Resident accuses council of secrecy and asks about Kushner offers; city official says no record of offers

During the March 11 public-comment period, Vincent Lepore of Ocean Terrace sharply criticized Council President Vogt and other officials, accusing them of "lies, hypocrisy and fraud" and demanding answers about whether Kushner Companies had offered to buy Brookdale Community College property or the nearby Portuguese Club and whether Kushner received a 30-year tax abatement related to a proposed micro-hospital on Lower Broadway. Lepore said he has raised the questions over several meetings and insisted the council "come clean."

A city official answered later from the dais, saying inquiries about any offers should be directed to Brookdale Community College and the Portuguese Club. The official stated, "the city is not aware of either of those things for the record," and characterized suggestions tying a tax abatement to construction at Monmouth Hospital as "not one that was discussed by anybody." The official said the 30-year abatement question had been settled previously.

Council President and other members also addressed public-comment procedure and offered venues for extended discussion, including public council hours, committees and 'coffee with the mayor.' Another commenter, Jeff George, used his turn to deliver a long speech that included historical quotations and a range of conspiracy assertions; Council members and staff later urged civility and encouraged documentation and official follow-up for safety complaints and administrative questions. The council did not open a formal investigation or make a referral related to Lepore's allegations during the meeting.