Photo of Kulish (third from left) in front of new bank appeared in his campaign literature this month.

New Bank Built on Councilman's Land Raises Eyebrows

A new bank building located on Liberty Avenue is raising some eyebrows.

The bank, a NorCrown branch, is built on land owned by Third Ward Councilman John Kulish.

According to published accounts, the bank obtained approval from the state, the county planning board, and the Township of Hillside before the building's erection. And for these reasons, Kulish insists, there was no "inside deal" that favored him.

Many residents are skeptical.

The construction of the bank included work done by the Township: the Liberty Avenue streetscape, including ornamental street lamps, were extended all around the building instead of just on the avenue - work the councilman says he paid for out of his own pocket.

In the recent municipal elections, the new bank was heralded by Kulish's slate as an example of how the council has been "moving Hillside forward". Pictures of Kulish standing in front of the new bank appeared in his campaign literature.

Fourth Ward Councilman Gerald "Pateesh" Freedman, the single-member minority opposition on the Council, says he won't attack Kulish "on this one".

"[Kulish] is a business man and free to make money and deals with who ever he wishes - as long as everything is legit," Freedman told the DISPATCH.

But while NorCrown was able to get its building approved, another bank is strugging to move in just down the street, the DISPATCH has learned.

A competing bank, the Lusitania, has been trying to construct its own Hillside branch on the property currently held by the Magic Fountain ice cream shop, a seasonal business on Liberty Avenue.

Many township officials, however, haven't been supportive, sources reveal. While some residents in the Liberty/Fitzpatrick Street area worry about potential traffic congestion the bank may create, others feel that a new business will do more to revitalize the avenue than the township's beatification project.

Freedman is also supportive of the Lusitania's proposed move-in.

"I'm glad to have a bank and not another liquor store or nail salon. I'm all for a business that will make the Portuguese community more comfortable in Hillside," Freedman said.

The Gazette-Leader newspaper, which regularly runs full-page ads bought by NorCrown, has largely ignored the issue.


HILLSIDE'S LANDLORD

The NorCrown bank is not the only property in which Kulish has a stake. He and his ex-wife also own the Lyons' Manor property - a restaurant on Liberty Avenue. In addition, he owns several houses and lots.

In his successful 1999 bid for a council seat, it was publically revealed that he owed over $13,000 in back taxes for several of his properties.