Businessman questions partnership's operation
Throckmorton Street deserves more attention, property owner says
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer

FREEHOLD - A $354,000 budget for the Freehold Borough Special Improvement District (SID) was approved at a special meeting of the Borough Council held June 25.

The council gave its unanimous approval to the SID's budget for 2008, which will require SID members to pay $245,920 in a special tax assessment to support the operation of the Freehold Center Partnership, which oversees activities and events in the borough's downtown area.

The SID tax assessment in 2007 was $205,000, divided among all of the SID members.

Carl Steinberg, who owns the Carlton Station commercial property on Throckmorton Street, said there were inconsistencies in the money raised by the Freehold Center Partnership and how that money was dispersed.

"I don't feel we get our fair share like the properties on Main Street," he told the council members.

Steinberg claimed there was improper conduct in the voting process held at the Freehold Center Partnership's annual meeting on May 21.

"People who were supposed to vote did not get ballots. There are discrepancies," he said, adding, "I am not against the partnership, but we still have problems on Throckmorton Street that need to be addressed."

Steinberg said Throckmorton Street property owners have to deal with a situation that most Main Street business owners do not have to face - day laborers lining up for work on a daily basis.

"I'm not against people looking for work, but we have problems as a result of that, including garbage strewn around and incidents of public urination. If this was a construction site there would be a portable toilet, and there should be one in this area," he said.

Steinberg, who is a former borough councilman, said these issues "hurt the image of our town" and "stop us from renting our properties.'

He said he has tried to get the Freehold Center Partnership to address Throckmorton Street as the main artery going into town that he said it is.

"We pay our share, but we don't get the benefits. We're tired of being treated like the step-child," Steinberg said. "We want the same bang for our buck that everyone else is getting."

Larry Sorcher, who owns the property at 23 W. Main St. and formerly operated Al's Bootery on West Main Street, took issue with the $40,000 increase in the SID tax assessment.

"I feel the partnership spends money on things to create a vehicle for outside vendors," he said. "It's disturbing to see outside vendors … on a banner in downtown Freehold."

Sorcher said the Freehold Center Partnership has not accomplished what he envisioned when he served the organization as president when it was established. He said he envisioned a "real revitalization" of the downtown area.

"The governing body should address these issues," he said. "The governing body and the board of directors of the Freehold Center Partnership see things differently than I do, but this is a redundant conversation."

Mike Page, the chairman of the Freehold Center Partnership, said the organization is working to address the issues Steinberg raised, and others as well.

Page said he did not disagree with Steinberg's comments and concerns and added that "there is some truth in them."

"We are restructuring ourselves to be in a better position to address these issues," he said. "We have to restructure ourselves in order to effect the changes needed."

Page said the organization has hired a new chief executive officer, Richard Gatto, who began on July 1.

Steinberg said many towns are laying off municipal employees. He noted that half of the Freehold Center Partnership's budget goes to salaries.

"I'd try to enhance Freehold Borough by cutting the SID budget. Slice some Kruise Nite expenses and let merchants see a new beginning. These are tough times, no matter what town you're in," he said.

Steinberg said he was told that if he did not like the way the partnership was being run he should challenge it.

"And, that's what we've done," he said, referring to a lawsuit that has been filed in state Superior Court by himself and Paul Lussier of Freehold Center Cleaners, Throckmorton Street, against the Freehold Center Partnership, the Special Improvement District and the Borough Council.

Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer said although she could not comment on the lawsuit, she "did not like the implication that we're not doing our jobs."

"In the Freehold Center Partnership, just as in other organizations, the majority rules. I'm hearing the same three people talk against the partnership. What can I do as a councilwoman but listen to the majority?" she said.

"It's not for me to decide what's fair. I can only do what the majority of the partnership say is right. If there are problems in the partnership, that's your responsibility. If you cannot sway others in the partnership, then I cannot help," Shutzer said.

Councilman Kevin Kane said the partnership has been working hard over the last few years to identify problems and to resolve them. He said things may change with the hiring of a new director. Kane noted that the partnership's bylaws have already been rewritten.

Councilman George Schnurr said although he had some concerns about the SID issues being discussed, he wanted to give people the benefit of the doubt.

"I'm the new guy (on council)," he said. "I'm going to give this a chance. If we're here a year from now, however, listening to the same things, even though the majority rules, I would take into consideration the other views and listen to the dissenters."