Little Silver Candidates Invited To Public Forum At Markham Place School

Rick Brandt is banned from school properties, says he’s “taken aback” by invitation to meet at a school

Little Silver Republican Chairman Stuart Van Winkle has invited all candidates in the June 4th Republican Primary to attend a Meet the Candidates Night on Tuesday, May 28, 8PM at Markham Place School.  The event is open to the public.

Little Silver Democrats do not have any candidates running in their primary, meaning that is is likely that the Republican primary will determine who will be the mayor for the next four years.   Incumbent Mayor Bob Neff is seeking a third term. He is being challenged by Rick Brandt, aka Little Silver’s Superman.

Neff and his running mates, Council members Don Galante and Corinne Thygeson, have confirmed their attendance.

In an email to Van Winkle obtained by MMM, Brandt said he was “taken aback” to be invited to an event he did not plan and demanded that his name be removed from the invitation.  Brandt wrote, “I feel this truly reflects the epitome of the poor, and biased communication in Little Silver which as Mayor I will work to improve,” about being invited to a Meet the Candidates night.

Maybe the problem is the venue.  MMM has learned that Brandt has been banned from Board of Education property, under the threat of prosecution, except as a spectator at events that are open to the public and that the he is further prohibited from advertising or promoting events on school property.

Van Winkle should ask the Board of Education to make an exception for Brandt to attend this event as a participant or change the venue, if Little Superman agrees to attend.

MMM is making OPRA requests to the Red Bank Regional Board of Education,  the Little Silver Board of Education and the Little Silver Police Department for documentation of the reasons for Brandt’s banishment from school properties under the threat of prosecution.

Brandt has not responded to a text requesting comment on this story.  In the past he has declined to be interviewed or respond to written questions and referred us to his website.  He doesn’t talk about the Meet the Candidates event or his banishment from school properties on his website.

Meet the Candidates Night 05-28-19a