Rebuking the public will set wrong tone for local gov't

I have been around Upper Freehold Township government and politics since the 1950s. In those 50-plus years, I've seen a lot. However, what I never thought I would see is what happened at this year's Upper Freehold Township Committee reorganization meeting.

In all my years of serving our local government, never before has the selection of mayor been denied to so worthy a person. Steve Alexander has served our community with distinction and honor. His public service goes far beyond the borders of town, as he served our country this past summer during a tour of duty in Iraq.

Steve was the No. 1 vote-getter in last year's primary by a huge margin - an election which saw a historically high voter turnout. In this past general election, he showed just how widespread his support was throughout the town by again recording a resounding victory.

I can't remember a time in our past where a candidate who generated such wide margins of victory, who is highly qualified and committed to the well-being of our town didn't get the support of his fellow committeeman for selection as the town' mayor. I can't imagine a reason why not one of the three incumbents saw clear to support Steve. Instead, they lined up against the single most publicly supported elected official and cut a deal to keep the current mayor in office for another year.

The backroom dealing that led to the continuation of the current mayor was the wrong decision for this town. The public could not have spoken any louder or clearer than they did when they lined up in record numbers behind Steve Alexander in both the primary and general elections.

Rebuking the public will sets the wrong tone for our local government for the year to come. What also sets the wrong tone is the current mayor's unilateral appointment with no public discussion or debate of a number of key positions. This is such a break from past practices that is staggering.

In all my years of government service, these key appointments were discussed and debated. The entire governing body had input, and an honest attempt at building a consensus was made. By unilaterally deciding on these key appointments with no discussion, the current mayor has embarked on a course that signals to the public and his elected colleagues that he doesn't need their input and he knows best.

That is a very dangerous path to set down. I hope the mayor and his two majority supporters think better of the direction they are proceeding in and get this town back on the path of inclusion and consensus building.

After the last election, the mayor was quoted as saying the election is over now and we must work together for the good of the town. He must have forgotten what he said because his recent actions show anything but a desire to work together. I hope the voters of this town don't forget when it comes to next year's election.

Charles T. Faber Jr.

Cream Ridge section of Upper Freehold