This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Politics & Government

Tensions Flare At Final Township Committee Meeting Before Election Day

Political differences apparent during meeting's public comment session

With only 11 days until Election Day, Thursday night’s meeting of the Lacey Township Committee was the last time that local residents would have the chance to publicly voice their thoughts on township matters and candidates before stepping into the polling booth – and they did not let it go by.

Prior to the public comment portion, wanted to let the public know that it’s “a pleasure” to serve them on the governing body, while urging them to get out and vote on Nov. 8.

“Let me tell you something, for anyone who takes this position – who does that job on behalf of the taxpayers, it’s not an easy job to do.” The committeeman said making tough decisions on behalf of the taxpayers is part of the job, and said that he would continue to do so if re-elected in November.

Find out what's happening in Laceywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During the public comment session, Forked River resident Richard Bidnick spent 20 minutes locked in a debate with the governing body – and claimed that Most has received credit for an idea which Bidnick said he himself devised to .

“This has to do with the issue of the state health benefits plan for township employees, and pulling out of the state system to go into a private health insurance company. On numerous occasions, I brought this issue up and was treated with catcalls and laughed at by certain members of this governing body,” Bidnick said. Though applauding the town’s decision to move into a private healthcare system, Bidnick reiterated that he was the originator of the idea.

Find out what's happening in Laceywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bidnick later claimed Most and his “cohorts” did financial damage to the township’s budget, and that taxes went up significantly during the committeeman’s tenure. “I do not believe that you deserve to be re-elected,” Bidnick said to Most, later explaining that he’s of a “totally anti-incumbent” political persuasion.

Mayor Gary Quinn countered that the decision on health insurance plans which Bidnick referred to was in the works for the past three years. Most added that he didn’t appreciate Bidnick’s depiction of him as “complacent”, and that he always put the taxpayers first – especially when making difficult fiscal decisions, which he commented take “leadership courage.

“The reason we’re doing this is that the same transition the private sector went through, the public sector is now going through,” Most said. “People are contributing more to their pensions, the employees will be contributing more to their medical insurances; those are proactive things.” The committeeman went on to describe the town’s budgetary operation as “a lean machine.”

Bidnick also claimed that Quinn said that local citizens groups “had not come up with one implementable idea,” but the mayor denied that accusation. Quinn said that he and the rest of the governing body welcomes citizen group input on township issues, and challenged Bidnick to become “accountable” and run for a position on the dais himself.

“I just made a point that there’s an anti-incumbency feeling going on right now all over this nation,” Bidnick said, explaining that the national employment and financial systems are in serious disarray, with many young people jobless and unable to find work.

Most responded that he felt job creation is what he is all about; to stabilize and increase revenue to the town. The committeeman said that obtaining another power plant in the area after the would provide construction and engineering jobs, for example.

Bidnick closed his remarks by saying that the governing body took “$1 million” in discretionary spending from the town’s taxpayers, which he said could have been used to support local businesses instead – just after that statement, he left the meeting room.

Committeeman Sean Sharkey later raised a point of order that he felt time spent at the microphone in the public comment portion of meetings should address township business instead of personal disputes, a feeling which Lacey Township Attorney George Gilmore agreed with.

“It is discomforting at times when people come up to the microphone and attack an individual on the dais,” Gilmore said. “There is a right to freedom of speech, and this is a public meeting which the governing body is obligated to have, and to allow public comment.”

However, the attorney suggested that perhaps limiting the more heated and personal public comments would be productive. “I think that anything that anyone says here tonight isn’t going to change anyone’s mind (on who to vote for) in the election,” Gilmore stated.

Quinn stated that while other towns may have time limits on public comment, he’s “never been an advocate” of such a policy and felt that as elected officials, the Township Committee should hear the questions, thoughts and opinions of residents. However, in addition to dissenting voices, the governing body also received some kudos from a few residents in attendance at the meeting.

Lanoka Harbor’s Robert Davis stepped up to the microphone with his tax bill in hand, on which he said he is due to save $57.12 in 2012. “For that, I’d like to thank every single one of you. You all did a hell of a job, it’s no time to change horses,” Davis said.

Bill Moss of Forked River provided municipal and school tax rate statistics that he felt reflected the advantageous position enjoyed by Lacey Township in those respects compared to other Ocean County towns. “Nineteen towns pay more in taxes than we do, that’s a good job by Lacey Township. It goes to show that the township has been working to keep taxes lower. Even though you had to raise taxes at times, you were still better than most of the towns around,” Moss said.

Lanoka Harbor resident Jerry Conaty praised the governing body for all that he felt they do for Lacey Township. “You guys have a thankless position, where no matter what decision you make, you have someone mad at you. I’d like to thank all five of you for what you do for the Lacey taxpayers,” Conaty said.

closed the lengthy public comment session by advising all residents to get out and vote on Election Day. “Let your voices be heard,” Vaccaro stated.

Most thanked Vaccaro for “stepping up to the plate” and challenging him in the election. “This job is not an easy job, and not only do you sacrifice, but your family also sacrifices too,” the committeeman said.

Quinn and all members of the governing body emphasized to the public to get out and vote for who they feel is the best candidate on Election Day as well. The mayor described the importance of the election, and how the “balance of power” on the governing body may shift depending on the outcome. “I just want people to realize this, and make every effort possible to vote on Nov. 8”, Mayor Quinn explained.

In her individual committee remarks, Committeewoman Helen Dela Cruz specifically referred to the voting process as “a privilege”, one which those in other countries may not be afforded.

Deputy Mayor Mark Dykoff explained in his statement that voter turnout is expected to be low this year due to the lack of gubernatorial or presidential positions at stake, which he called “a shame”. However, the deputy mayor encouraged the citizenry to make their voices heard at the polls this November.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?