Thursday, June 12, 2008

Councilwoman Gumbs' Special Land Deal

Click here for all relevant deed documents

I am repeatedly impressed by the caliber of my readership for independent thought. Back in January, I described land deals involving Councilman Vinci and (“the future”) Councilwoman Gumbs (see “Something is Rotten in Aberdeen”). As was common in my early writings, I neglected to provide supporting documentation. Some readers have recently posted comments regarding Councilwoman Gumbs but always couched in terms indicating the special land deals were only allegations. No matter how much I write, no matter how much my readers trust me, they want to see the evidence – “Trust but verify”. No ditto heads here. So, I’ve decided to revisit the subject of Councilwoman Gumbs’ land deals and provide some new details.

Wilhelmina Gumbs is related, through marriage, to Judge Philip Gumbs, the first African-American mayor of Aberdeen Township (then Matawan Township). Through the family connection, and by virtue of her community activism, she was appointed to the town planning board in 2002 and then elected to the town council in 2003. However, in 2001, just before officially stepping into politics, she was involved in a peculiar land transaction with the township, a deal orchestrated by then Township Attorney Norman Kauff.

CME Associates, the township engineer, was managing the road improvement program and had advised the township to slightly widen a section of County Road in Cliffwood where Councilwoman Gumbs resides and has a family interest in a nearby house.

Below is a list of properties that were compensated for land taken to widen the road. (The parcels that don’t list length and depth are irregularly shaped.)

Block/LotLengthDepthSq. FeetCostCost/Sq. Ft.
161/6401.2550$210.00$4.20
161/71001.25125$500.00$4.00
173/1197.921197.92$700.00$3.54
173/360160$300.00$5.00
173/460160$700.00$11.67
173/560160$300.00$5.00
173/675175$300.00$4.00
173/7  296.33$1,150.00$3.88
173/8123.135.75708$3,500.00$4.94
173/10,1161.385.75352.94$2,150.00$6.09
173/13  35$250.00$7.14
174/13  39.82$160.00$4.02
174/15601.590$1,500.00$16.67
174/16401.560$250.00$4.17
174/17401.560$250.00$4.17
174/181001.5150$765.00$5.10
174/191001.5150$700.00$4.67
174/20  261.65$1,110.00$4.24

Councilwoman Gumbs lives on Block 173 Lot 8. She received $3,500, over 50% more than the next highest recipient, her neighbor two doors down. However, the most outrageous was her family member, Earle Gumbs, who got $1,500 (Block 174, Lot 15) for a strip of land 60 feet wide and 18 inches deep, a strip so narrow he’d have to lie on his side just to squeeze into it. Interestingly, Councilwoman Gumbs and Judge Gumbs both appear on the deed as “prior” owners.

Many of my readers will likely take objection to my insinuation that Councilwoman Gumbs was overly compensated. After all, while she didn’t lose the most land (that person only received $700), the dollar per square foot value, while on the high end, is not outrageously high.

However, I will ask you to look a bit closer. The strip of land was 123.13 feet long by 5.75 feet deep. Have a look at the survey description on the deed; it’s a simple rectangle 123.13 feet long by 5.75 deep. Where’s the problem? Her property is only 107 feet long.

Before assuming that our township engineer, CME Associates, exaggerated the size of the parcel, take another look at the table above. In Block 173, the township compensated the property owners of lots 3-11 except for lots 9.01 and 9.02, the properties adjacent to Gumbs. In other words, it looks like Gumbs got paid for land that was owned by her neighbor.

Still, doesn’t that mean CME Associates fabricated a land survey? Sure does. Isn’t that a crime? Sure is. Is that why they’re qualified to be our township engineer? I believe so.

Too bad Judge Gumbs retired eight months after the land deals. Too bad the statute of limitations for fraud is six years and for most crime is seven years or less. Too bad these are the people we have elected to act on our behalf. >>> Read more!

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

HOLY S- - T !

This is why the Aberdeener rules the day. The fact that this example is a mere pebble of sand in the illegal time capsule that is under Democratic control. It is just another brick in the wall of the jail cell waiting for all of them.

Is the Aberdeener going to send the Deputy Mayor's neighbors a little note with a copy of the real estate transaction list?

It is sadly unbelievable and all too telling of how Norman Kauff plies his trade with payoffs and outright criminal activity. What did he give to Nick Minutolo to go away? In turn one must ask what did he give to Janice Gallo to slide into Minutolo's spot ?

Mrs. Kauff I have to ask you what will you do when Norman goes to jail?

I certainly hope that the Aberdeener wraps all of this up in a nice little package and sends it the newspapers and the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office. I would also send it to Christopher Christy's Office in Newark.

Critics of such statements and more Should know in advance that we are not wasting our time. People are watching them very closely.

By the way how sad was that picture of Vic Scudeiri and Joe Oxley in the Courier today. I buy that at a little deli by the Hazlet train station. People were laughing at the pictures of that old fish face Vic Scudeiri. He buys his way into leadership and nobody says a thing. He buys the MVC and nobody says a thing. How stupid are we?

Keep looking out the front door all of you involved in the Kauff Crime Syndicate as those unmarked cars are coming. A little hint for all of you they always come very early in the morning.

F all of them!

Anonymous said...

Sorry about the typos I worked a double.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree. Holy S.

Time after time, incident after incident, crime after crime. Norman Kauff's crew is shamelss.

Norman must be so proud?

Anonymous said...

Come on, shameless would be if they still had souls. They have already sold theirs to CME. Right Vincenzo Vincente. I am willing to bet that the guards at Ellis Island shortened it.

While I am Italian and am proud to be so the fact that Vincente represents my ethnic heritage is embarrassing.

Middlesex Jim

Lets here from the group that wnats to claim Kauff and the rest.

Anonymous said...

Kauff would be claimed by satan. They are sure cut from the same mold. He will undoubtedly go to hell for what he did to the manager Stewart Brown alone. He was used and tossed away like an old dish towel.

My wife and I were talking just the other day about how we will miss the nice concerts and things he brought to Aberdeen. It was nice to be able to walk over with our lawn chairs and see an occasional show on the lawn at town hall. My wife joshed the other day maybe this year such events will be sponsored by CME. I still laugh at that one every time I think of it.

Then again CME may be sponsoring legal fees for many of their own employees and Mayor Sobles close personal friends, very soon.

If their truly is a God my wife says.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the funny. CME sponsoring something other than their own greed.

LOL Funny

Anonymous said...

CME can't be to blame for anything, just ask the council. That's why they get every job we have in Aberdeen! It is outrageous and continues to happen!

Brian in Aberdeen

Anonymous said...

I hear Nicky got a condo at the same pre-sale price that Norman Kauff and Marc Koren got when they bought their condos years ago on Rt.34.

One of them lived next door to my younger sister. I think it was Koren. Sis said he was a real pig.

Everyone involved is just six degrees of separation away from Norman Kauff.

Lets start a game similar to the Kevin Bacon one.

Norman bought his condo along with
Koren at condo locations they negotiated and approved. Both shook down all of developers. Who in turn gave them a special pre-sale deal. Koren kissed Normans ass and then Dave Samuels who owns CME who also was______.


Who is next to play the game?

Keep it going.

Anonymous said...

is so far up Vic Scudeiri's ass he can tell Norman what Vic had for breakfast at Perkins. Perkins where the Aberdeen town council used to meet for breakfast meetings in violation of the sunshine law.

Who is next?

Anonymous said...

NEW BUSINESS for Planning Board:


1. CSP 07-525(rev)/Wagner

Applicant and Property Owner: Michael Wagner

Cliffwood Avenue

Block 155, Lot 2

(Concept plan for major site plan with variances to construct two story office building, 3,100 sq. ft. on each floor, with 31 parking spaces, demolish an existing vacant dwelling and a block building in the MFG (manufacturing) zone. Variances required for Lot Area 120,000 sq. ft. required, 33,998 sq. ft. provided and existing; Lot Frontage 250 ft. required, 110.01 ft. provided and existing; Lot Width 250 ft. required, 110.01 ft. provided and existing; Side Yard Set Back 75 ft. required, 19.2 ft. provided; Residential Buffer 50 ft. required, 7 ft./15 ft. provided; Loading Zone one (1) 15 ft. x 40 ft. space required, none provided).

Do we need another office building? There are four sites next to the A&P, small stores vacant.

A brand new building across from the Quik Chek, what is going on? How many office buildings do we need?

Anonymous said...

Once again the info comes from far and wide and it shows them how much we know about all of them.

Do not get me wrong people deserve what they can get if it is done legally. But you can be sure of one thing MW will have to ante up to the table for C.M.E. and I am willing to bet we all know who his lawyer has to be to get it approved.

This must be a part of that old property by the factory. You can be sure we also know who the realtor handling the sale will be.

Such an approval is merely a formality as Lick-ass-stein and the board probably already got their payoffs. That is all we need now more traffic in the area.

Cliffwood and our area down towards 35 has enough traffic already. And being so close to the parkway does not help. No thanks Mr.W. we will come out against it.



What's this Bacon game? Fill me in.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener, You're the best! Keep digging! You're getting closer and closer! Happy hunting! You're definately on the right track. I, personally don't care if they are prosecuted. I just want them out of MY town! Vinci has more time in this town than I do. How dare him! I thought he would have wanted more for his "HOME TOWN".

Anonymous said...

Every day they steal more!

Every day more and more names!

Every day more and more opinions!

Every day more people know!

Every day more spotlight on them!

Every day they have to look behind!

Every day more to defend!

Every day more to deflect!

Every day we are watching!

Every day they are nervous!

Every day could be the day!

The day they all get theres!

Anonymous said...

ABERDEENER KNOWS AND THE WORD IS SPREADING.

THEY KNOW THEIR TIME IS COMING.

JUDGMENT DAY FOR JUSTICE.

I WILL PRAY FOR THEM TODAY.

PRAY THEY ARE ALL ARRESTED SOON.

KrisMrsBBradley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
KrisMrsBBradley said...

For those who want to know about the Kevin Bacon game, just google "six degrees of Kevin Bacon". It is essentially a game where you connect Kevin Bacon to any actor in Hollywood, connecting him by no more than 6 other people.

KrisMrsBBradley said...

I was just looking at the Keyport website, checking out information on their event coming up on the 28th.

Lo and behold, who is in their list of contributors, but CME. Since I've been reading this blog and finding out more info about the goings on in this community, I am amazed how often I read/hear that company's name.

Aberdeener said...

CME is the state's third largest pay-to-player.

Father of ARTIST said...

ok ok ok JOEY<
BUT,you forgot one thing
HOW FREAKING HIGH is her lot?
she is so high you cant even see it!(except her neighbor layin next to hers)

HEy I know about "its who you know"
when I moved here.
The attorney for the seller was just becomming JUDGE
the sellers father use to be MAYOR!

I can tell you that
things on my CO were corrupt,
and whne I called Inspector here he brought a "friend" one lied and the other swore to it"

they said it wasnt like that when they signed the CO!

when I would call from PHOENIX ARIZONA I would,ask please send the TERMITE report
over 20xs,well
fred kalma was either busy out of office or on vaccation andthey would take care of it!

well,in addtion,windows were broken that I was told all were fixed,and more,
the sump was hard piped into the wrong thing
the upstairs shower fludded into the floor,down the steps and I called the water dept ,the health dept and the lawyer.. while my husband is steping out of the taxi, on his way home from JAPAN!
what is wrong honey..
it is hell here
he said get a lawyerand ten the lawyer told me to get a lawyer?? corruption and kalma refused to take a call from me!
I move in,and the neighbor statrted to call Poliece about my dog barking,
so I go to court(well hubby does) there were many of my neighbors sitting there,ones I said hi to ans so on..it really hurt it hurt me bad.
and guess who was the Judge/
hu hu hu hu huhu
FREDERICK KALMA!
this place stinks...
I am sad,depressed,disappointed,and angry
I have been here for 5 years now,Have not made one friend,HOW CAN I?
I HATE IT ALL
and have a problem trust
I have a exspressive laungue disorder...and I am done with this place..
HOW CAN I LIVE AND DO HERE WHERE The town,the schools and many neighbors are so bad,liars and nosey
I mind my own business.
I keep to myself
I dont rattel any cages unless mine is shaken and kicked first...
In Phoenix arizona.I was mrs Linda EVERYONE KNEW ME AND MY FAMILY,there wasnt a store a resturant ,or gas station that when we were there we didnt know someone!
I was a team player
I volunteered in school,town events and church
generations knew me...I knew them
respect and happy feelings were shared
taken and given

what the hell hapened to my HOME STATE HERE IN NJ?

I am done..
wish it was not so
My husband wont let us go back,since my dad his mom,and my brother in law died,and more..

I need peace and fellowship.
NOT ANGER and enemies??
I am a self taught artist a outsider,is what I am,even more so here!I paint and draw.i do stuff
well use to
now I sit in my house,for weeks on end..
ITS awfull here I hate it!I had big plans for my yeard and wrap arround porch and I just dont have it in me any more...I dont like even sitting on the porch I threw out the chairs!
its so sad for me and my girl....

When I moved here I said OH BOY no more block fencing! in az that is how the fences are cinder Blocks cause we all had pools and attached casdcadeing hot tubs...
I said I can actually say hi to my neighbor! I gave her a bowl my favorite bowl at that ,filled with clean fresh strawberries, piled high..she did nothin but keep the bowl
I asked for it afetr all the crap she statred for me,and she denies the bowl,a heart shaped ceramic bowl..she has lied under oath! I still have the leters ,the place is hell.


I aspired to be close to NY and do my art here and in NY
and face paint at things for the comunity and churchs for free..
I started here,and there
I was hung in RED BANK gallery and in KEansburg
I am applying to the ART parade in NY and the Puck building is my goal..
if I can get off the couch...
i WILL ATTEND THE MEETINGS..i DONT WORK,I AM ALLMOST A EMPTY NEST SO iF iC OULD GET OFF THE COUCH,i WILL. this whole move HAS MADE MY DEPRESSION WORST..i CANT BELIEVE THAT DAMN SCHOOL AND HOW THEY DEALT WITH MY GIRLS NEEDS!

make them get out of office.IT .needS.. to....
not ONE PERSON KNOWS WHAT ANOTHERS PROBLEMS IS..IF YOU SEE A NEED ,HELP,OF HELP FIND HELP! DONT CONDEM YOUR NEIGHBOR

I have seen the worst neighbor ever,she walks arround the street
POET DRIVE
and reports stuff and leaves nasty letters in Mine and OThers mailboxes.. SHE CREATES A delima here and I dont feel good here..

go back to long island! or staten island..or stop it!

stop /move this town and its Governing entitys/out of their offices , stop the favors and lies..as well as my evil nasty nosey neighbors.."long Island' and behind me" would move away .

YOU KNOW MAYBE SOME OF YOUS ARE JUST USE TO THIS CRAP..BUT I KNOW THINGS COULD BE BETTER IVE LIVED IT
I ONLY RETURNED TO BE NEAR FAMILY! MANY HAVE DIED I WOULD LIKE TO GO..BUT I CANT FOR NOW..
CANT EVERY BODY HOLD THE BAD ACCOUNTABLE,AND
every body would be happier?
LET THE PAST GO AND MAKE THE FUTURE ACCOUNTABLE TO ITSELF..
dONT FIGHT..HOLD ACCOUNTABLE..
IF YOU SEE IT BEING DONE WRONG,SEE IT DONE RIGHT
GO TO MEETINGS AND DEMAND A CHANGE!

i am so sad here.angry here..lonly here
condemed to be here for how long? what ever

Father of ARTIST said...

aberdeener for president! my husabd said ok now that I said all I dont like about living here Iw as to say what I like!
ok
ready
123 here I go!
Keyport acoss the higway!
Look at how nice it has been amde,I can fish,I can look,I can feel the sea breeze on my face,
I can jo to joes coffie house and have a cup of black tea,with 3 bags then go back to the bay and draw.


that is all..