Monday, April 6, 2015

Letter: Middletown's Massell Family Connections

The expressed opinions or views of this letter does not necessarily represent the opinion of the MiddletownMike blog:

Dear Editor,

Nepotism has long been a problem across New Jersey politics. But Middletown Township in Monmouth County has become one of the most glaring examples, due to the Massell family.

Stephen Massell is an elected member of the Township Council. The Township Council appointed his brother, Gerald Massell as Municipal Prosecutor. He has his law office at 222 Hwy 35, which is owned by their father, Jerry Massell (a retired Workman's Compensation Judge). Office space is rented in the same building to Richard Thompson, the Municipal Court Judge, also appointed by the Township Council. Stephen Massell’s wife, Emily Massell is employed as a secretary in her brother-in-law Gerald’s law office.

These are very clear conflicts of interest. The Massell family is getting rich off of politics and the Middletown Township Republican Party has enabled this personal enrichment at the expense of taxpayers.


Eric Hafner
Toms River

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

This writer should really do his homework. What about the Carton family?? And any number of other political figures........

And since Mr. Hafner resides in Toms River, what's any of this mean to him anyway??

Look for trouble and you can always find it !! You might get more than you expected.

Anonymous said...

Yes what about the Carton Family? Well, let's start with Massell, and go from there, after all, he IS up for reelection this November. TIME FOR CHANGE!!!!

Anonymous said...

Are you the pothead that's has an opinion on everything and anything or just a trouble making SOB ??

And if you live in Toms River, what's any of this got to do with you or do you just have an axe to grind for anything in Middletown ?? Did they arrest you here??

Go take on the problems in your own backyard.

Anonymous said...

Well no one is denying the allegations are they? Massell should resign. All of the Massells.

Anonymous said...

One track mind and no common sense,huh???

Better watch out who you tangle with as Middletown is a stronghold of the republicans in this county and the Massells may only be the tip of the iceberg !!

In fact if you had a fraction of an ounce of brains,you'd know that !!!

Anonymous said...

Just so everyone knows, Gerald Massell hides his Facebook account using the alias "Gerald Masfel".

Now you can friend Gerald on his super secret Facebook!

Anonymous said...

Gerald Massell also works out at CrossFit Salus on Rt 35. Need to pay a bribe? Drop it off in the locker room.

Anonymous said...

Emily Massell's maiden name is Dunleavy.

Anonymous said...

So, both the Carton family and the Massell family practice nepotism and the taxpayer provides the dollars at the county and municipal level that pay for salaries, health care and pensions. The facts are the same whether they come from someone in Middletown or Toms River. The Middletown connection is particularly glaring -- especially Emily Massell working for the her brother-in-law, the Municipal Prosecutor. Stephen needs to be questioned about this at the next regular meeting on April 20. So does Mr. Merchantante -- as the Township Administrator (CEO) he is directly responsible for the hire and payroll. I wonder what Brian Nelson has to say about this?

Anonymous said...

Will Eric Hafner make his Middletown TC meeting debut on April 20? Bet he doesn't have the gumption to put in a personal appearance. Lots of mouth and no action ,anon 1:28 a.m.!

Anonymous said...

Gerald should change all those default passwords on the mvblaw.com email servers...

Anonymous said...

You do realize April 20 is the pot holiday? Maybe Eric will bring brownies?

Anonymous said...

Hey Eric,
Maybe you should also investigate the mysterious relocation of the DMV from Matawan to Victor Scudiery's Airport Plaza. Why wouldn't the DMV just buy an office and rent out the rest like the PANJ and NJTA.

If you want to start to talk about nepotism, you should try catching the big offenders first- the democratic controlled legislature is a good place to start looking first!

Anonymous said...

Before you point any fingers, anon 7:49 p.m., maybe you should take a hard look at the republican scum in your own party....there is plenty to be ashamed of and it starts at the TOP !!

Anonymous said...

There should be a Middletown Democrats protest at the April 20 meeting for Deputy Mayor Massell to resign his post for these conflicts and to answer questions. Bring signs and meet outside of the Township Hall before the meeting on route 35!

Anonymous said...

Gerald's wife Maureen is an elementary school teacher in Middletown. While this in itself isn't too much of an issue it does beg the question, how did she get her job and is there anyone in the Massell family who isn't on Middletown's payroll? Does every Massell relative get hired by the township on their 18th birthday?

Anonymous said...

Wow, you people are really on a witch hunt! Shame on you.

Anonymous said...

Wow,my foot !

The shame is on the politicians in this town that suck the life out of the tax paying residents of this community.

Bunch of leeches,each and every one of them !!

Must be something in the water here because we sure have our share of them.

Anonymous said...

I simple question and that is are they doing their job and are they good at it? I don't need any political bullshit just answer the question.

Anonymous said...

My understanding is that Ms. Massell works for her brother-in-law in his private practice.

How is that anybody else's business?

Anonymous said...

Gerald Massell's private legal practice includes a large amount of municipal prosecutor work for Middletown Township. His private law office is where all his work as a municipal prosecutor takes place. The municipal prosecutor's office in the township building is just a table and a couple of chairs.

It is the business of the public when her Stephen husband is involved in the appointment of his brother Gerald as municipal prosecutor and his wife gets a job helping him to do that work, paid for with our money.

Anonymous said...

No, they all stink at their jobs. Gerald Massell constantly does illegal plea deals of state charges to municipal ordinances.

Anonymous said...

Hasn't Gerald Massell also been improperly getting full-time township employee benefits?

Anonymous said...

It sounds like the republicans are scared something is about to be found out

Anonymous said...

What about the family of VanNest's who Jim is the Assistant Administrator who had DWP hire two of his nephews, is that nepotism.

Anonymous said...

This Toms River resident who wrote this "letter" is only a disgruntled Defendant of the Middletown Municipal Court that had been found guilty of his offenses.
Though entitled to his "opinion", if he had any facts about what he "talks" about, there would be nothing for him to write.
One person does not elect/appoint another, it takes a majority of people who are all of their own minds and opinions.
Stephen Massell was elected by the people of Middletown. Neither he, nor his wife, work for his brother, Gerald.
Gerald Massell's Municipal Court Prosecuting takes place at the Municipal Court, not at his private office.
One could go on correcting the rest of the misinformation - yes I do have facts.
Apologies to the Massells and the people of Middletown and Municipal Offices.

Anonymous said...

here we go again. Emily Massell is on her way to start work at the Middletown Township Sewerage Authority as the Purchasing official. Many people more qualified than her were overlooked and Chantal Bouw was the ramrod that forced the management to hire her. No experience, No problem.

Anonymous said...

I truly think you should leave this family alone. Emily Massell does not work for the sewerage authority. The entire Massell family got to where they are based on merit!! As for Gerald Massell - you will never meet a finer man. Suggest you get off your high horse a get a life.