I met Brian Unger at a Green Party meeting prior to his run for freeholder in which he earned the trust and votes of more than 18,000 people. I've known for years he has fought tirelessly spending his own time on his own dime for more public access to much cleaner beaches leading to a cleaner ocean. For we, the people.

Through his deeds, he has embraced core Green Party values including ecological wisdom, social justice, grassroots democracy, nonviolence, and respect for diversity. He helped co-found Clean Ocean Action, founded the NJ Surfers' Environmental Alliance, and had been a key ally of former DEP commish Bradley Campbell. He aspired to be everyone's voice in local government including social and ethnic minorities, and advocated gay partnership rights. His opposition to eminent domain abuse — taking public lands for private profit — is well known.

The statehouse in Trenton — mecca of our culture of corruption — has been described to me by a former freeholder as a "snake pit" and "like feeding time at the monkey house at the zoo" by a former senator. Is Mayor Adam Schneider's cabal in Long Branch any different?

Brian, the lone voice of dissent to a largely compliant council, wants to shake things up and air things out in Long Branch. His efforts — though encouraged and applauded by the people — are an unwelcome reminder to the seated 20-year political machine, supported by developments' financial interests, indicted and jailed political bosses, and influential investors who live outside the city, that LB has an independent activist sitting at the table and taking notes … and they don't want him there rocking their boat.

I read multiple articles about Brian's single, excited utterance or his privately offered attempt at humor which when manipulated, backfired, and the subsequent swiftboating attacks to his character.

I know it hurts him deeply. Hang in there, Brian!

The Brian Unger I know is more interested in being the voice and conscience of the underserved majority in Long Branch, than in becoming a fat cat, entrenched and enriched politician.
David M. Petrovich
Oakhurst section
of Ocean Township