Committeeman to Hold Town Hall Meeting on Tuesday

Residents will have another outlet to voice their concerns this week as Committeeman Sean Sharkey is holding a town hall meeting on Tuesday at the at 7 p.m.

“The purpose of this forum is to hear from the people who don't want to get in front of a microphone or in front of TV,” Sharkey said. “Everybody has a right to say something, and a town meeting shouldn't be the only forum.”

Sharkey often gets approached when he’s out and about in town by residents with concerns but he doesn’t always have the time to provide answers, he said.

“I'm hoping to get a better idea of what the residents want and need,” he said. “Only a few people come to the township committee meetings, despite the fact that we have over 27,000 residents. I'm hoping that I'll be able to hear from those people that do not feel comfortable standing in front of an audience.”

The town hall meeting will begin with some brief comments by Sharkey, he said. Residents will then be able to ask questions.

“I'll even put some time aside for anybody who wants to ask me a question about a private issue that they might feel uncomfortable talking about even in front of a small crowd with no cameras,” he said.

Sharkey is hoping to hold the forums monthly. Committeewoman Helen DelaCruz has also showed interest in doing the same, he said.

These forums would be held in addition to Meet the Mayor with Mark Dykoff, which is at the Library the second Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m.

“I'm hoping that people feel comfortable talking to me about whatever their concerns are,” he said. “I'm hoping that this becomes a productive forum where ideas can be discussed to help make Lacey Township a better place to live, work and play.