Kappa Construction a Tale of 2 Boroughs … and 2 distinct results
For everyone who loves Highlands, it was a genuine thrill to see all the happiness and pride that surrounded the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Borough Hall, and everyone had a right to be so proud and happy after all these years.
But it was the Kamaratos family that impressed me the most with all the praise and happiness they were exuding.
The Kamaratos Family. They are not residents of the borough. And their office isn’t here, either, their main office is located in Ocean.
But they are Kappa Construction Corporation, the company that built the new facility and did it under time expectations as well.
Kappa also built Sea Bright’s building a few years back and has received so much praise for the excellence there. Then two years ago, they also built that $1.5. million building that Atlantic Highlands is still fighting over, suing over and keeping under wraps how they’re making out with it.
The difference is, there’s one thing missing in Atlantic Highlands. They sued Kappa, about two years after they approved, signed off and paid the construction company for a job well done. They took no action for almost two years in spite of a tenant in the building telling them time after time there were major problems, not necessarily in the construction, but in the design. Then after they finally decided to do something about the businessman’s complaint, borough would not tell the public anything about it because they said it was all a matter under litigation so of course they couldn’t talk about it.
But today, that isn’t so. Last month, that is, in June! VeniVidiScripto learned the judge DISMISSED the borough’s suit against Kappa Construction Company. It was dismissed, according to court records for lack of prosecution.
Which means Atlantic Highlands taxpayers paid money for an attorney to file action, the attorney did, then apparently they couldn’t find any reason to pursue the lawsuit and did nothing. So the judge dismissed it. Could that all be so? VeniVidiScripto learned that records show that it is.
What makes matters worse, did either the Mayor and Council or the Harbor Commission tell the taxpayers the suit has been dismissed?
Nope… Nada … Absolutely Not
Not so far anyway. There was a Harbor Commission meeting last week. The attorney didn’t mention it. There was a council meeting last month. The attorney didn’t mention it there either.
Is this something the public has the right to know?
In the meantime, let’s talk about Kappa Pride. Gus Kamaratos, the affable, hardworking and very professional sire of the family owned business was there for the Highlands ribbon cutting. So was his wife, the matriarch of this hard-working family. So was daughter, Ellen, son George, and of course, Phil, who oversaw the construction in Highlands. All were delighted with the reaction of the Mayor, the Council, the police department and most of all the people of Highlands for the work they have done.
Kappa Construction Corporation is a major corporation that built millions of dollars of public and private establishments long before they came to Highlands. But first and foremost, they are a family who take great pride in their work, work together, and accomplish their tasks at the high standards Gus Kamaratos has set for his company.
Certainly happy they were low bidder in Highlands,
