LAKEWOOD LEADERSHIP: PUPPETS OF A POWERFUL CABAL?

Lakewood Township’s governing body is under fire yet again, but this time the accusations go deeper than mere incompetence. Residents are alleging that the township committee isn’t just failing to address high taxes, traffic gridlock, and unaffordable housing—they’re actively working for a powerful cabal that controls the town’s agenda behind the scenes.

This shadowy network, critics claim, uses the committee as pawns to funnel public resources into private projects, greenlight unchecked developments, and ensure grants and municipal funds benefit an elite few. Meanwhile, the committee, accused of being complicit, remains in office not out of public duty but to secure their perks—pensions, lifetime health insurance, and, most recently, a $20,000 salary raise.

SALARY RAISES: GREASING THE WHEELS OF LOYALTY

Residents argue that the recent salary hikes are nothing more than a bribe to keep the committee members loyal to the interests they serve. “It’s hush money,” said one resident. “These raises aren’t for their service—they’re to keep them delivering for the cabal.”

The committee’s refusal to hold in-person meetings is viewed as another tactic to protect themselves and their backers. “When the criticism got too loud, they hid behind Zoom,” said another resident. “This wasn’t about COVID or convenience. It was about shutting the public out and ensuring their real bosses remain untouchable.”

DEVELOPMENTS AND BACKROOM DEALS

At the heart of the controversy are the lucrative developments that have transformed Lakewood into a chaotic maze of construction and congestion. Residents say the committee rubber-stamps projects designed to benefit developers while ignoring the strain on infrastructure and the needs of the community.

“New developments keep popping up, but there’s no accountability,” said a frustrated resident. “It’s clear who’s pulling the strings, and it’s not the taxpayers.”

Municipal funds, critics allege, are routinely diverted toward pet projects that serve private interests. From parking lots to grants for daycare facilities, these expenditures, they say, are less about public good and more about lining the pockets of insiders.

A COMMITTEE WITH NOTHING TO LOSE

The most infuriating aspect for many residents is the committee’s apparent indifference. Most members have already secured pensions and lifetime health benefits, leaving them with little reason to act in the public’s best interest.

“They don’t need this job anymore,” said one resident. “They’ve already locked in their benefits. They’re just here to finish delivering the goods to the people who put them in power.”

ZOMBIES ON ZOOM: ESCAPING ACCOUNTABILITY

The shift to Zoom meetings has become a flashpoint, symbolizing the committee’s attempts to avoid public criticism. Residents point out that technological and cultural barriers prevent much of the population from even accessing these meetings, making it nearly impossible for them to voice their concerns.

“Their move to Zoom was about one thing: avoiding accountability,” said one activist. “They don’t want to face the people they’ve betrayed, so they hide behind screens.”

OUTRAGE AND DEMANDS FOR ACTION

As accusations of corruption and backroom deals intensify, public anger is reaching a breaking point. Residents are demanding not only the return of in-person meetings but also a complete overhaul of the township’s leadership.

“This isn’t just mismanagement,” said a local activist. “This is systemic corruption, plain and simple. The committee doesn’t work for the people of Lakewood—they work for the cabal. And it’s time to bring it to an end.”

Whether these accusations hold up to scrutiny or not, one thing is clear: the people of Lakewood are tired of being ignored, sidelined, and manipulated.