Trump Supporters Outraged Over Parking Change In Bedminster

BEDMINSTER, NJ — A meeting turned heated and tumultuous in Bedminster over parking changes near the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster.

The Township Committee held a public hearing on an ordinance where it would prohibit parking, stopping, or standing on Clucas Brook Road.

This is the same road many people used to park for the past eight years when they walked over to the corner of Route 206 and Lamington Road for political rallies.

"The purpose of this ordinance is to promote public safety, reduce traffic issues, and also to support the quiet enjoyment of Bedminster residents, particularly in the Clucas Brook neighborhood," said Mayor Lawrence Jacobs at the Monday night Township Committee meeting.

Anyone who would violate this new change would be subject to penalties, fines, and towing, said Township Attorney John Belardo.

"There is an area on Clucas Brook dedicated to parking for library patrons only and all of these restrictions... will be noted on signs to advise the public of the restrictions against parking and the limit to library patrons only for what the engineers have indicated is approximately eight spaces," said Belardo.

Many supporters of Trump were present at the meeting voicing their disagreement with the ordinance.

"There seems to be an angst about people expressing their opinion publicly - and it is from what I gather that's legal still. But you guys are trying to prevent us from gathering," said Gregory Dooner of Waretown. "I drive two hours to show my support for my President. I am not here to create waves, I just want to wave flags. That’s all I want to do and be American and just stand for what I believe."

"Myself and my Patriots see this all as bullying, personal and political persecution and harassment, plain and simple," said Deborah McGuinn of Woodbridge.

Andy Chang of Bedminster lives in the area and frequently bikes to the library with his three children.

Chang noted that some of the safety concerns with having parked vehicles on the street is that it impedes visibility for those leaving and entering the library parking lot and that vehicle doors open in the path of cyclists riding by.

"We support the council's effort through this ordinance to maintain the safety of residents and visitors to our neighborhood," said Chang.

During Chang's remarks, there was laughter from an audience member and then Committeeman Douglas Stevinson condemned the audience member for their comment.

"Really did you just say that? I am looking at you. … You want to say 'Go back to China?' You can leave," said Stevinson. "You don’t come into my chambers and attack my residents like that."

"Shameful what your cohorts said to one of my residents. How dare you guys come in here and [Chang] says something you don’t like so you are going to throw barbs from the side. That is not civil discourse. Unacceptable," continued Stevinson.

Jim Stadtmueller, who lives off Lamington Road, near the intersection of Route 206 where political rallies are held every Saturday, said, "no one has had the quiet enjoyment of their property impacted more by the township established Free Speech Zone than I have."

"For the last eight years, my Saturday mornings have been routinely disrupted by rowdy out-of-towners from both sides of the political aisle who have no regard for my neighborhood. Their gatherings are often centered around provoking of blaring of horns from the Route 206 intersection for several hours," said Stadtmueller.

He added that the rallies can include amplified music, chanting from bull horns, and "boisterous and sometimes vulgar" arrivals and departures on Clucas Brook Road.

"I encourage you to pass this ordinance and I applaud your efforts to make this weekly disturbance less convenient to all involved," said Stadtmueller.

The ordinance was unanimously passed by the Township Committee.

Stevinson noted that the comments they received from those opposed to the ordinance "are sort of apples to oranges."

"Nowhere in this ordinance does it say where you can or can not congregate. Nowhere does it say where you can come together and exercise your right to free speech. This is completely unrelated to what you are referring to. Much of the comments are simply are .. uninformed," said Stevinson.

Commiteewoman Gina Lisa-Fernandez agreed with Stevinson saying, "This has nothing to do with stopping anybody’s right to free speech. We certainly do encourage that. I mean we have everybody here to tell us their opinions and we really appreciate everyone that came and shared it with us. But the parking is a completely separate issue. And we're taking care of our neighbors as well."

"There is nothing political. There's no one side on this ordinance," said Jacobs, who noted the street is not set up for this type of parking.

"We've always said from the beginning that our role up here is to support Bedminster residents," said Jacobs. "This ordinance in my mind supports the residents in the Clucas Brook neighborhood."

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