Letter to Editor From Bamboo Grille Owner and Response

Editor's Note: The Letter to the Editor that follows is in regard to continuing disputes between two neighbors and the management at the restaurant about noise levels of music at the establishment. The issue led to complaints before the Township Committee, and a

In a limited response, Township Committeeman John Carpenter on Monday afternoon said there had been a meeting of representatives for the township and for the Bamboo Grille, but he could not divulge what happened at that meeting. The matter was not settled and may be heading to state Superior Court.

"It's a free country," Carpenter said. "Jack Welch can say what he wants."

Dear Editor;
Unfortunately, the Bernards Township Committee has decided not to pursue a settlement in their attempt to impose restrictions on the Bamboo Grille liquor license asset. Municipal attorney, John Belardo informed our attorneys for the Bamboo Grille of this decision last week. It is unfortunate that the Township decided to continue to spend taxpayer funds to pursue this litigation for the benefit of two Madisonville Road who have objected to the Bamboo Grille using
their patio for live music. These two residents have a right to pursue their grievance against the Bamboo Grille in the N.J. Superior Court; however, seemingly due to certain personal influence exerted, they have succeeded in convincing the township to expend legal expenses to address it on their behalf at the expense of ALL Bernards Township taxpayers.

As a resident and taxpayer I find it extremely disturbing those two residents would be the beneficiaries of township legal aid.

The Bamboo Grille is collecting signatures on a petition to repeal the ordinance used by those two Madisonville Road residents to persecute the Bamboo Grille, known as Ordinance No. 2119. We have collected over 200 signatures of township residents to date. That number would seem to outweigh the two residents who are the only persons in the township to ever invoke this ordinance. Yet I am told by confidential sources that John Belardo, the municipal attorney, views the
petition as an act of hostility on the part of the Bamboo Grille.

We are entering the election season and two current Township Committee members are running for re-election. They are not unopposed. I encourage all voters in Bernards Township to consider if these two incumbents have acted responsibly regarding the expenditure of township taxpayer funds on behalf of two residents
who have a grievance against The Bamboo Grille. We need responsible elected officials who are interested in protecting and providing benefit to all or certainly a majority of residents not just a vocal few.

Jack Welch
126 Dyckman Pl., Basking Ridge, NJ