional time on these topics may call the city clerk's office at (732) 571-5686 to schedule an appearance.
Walstein's comments were delivered as opinion and public comment; the council did not vote, make a referral, or adopt a policy in response during the meeting. The transcript records no administrative rebuttal or factual corrections on the record at that time.
