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Mayor Cohen’s Facebook Firestorm: Did He Go Too Far or Just Far Enough?

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Eyes On EB: A Tariff, a Tantrum, and a Trending Thread

Mayor Brad Cohen made waves this week—not for fixing potholes or announcing a new recycling initiative—but for wading knee-deep into the boiling national discourse on Trump’s new tariffs. If you haven’t been keeping up, the Mayor’s Facebook post sparked a virtual wildfire on the Mayor’s Page, with hundreds of comments, barbs, graphs, insults, and what can only be described as a performance piece between a few regulars whose fingers need a rest.

Let’s get to it.

Should the Mayor Have Gone There?

Yes… and maybe no.

On one hand, Brad Cohen’s a citizen, a voter, and a father. He’s allowed to have an opinion. And let’s be real: when someone with an MBA sees what they believe is economic sabotage playing out in real-time, staying silent might feel like complicity. Many appreciated his thoughtful take, and he did what most elected officials don’t—he engaged. Civilly. Repeatedly. While others were swinging personal insults like dodgeballs in middle school gym, Cohen held his ground without getting in the mud.

But then again, he’s the mayor. The mayor of East Brunswick, not the Federal Reserve Chair. And when the thread started spiraling into culture war territory—bathrooms, pronouns, children, and whether America is actually Brazil in disguise—it probably became clear this wasn’t a healthy civic dialogue. That’s where some argue he should have exited stage left, fast.

Still, I give him credit for staying in the arena while many others are busy anonymously trash-talking from the bleachers.

The Vibe in the Comments: A Country Divided, Even on Egg Prices

The conversation was… a mess. A democratic mess. Democracy at its best? Maybe. At its loudest? Definitely.

Some were clapping for Trump like he was headlining a Broadway revival of “Make America Great Again: The Musical.” Others were lobbing economic statistics, quoting Nobel Prize winners, or reminding the thread that yes, actually, empathy isn’t a radical leftist plot.

A recurring theme was fear—fear of decline, of change, of economic uncertainty, of bathrooms. It’s not just politics at play here, it’s identity, personal values, and in many cases, a deep exhaustion with being told what is or isn’t true. People don’t just disagree anymore; they don’t trust that the same set of facts even exists. And that’s the real story.

“Take Back Our Country” — A Phrase That Rings a Bell

This was the closing line in the mayor’s original post. It’s also the part that made my skin crawl a little—not because of who said it, but because of what it evokes.

“Take Back Our Country” has been used many times in American political rhetoric, especially when people feel like outsiders in their own homeland. Sometimes it’s empowering. But other times, it’s a dog whistle. Take it from 1960s segregationists to post-9/11 nationalists to Tea Party rallies to January 6, 2021. It’s a phrase that flirts with the edge of populism and exclusion, depending on who’s shouting it and what they mean by “our.”

If “take back” means restoring dignity, truth, and empathy to our democracy—great, sign me up. But if it means scapegoating the vulnerable or sowing division for power’s sake, then we’ve been here before. And history tells us it doesn’t end well.

It’s Time to Retire the Blue Ribbon Narrative

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If you visit the East Brunswick Public Schools website, you’ll notice some recurring themes—most notably, repeated references to the district’s “11 National Blue Ribbon Schools” and a Redbook magazine article naming East Brunswick High School (EBHS) the best in New Jersey and one of the 51 best in the nation. The district proudly displays these accolades across multiple pages, including Our Schools, Staff and Community, Awards and Accomplishments 2021–2022, and Awards and Accomplishments 2022–2023.

But if you look closer—really look—you’ll see what’s not there: dates.

The Omission of Time Matters

It’s a deliberate choice not to include the years when these awards were granted. And when it comes to public trust and transparency, that matters.

The Redbook article? That was published in April 1996—28 years ago. The Blue Ribbon designations? The most recent was over a decade ago, and many date back to the early 1990s. Yet, on all three of these webpages, the district fails to provide that critical context. Instead, the accolades are presented in a way that suggests current relevance—painting a picture of a district at the peak of excellence today, rather than one coasting on achievements from a different generation of students, staff, and leadership.

Misleading by Omission

No one is disputing that the honors were real. EBHS was named one of the best in the nation—in 1996. Several schools were awarded Blue Ribbon status—in the 1990s and early 2000s. But to present these honors without the years is a subtle form of misrepresentation. It creates the illusion that the district is still being recognized at the national level, which is simply not the case.

In fact, since 2012–2013, East Brunswick has not received a new Blue Ribbon award. That’s more than a decade without the kind of recognition it continues to advertise as a defining trait.

Why This Matters Now

This matters because East Brunswick is facing very real challenges. Recent years have brought deep budget cuts, arts program reductions, staff attrition, and parental frustration over transparency and leadership. And yet, in the face of all this, the district clings to decades-old accolades as if they still hold the same weight.

It’s not just about outdated facts—it’s about accountability. It’s about whether families and taxpayers are being presented with an honest picture of the current state of the schools.

A Call for Transparency

We should take pride in our history—but not at the expense of truth. The continued omission of dates on the district’s Blue Ribbon and Redbook references is not just a formatting oversight. It’s an editorial choice. And it’s one that misleads the community.

If we want to move forward—if we truly care about rebuilding trust and restoring East Brunswick’s reputation—we must start by telling the whole story. That includes when these accolades were earned, and more importantly, what has happened since.

Sources:

https://www.ebnet.org/about-us/awards-and-accomplishments/awards-and-accomplishments-2022-2023-school-year

https://www.ebnet.org/about-us/awards-and-accomplishments/awards-and-accomplishments-2021-2022-school-year

https://www.ebnet.org/departments/human-resources/our-schools-staff-and-community

 

The Silencing of a Board Member in East Brunswick

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When Transparency Becomes Inconvenient

On February 26, 2025, East Brunswick Superintendent Dr. Victor Valeski sent a letter to the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) Ethics Commission requesting an advisory opinion. The subject? Whether Board Member Dr. Lou Figueroa should be restricted from voting on certain “key issues.” Specifically, it appears that Dr. Valeski wants Dr. Lou removed from voting on his future contract.

But here’s what makes this troubling: Dr. Lou Figueroa was just elected by thousands of residents who expected him to represent their voice—especially on matters like administrative accountability, budget decisions, and yes, contract renewals.

Who Is Dr. Valeski Worried About?

It’s becoming clear that Dr. Valeski sees Dr. Lou as a threat—not to the district’s mission, but to his own position. Why else would he take preemptive steps to silence a board member before any vote has even taken place?

Dr. Lou made it clear during his campaign that he would ask hard questions and demand transparency. Many voters supported him precisely because they felt unheard for too long. If the intent behind the advisory opinion is to sideline Dr. Lou before critical decisions are made, it’s not just politics—it’s a betrayal of the public trust.

Democracy Doesn’t Work Like This

When an unelected administrator tries to block an elected official from doing their job, we’ve stepped out of the bounds of democracy.

Imagine voting for a new mayor because you didn’t like how the old one handled budgets, only to find out the town manager is trying to have the mayor’s vote disqualified on key issues. Would anyone consider that fair? Of course not. Yet that’s what’s playing out in East Brunswick.

This isn’t about one contract or one vote. It’s about whether the voices of thousands of residents can be dismissed by a single administrator wielding obscure legal tools.

The OPRA Response Says a Lot

After confirming the date of Dr. Valeski’s letter to the DOE, Jeff Winston submitted an Open Public Records Act (OPRA) request to obtain a copy. The district didn’t deny the letter’s existence—they simply refused to release it, citing the “deliberative process privilege.”

This means the public has no access to a letter that could directly impact whether their elected representative can vote. And yet the administration expects the community to trust that this is all being done in good faith.

A Pattern of Avoidance

This isn’t the first time legitimate questions have been shut down. When residents asked about the funding of the high school hockey team—largely funded by parents—the district claimed it was “too much work” to provide a breakdown. That request was also dismissed as “answered and closed.”

Why is there such a resistance to basic transparency? Why are questions met with legal barriers instead of answers?

A Dangerous Precedent

If Dr. Lou is blocked from voting on a matter as important as the superintendent’s contract—despite being duly elected by the people—what message does that send? It tells future candidates that standing up for the community could get them silenced. It tells residents that their vote only matters until it becomes inconvenient for those in power.

That’s not oversight. That’s control.

What Comes Next?

Some have suggested filing a similar OPRA request with the NJDOE directly. Others have brought up the “Doctrine of Necessity,” a legal principle that allows board members to vote even when a conflict is alleged, if their vote is necessary for a quorum. These are important avenues—but the larger issue remains:

Who decides who gets a voice in East Brunswick?

The November election is coming. Between now and then, residents should be watching, speaking, and demanding answers. Because if a superintendent can eliminate dissent by disqualifying opposition, East Brunswick has much bigger problems than just a budget shortfall.

BREAKING: The Seville Diner Is Definitely, Probably, Maybe Reopening. Again. Maybe.

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By Eyes on EB Investigative Dining Division – Forks Up, Eyebrows Raised

If you’ve driven past Route 18 lately, you may have noticed a peculiar phenomenon: lights flickering inside the Seville Diner. A few cars parked suspiciously straight, as if someone dared to parallel park without divine intervention. Could this mean what we think it means?

Are we finally getting our beloved Seville Diner back? Or is it just another cruel mirage, like affordable property taxes or parking at Costco?

A History Served with Extra Brown Gravy

Let’s rewind.

In the mid-2000s, the Seville Diner was a beacon of post-midnight nourishment. A stainless steel temple of tin, neon, and questionable booths, it was where mozzarella sticks met destiny. Whether you were stumbling in from Thursday nights at The South River Pub or crawling home from Jenkinson’s with sand still in your shoes and a poor life decision still on your lips, nothing hit harder than a grilled cheese, disco fries, and a side of brown gravy.

“I remember waking up the next day with melted American cheese on my shirt and zero regrets,” said local legend Rob W., who at the time was known as Rob W.

But Then, Tragedy and Confusion

Sadly, in 2007, one of Seville’s co-owners, Frank Lagano, was shot and killed in the diner’s parking lot, a case that remains unsolved. The diner tried to hang on, but it eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2021, adding another tragic layer to East Brunswick’s complex relationship with Route 18.

In 2023, NJ.com ran a hopeful headline:

“N.J. diner where co-owner was killed in unsolved shooting to reopen after makeover”

Unfortunately, it never did. Like your ex’s “I’ve changed” text, the promise just didn’t pan out.

The Facebook Comment Section Investigates

Now, the East Brunswick Facebook group detectives are back on the case. Again.

Top Contributor Jody posted:

“Any updates on the Seville Diner? Lights and a few cars there in the last few days.”

Cue the town’s commentariat:

Charlie: “Someone talked to a construction worker who said June. But like, which June? What year? June of what reality?”

Lori: “They said December 2022. Then they said June 2023. Now someone said June 2025. I say we just pick a June and start tailgating.”

Gregory: “The Colonial identifies as a diner. That’s rich. Back in my day, a diner was a diner and the jukebox played Sinatra, not Megan Thee Stallion.”

Pam: “Diner food is diner food. Don’t give me artisan kale risotto. I want my turkey club held together by toothpicks and prayers.”

Seth: “I heard they’re turning it into a combination burger joint, vape shop, and fried chicken place with a nail salon in the back.”
Kim: “What? No urgent care with drive-through banking??”
Anthony: “Only if they install a crypto ATM in the men’s room.”

Could This Be It?

So what’s the truth? Is Seville finally being resurrected by the owners of the Page Diner from Staten Island? Is it going to reopen clean, fresh, and with proper refill policies? Or is it just another fever dream fed by too many Taylor Ham egg and cheese sandwiches?

We reached out to the construction worker someone mentioned someone else talked to. He said, “I just came to fix the parking lot potholes. I don’t even live in Jersey.”

Final Thoughts

Whether or not the Seville Diner actually reopens, it will forever live in our greasy, gravy-laden memories. A relic of a time when diners were open 24/7, refills were unlimited, and the only thing scarier than the food poisoning risk was seeing your ex from high school sitting two booths away.

If it does reopen this June — of any year — we’ll be there. Same booth. Same order. Same gravy dreams.

Eyes On EB will keep watching.
(And yes, we’ll be asking for a second refill — come at us.)

Want to be featured in our next satirical blog? Drop a hot take about parking in East Brunswick or start a rumor about a new Trader Joe’s opening. Bonus points if you use the phrase “back in my day.”

The 1931 Beer Pitcher Incident That Shook East Brunswick

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A Look Back Nearly 94 Years Ago

As we take a look back nearly 94 years ago, the quiet town of East Brunswick found itself in the headlines for reasons both shocking and deeply tragic. On the evening of July 12, 1931, a domestic dispute between father and son ended with shattered glass, bloodshed, and a serious accusation — all revolving around a common household item: a beer pitcher.

A Family Argument Turns Violent

Alfred Williamson, a 28-year-old resident of Summit Road, East Brunswick Township, was left in critical condition after suffering a deep wound just below his heart. The cause? A jagged shard from a broken beer pitcher, allegedly wielded by his father, Ben Williamson, during a heated family altercation.

The injury, nearly twelve inches long, required over twenty stitches. According to police, Alfred lost a significant amount of blood and was rushed to St. Peter’s Hospital in New Brunswick. His condition was labeled serious, and doctors warned that infection could turn fatal.

The Beer Dispute at the Heart of It All

Police reports and court records reveal that the fight began over — quite literally — a pitcher of beer. Ben Williamson, 50, had returned from visiting relatives in Long Island City when a disagreement broke out at home. The elder Williamson claimed that Alfred had taken a pitcher of beer from the table and hurled it into a shed.

What followed was a dramatic and violent response. Ben reportedly attempted to retrieve another beer pitcher and was stopped by his son, sparking a physical struggle. During the scuffle, Ben is accused of grabbing a glass beer pitcher, breaking it, and slashing Alfred in the chest. Chief Frank Warnsdorfer of the East Brunswick Township Police, upon receiving a report, had the elder Williamson arrested after his wife, Grace, ran for help.

“He Slipped in the Garden”

Despite the serious nature of the wound, Alfred later insisted the injury was accidental. From his hospital bed, he told investigators that he had been “fooling around in the garden” when he slipped and fell onto a broken pitcher. He even claimed to have slept well the night before, though he complained of chest pain and expressed concern over his hospital stay.

Still, the police weren’t convinced. Mrs. Grace Williamson, Alfred’s mother, had run to the East Brunswick police headquarters to report the attack, adding urgency and credibility to the claims.

A Community in Disbelief

Ben Williamson, a gardener by trade, was no stranger to the township police court, having appeared several times on minor charges. However, according to Recorder William R. Smith, he was “not a drinking man” — making the beer pitcher dispute all the more puzzling.

The younger Williamson, by contrast, was described as a well-liked man with a solid reputation in the community. He worked for the National Materials Company and was known to be close with his mother. According to some, it was his attempt to protect her during the argument that sparked his father’s rage.

Prohibition and the Hidden Tensions Behind the Beer

It’s worth noting that this entire incident took place during Prohibition, a time when the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages were illegal across the United States (1920–1933). That fact makes the beer pitcher at the center of the argument not just a household item — but contraband.

Whether the beer was homemade, bootlegged, or bought on the black market, it likely represented more than just a drink. In homes across America, alcohol became a flashpoint for family tension, secrecy, and even shame. In the Williamson household, the dispute over beer may have carried added weight — not just as a disagreement over alcohol, but as a reflection of deeper frustrations in a time of economic hardship, legal anxiety, and strained domestic roles.

East Brunswick, like many towns, had residents who quietly resisted the national ban. This story, buried in the archives, offers a rare glimpse into how the Prohibition era’s social pressures could ignite violence even in small-town New Jersey.

Reflections Nearly a Century Later

In the midst of the Great Depression, tensions in households were not uncommon. Yet, this particular case stands out in East Brunswick history for its disturbing mix of family conflict and violent escalation — all triggered by something as seemingly ordinary as a beer pitcher.

Today, the “Beer Pitcher Incident” of 1931 serves as both a sobering historical snapshot and a timeless cautionary tale about anger, impulse, and the fragile nature of domestic peace.

While the ultimate outcome of the case is lost to time, its memory lingers — preserved in the yellowed pages of The Central New Jersey Home News and in the town’s collective past.

The Irwin School Playbook and the Fate of Bowne-Munro

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East Brunswick has been here before.

In the early 1980s, the district faced budget constraints and declining enrollment, leading to the proposed closure of Irwin Elementary School and either Lawrence Brook Elementary School or Memorial Elementary School. The reasoning at the time was that there just weren’t enough students to justify keeping them open.

Parents fought back, concerned about class sizes, redistricting, and how students would be shuffled into already-stretched schools. But parents fought back and both Memorial and Lawrence Brook were taken off the chopping block.  Yet, despite the pushback, the district went forward with the closure of Irwin School.

Then, something happened.

Just a few years later, East Brunswick had to reopen Irwin School. A housing development—Timber Hollow townhomes—brought in more families with children than expected. The very school they had just shut down was suddenly needed again.

In 2025, we find ourselves in a strikingly similar situation with when the closure of Bowne-Munro Elementary School was suggested.

The question is: Have we learned from the past, or are we about to make the same mistake all over again?

A Pattern of Short-Term Thinking

If East Brunswick has learned anything from Irwin School, it’s that closing a school is never just about closing a school. It’s about what happens next.

When Irwin was shut down in 1983, the district assumed that its students could be absorbed into other schools. The Board leased out the building for office space, believing it was unnecessary for future students.

They were wrong.

New families moved into East Brunswick, drawn by housing developments like Timber Hollow, and within two years, the district found itself scrambling to reopen Irwin because they simply didn’t have enough classroom space.

In 2025, we’ll hear the same reasoning for closing Bowne-Munro—budget constraints, declining enrollment, a plan to fit students elsewhere. But with thousands of new apartments being built in East Brunswick, are we again underestimating how many students will need classrooms soon?

A New Housing Boom—With No Clear Plan for Students

One of the biggest unknowns right now is how many new students will be coming into the district from the ongoing apartment construction in East Brunswick.

  • How many school-age children are expected to live in these new developments?
  • If Bowne-Munro is closed, will the remaining elementary schools have enough room?
  • Has the district already mapped out redistricting, or are they just assuming it will work?
  • If enrollment rises again, will we be forced to reopen Bowne-Munro—just like Irwin?

The district has yet to provide clear answers to these crucial questions.

In the 1980s, they were caught off guard by how many students came from Timber Hollow. Now, with multiple large apartment complexes on the way, we could be setting ourselves up for the same problem.

What Happens If We Get It Wrong?

What will happen if Bowne-Munro is closed and the district realizes they need more classroom space?

  • Expensive additions to other schools?
  • More trailers and temporary classrooms?
  • Overcrowded classrooms and fewer resources for students?

None of these options is better than keeping Bowne-Munro open in the first place.

Demand Answers Now—Before It’s Too Late

This isn’t just about one school. It’s about avoiding another Irwin School situation where the district scrambles to undo its own decision.

The Board of Education needs to be transparent. They need to show real data, projections, and a plan for how this will impact East Brunswick’s students not just today but five years from now.

Once a school is gone, it’s not easy to get it back.

So what’s the plan, East Brunswick?

Because we all deserve an answer before it’s too late—again.

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