New Jersey
NJ lawyer thrown out of town council meeting for waving American flag to protest new ban
A New Jersey lawyer was tossed out of a town council meeting by cops last week for waving an American flag to protest a “stupid” new rule that bans so-called “props” from being used during the meetings.
Joel Bassoff, a local resident and attorney, was ordered to be removed from the Edison Township Council meeting after he pulled out the star-spangled banner while addressing council members on Nov. 25, footage obtained by New Brunswick Today shows.
Bassoff was among the slew of furious locals who were voicing their objections over the township’s new ordinance that prohibits them from using any props — including the flag and even the US Constitution — during the public comment section of town meetings.
“I’m holding up an American flag to represent the constitutional values,” Bassoff said during the meeting as Council President Nishith Patel banged his gavel to give him an official warning.
“It’s my constitutional right to do this,” the lawyer continued. “If you get sued, you will lose. My suggestion to you is that you get a second opinion from competent counsel because you are wrong.”
“You are interfering with the decorum of this meeting by interfering with the right to speech of a member of the public. And it should stop now,” Bassoff raged as other residents cheered in support.
Seconds later, two cops approached Bassoff as the council president called for him to be removed from the chambers.
One resident could be heard shouting “Shame on you” as Bassoff agreed to step away from the podium.
After the lawyer tried to take his seat again, the council president ordered cops to toss him out altogether.
Earlier in the meeting, another resident was also removed from the proceedings after holding up the US Constitution.
“To consider the American flag and the Constitution a prop when someone raises it is an insult to what the flag is, what the flag stands for and what this country is,” another resident, Maryann Hennessey, told council members.
“For you to consider the use of the American flag a prop is disgusting.”
The apparent prop ban, Ordinance 2239, was recently enacted in a bid to establish rules that maintain decorum at the township’s often raucous meetings.
While the rule doesn’t specifically ban the American flag or constitution, the council president argued to residents during the meeting that such items would be “considered not conducive to good order.”
In addition to banning any props, the ordinance also now limits the amount of time residents have to address the body.
New Jersey offers some fantastic spots for sea glass hunting, particularly along the Delaware Bay and certain parts of the Atlantic coast.
Here are some of the best places to increase your chances of finding frosted treasures:
Jersey Shore
- Barnegat Light: Many sea glass enthusiasts recommend Barnegat Light, especially by the jetty. Look in the sand and around the jetty rocks.
- Popamora Point Beach (Highlands): A free, clean state park beach with good potential, offering views of the Sandy Hook Bay.
- Bay Head: This peaceful Ocean County beach has gained a reputation as a great sea glass destination and is often less crowded than other spots.
- Sandy Hook (Bayside): While the ocean side might not be as fruitful, the bay side of Sandy Hook can yield good results.
South Jersey
- East Point Beach (Heislerville, Maurice River Township): This hidden gem where the Delaware River and Maurice River meet the bay is excellent. The area has a rich history of glass production and shipwrecks, contributing to the sea glass supply.
- Higbee Beach (Cape May): Another Delaware Bay gem, known for its rustic feel and good potential for sea glass, pottery shards and old bottles.
- Sunset Beach (Cape May): This is perhaps the most famous spot in New Jersey for sea glass and for “Cape May Diamonds” (naturally tumbled quartz). The Delaware Bay beaches tend to yield more glass due to historical shipping activity and less intensive beach replenishment compared to some oceanfront areas.
- Townbank (Cape May): Located on the Delaware Bay and often cited by local hunters for its good finds.
Where to look for sea glass
- High tide wrack line: This is the line of debris left by the highest tide, often containing shells, driftwood and, yes, sea glass.
- Rocky or pebbly beaches: Sea glass tumbles and smooths more effectively on beaches with a mix of sand and pebbles or rocks. Heavily raked sandy beaches are generally less productive.
- Near inlets, bays and historic areas: Areas with historical shipping, fishing or even old dump sites can be great sources of old glass that has been tumbling for decades.
- Near jetties: These structures can trap debris, including sea glass.
What is sea glass?
Sea glass is essentially nature’s polished gemstone, born from discarded glass that has been transformed by the persistent forces of the ocean. Imagine a broken bottle or piece of tableware tossed into the sea. Instead of remaining a sharp, dangerous shard, it embarks on a multi-decade journey of transformation.
Sea glass occurs in a spectrum of colors, reflecting its original source. Common hues include greens, browns and clear/white, primarily from bottles and jars. Rarer colors like blue, purple, red, orange and yellow are highly prized by collectors, often originating from older or less common glass items such as medicine bottles, insulators or specialized art glass.
The Garden State is expected to see a quick shift in weather Easter Sunday, with low clouds and pockets of dense fog in the morning giving way to warmer temperatures and thunderstorms by midday, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasters note that areas north of a warm front were seeing low clouds and locally dense fog Sunday morning. That front is expected to lift north after daybreak, leading to temperatures in the 60s and 70s later in the morning. The warmer stretch is not expected to last long.
A cold front is forecast to approach by midday, bringing a line of showers and isolated thunderstorms
The National Weather Service said some storms could be strong to severe. A Marginal risk was in place Sunday across the Delmarva region and southern New Jersey.
According to the weather service, the primary threat with the stronger storms is locally damaging winds. The forecast does not list other threats in the source material provided. Residents in areas included in the Marginal risk may want to keep an eye on changing conditions through the middle of the day as the front moves in.
The setup points to a fast-changing day for people making outdoor plans. Morning fog and low cloud cover are expected to improve after daybreak as the warm front lifts north, but the window for milder weather may be brief before the next system arrives. By midday, showers and isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop along the approaching cold front.
The National Weather Service did not provide a more specific timetable in the source beyond saying the cold front would approach by midday and that the warm front would lift north after daybreak. It also did not identify individual towns expected to see the strongest conditions.
The forecast area highlighted for the stronger storm risk includes southern New Jersey and Delmarva.
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PLAINFIELD – A new residential development is bringing luxury living and modern convenience to a well-connected neighborhood.
Centurion Sleepy Hollow, a 100-unit apartment complex, is now leasing in the city, offering spacious one- and two-bedroom homes with upscale amenities and immediate occupancy.
Developed by Landmark, the four-story building includes ground-floor retail and is part of the company’s expanding Centurion portfolio across New Jersey.
“Sleepy Hollow is an ideal location for our next Centurion property,” Manny Fernandez, founder of Landmark, said in a news release.
“The neighborhood offers a quiet, residential setting while remaining close to Plainfield, which continues to evolve, with a growing mix of shops, restaurants and cultural offerings. With New York City less than an hour away by train and major business and entertainment centers throughout Central New Jersey nearby, Centurion Sleepy Hollow adds a dynamic new residential option to the area.”
Located at 1222 South Ave., the development is within walking distance of the NJ Transit Netherwood station, providing direct service to Midtown Manhattan via the Raritan Valley Line.
Designed by Rotwein + Blake, with interiors by Mary Cook Associates, Centurion Sleepy Hollow reflects Landmark’s focus on transit-oriented living.
Rents start in the low $2,000s, with a limited-time grand opening offer of one month free on a 13-month lease.
The apartments feature high-end finishes, including nine-foot ceilings, wood-style plank flooring, Draper window shades and open-concept kitchens. Kitchens are equipped with full-size GE Slate appliances, gas ranges, soft-close cabinetry and vented microwaves. Bathrooms feature spa-inspired glass-enclosed showers and polished chrome fixtures.
Each unit includes smart-home technology and keyless entry.
The development offers a range of amenities designed for comfort, wellness and productivity, including a state-of-the-art fitness center, yoga studio, media room, work-from-home pods and a resident lounge.
Outdoor amenities include a terrace with grilling stations and a fenced-in dog run. Additional conveniences include a premium package management system and on-site parking.
The surrounding area features a growing mix of dining, retail and everyday services, with locally owned restaurants, seasonal farmers markets and outdoor concerts.
Email: bwadlow@MyCentralJersey.com
This story was created by reporter Brad Wadlow, bwadlow@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
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