e e e e e e e e [Music] this is a regular meeting of the township committee public notice of this meeting has been given as required by the open public meetings law a resol ution was adopted on January 1st 2024 designating the state this H in 7:30 p.m. as the time for this regular meeting of the township Committee of the township of Union and the county of Union a notice of each and every meeting of the township committee was posted in accordance with the AET open public meetings law in one public place reserved for the posting of ordinances and official notices of the township of Union namely the bulletin board next to the clerk's office in addition thereto a copy of said resolution was forwarded to the local source Star Ledger a copy of said resolution is on file with the clerk of the township thank you madam clerk this evening the prayer will be led by committee woman Terell and the flag salute by committeeman Bowser everyone please stand as we gather as members of this countship committee we pray that we are ever mindful of opportunities to render our service to fellow citizens and to our community keeping in mind always the enduring values of Life exerting our efforts in those areas and on those things upon which future Generations can build with confidence let us continue to strive to Make a Better Community amen amen I pledge aliance to flag of the United States of America Madam clerk can I have a roll call please Mr Bowser here Mr Al here M Fraser here Mr Florio here mayor ker here can I have a motion to approve the conference in regular session minutes of June 11th 2024 so moved second all in favor I I Madam clerk can we move on with the ordinances and resolutions please I have he consideration on drafting first reading an ordinance creating a new chapter in the municipal code to regulate massage and body work Services move draft we taken up for the first reading by title at this time second an ordinance of the township of Union County of union state of New Jersey setting forth the allowable forms of massage and bodyw work services in the township of Union Union County New Jersey Mr Bowser yes Mr Terrell yes M Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor figar yes move Jeff be taken up at the next regularly scheduled meeting for a second and final reading second Mr Bowser yes M Terell yes Miss Frasier yes Mr Florio yes mayor figer number two has been pulled resolutions amending resolution 20248 increasing the amount to Samuel's Inc trading as bywise by an additional $110,000 for the purchase of automotive and light truck parts for a total amount not to exceed $65,000 State contract number $ 85992 motion to approve second all in favor I I authorizing the mayor to to submit and execute the 2024 annual action plan for Community Development for approval second all in favor I authorizing the insertion of a special item of Revenue into the 2024 budget in the amount of $719 186 under the caption alcohol education rehab and enforcement Grant move for approval second all in favor I I authorizing the insertion of a special item of Revenue into the 2024 budget in the amount of $65,000 under the caption local Recreation Improvement Grant move for approval second all in favor I authorizing the insertion of a special item of Revenue into the 2024 budget in the amount of $14,455 63 under the caption clean communities Grant motion to approve second all in favor I I authorizing payment of all approved vouchers for solid waste collection holl and Disposal at the interim rate of $759 per ton for household waste and $17 12 per ton for bulky waste who to approve the payments second all in favor I authorizing an award of contract to Clarion events Inc for fire and EMS online training for an amount not to exceed $1,227 move to a ro contracts second all in favor I I authorizing a settlement agreement in the matter of ktie Thompson at Al versus Township of Union motion to approve second all in favor I amending resolution 202 2458 increasing the amount to Rachel's Michelle's Oil Company by $40,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $80,000 for the purchase of diesel fuel State contract 19 food 01099 motion to approve the amendment second all in favor authorizing an award of contract to BLM Consultants LLC for a community development director and staff at their sole proposal not to exceed $217,100 move to approve the contract second all in favor I authorizing the renewal of certain liquor licenses in the township for the annual period of July 1st 2024 through June 30th 2025 move for approval second all in favor I authorizing the renewal of plenary retail consumption license number 2019 330048 signatures LLC with special conditions motion to approved second all in favor I authorizing the renewal of Club license number 201931 10751 Georg e Canon Lodge with special conditions motion to approve second all in favor I authorizing a memorandum of understanding for the township to employ labor union Brick Layers on a temporary and as needed basis for approval second all in favor I ask you to approve the finances as listed on the agenda move for approval second all in favor the following Communications from Terry Manda tax collector requesting the township Comm commit authorized checks issued to the following representing the Redemption of tax sales certificates as listed on the agenda motion to approve Jack all in favor I I from Christopher Donnelly Police director recommending the denial of a handicapped parking space at 221 a Storia Place motion to accept the recommendation second all in favor I I various residents requesting the following block parties Haze Road Saturday August 17 2024 from 1: to 5:00 p.m. Jackson Avenue Saturday August 17 2024 from 12: to 9:00 p.m. move for approval second all favor I the Township Clerk requesting two refunds in the amount of $130 each for the overpayment of liquor license renewals move for approval second all in favor I I from Roman M Ukrainian Independence Committee of America requesting permission to hold a flag raising ceremony in front of the municipal building on Sunday August 25th 2024 at 12 :30 p.m. also requesting permission to hang 24 Ukrainian flags on Marson Stenson Avenue and to hang a banner across ston Avenue from August 14th through September 4th 2024 motion to approve second all in favor I from Chuck nodi 2105 High Street requesting the use of Weber Park on Saturday August 17 2024 from 4: to 8:30 p.m. with the DJ and approximately 100 people motion to approve second all in favor I'm dep Department reports from municipal court and the police department will they be received and fil second all in favor I I that concludes my part of the agenda thank you madam clerk we'll go to our committee reports I'll start with committee woman to thank you uh reporting for the Department of Public Works uh the report is for today the uh this past week Road division the road division continues to work on repairing potholes and patching sections of Roads throughout the township since our last meeting the road division has per formed 375 pothole repairs and 358 streets were swept in the sewer division the sewer division continues to maintain catch Basin Pump stations and outfalls daily performing repairs when necessary since our last meeting the sewer division has performed 325 catch Basin cleanings 120 enzyme applications to minimize fats oils and grease and one emergency phone one emergency call in the sh shade tree division the shade tree division continues to maintain trees in Parks Township properties and in Township right of ways since our last meeting tree Crews performed seven removals 22 trims and five stump removals all concerns or inquiries regarding all division of Public Works can be addressed by calling public works at 908 6861 1922 or by using the report a concern feature on the township website this concludes my report thank you thank you a committee Bowser please uh thank you mayor uh for the police department for the period of June 6 through the 20th there were one 1,200 direct patrols there were 255 calls for service there were 74 arrests under traffic control speed Initiative for the period June 7th through uh June 20th there were 43 stops 45 tickets Six for residents for the red light enforcement for the same period of time was stops for 19 26 tickets one was resident truck enforcement for the same period of time eight stops nine tickets and two deliveries I have one highlight on June the 15th officers made a motor vehicle stop the registered owner was arrested for the for the for an active warrant a search was conducted and the arreste was found to be in possession of an imitation Glock handgun a 31 round magazine and 42 hollow point bullets the suspect was transported the headquarters and charged accordingly that concludes my report thank you committee woman gar FR please okay the report for recreation department Union's annual 4th of July spectacular Returns on Thursday July 4th at Bear Temple the festivities will begin with a concert featuring the mission dance band at 7:30 p.m. playing a mix of high energy music to get the crowd pumped up and dancing the concert will be be followed by amazing fireworks that will be displayed approximately 900 p.m. bring your lawn chair bring uh dinner and dessert or you can buy dinner and dessert from our wonderful food vendors and make a whole night of it also the summer fun continues with Summer Concert Series held on Thursday evenings beginning July 11th the 18th and the 25th at 7:30 p.m. uh this year the concert series will be held at Temple Park the featured bands include four sticks 80s Revolution and extreme Queen select Farmers Market vendors and food trucks will stay for the concert each week so come hungry and enjoy dinner while you enjoy the concert if you have any questions you can call the recreation department at 98686 4200 the senior center Tuesday July 9th from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. the nurse will be there providing Health maintenance check and Prevention Services June 26 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. is movie night they will be showing queen bees popcorn and ice cream will be served senior fats Market nutrition program and E benefit in the amount of $50 $50 benefits can be used at the approved Farmers Market sites to apply schedule an appointment by calling the senior center proof of age Union residency are required again uh the phone number is 851 5290 a computer Workshop July 29th and the 22nd August 5th 12th 19 and the 26th from 11 to 1 p.m. you will learn the basics of how to operate a computer navigate the internet in ways that can enrich your life during the course you will learn how to use email search the internet for information access sources of entertainment and connect to people organizations and interests that matter to you uh walking with ease starting July 15th and ending August 25th Monday Wednesday Monday through Wednesday and Friday 10:00 a.m. walk with ease is a senior center community-based physical activity and education program the program will be led by jod palano walk with ease as a multicomponent program that also includes health education stretching and strengthening exercises and gradually increase your physical activity level starting with 10minute walks and gradually increasing the time in each session is a smart approach to avoid overextension and minimize the risk of of injury also the walking will take place within the senior center the floors are nice and leveled and as you increase your Mobility you'll step outside and be able to walk a little further um upcoming trips Wind Creek Casino uh Bethlehem PA July 18th the tickets are $35 they will depart they will be departing from Janette Avenue uh resorts Atlantic City is July 11th at 9:30 to 3:30 p.m. those tickets are $40 um departing from Janette Avenue if you have any additional questions you can call 98851 5290 that concludes my report mayor thank you Deputy Mayor Florio thank you very much mayor during the previous twoe period the fire department responded to 258 emergency calls for service and 128 medical calls on June 10th apparatus responded to fire in Elizabeth for a four alarm fire I think you probably read about in the paper and just as I mentioned before this is part of a mutual Aid agreement between several of the communities around us sometimes we'll actually go out or they could come here if there's a major fire and they need assistance most of the time it's really to man The Firehouse if we have to send all our units out another Community commun will come in and man our firehouses in case a second or third emergency comes out very important agreement that we have with the neighboring communities on June 13th response to a motorcycle motorcycle uh in a car uh colliding again the patient was transported to University Trauma Center for some very serious injuries on June 16th a full response to voxa Road for a grill on fire against the house no extension to the interior of the residence but that the resident did Ser uh the resident did suffer minor burn injuries grills are great half for barbecues but you got to be careful on June 20th boxall roll was shut down in the evening for a transform of fire that dropped the primary power lines onto the ground Road was shut down until the following morning once repairs were completed on June 21st apparis responded to a Pleasant Parkway for a car going into a garage the vehicle drove into the low bearing wall of the detached garage and the garage was struck down sound I think if I reported one week where a car didn't go into a pole or into some house it'd be amazing but every single two weeks we have one here's some spring safety tips grills we' talked about that before check your grills propane tank uh think the holes and connection points for leaks or breaks in the hose Grill should be at least 10 ft from any structure June July or Peak months for the for these fires and we see that occur all the time fireworks be safe do not use commercial fireworks come to our public show if you want to see fireworks the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend an outdoor public display put on by professionals no remember July 4th I'm sure the mayor is going to mention this is our public display of fireworks for pool liquid and solid chlorine based oxidizers are commonly sold for home pool care as hydrogen chloride products these chemicals can be spontaneous combest com combust if contaminated and always store them outside the home home and away from the Heat and Source flame that's my report for tonight mayor thank you Deputy Mayor um I'm going to begin by congratulating one of our seniors Gabriel Gopi a senior infielder and pitcher for the Union High School baseball team who's been named to the Union County conference all Mountain division first team he played second and third base for the farmers batted 275 with 20 runs scored and 12 stolen bases both of which led the team he also locked 36 Innings on the mound struck out 29 batters congratulations to him and save the date for our annual Ada Jazz fundraiser as we celebrate the 34th anniversary of the American with Disabilities Act join us on Wednesday July 24th from 6:00 to 9: at Mambo Cuban Restaurant and Lounge tickets are currently available online and Via Union township.com and to celebrate the summer join us 2 days from now June 27 for the summer kickoff at the union Farmers Market celebration will take place at the beard Temple Park from 300 p.m. to 800 p.m. activities will include inflatable games giveaways a DJ and more and there is a band I think if I recall correctly a kick back to the 90s for more information you can visit un township.com follow us on social media at twpunion NJ Farmers MKT T join us on Friday August 2nd from 6: to 10: p.m. in the Union Center for our annual girls night out this Unforgettable night will include photo booths giveaways of beer garden a glitter bar food tasting and a live performance featuring the boy band project for more details on registration and activities please visit uniontown.pa and as always we ask you to sign up for emergency and general notifications at www. Union township.com these updates are also posted on Facebook at twpunion [Music] NJ this time I will open up the meeting to the public again a reminder there is a five minute limit please state your name and your address clearly so the bring record to that Darren Martin 1163 frantin way black lives will start the matter in this Township so I've been talking since last year to this body about the direct racism and discriminatory practices that's being levied against signature sports bar you five have remained silent nothing there's staff members in this building doing things they shouldn't be doing you guys are silent there's the building department being weaponized against some businesses you guys are silent I don't even need a microphone I'm I'm a bapti on on purpose um so what what what's been happening here is that you guys I don't know where the morals are because you are elected by people for people to conduct people's business you have not done so to go even further with it you are told what to do how to do it when to do it who to vote for for and how to do it by one Senator and that's sad that's sad and then you guys run around town smiling go in the photo op like something's funny and then three of you are I'm not going to be people color you or black what are you doing what exactly are you doing are you teaching your grandkids and your kids the same thing I mean come on and they have weaponized even the police department sometimes and don't think we didn't see that they put a black C here tonight not a white CU black people coming oh we know what's going on this Senator wants to control everything he controls you guys completely then the sister is in the clerk office his wife runs the newspaper so they can control what happens with the news his cousin is in the police department what the heck is going on here this is this is nonsense and you guys have remained sound then just to show how deep your hypocrisy is this owner of signatures was the number one business voted a few years ago and some of you stood right there with her and celebrated with her now you going after her further her propy she invited the township committee there to date not one of you guys have showed up there not one of you now because I'm an elect the district leader here and I have the ability uh I've lived in newk I lived in Jersey City and I live in Union I already know this wasn't a choice they wanted here with Mr ra they wanted her sister because they want people they can control her sister her sister didn't want the and and this is so sad to watch this go on in 2024 so I'm going to tell people at home don't be fooled by the Jun teth celebration all the stuff these guys do con they will these people will stand with you and smile they only claim the fame is to run around town and do photo op they do not do anything you don't govern you don't make any decisions so why do we need you these two are up for reelection and November I'm going to tell Township people you should not be voting for them you should not be voting for them in fact none of them really deserves your vote and let me just end with this I I I see you guys these red prayers as an ordained Deacon I Paul by an embarrass that you guys stand there with no morals with no at all but you read a prayer that you don't follow I don't know what God you're praying come on now but Judgment day is going to be coming for all of us when we got to give account what we did here on Earth so the crap you preside over and you don't do anything and you listen to those back there in the peanut gallery listen to them and you listen to the senator when the senator is gone I want to see what your legacy is going to look like a very very sad day and and some of you guys feel uncomfortable about speaking to me but listen I was I was raised for good morals in Jersey speak right now so so I'm always still going to speak to you even though the Sor walks around he don't want to speak to me I challenged him last night ask him a direct question about the openpr request he decided to tell what the half truth about the opah request he didn't tell the people that it's going to make it harder for them to get information when they want to get information on people like you and people like him he didn't tell them a lot of different things so I just want to see what he G to be truthful I'm going to tell you guys for part me a th I've been here 10 years in this Township and the same nonsense has been going on and and when we finish talking here tonight Guys these five people won't say anything because they're not allowed to talk they are rehearsed robots and puppets that's what they are they won't say a word because they're not allowed to talk when you ask them a question they look back there to that table and they are the elected ones they aren't elected so I'm going to tell people at home take a good look at these five individuals here your time is up at this point thank you very much black lives the matter in this [Applause] Township hi your name and residence Angela Bergos signature sports bar 2134 dancor I've been a residence of this town since 1999 and I'm is sad for me to be up here as a business owner but as we honor juneth a holiday that holds profound significance for me I want to share my Reflections juneth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and serves as a celebration of culture history and pride for black communities Across the Nation the progress of black Americans from being owned to becoming owners offers critical insights into the advancement of race relations and Democracy in America the end of slavery provided African-Americans an opportunity to build wealth in this nation like you we we strive to leave Legacy for our children and create generations of sustainable wealth juneth which I prefer to call Freedom Day Freedom Day represents more than the end of slavery it embodies the progress and resilience of blackowned businesses it's not just about cookouts parades and festivals uh relegated to a corner of a closed football field build because other festivals are in the middle of town it means so much more to us the shame is that not every blackowned business and Union was even invited to the festival I never even knew anything about it juneth is an opportunity for activism and education with community service projects aimed at addressing racial disparities our freedoms are fragile and it doesn't take take much for things to go backward and we see it going backward but I assure you Over My Dead Body would I go back to where we used to be because this town is still ran like the 60s we not in the 60s we not in the 50s slavery is over while blackowned businesses continue to grow we still only make up 3% of all businesses in the us contributing just 1% of gross revenue despite 14% uh of Americans in 2021 black women owned businesses made up of even small smaller percentages through women we represent more than half of the US population that own we own one out of five businesses in the in the US signature is currently currently facing criticism and struggles that with the township of Union I am continually told that I'm under the microscope I'm being watched the town doesn't like me they call me arrogant but let me stop you right there I am a confident and strong black woman who has worked hard worked hard to be where I am I come from humble beginnings I'm the head and not the tell and I stand on my convictions and beliefs while I was told two years ago by a Township employee that he shut us down you all continue to waste resident Resources by pouring thousands of our tax dollars into legal battles against me threaten and shut down a viable business that adds economic stability to this town juneth signifies the importance of black owned businesses uniting to dispel the myth that white Americans hold about black and brown people we will no longer tolerate mistreatment from this town we are capable of voting you into office and we are certainly capable of voting you out juneth is significant we will use that date to address any actions taken to undermine us I conclude with this I have on a shirt that says Hashi am Shilla Oliver attending lie attending lieutenant governor Sheila Oliver's funeral ignited an unexplainable Fire Within Me I have never attended a funeral and heard such magnificent things about a person in the indelible marks she left on this state of New Jersey she was strong resilient smart powerful feisty incredible a fighter a ride or die a pillar a strong black woman she stood in her convictions and so I say this to you today hash I am Shila Oliver and I will not stand here and allow you all to continually send people to my business continually criticize ridicule do all of that these people back here they may not all be from Union but those are my friends they love signatures and I am disappointed in because you know what's sad about Florio I grew up with my mother saying we got to go vote for Florio I grew up with that I grew up I'm disappointed in you James cuz time and time again we've asked you to come to signatures and you have not I don't know you to your time is up disappoint Peri anyone else wish Peri I'm disappointed [Applause] [Music] [Applause] blessings everyone I stand before you my name is masuna they call my name is address cler my name is masuna your last name address Harley okay I am signatures I need your address please 2586 Mars Avenue I'm sorry couldn't 2586 Mars Avenue okay I'm going to have to ask anyone in the public to please not speak when there's someone up there thank you very much is this taking up my time no no no no go ahead okay thank you okay greetings all I stand before you today to address a pressing issue that has plagued our society for far too long the abuse of power by government institutions against blackowned businesses this is not just an economic issue but a matter of social justice and equality the problem Union Union historically blackowned businesses have faced systemic discrimination and bias they have been denied access to resources opportunities and fair treatment that are readily available to others this has resulted in a significant disparity in wealth and success between blackowned businesses and their counterparts government institutions which are supposed to uphold Justice and equality have unfort Ely been part of this problem there have been instances where these institution have misused their power creating barriers for black entrepreneurs entrepreneurs this includes discriminatory lending practices zoning laws parking parking pyramid everywhere zoning laws that disproportionately affect black neighborhoods and black businesses and a lack of support and resources for blackowned businesses the impact Union this abuse of power has profound implications it stifles Innovation hampers economic growth and perpetuates racial wealth gaps it sends a disheartening message to aspiring black entrepreneurs that their dreams and efforts are not valued the solution Union but it's not all doom and gloom we can and we must must put an end to this here's how policy reform union we need to advocate for policy reform that ensure fair treatment of all businesses regardless of the race of their owners this includes Fair lending practices Equitable zoning laws and equal access to government contracts and assistance like Don tresen told us at a meeting he said we're here to help you support black businesses Union we as consumers Can Make a Difference by consciously supporting blackowned businesses this is not only this not only helps these businesses Thrive but also sends a powerful message against racial discrimination Education and Training Union providing Equitable Education and Training resources to Black entrepreneurs can help them navigate the business landscape effectively this includes financial literacy business management skills and knowledge about available resources and opportunities transparency and accountability Union Union government institutions must be held accountable for their actions What's Done in secret will be manifested in the light because God sees it all this can be achieved through transparency in their operations and decision-making processes in conclusion the abuse of power against blackowned businesses is a grave issue that needs immediate attention but with concerted efforts policy changes and a commitment to equality and justice we can put an end to this and pave the way for more for a more inclusive Diversified and prosperous future in Union T there is strength all right # # I am Sheila Oliver the revolution won't be televised the revolution will be [Applause] lived thank you anyone else wishing to speak please come on up please state your name and address hello everyone my name is Dina laua and I live on 1306 Liberty Avenue thank you for your time and thank you everyone for being here I know there are pressing issues but but on my street there have been several car accidents and I will not uh stop trying to do something because I don't want anyone dying if if there's something I can do about it so um on Allen Avenue there's a stop sign that people keep running it even caused an accident with a cop car two weeks ago everyone was okay but it was scary and then last week there was another accident someone running that stop sign and they they were also okay but it was very very scary and also so that's our first thing is we're trying to find a solution for the stop sign maybe a flashing stop sign they have them that are um solar paneled so I think that sounds like a good idea and then cost effective and health conscious for the environment and then the other thing on Liberty Avenue people drive we're right by 78 the entrance people fly down that street and it's very scary I don't know if you could put speed bumps or something further down that street there is speed limit signs that flash the speed limit that you're going but I don't think that does anything and so we're here today asking for a solution for that because again it's very scary there was um a cross guard that almost died last year and I see all of this and I don't want anyone's life to be taken by something that could have been prevented so thank you for coming up with that we will look at that flashing sign and see if that's feasible we'll have the police department look at that and uh if you've watched our meetings uh I'm sorry excuse me I'm speaking resp okay all right yeah well thank you for your time I don't we can talk later or something thank you anyone else wishing to speak hello my name is quasha Williams I'm from Lake haong 228 chapi Avenue so I've been sitting here listening and I've read the agenda and the one thing that I took notice of was that you mentioned a lounge called Mamba you're promoting the lounge you're selling tickets it's great event sounds wonderful I'm a blackowned business in Lake kacong it's a predominantly Caucasian population now I wouldn't go out of my way to say that they support me you know the mayor has come by I do ensure him but I wouldn't say they go as far as to run me out of business that being said you're promoting a business that is a Cuban restaurant I did Google it and I'm curious as to why one small business owner is better than another some answers answers hello as a small business owner I it's hard we struggle we work very hard I don't have a lot of employees right but to have people going out of their way to shut someone down sounds just unbelievable to me like this is Union it's the one of the most most diverse cities in the state of New Jersey I'm having a hard time comprehending how in a diverse city as this why people are going out of their way instead of trying to support a small business trying to uplift a small business trying to find ways to work with that small business owners why are you going out of your way to shut it down it makes no sense to me so I I I I don't have a lot to say um with regards to how you do your business here in Union but I just find it very offensive as a black woman as a small business owner that you wouldn't try to find ways to work around to work with you know a small business owner to make them Thrive and succeed so if that's your goal is to make them fail it sounds like you're succeeding down here and that's all I have to [Applause] say all I'm not the most professional person but I speak from the heart and I'm I'm not my name's Kevin it doesn't matter where I'm from address 100 Mountain a Springfield Police Department my my address does not matter all right I'm here for one reason I don't play the politics stuff I don't do these typee of things I don't play the race card I'm here because she's a real person she's an awesome person and you guys want to sit here like you care you guys are here because you're making money it's your salary it's how you support your family you don't give a crap about anybody here let's be honest I don't play the race card I like good people and I've been to a lot of bars in Union and I'll tell you one thing I don't go them anymore because of the troubles I've been in this is the place I go to if there's 70 80 100 people in there nobody bothers me I go to a a bar with five people in there and none of them are black I have issues and issues that turn into flights and assault charges all right I'm not your average person and I don't care right I go there because I feel comfortable this place when you walk in I don't care if you've been there a hundred times they ID you they pat you down they they take precautions and you don't see that anywhere [Applause] else so now you want to talk about the bar with issues and this and that name another bar on Morris AV where the bars on Morris and the parking lot's facing the street name one of course if somebody pisses everything's about money in this town Union County Union is the most corrupt County in town there is you want to hear it you want to hear it you're not going to pull me over I don't care I'm Uber and home I don't care I speak from the mind and the heart and you guys don't care it's the most corrupt County in New Jersey and I won't even get into my details but if somebody pisses you off in this County or town you have a parking lot that's facing moris a of course people are getting pulled over right you want me to start naming the other I first off I got I can tell you a lot of stuff about every single person in this town and you guys don't want me to do it because it won't look too good what about Patty's bar right you you want to talk about issues at this place you had two people get into a fight there right that weren't black and again I don't play the race card I don't care I don't care if you're black white blue green or orange I like good people but you have a fight there cuz they weren't had it down and guess what somebody gets shot and killed and you guys know who it is you guys know who it is I'll me I I'll mention 100 other stories this ain't my this ain't my first rodeo this ain't my first rodeo but what's right is right you can keep that time going I'm not done talking and I'm didn't write anything down you can look at him this that person you guys are on salary I get it I don't care I'm speaking because this is a good person these are good people they've invited me to their home she goes there she checks up on the place throughout the day there's nothing that goes on there I let's be honest there's times where I'm the only white person there with 70 people there you know how many issues I've got into none you want me to name the places I've got into issues in that resulted in me getting jumped by two people it didn't end well for them but I got jumped by two people five people were there five people you want me to name the place cuz I'll start naming places you want to you want to play the you guys can look all you want I don't care when a meter's pegged a meter's pegged stop with the corruption everything's about money what you want a couple dollars you want it I'll I'll Zell you guys some money so you stop busting their apples it's everything's about money and you guys know it this is a political game you know the I know about politics it's a political game I don't care if you're black white blue green orange Republican Democrat Biden Trump everything's politics and they all just talk and nobody does nothing right there's very few real people out there you can shake your head all you want I don't care there's very few real people out there guess what I'm one of them thank you cuz you walk my shoes in life you can look at me you can look at my clothes walk my shoes in life you guys ain't going to be able to walk it trust me and that's all I got to say she's a good person her husband's a great person they're good people and that's [Music] [Applause] it K on little black lives matter Elizabeth Elizabeth base I don't need need to even name my address there's a sand that I live by also core founder member of black Liv matter New Jersey most of you know who I am um especially a senator that you're taking answers to from there's a saying that I live by that is said black faces and high places won't grant us Liberation and that is a fitting moment for a Time such as this you see now I should have been here months ago when I was first informed about the setup to fail incidents that was Incorporated last minute with your harsh policies that are antiblack they just trying to annihilate this business from having a future and from thriving but it's it's disgusting because you was given an invite dozens of times you could have came and attested to the fact yourself that this business hello Miss frasia that this business is actually a business that is a safe haven for black people you can't actually feel safe in signatures like the customer stated you know he's a nonblack person I'm actually a black man so you have both perspectives who can attest that this is a black place a place that is a safe haven but also you can find black Joy all right nothing black joy in that place but here we are getting add dressing and Joan teeth mon right after your symbolic gestures and parades and performances that you do just for camera video footages photo wops publicity stunts for your elections or selections I should call them but that is what's in the way is black faces and high places that are not using their voices speaking truth to power the prophetic voices that you should have on the issues that are in our community it's disgusting it's distasteful I'm urging you to be on a mandate to legislate in full defense of black lives and if you fail to Simply resign and go home there's no place for your leadership there's no place for you to be here simp go home if you're not going to amplify the needs of the issues and address the issues at fir hand that's it it's that simple but the fact that you are literally at this moment incorporating last minute decisions and policies just to annihilate them from thriving it is blatant discrimination I'm going to refer to the town attorney on how you're advising them as going forward and in fact who's putting in your ear legally who's putting in your ear to incorporate the policies from the town manager's office to the police department to set up these harsh polies where's the harsh polies coming from that's my question to you that I expect the answer from and if you need to refer to the town attorney I would actually appreciate that thank you I'm trying to turn on my mic how are you my dear um I have marched with you in New York um so I take offense to this being a situation of color because it isn't um the young lady who stood up let let me finish the young lady who stood up who's a business owner right she follows ordinances she follows rules and she has not had issues um this comes down to obeying ordinances and rules um I had before yes before I became an elected official I had visited the place and um signatures and I actually had to leave because the music was so loud I asked the DJ before I left to lower the music and signatures yes okay and he did for about 10 minutes and then put it back up we stepped out outside we continue to eat outside we couldn't hear each other speak and we wound up leaving for that reason um that's I want to I want to address the fact while Miss Frasier is speaking while Miss Frasier is speaking I want to ensure that my time is paused and I want to reclaim my time so that I I stopped the I stopped it when she started speaking perect are you done Miss frer okay so since Miss Fraser went on public record since Miss Fraser went on public record and stated her opinion to the fact of it how is it legal for a member of the township committee to state that without referring to the town attorney I just want to make sure that we're in legal approaches here because so that way when we come back with a rebuttal you have dozens of witnesses who here who literally amplify the fact that this is a safe place everybody is literally safe in this restaurant this is black Joy but the fact that just because his music was too loud for you I mean this is not like a a senior citizen home miss phaser this is a a sports bar right where folks are literally in their groove and this is but a safe space right so I don't understand what you're look going to find and maybe you have to go somewhere else but this is literally uh right and so I just I'm a little confused by that statement but I think it seems a little you know discriminatory um and I just want to make sure that we are condemning that in all aspects but again the reason why I'm here the purpose and the more of the story is there is a rise in antiblackness is when it comes to Signature sports bar you have to call it like it is and you are trying to annihilate them from having a future which is intent which is inherent and we need to literally dismantle it from the root of it the RO true of it is is that you do not want this black thriving place to continue to exist because it is a black thriving place that is existence and that's what we're here to condemn and I'm here to condemn your actions I'm here to condemn your immoral leadership and again we're once again demanding that you be on the live leg Amity to legislate and full defense of black lives we're in solidarity with signatures and signatures is not down [Applause] good evening my name is Tara Stafford I address 258 I'm sorry I can't hear I can't hear you I'm sorry please would you state your name again I'm sorry Tara Stafford 2586 Mars AV first I want to just State I am Shila Oliver and that was a blatant lie we do not really play music outside we have security that goes with a noise monitor to address any non-compliant noise levels outside that so that is all due respect a blatant lie as I begin as we continue to honor and celebrate juneth it is a momentous occasion for africanamerican history symbolizing the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans it is a time when communities come together to celebrate freedom and reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality and justice unfortunately instead of experiencing solidarity and support during this significant period signature sports bar has encountered troubling instances of discrimination cops have been to the establishments too many times too many times and you know what the patrons say why do they keep bothering you everyone is just having a good time not two police officers but four to six police officers oh it must be something major illegal going on for four to six police officers to come to an establishment it is being observed by patrons that this is unfair treatment we have noise meters as I've stated and security go around the building often to make sure that that noise level that is coming and protruding From the Inside Out is compliant officers are usually parked outside during closing to create some type of scare tactic to our patrons note that we have security officers to walk our patrons to their cars I have personally visited several establishments in Union no police officers in sight hello and you know what they say they express they have received no harsh treatment No harsh treatment to any other establishment in Union except signatures Sports Spar blackowned female business my God my God these actions not only undermine the spirit of juneth but they directly contradict the values of inclusivity and respect that our society and our community should uphold we have worked tirelessly to create a welcoming space with all patrons can enjoy good food good music and a good time it is disheartening to witness such blatant acts of of targeted discrimination this is a fe a black female-owned establishment in Union and our ancestors pave the way to our freedom right to be educated and to stand up for justice stand up for justice with courage with dignity and without fear without fear I am standing here as a community activist a Girl Scout Troop leader for 20 years to high school girls a senior project management to an asset management company for 30 years and I have never seen such disgrace every business regardless of ownership should be able to operate free from discrimination and bias I believe that by raising awareness and taking con a concerted step to address these incidents we can work together but do you want to work together you want to work together do you want to work together is the question Union do you want to work together I am Sheila Oliver thank you for your time and I look forward to talking to you next [Applause] time good evening my name is Julie um I live in un County um I would like to take this time to thank the Union County city council for having me here today and the community members of Union County for being here today I stand before to give my support to the owners of signature sports bar signature sports bar has been in the community for at least three years it has create atmosphere for people in the community to go socialize and get to know each other as neighbors it is a business that I patronize along with others in this community I respectfully urge the city council to reconsider the idea of closing this establishment as a community member I am empathetic also to those who may have concerns of complaints regarding noises but I urge the city council to keep in mind that signatures is just not a small business it is a small business owned by women we should work to find ways to help small businesses and keep their doors open I'm sure everyone can agree that when small businesses are thriving and our communities we do better as a community right that's right I'm certain if the committee the I'm certain if the city council the owners of signatures and Comm community members work together we can find a way to address any concerns or complaints from community members that will not result in the closing of this small business I again urge the city council to change course and keep this small business thriving in our community thank you good evening everyone um everybody um my name is Dana Hazard and I've gone to Washington School kwami your address pleas 1148 Schneider Avenue Union I've going to Washington School kwami Union High School I've lived in Union for 59 years and it hurts me to see what's going on at signatures what I see like every time I'm there I enjoy coming there a a place let me say this I've been to that location when it was the Stables when it was Dez okay and now that it is signatures it's like what's going on it's the same location okay it might be a different uh set of people that are coming in because it's differently owned okay so it's not owned by the people that own Stables okay and I used to go in there real quick and looked at like what is she doing in here all I wanted was a long island I tea okay cuz they had the best ones and I was in and I was out but all I want to say is I've been in this my mother was your girl scout leader okay my father has done plenty of work with the Youth Boys in the community years ago okay and my mother was in the uh one of the action networks that you have for the Youth also having all the game down at Greenfield Park okay so my history is Union and it hurts me to see what this establishment is going through and I just want to stand in support of [Applause] them good evening don't let the close forol you I just came from training I'm a doctor doctor Jonathan yelverton I live at 50 Parkplace New York City okay I work in cancer research so I see my share of racism there too I probably helped save one of your relativ lives all right now okay I met this beautiful young lady owner of signature sports bar over a year ago introduced by mutual friend case little I was treated with so much respect when I went into this establishment they rolled the red carpet out everybody that I met that evening was courteous Pleasant articulate right down to the security to say that you left because because of loud music is that the best you can do I mean really when this man earlier complained about a murder at another establishment but nothing was said about that it seems as though during the 1990s when there was a shift in the demographic and DNA and the fabric of Union yes changing now that African amans represent 36% of this town could that be the problem I'm just asking for a friend because people like us that don't have the complexion for the protection for the connection always get the brunt and the lower end of the totem pole isn't that amazing I consider myself very lucky because I graduated c l look at me I get this every day so I can speak from experience I get to tell white folks what to do at my job they don't like it I get to crack the whip when they complain about doing their work just like you and it's really sad to see in this day and age that this type of buffoonery is still going on if you had an opportunity to come to this establishment I was just there recently and a Jewish man walked walked in in the middle of the whole area they let this man come in they welcome anybody any demographic although I felt as though he was a plant that time I mean why are you people messing with this this young lady and her family she's just trying to support her family family and Thrive like we all want we just want our opportunity now talking about juneth we established juneth but people like you made it a holiday so you can get a day off we don't get rashash Shana we don't get all of those holidays we can't take off those days but y'all can take off on our holidays you want us to participate in everything that you do but you never want to participate in anything that we do and it has to stop and I'll land my plane there stop  on people the way that you do cuz Karma always finds an [Applause] address hello uh my name is Aaliyah Jana Ayo I am a Union County resident and I am also one of the employees at this beautiful establishment signatures um I'd like to speak on behalf of the employees uh for a moment as well because you are not just shutting down a business you're shutting down a family we have a we have so many parents these are these are the parents of signatures the the kids are not even here right now we're all working right now I was able to make it but um we have so many people who are parent who are part of the community just trying to survive just trying to make sure that they can do what they need to do so that we can all Thrive together um I need to take a deep breath because I'm like wo sorry guys um signatures um signatures is not just an establishment of business it is a place of history for me I have never been a part of a blackowned woman business before in my life and I have never had so many people support me while I'm learning to gain my step in the world that I we are all now living in I'm 20 years young so everyone helps me out like they are like I have mentors I have beautiful people helping me lead the way and understand what I need to do I just want to make it very clear to you guys that it's not just it's just not a place it's a heart of something and yeah and I love the place very much and I'm a part of a very large Collective who love the place very very much I see the stars and well-known people walk through there all the time who love the place as well promote the place who have the influence to make sure that we all know what we're actually dealing with here I'm not here to offend you or belittle you or make you feel like you any less I'm here to let you know that I see you and I just need you to see us as well thank you [Applause] hi my name is Tatiana Lofton I was forly at 1A ston AV in Union Center my family my grandmother just left Brenda Hopper she owned canb boy treeh house unfortunately we didn't get to this point um I'm getting emotional because I wanted my family to fight for what we had the way that you're fighting for what you [Applause] have and it's extremely inspiring to see someone that looks like me um still fighting for something that seems so far away um I just want to show that they weren't just a business in town for me either um my dad goes there every single day we unfortunately had to pick up business in South Orange Village as bad as we wanted to be here when we started our journey here in 2019 we kind of thought it was a sure thing um everybody seemed so supportive um and everyone is supportive when I'm talking about the community that's behind me um the only people that we've gotten backlash from was the leaders in town um my story and my family story goes so much deeper and I don't feel comfortable talking about it yet but situations like this and seeing everybody else going through the same thing that I went through makes me feel a lot more comfortable and I'm proud to be able to say something I'm not sure if it'll do anything I'm only 28 and I have a long way to go and I plan on coming back to Union at some point I'm not sure if that's how my grandmother feels I'm not sure if that's how my father feels but I'm coming back all right I really I really would appreciate it if you gave people that look like me that work so hard we get up every day we're open six days a week and then on the seventh day we come in just to do inventory to take note of what's going on in the business world to figure out how we can be a part of the community that's those are the things we wanted to bring here but unfortunately our journey got cut short I pray that you keep the same fire that's in you right now because it's giving me fire that's all I wanted to [Applause] say anyone else wishing to speak all right um good evening state your name and address please absolutely sure uh Leslie farell 892 Douglas Terrace uh walking distance from signatures um uh good friends with one of the uh part owners went to college together Lincoln University proud member of alile Fraternity Incorporated uh educated for 14 years licensed realtor and my wife and I when we purchased we picked Union because of diversity and opportunities for individuals of color that look like me because often times establishments and communities aren't welcoming and so when we did our homework we looked at towns like West Orange and Montclair and Union and Maplewood and Springfield and landed on on the union I have two younger kids six and seven that go to Battle Hill my oldest son 18 he was here at Union High School didn't work out because we weren't that proud of the high school because the high school had lost some of whatever it had so I sent to live with his mother in Atlanta and he graduated he's on his way to Morgan State University right so having lived in the community I've gotten to know the owners of signature very well um educated well successful in their various business areas of business and they run that establishment like it's a family um often times I refer to it as my chair I'm sure you're familiar with the TV show with Ted dancing right you want to go where somebody knows your name and so on days when I've had a hard day at work or I just want to just see who's there see some familiar faces I'll stop by grab some wings grab a nice burger might grab a beer before heading home and I know a lot of other people that that's what is there for for me personally I don't see any other establishment in Union that I feel that comfortable going to so when I hear that this establishment is in Jeopardy of being shut down for reasons that are not really that clear I thought it was important for me to show up um to get more answers and to hear what's going on and so um as a union resident I just hope that the elected officials are really doing their due diligence to support diversity equity and inclusion within a Township that has the reputation of that because I do think that it it's something that you guys have gotten right and I just hope that you keep that in mind and continue to get it right [Applause] good evening uh Robert James 309 Verona Avenue uh Newark New Jersey um I'm going to speak on behalf of this my family here this is all my family here uh the sports bar is a family here but I'm going to coming from another lens um I work in education medinaa high school and um as Angela Bergos came and spoke to my young ladies and talk to her about one getting out of their own way another thing Bridging the Gap and also accepting others and on top of that owning your own business and telling no one that they can't do that I've seen the marginal gaps with my young ladies and my young men but I'm just going to say particular for her talking to these young ladies who are coming around a different a lot of different things one thing is their families are telling them that they can't do that or they can't be this and they saw a woman that was resonating with them that spoke to them in that fashion and said look this is what I'm doing and not just that business but other businesses and again I'm going to just State here I've been around I've traveled different places and I'm one person they all know I don't go anywhere I don't feel comfortable and one thing is I feel comfortable in this space I feel comfortable not just because my family but also the people that come to the business and I'm also going to say this I'm a big Sports fanatic I've never felt comfortable being a Philadelphia Eagles fan and not being judged and a giant and cowboys bar flat out I'm going to say this at the end of the day um again I may not live in Union but I might as well because I spend so much time out here uh because again I'm GNA say this my family and not only that I have a new family that's coming up so at the same time I want you guys to urge I want to urge you guys to look at it not just as um just an establishment as the young lady said but a family these are people that coming together all the time week after week or day after day but also coming to release themselves from the harshness of the world and when not even centered that around just liquor or anything just to come and watch a game or to come enjoy karaoke or to just have a cookout or just be let's go take the bus to Giants Stadium to watch a game as a unit those things that's tailgate this stuff extends outside of Union if anything brings more economic to you because again I know people that don't even live in Union that live in Jersey City and live in we hawk and it's driving out to come here because they heard first of all that it's lit and I'm going have to I don't know if I have to tell you but lit means fire means it's good mean it's it's it's it's it's good nature and again um I'mma shout out my man Calvin who make sure that it's that everything is tight all right shout out calv I've seen his tenacity and I know my time is coming I've seen his tenacity I see his team I've see them make sure that they are levelheaded and making sure that everybody is leaving safe and also I'm sorry I've seen judges come in and had a good time so if they don't want to come on come on yes I'm just keeping it real and as she said there's so many other people that could be saying this is not an establishment that I should be seen in or with they're there and they're having a ball and they're having a good time and I'm just going to just come into part that and again to you guys I just hope that you rest that on your spirit all right have a [Applause] [Music] [Applause] good hi good evening my name is uh Karen Sabor I am born and raised in West Orange New Jersey I have recently become a uh transition to Union New Jersey as of about a year and a half ago to my boyfriend's home on Garden Street which is in the Battle Hill section um signatures is not far from me um I don't know the family that everyone is speaking of but I have seen it I have been a patron of signatures prior to coming to live to uh in Union um and it's it's actually where I have met who is soon to be my I met my boyfriend at signatures and I'm very happy about that um I know that it was mentioned that um this is not about racism and about an ordinance as I said I live just around the corner from the establishment and um I don't hear I'm I don't hear whatever is I I'm not sure what the the ordinance is that is not being followed but I don't hear it where where uh our home is I am a work from home I work for corporate my boyfriend works for a corporation he goes out the home every day to go to work I stay home um I say that to say no matter what time of day I don't hear anything but I find it interesting um that we say that that you're saying it's not about racism as I said I I'm 52 years old born and raised in West AR New New Jersey I know racism when I see it I promise promise you I born and raised in West orang and I hate to say that but it is what it is um I just also um I had a thought uh sorry I've never never done this before and I just heard about this meeting um I just it this is a a you know as I this is a blackowned women establishment I think that's important it's important when you're um looking at these issues um because it you know you're taking jobs away from from people men women young young people um it's a it's it's a community and it it's it's interesting I know the point interesting to me that we're talking about I guess maybe no noise ordinances because just a few weeks ago I was awakened startled out of the bed from noises of pop pops and I screamed and fell on the floor never heard a police uh siren and I just so I don't know if this is a noise order and it's that we're talking about it if but if it is I I'm just it's it's um it's very interesting to me so I thank you for allowing me to uh come speak have a good evening hello everyone my name is Rea Salam I'm at 2742 Lynwood Road um I lived in Union for about 5 years now probably look at me saying okay who cares we are the community everybody in this room is community I want to break it down a little bit about Union because I don't know if you guys know about Union it's 59,000 people in here 36% are African-American 52% are women all right now you guys receive federal funds SBA funds for diversity and inclusion right I'm I'm asking a question to the board do you guys receive federal funds no that's a question question it's a question you talked about grants do you receive grants from the federal government okay yeah you this is your time to make your comments okay okay it's okay I'm at this point I'm used to like discrimination and I'm just I'm used to desperate treatment and so forth what I'm saying is that we all have rights and I'm like I'm going to talk to you guys with my five minutes you all have rights if they're receiving federal funds you need to speak to your congressmen cities do not have rights over Congress and federal if they're receiving federal funds for diversity inclusion and I work in a field of diversity inclusion as a director which I can't say it because it is a conflict of interest you are to abide by diversity inclusion and give similar rights to Hispanics all right to African-Americans to female businesses and if you're receiving any small business administration Grant you should be abide by diversity inclusion and I'm not going to take up all my time talking about this about discrimination there's no apparent discrimination you guys can at your own time go look up desperate impact desperate treatment is when you use subjective Pro practices against a particular race which in this case is black people right we are not giving these same grants and the same thing you guys in the beginning of the speech has said approve approve the proof did any of these people in this room know that you guys received federal grants and that there were opportunities for them to apply for them I don't think so because you guys do what you want to do and I'm not going to come up here because I'm talking to you because these are your voters here the population of African-Americans are increasing in this community and they will be heard and it's also we're not poor here all of us here make more than six figure the medium houseold for Union Township is $18,000 the medum household so that means that my taxes alone I'm pay $122,000 for my taxes and I don't I want to see where it's going and I will continue to come up here if they come here next month I will be here and we will know and you guys have these public notice these public meetings we will know where these grants are going and whether or not the diversity inclusion is for other businesses and that's my time I don't [Applause] need hello my name is Vanetta blue my address is 6 5102 Emerald Drive Wong New Jersey I lived in Wong for 24 years and then from Wong I was in Warren and then from Warren I was I was in norc I'm a 50 year old African-American woman and I'll be 51 this year I say that to say you're seeing someone that never drank or smoked a day in her life till this day I don't even know what liquor tastes like or wine nothing so the first time I ever been to a bar was signatures and I'm Angie's her sister's best friend and when her sister asked me to go to the bar I was like I never been to a bar what do I do at a bar I didn't even know how to sit at a bar and I was like what what am I going to do I have no regrets going because the food there is amazing so you just don't have to have liquor or whatever you can go for the company the entertainment and the food no you can hear yourself talk and it was fun mingling with everyone but we had a tailgating party and now mind you I never drunk or smoke a day in my life so we had a tailgate party and after the tailgate party we had a bus ride back now I lived in watchong wor most of my life so I see all these cops and I'm like why are all these cops out here when we wasn't even there we were at the tailgate party but they St there and waited till we came back from the tailgate party now I don't drink a smoke or anything why were they following me and I'm like I didn't even have anything I just had the food which was amazing and I come to just for the food but why would they following me now I live in Wong and Warren most a majority of my life I never been followed or harassed which is a 99% predominantly white Community my ex-boyfriend that I've been with for years is 100% Italian I've never been harassed and Warren or watch on but then when I come here to my sister's place at the tailgate party you assuming that I've been drinking drunk or smoke you follow me all way to 22 my God and and harass and I was hoping that they stop me and give me some type of test so I could laugh in they damn face cuz I'm the type of person you could do a hair strand test from me and you'll never find anything mind you we wasn't doing anything we wasn't even at the establishment so why would you guys wait till we come from a tailgate and party to just harass the people that was there and follow us exactly so I just don't understand why everybody there you guys seem to prejudge because we're africanamerican but all of us don't drink a smoke right some of us just go to the bar just to have fun and me in the age of 50 this my first time ever at a bar and I only thing I do to is drink water I always ask you offer discounts right I always say can I have a discount sis cuz I know we doing the tailgating but can I have a discount cuz y know I'm only going to have water so I say that to say please stop harassing my sister and she does things to give back to community she's always encouraging um ownership yes she does a lot for the community scholarships remember when I first met you we did the scholarship thing she had the baskets for the kids she sent kids to college yes so is she's not only does things for the bar she sent um underprivileged kids to college no not nework projects everywhere um thank you for your [Applause] time anyone else wishing to speak hi Lisha Harris Jersey City New Jersey um I'm I'm speaking on behalf of my sisters over here and I'm coming from a friendship perspective when you are African-American in this country it's a struggle it's a struggle each and every day we have had to overcome so much over the centuries of being here and we were not brought here on our own so when my sisters came to me and said that they were going to open up a business or take over business in Union and it was a bar I was so happy for them because we don't get these type of opportunities because of who we are because of where we've come from so when they had the opportunity to open their establishment I was happy I go I support I bring my friends with me they brought their friends with them no one has had one incident at my friends establishment it is welcoming it is open the food is is delicious it's a place to congregate and feel safe so when I sit here and I hear that there were certain instances in which they were not treated fairly that upsets me because I want to say to you when does it stop when can we have something when can we have a seat at the table especially when we create our own opportunities we were bought here so we came behind an eightball that's right okay we come from generations of of knowing and and wanting each generation to do better and to accelerate so when you have you know some people you look not very interested as I'm speaking because I've sat there yeah I've sat here the whole time and I have not seen one reaction from anyone up here not from one person so and and so what what that says to me is that you're not ingesting what's being said you're not listening you're not using active listening skills because when you do you begin to understand where people come from and you show some emotion and you show some emotion I'm emotional I'm sitting here because my friends they run a great business and to hear that they've been under the gun for what for what they're African American they're women we try to do better we want more for our families so I'm I'm just you know I'm not surprised that we're here in 2024 because we've had to fight for everything that we've had so I challenge you when will it end it has to end and let it start with you thank you [Applause] good evening my name is Dana I'm from Dana Carter from Union County New Jersey I'm just speaking because I don't have a choice so I understand you guys have issues with ordinances and things like that but just a little history I've known Tara and Angie they are my cousin's best friends college educated they have a Sisterhood um they exemplify Excellence as a I'm younger than them not that much younger but they've always been two women that I've looked up to so it was we are proud of them let's just start there as minority women of color when they said that they were going to get a business like not for nothing they're black Excellence they could have had a business anywhere like Angie is a she's a genius she's brilliant she educates children she has other businesses so again they chose you let's be very clear so it's already hard enough I'm not even going to deal with color as women period so you know you don't want to make it about color um again cheers was a TV show you know what I mean so to say that you went into an establishment that plays music and sells food and the music was too loud we appreciate your business but [Laughter] okay so for me to not speak up on behalf of two women who I respect who I love I mean they put the call out and I'm I'm not sure I mean I've never seen your meetings I'm not sure I mean for now it's hard to not say it's not about the color though because I'm in Union all the time I've been to the east a hunt I mean you guys have more police tonight I get my nails done in Union we patronize the businesses the readers the the we get our hair steam right here across from Quick Check I mean we've never seen the Discrimination or just even I mean coming to the meeting tonight you guys have like five offices outside for what I mean it's funny to say okay like I mean we me and Cory pulled up we're like all this for us did they know we were coming you know like and it's hard to not think that it's not racially motivated but as as people of color we recognize when things are discriminatory so it's not something that we make up in our head I mean we deal with discrimination all the time so we recognize it because it's we're it's a part of our life it's a part of our being unfortunately it's just what happens when you're africanamerican so please don't dismiss the fact that people are making it about colorly I mean that's kind of disrespectful because if you know with the me too and um diversity and inclusion when we tell you how we feel acknowledge it and then because you know again I'm not going to dummy myself down I'm vers in public forums public speaking you you were elected so if you have a business especially a minority any business that is not adhering to certain things as leaders of the community it's like what can we do because one you go through a lot it was an investment money was taken out of their home they said hey we're going to get together we're going to form a business you had to go through inspections um certificate of occupancies like we're no dummies I mean you don't just hand us businesses so we went through different steps or they went through different steps to get the even business up and running but just to let you know as a community when one of ours does something we show up just like I mean Unfortunately they have a business so we're going to show up we support them because we want it to thrive we want it to be successful that's just what we do as a community it's yeah we're not right and we vote we're not going to let it f because you guys open a business and nobody showed up so to say that it's crowded it's music we applaud you it's a success on our behalf that's success for so for whatever the reason if you're able to if at all keep the business open because as the young person spoke is jobs is businesses I mean it's part of the community like I look for your mission statement I didn't see one for Union only for the public schools and it does it speaks about Community Partnerships so figure out how you're going to work with the community and build a partnership so that the business is successful versus trying to figure out how to shut it down and thanks for your time [Applause] [Music] good evening um Dr tahim L Dean from Nork New Jersey um I came to talk about the Angie most people don't know as a child born and raised in poverty I barely had opportunities to dream I didn't have Role Models right and I Le I never lead with Dr takim El de but I felt it was important to do that tonight with a fitted hat some js and a [Music] t-shirt when I got the opportunity to dream it was because of people like Angie who I call Aunt Angie Isetta who I call Aunt Isetta Angie was probably the first black person I could look up to to Aspire to be I was a K12 educator in the city of pay where Angie once was an educator and administrator I did that because Angie allowed me to dream the reason we're here today is because Angie does not want to seat at your table Angie has built her own table and put chairs around it for her own [Applause] people this seme this summer semester I'm teaching an ethics course this experience is a case study in my ethics course this summer I find it disgraceful that black and brown people are sitting before us and have no response my God has not been co-conspirators with Angie but when you mess with signatures you mess with Angie when you mess with Angie you mess with us it's not a threat but if something happen to the signatures you'll hear from us again but like the black church says at some point you got to come to this Fountain so rich and sweet all of you have to cash your soul at the poor savior's feet Plunge in today and be made complete you all have to say glory to his [Applause] my name is Nicole Joiner and I'm from Somerset New Jersey um it took me about an hour to get here um and I've known Queen since April um you would think that I've known her all my life and I met Angie through Queen um and I come here by way of Boston I keep it hear and everyone say cheers um I moved here in 2012 I've never really gone to the bar like signature so signatures is my cheers um I'm telling this story because not even Queen knows it the first time I ever went to signatures um I met a patron there and we shared a story about my son um wanting to commit suicide and those are the stories and the people that you meet at establishments establishments like chair like signatures um people in the past have said it's a family I've only met these young ladies since April and I've been to the her home I've been to signatures probably twice a week since April and I come from Somerset so that's I'm driving 45 minutes to come to another home so I'm not going to talk about race I'm not going to talk about ordinances music or anything I'm going to talk about being a human who goes to a place where I can share a story where I was at my lowest point and I felt welcome I felt safe and I will continue whether it they get shut down and they have to go to another place West Orange further out nework I will still drive there but they need to stay here this is where I met them this is where I would continue to travel to but it's I don't want to make it's work with them work with them like I said I've only known him since April you would think I've known them all my life it's a home keep it a home keep it open thank [Applause] you my name is Rob um actually I want to start by saying I'm not going to go with the old racism things because I'm actually from town I was blessed enough to come from Haiti and the first time I experienced was Irvington and I was great I mean I had beautiful parents to this day they still alive and grateful enough that they moved me out of Irvington to Union one thing I can say is um although I know I hear a lot of people saying staying old racism thing but I one thing I want to say that there's no other town beside Union that's more diverse in the whole New Jersey you can go you can search it you won't find it and one thing I find very highly you know not weird I mean somewhat weird the fact that to have that diversity right we grew up in town and I was exposed to as a young child and as we get older and the town tend to kind of like um move away from that and a lot of our kids if you look at our kids that's get in trouble we all get in trouble outside of town because we actually looking forward to look for something that we F we have in town that we're now losing because we don't have that atmosphere in town as we get older so that's why I mean I don't know but I'm pretty sure you guys can look at the statistic you can see that all the kids that's growing up I mean I don't know everybody here I don't nobody here but the the uh cures family that I just met about a year ago I can actually say that the PE growing up and the peers after me and the PE after me and the PE before me when we tend to get in trouble get in trouble outside of town and I feel that the town do a big numbers in that where they're canceling out certain situations certain atmosphere that town we was raised under that we we think to thrive under where we you know as look out outside where because we don't have it in town and you know see provide that atmosphere where we can go to S having that diversity you know it's the only place that we can go we can meet a Brazilian patian Jamaican Aman as well um American African all ethnics and that's where we was raised on if you look at our Public School actually I was blessed enough to actually work for the Public Public District as well worked there for five years in town so I'm very aware of what the town looks like in the inside and uh we look at us we look very different shades in town we not just want Shades we all different shades so for us in town to not be willing to work with an atmosphere that's actually you know welcoming that atmosphere that we left school that we looking for to me I just feel like is US losing than gaining and act actuality when if we not doing the best we can do to like provide I mean to provide like a security for that type of atmosphere you going to have kids more kids like us like my grades I graduate 2004 2006 2005 they all is leaving the town to go outside to go look for that and um unfortunate where that's when we all get in trouble outside of town you never hear no Towners get in trouble in town really like that but outside of town so if if we just we have to understand that you know we getting older you know you can't just tell us okay you can't just provide provide with diversity in town when we from from the age of 1 to 18 and we ready to be young adults you like oh no that's it you know like go outside and and figure something else out that's just to me that's ridiculous is don't make sense and unfortunately that's I just feel like if we want to if we want to invite you know more toal to stay in town I just think that we should you know actually support signatures plac like signatures or other places that actually bring in that type of environment that still have that you know that that Foundation where you know we can be diverse like we really is so my name is Rob ver and um I really don't I mean I I I'm I'm aware of everything that goes in town whether it is racism or if not but I'm not going to speak on that but my thing is I just feel that you know we will'll be losing a lot by you know put like putting the strict sanction of signature to uh to that extent where unions can't go in Union and and have a good time and rather to force us out to go out party in Irvington and I don't know if you guys know thank you Robert your time your time is up I'm sorry [Applause] thank good evening uh my name is Aaron flowers I am a uh resident of Union I'm a recent Resident of Union Union actually and I'm really concerned have your address for the the clerk please 1255 McGee Avenue thank you in Union and I'm a frequent um patron of signatures and have been for several years I have a number of affiliations that I don't really think should matter here but one thing that I do want to bring into the room is the voice of an attorney which I am and more specifically I'm an attorney who actually does anti-discrimination work in this state I've done civil rights work around the country and again what I'm hearing is occurring in our and my and your backyard is very concerning to me specifically I want you all to know because I'm sure you do know but I more importantly want everyone to know that they that we the state have the New Jersey law against discrimination known as the NJB which is the most expansive and the most protective and one of the oldest anti-discrimination laws in the country and why that's important is because what I'm hearing here today is evidence upon evidence upon evidence that there is some concerning discriminatory actions occurring in your city now the New Jersey log discrimination specifically protects as I'm sure you all know places of um employment places of Housing and places open to the public like signatures and like the other business owners or prior business owners I've heard from today and it provides protections based upon gender and sexuality and um disability and religion and race and as I heard thankfully someone mentioned the the legal some of the legal terms that is important are differential treatment and disperate impact and there's one thing about differential treatment is when one particular person may be experiencing discrimination like let's just say Angie maybe she specifically is feeling she's being discriminated against as a business owner it's different to to hear though when multiple business owners multiple patrons who are coming to her establishment are primarily black are experiencing discrimination because then we're talking about disperate impact and disperate impact is important because you can have a completely neutral policy since you mentioned policies and practices you can have a completely neutral policy in practice but if it's being applied discriminatorily if it's being applied only against a certain amount of people and not against another type of people who are not in the same protected categories then that can be desperate impact and what I've heard here today as a member of the Attorney General's office as a person who works for the anti-discrimination um agency in our state is concerning because you're hearing multiple business owners come and tell you and I don't know all the details I wish I actually did you're hearing though that they're saying that there are policies and practices occurring in your city that are being applied only to certain people and that's concerning to me and it's concerning to me as a new per as a lawyer is concerning to me as a resident of this city and I implore anyone particularly the people here that they should hire an attorney if you have not already because this is not okay it deserves to be investigated I'm not in any way committing the Attorney General's office to investigation I'm here as a citizen only myself I'm is telling you who I am and it deserves to be investigated because this is not acceptable that they are telling you and from what I'm hearing have continued to tell you that this is a reoccurring issue and you all are being complicit in the issue thank [Music] you thank you anyone else wishing to speak good evening everyone I'm Austin Henry live on Washington a in Union for well since 98 let's put it that way um I came to Union from another town hoping that you know here it is a nice little diverse town that I can raise my kids well only one but um that she will be proud of saying that she's from Union now she's 25 years old and all of her friends they say Mr Henry or Austin or Uncle O when we go off the colleges we are so proud that we're from Union because we are so diverse there's no questions asked there's no um racial anything and to me it's appalling for me because anyone that knows me I don't care what color you are or what color of the spectrum What ethnicity you are I'm a good person and there's good bad happy sad fat whatever in all Races but we need to uncover the bad and see where that's going because we need to sit down together and work this out I don't think that there's enough Minds in here there's educated Minds in here and we need to set the example for our children and for the next generation and what the forefathers did for both whomever oure our predecessors how they've been treated we need to stop it and we need to stop it today we need to just sit down and iron this out I was speaking to someone yesterday and he says Austin we weren't even talking about signatures and he says yeah I know everything about what's going on with signatures I was like okay enlighten me he says it's not going to work out well for both sides and I thought to myself why not why can't we work out everything that needs to be worked out starting today right here we don't have to leave the room whoever got sick people let's take care of them they got kids take care of them let's work it out right now what's the problem with you know extending all of this time and work out what we need to work out we have all of these women that's been trying hard everyone's been working hard to make sure the signatur is a success we've worked hard over the years to watch maros be successful Patty's be successful Joe's Place be successful F Chi be successful why not signatures it's simple let's work together don't you think that's the easiest way to do it and you could say yes raise your hands if you don't want to answer you know can I can I can I get a wink something you know let's let's work it out together it doesn't make any sense that we're sitting here educated people and we're not setting the example for our kids for our grandkids and what could you go home and tell them oh well we were on the bench and we didn't acknowledge anything and we have the opportunity to do something let's do something and do the right thing thank you thank you anyone else wishing to speak hello my name is Rosa Jackson from Garfield New Jersey um good evening everyone I just um came in support of my friend Angela just want to speak a little bit um on about her character if I will you know just knowing Angela and working with her and for her for many years and um other aspects of her life and businesses as far as um opening up daycare centers and just serving the community with um just several different events that we have done as far as like giving off backpacks and just helping children with college scholarships that's very important to her um I don't know if that helps I just wanted to speak on behalf of you know her character I just wanted to say she's one of the most kindest and general generally just like nicest people that I've ever worked with and that is truly not just saying it but it is the truth she will literally help you with anything that you need and um it does sadden me that she feels that she is treated um unfairly at her business and um you know I just I'm glad to see everyone come out and just so U show the support for her and um I just wanted to let you know that if if our voices are being heard and what we're saying is being heard then you know then I guess we we'll count that as a win for tonight but Angela I just want to say we're here with you for you signatures I hear so many good stories about you know the bar and um how it's just a community and a family we feel that as well at our daycare center that we work in um that Angela directs and um that's pretty much it thank [Applause] you anyone else wishing to speak good evening even and Gentlemen of the council my name is Dr Gregory shro Middleton doctor of veter medicine and owner of Village Animal Clinic 465 Chestnut Street and Five Points my residence here in Union is 1710 mland Boulevard um I came across signatures about a year and a half ago I work really really long GS that's why I'm still wearing these okay only do three things nowadays you can't hear me yeah there you okay I only do three things nowadays I'll work long hours right about now I'll be heading to the gym and I go to signatures I don't go there just to drink I work there okay I really do I work they ask them okay I'm not the only one you got several professionals there you have me got that right you have me you have Asher the swim coach you got Paul the Nerf you got your b a lawyer you had two or three doctors come up here already Andor of lawyers I think is you have a lot of educated folks in there one day one Sunday I couldn't even get a seat because the Deltas were in there they took them all I find it highly disturbing that I can go to any other venue in Union because I can't go there this time of I can't go there this time of the week because they're going to be forced to close at 11 o'clock okay but I can go to other places nobody will bother me they're they are allowed to stay open to last call 1:30 in the morning they do have everybody out of there by two um I'm known through most of the bars in Union because of what I do for a Liv I like those folks but you know what I like signatures the most because this feels like family you know they actually adopted me so they all know my name and as far as safety is concerned nobody has security like them so anything about you know trouble at signatures is U bold face line cuz I don't see how they could do it um I also find it disturbing that you have a police cruiser sitting in the diry queen lot across from signatures I would feel more comfortable if that Cruiser was patrolling my neighborhood because I hear there's a rash of break-ins Arion um but I think I think it's inherently unfair that I could go to any other establishment and notzi police 2:00 in the morning um um I can go to that establishment not worrying about um having to get out or have to get there before 11:00 where I can sit down enjoy myself and do my work they offer a quality product they have a reputation that's far-reaching I can't go any place where nobody has not mentioned signatures I was at my doctor's office Dr Murray Cy and South Orange and she said well great what do you do when you go from the gym she said I go to Signature she said I to that place there's two or three people in the front office go there all the time you know in terms of Staff they highly deserve um diverse um got people from Brazil you got Alex from Angola I didn't know he was from Angola I thought he was from North you know he Mentor his kids um Southside excuse me East Side in newth you know and U the young lady from Brazil she teach me Portuguese CU I I go to Brazil a lot but um I don't understand why something can't why an accommodation or Arrangement can't be worked out where this establishment could be allowed to stay open at 2 a.m. like everybody else and um really that's all I have to say that's all I [Music] [Applause] good evening everyone sucks to be tall all right so it really does um let me start off by saying I'm a Capricorn name address and I'm an introvert so y'all have to understand how hard this was for me to come up here ex right just your name and address for Joni Mercy is Irvington New Jersey so um the ladies here they see me often but I don't do too much talking right but it doesn't matter because I send so many people there because it's just a comfortable place to be in right um I own three guns I say that because I'm licensed to carry as well but I say that because I never ever felt as though like I had to bring my firearm in this establishment right so it's it's kind of painful to listen to all of these stories about what's going on um so I'm really just here not to speak about uh The Race part I'm not here to talk about that uh Town ordinances I I'm very familiar I own two businesses in Union okay 10 years with one seven years with the others we're not going to get into that it's not about me tonight but um I came to Union thinking that all the story that I heard tonight thinking that it's Union it's Union Union I have to keep stressing that is Union that's why I came here it hit me hard to see that it wasn't that when I got here but I made it for what it was right um the businesses that I own everyone knows me around there but I brought my clientele here to Union and I'm still thriving um I'm also I have a bike crew I'm a part of I'm a sergeant the arms of bike crew Trend set is bike crew right I have a say so on where we go after our bike rides why do I always say signatures because it's just family oriented I have other people I have other friends that own businesses but I always say we're going to signatures after the ride and we've been doing that for maybe 3 years now it's always signatures so I'm really I'm I'm truly here just to speak about so you guys to really understand that that place is just it's it's family man it's it's family I've never I've never felt fear I never felt like why am I here I don't even hang out like that I truly don't I come out when it's someone's birthday or whatever or some uh an accomplishment I'm showing up you catch me at the bar and my own little I'm very I'm very known out here that's the thing people don't understand like oh you're popular everyone knows you but I'm really a to myself type of person so I always send business y'all away like it's it's ridiculous y'all wouldn't have any idea but I don't my blessings come from God so I don't need to come up hey and you know I'm the guy that you know such and such that I don't have to do all of that because as long as those doors are still open I feel as though my my job is done so just whatever it is that you guys why they're here whatever the reasons are all I all I pray for is that you guys work together to keep the doors open thank you thank you thank you is there anyone else wishing to speak seeing none a motion to adjourn all in favor all right you [Applause]