One of the most charged moments of the meeting came during the public participation segment, where a resident criticized the display of six Israeli flags alongside one American flag at a recent event. The resident argued that this arrangement did not reflect the city’s diversity and accused the council of failing to respect and support individuals of all backgrounds, specifically mentioning Palestinians and Arabs. The resident, who identified as half Jewish and half Lebanese, vehemently denied accusations of anti-Semitism and expressed frustration over what they perceived as the misuse of the term to stifle differing opinions. They also questioned the sincerity of the mayor’s statement, “we will not tolerate,” interpreting it as a threat to their First Amendment rights.

The discussion on free speech continued with another resident, Jeffrey George Abraham Walstein, who expressed dissatisfaction with the mayor’s previous characterizations of his speech. Walstein claimed that a police lieutenant’s call to him was misrepresented as intimidation rather than a follow-up on a question he had posed to the mayor.

Amidst these discussions, the council president clarified the legal constraints surrounding public speech, emphasizing the First Amendment’s role in protecting unpopular opinions rather than agreeable ones. The council’s stance highlighted the ongoing debate about balancing free speech with community values.

In other business, the council addressed amendments to Ordinance 0-12-25, which involved adjusting construction permit fees within the municipal code. A motion to amend the fee for a temporary certificate of occupancy from $39 to the state-mandated $30 was passed without dissent, and the ordinance was adopted on its second and final reading after a public hearing with no comments.

The meeting also included a special presentation recognizing the 10th anniversary of the Family Addiction Network. Two assemblywomen praised the network’s contributions to the community, emphasizing the understanding and support it provides for families dealing with addiction. The assemblywomen expressed gratitude for the efforts of individuals like Susan, Angela, and Shana in building a supportive community, stating, “Not only have you touched those lives, but you have saved lives.”

Additionally, a resident representing the organization Food and Water Watch expressed appreciation for the council’s inclusion of a resolution opposing the Nessie pipeline on the agenda. The resident urged the council to unanimously approve the resolution and called on Governor Murphy to halt the project, citing his authority to act independently of New York’s stance.

Another notable public comment came from a resident who voiced concerns about the fire department’s reliance on a neighboring town’s ladder truck for emergency responses. The resident criticized the city’s failure to purchase a new ladder truck, pointing out that Long Branch currently lacks its own operational ladder truck and relies on Mammoth Beach’s fire truck.

The public participation segment also included a call for the dismissal of city attorney Rainon due to alleged conflicts of interest and malpractice. The speaker highlighted errors made by the attorney in previous meetings, particularly regarding tax abatements, and labeled them an insult to taxpayers. The speaker also questioned why the public safety director had not been terminated despite making false statements about fire safety incidents, leading to a tense exchange with the council president, who declined to respond directly.

The meeting concluded with council members expressing gratitude to Assemblywoman Donnelly and Peter Paul for their recognition of the Family Addiction Network and encouraging residents to exercise their voting rights ahead of the upcoming election. Mayor Pallone announced upcoming community events, including a drive-in movie, Long Branch Day celebrations, a Halloween window painting contest, and a rabies clinic, inviting residents to engage with these initiatives.