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UPDATED
There's a firestorm brewing in New Jersey and at the center of the controversy is none other than Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, who reportedly is considering staying in Englewood.
Gadhafi is due to speak to the United Nations next month and Englewood is just a hop, skip and a jump from midtown Manhattan.
What apparently seals the deal is that the Libyan mission to the UN owns a home in Englewood.
News of Gadhafi's possible visit has touched off a wave of anger in Englewood's large Jewish community. Many here consider him a continuing sponsor of terrorism, no matter what the rapprochement between Libya and the United States in recent years. Residents cite as proof of Gadhafi's imminent arrival frantic renovations currently going on at the little used property, according to MarkRileyMedia.com.
Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen), made it clear Gadhafi is not welcome.
“Those who support state-sponsored terrorism should be considered enemies of the United States, and that’s exactly what Moammar (Gadhafi) has proven himself to be over the years,'' he said in a statement. “While he has made overtures toward peace, his actions speak otherwise, especially the despicable welcome he helped give last week to the man who murdered 270 people on Pan Am Flight 103 in 1989.
“(Gadhafi) is not a diplomat or a man on a peace mission. He is en enemy of the United States and should be treated as such,'' Johnson continued in the statement. "Not only would a visit be unsettling, but it will also stretch Englewood’s resources when it comes to police overtime and other costs. He already is refusing to pay his fair share in property taxes on the house his country owns.
“It’s unclear what we can do to stop him from staying in New Jersey, but I pledge to do everything I can to try to stop it from happening.”
Gadhafi reportedly wanted to pitch a tent in New York's Central Park, but that request went nowhere.
U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) Monday released the following statement regarding the potential visit:
"I am troubled by reports that Colonel Gadhafi may visit New Jersey next month. Colonel Gadhafi can be assured that he is not welcome here."
— ANDY LAGOMARSINO, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
