Reader Hits Diner, Mayor
May 19th, 2009 | By Greg Hazley | Category: Opinion, SecaucusTo the editor:
Mayor Elwell is a liar, I believe, or he is being lied to and repeating those lies to me.
On April 23, 2009, Mayor Elwell clearly told me that the Zin restaurant on Paterson Plank Road would not use the restaurant as a nightclub after Friday, April 24. Mayor Elwell told me that it was too late to stop the April 24 nightclub event, but it would be the last. Each Friday since Mayor Elwell unequivocally told me the nightclub activities I believe are illegal would cease, they have continued.
Mayor Elwell told me “I had the father in my office. Not Raj Patel, the father. Raj doesn’t get it, but the father he understands. He ripped up the contract right in front of me and promised no more nightclub events.” That’s a paraphrase, but an extremely close one to the verbatim words Mayor Elwell spoke to me on April 23, 2009.
Putting the lies aside for a moment, the problem here is that the owners of Zin are, in my estimation, operating illegally. Zin is located in the Neighborhood Commercial zoning district. In the Neighborhood Commercial district, restaurants are permitted, but nightclubs and banquet halls are not. Zin has not been granted a use variance for a nightclub or banquet hall, so I believe such activities are illegal.
I have been complaining about the illegal nightclub as well as what I believe are other illegal conditions at Zin since at least October 2008 (although I raised my first concerns in July 2008). Some of the other alleged illegal conditions are non-fenced in dumpster, commercial cargo container on residential lot behind the restaurant, illegal parking, illegal signage, illegal lighting, and lack of required buffers and screens.
I do not believe the Zin has been approved by the appropriate life/safety officials for the occupancy levels associated with nightclubs and banquets. Perhaps the requirements for emergency egress, fire suppression, etc, are the same as for a restaurant, but if they are not then lives may be at stake. Any lives lost, God forbid, due to any possible life/safety issues associated with the alleged illegal conditions and uses will be Mayor Elwell’s responsibility.
During my April 23, 2009 phone call with Mayor Elwell, the Mayor stated that he has no power to do anything about the alleged illegal conditions and uses at the Zin. If that is the case, then what do our laws mean? Can anyone do anything on their property regardless of the law and do it with impunity because the Mayor is powerless? I think not. If that were the case, Wal-Mart would have a gas station and the Damascus Bakery would be operating. This is a question of the Mayor’s priorities and willingness to do something rather than his power to do something.
It seems to me that Mayor Elwell has no regard for quality of life issues in Secaucus. I have noticed a significant increase in trash problems, traffic problems, and crime in Secaucus over the past several years, while at the same time transparency in municipal matters has decreased. If Mayor Elwell is serious about being reelected, he must realize that quality of life and transparency in municipal government is as important, if not more important, than having a new recreation center or controlling the local Democratic Committee.
Any citizen of the Town of Secaucus that would like to discuss this matter with me may email me at gary@garyobrien.net. Perhaps together we can do something about Feel Good Café and Zin.
Gary O’Brien
Mutillod Lane
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This writer doesn’t know what he is talking about.
Zin wasn’t open in October 2008 so how does he say a night club was operating?
Also sounds like he doesn’t know anything about construction codes because a dumpster doesn’t have to be fenced in.
If you are gonna go off on the mayor like this you should know what your talking about and it is clear you don’t know what you are talking about.
If I were you, I wouldn’t submit comments like this because it only shows the ignorance you have for the laws and what is happening in town.
The Meadowlands Commission regulations require all dumpsters to be screened. Section 19:4-8.15(f) states “recycling and refuse areas shall be screened from adjacent properties and public ROWs, and from within the site”
Bob, you are correct in that the nightclub has not been operating since October. However, I have been complaining about other conditions at Zin since October.
I must say that I just spoke to the Town Administrator who assured me that the Mayor is working hard to resolve this matter. In light of that, my letter may be a bit too harsh, but the overall point is valid.
Gary I agree with you 100% about the mayor, in the last couple years he has no regard for for the quality of life for the citizens. No supermarket, Feelgoods in the center of town and all the new construction which crowds our streets and causes more traffic. This is why we must vote him out in this years election.
on the zin diner -if there is are building code problems one should go to the building department and file a complaint
I’ve had the pleasure of dinning at Zin a few times now, and the operation appears to be in great hands. I’ve met the owner, as well as the manager, and from what I see, they are running a sound business, which is all anyone can ask for in this economy. Although I have not seen any nightclub events, or banquets at this facility, I do hope the readers take into consideration 2 factors: (1) The fact that a business doing well in the area is paying taxes, taxes that can be used to fund local projects and clean up the community, (2) With regards to banquets, isn’t it convenient that local couples can actually celebrate birthdays, wedding receptions, bam itzvahs in the local area, and spend their tax dollars in Secaucus, instead of running their money right into NYC like everyone else.
Indy Samra
Zin is crap. The food is terrible.
Anyone with any sort of standards wouldn’t dine there…..we need restaurants in town with fresh seasonal menu’s that cook to order.
I cant believe what most people will settle for.
The fact that they are abusing their location and hosting these nightclub events…..they should be shut down and run out of town….
Gary…give it a rest. Something tells me that if it was O’Malley’s Pour House Pub opening there, you wouldn’t have a problem with the place at all. Why don’t you just admit that you don’t like that crowd that shows up at both of Feelgoods & Zin. And do you even know what the difference between a lounge and nightclub is? You shouldn’t just accuse people of being a liar just because they don’t give you the answer you want to hear.
I agree with voice of reason the food is terrible.Went to dinner with my family not one person finished their meal.Because it was prepared wrong and the ingredients are crap.Example I ordered prime rib.We all know prime rib is a thick bloody mess piece of meat.What I got was a thin dried overcooked prim rib.Also there was two tables full that night and the waitress was no ware to be seen.I don’t care what type of business comes to Secaucus just as long as it brings money to the town and has a great product.Zin will take care of its self if it keeps serving crap.
Gary you sound like an idiot.. Instead of worrying about all the political corruption going on your worried about an owner trying to make an honest dollar? Go find something better to do with your time!