Change of venue sought in Marlboro lawn sign case
BY VICTORIA HURLEY-SCHUBERT
Staff Writer

One of the latest messages posted outside a Robertsville Road home mocks a weight loss challenge that Marlboro Mayor Robert Kleinberg is sponsoring.

MARLBORO - A Robertsville Road homeowner who was issued a municipal summons for having what the town claims is an illegal billboard on her lawn has asked that the court case be transferred to another town.

The summons was issued by Marlboro's zoning officer to Barrie Kay, the owner of a home on Robertsville Road where a large sign containing messages mocking Mayor Robert Kleinberg and other municipal employees has stood for several weeks.

The Marlboro municipal court did not take jurisdiction of the case on May 9 and Tinton Falls has not accepted it yet, said attorney Bernard Meiterman, who is representing Kay.

"I just asked that it be kept in the county," he said.

Barrie Kay was issued a summons on April 23 for having an illegal billboard. The summons only pertains to the structure and not the messages painted on it, zoning officer Sarah Paris has said.

Paris has described the billboard as being a commercial use that is not permitted in a residential zone.

Barrie Kay is the wife of Edward Kay, who is under a federal indictment on corruption charges related to construction project in Marlboro. Kay was indicted with Bernard Meiter-man and his brother, Steve Meiterman.

In a letter written on Barrie Kay's behalf to the Mon-mouth County Construction Board of Appeals dated April 2, Bernard Meiter-man made a case as to why the summons issued to his client should be dismissed. Meiterman wrote that previous messages posted on the lawn sign have included "Happy Passover-Happy Easter USA," "God Bless Our Troops-Remember the Fallen" and a message recognizing Edward Kay's military service.