By Charles Layton
Mary Beth Jahn told the Ocean Grove Home Owners Association on Saturday that she should be re-elected to a third term on the Township Committee because of her hard work for constituents.
“I am someone who is more dynamic, I go to more functions, I respond to more emails, more constituent problems,” she said.
Jahn: “I respond to more … constituent problems.”
The audience of approximately 50 Ocean Grovers seemed to agree. In comments from the floor, they responded with an outpouring of support, including specific examples of Jahn’s quick responses to their particular problems.
“I’ve never had a public official respond to me the way you do,” Susan Taylor said. “For one thing, it’s instantaneous.”
Ray DeFaria gave Jahn credit for the quick response by police following the theft of a treasured family heirloom, a wedding ring. He said Jahn took a personal, hands-on interest in the theft, and the ring was recovered.
Joan Cruz suggested that, although the Home Owners Association is a non-partisan group, individual members should write letters to local newspapers supporting Jahn.
Jahn is engaged in a tough fight in the June 5 Democratic primary. She is one of three candidates competing for two seats on the Township Committee — a race that has split the Neptune Democratic Party bitterly. (For background, go here and here and here.) The Neptune Democrats have not endorsed Jahn; the Monmouth County Democratic Party has endorsed her.
Saturday’s meeting had been billed as a “candidates’ forum,” but the other two candidates in the primary race, Dr. Michael Brantley and Nicholas Williams, declined to appear. The audience expressed some resentment that these candidates were unwilling to speak to their organization, although their refusals were somewhat understandable given the degree of Jahn’s support among the membership. Not a single person had a negative word to say against her.
Jahn declined several opportunities to criticize Brantley and Williams because they were not present and “it wouldn’t be fair.” Instead, she emphasized some of her own history as a committeewoman. She cited her opposition to condo development at the North End, her support for a strong police force (she has twice served as police commissioner) and her work as the Township Committee’s liaison to the Township’s finance department.
She said the reason she has taken the lead on the issue of derelict buildings in Ocean Grove is that Mayor Randy Bishop had been criticized by one particularly intractable owner, Marshall Koplitz, as having a conflict of interest because he lives in Ocean Grove and owns a bed and breakfast here.
Committeeman Eric Houghtaling. Photos by Mary Walton
Asked by people in the audience why she and Neptune party officials had parted ways, Jahn repeated her assertion that the split was mainly over her refusal to back James Manning Jr., a former Neptune mayor, for the position of business administrator. Many party leaders have sided with Manning, whom Jahn says she considers unqualified for the post.
Another member of the Township Committee, Eric Houghtaling, spoke briefly in support of Jahn, calling her “a vital asset to the township.” Another Township Committee member, Kevin McMillan, is working for Jahn’s two opponents. Mayor Bishop, on the other hand, is backing Jahn. Neither Bishop nor McMillan were at Saturday’s meeting.
Wow Ocean Grovers! Is that the way you want your committee people to address township dwellers? When a constituent disagrees or challenges them, they become rude and say they are unable to comprehend? I want a person who exhibits professionalism at all times, especially when addressing the public.
Untrue, Independent Voter. I regret you find this whole situation difficult to comprehend, but you will choose what you believe to choose, factual or not.
Public service note: For those readers (and there must be many) who don’t know whom the above commenters are talking about, they’re talking about Mr. Vito Gadaleta, recently appointed assistant business administrator of the township. We wrote a story about him on April 23. You can find it by typing “Vito Gadaleta” in the search field at the top of this page.
The new assistant BA is a Neptune guy, went to Neptune Schools, I found info stating he is a member of Shark River Hills Fire and First Aid. Based on his age, hes was fighting fires back in the busy days. He used to work for the town many years ago, but it seems he was not offered the BA job back then, so he took job offers in Allenhurst, then moved to a better situation in Pompton Lakes. Seems more like this was his opportunity to come home and have his dream job, 20 years late.
So if some one with a Masters Degree in Public Administration who had managed small towns with great credentials was not even offered an interview after you just boosted how great he seemed to be, then you just made the point that was bought up. The man who got the job, and I found out his name is Vito, was already considered before the interview process otherwise the person would have been in the interview process and may have been actually the better candidate and swayed the heads of the other Elected officials.. I was a former Supervisor in a major company and did literally hundreds of interviews. You also stated that a person may have been retired or hadmoney which I agree with you especially in todays economy. People who retired may not be making it and need work. But my question was that Vito left a full time B.A. position to work in Neptune. You know the answer, it was that he was going to be the next in line for the full time B.A. position. My ladies room friends have known this as most of city hall knew this. Mr. Manning was eleiminated by you and Mayor Bishop but in reality “he was never involved in the whole thing other then put in a resume and have you make excuses why your party did not want you as their candidate. So this whole thing with Moczan, Williams and Manning never was the truth because you were the voting members on the Committee and had the final say. Thanks to my lady room friends who knew this.also. Only commenting on what you just said above.
To Independent Voter: You hit the nail on the head. It was never about Manning. You are absolutely correct. Since when does it take someone 8 months at a $60,000 part time to learn what a job entails…..?
Mary Beth sided with Randy Bishop, going against the Sites Commission, to eliminate parking requirements in O.G. You think that’s a good thing for O.G.? I don’t think so.
Someone who may be retired or have family money and who had previously spent 10 years working for Neptune in Administration might choose to take a part-time gig with no benefits or guarantee of the full-time position. The position was posted twice: one required Neptune residency and one did not. Many, many applicants did not get an interview, ranging from a gentleman who worked as a baggage handler at Newark Airport to municipal attornies to individuals with master’s degrees in public administration and some very impressive credentials when it came to managing towns and small cities.
As for Mike and Phil coming to us with ideas, of course they do. They’re full-time employees, where Committee members are part-time. It’s a give and take. Kevin has repeatedly requested that we locate and fund a rec center, which we hope to do; Randy brought in World Changers; the Veterans Memorial Park was my idea. When grants become available, Mike, Phil and department heads all make recommendations.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but your friend is full of it – and considering how very few people actually have access to Administration and Finance info, they should stop eavesdropping on conversations in the ladies’ room and then embellishing what they *thought* they heard.
I have done a litle research with some people who are friends but close to the city hall vest. Marybeth takes the credit for the work of the Business Administrator and CFO who brings all this to Committee. Manning was never even offered an interview for the position and the man who got it had been telling people for almost 6 months he was getting it. He quit a full time BA position to become a pt position knowing that the deal was already in place with the elected officials. All this about a power struggle and who wants who, but the reality is that he was in line for this position for quite a long time as a PT position almost 8 months before the real guy leaves. How come if one is so qualified to do a job, it takes him 8 months to learn when he has been one in 3 towns already. Who leaves a job of a pt position no benefits. City hall happy but lets be real. the manning guy was an easy excuse to hire the other guy with no controversy because everybody was worried about manning and the other guy slipped right in.
The residents of Neptune, including Ocean Grove, may not be aware just how important a Township Administrator’s position is. HE is the one responsible for how the various department heads perform day to day and hold to their approved projections. That is why it is so very important that a truly qualified individual be appointed and is the basis for such “big bucks” salary.
Hey Bullets, last time I checked it’s the Committee that makes the policy and the administrators that carry it out. If the Committee says sue the state, the administrators have to do it, whether they think it’s a good idea or not. You don’t see Mike Bascom’s or Phil Hume’s name on the suit, do you?
A few facts:
• I am and have been, for several years, a member of that same sacrosanct Neptune Democratic Executive Committee – one year as president, for the last three or four as treasurer. So is someone *seriously* trying to make the argument that I sat down with the other members of the Executive Committee and then changed my mind at the last minute? Hell no. There *were,* however, many multiple discussions about replacing Mike Brantley, the first steps of which have been refusing to allow Mike, who communicates only in certified letters, to act as Police Commissioner.
• The listing of my neighborhood as “Ocean Grove” rather than “Neptune” was a clerical error either on my part or, Lord forgive me, Blogfinger’s.
• Sister Leticia would whack my arms and hands hard for being boastful, but what have I done for the rest of Neptune? Hmmmm… street tree plantings and new sidewalks and curbs right near the Bradley Beach train station. Securing financing for Midtown Commons Building 1 the SAME WEEKEND Lehman Brothers collapsed, working for over eight months with a group of RV and boat owners to try to reach a workable ordinance for Neptune. Oh, and as mayor in 2010 I cut over $4M from the budget and eliminated 14+ full-time jobs, many of them low-paying and held by your OG and Neptune neighbors to ensure Neptune came in under Gov. Christie’s cap.
Editor’s note: This news item has been drawing some comments which we’ve had to deny posting because they were judged to violate our standards. We would urge everyone to read our policy on postings and comments. Click on the “Policies” tab at the top of this page.
We have heard very little from any of the other democratic candidates about their vision for Neptune. Only bickering about the appointment of an administrator. Why is it so important to them to have Manning in city hall? And why is our new administrator a temporary appointment? My speculation is that they want to get rid of the resistance to Manning (i.e. Bishop and Jahn), and then get Manning appointed.
We must be vigilant. The North End development in Ocean Grove needs to be watched carefully. The envisioned restrictions on size, parking, etc. could be weakened.
Who really believes or elected officials are responsible for raising our tax rating, suing the state to dredge the river, improve police fire and ems services?
All that work is done by our real employees, adminstration, tax collector, oem managers, dpw, attorney, clerk ect.
And “The Donald” claims he is a birther because he read it in a book. He quotes a source despite the acknowledgement by that book’s author that it was in error.
Yes, Independent, let’s give credit to where it’s due. Dr. Brantley has dredged 25 feet of Wesley Lake, has asked for roads in Asbury Park to be paved by Neptune DPW crews with Neptune dollars and done … yeah, that’s it. I got nothing more. I’m still waiting for him to unveil his super-secret plan to lower taxes that he spoke about last election cycle.
Independent – As her sister, and the person walking the dog, that particular day, I can assure you that while it happened in OG, neither Mar nor myself have lived there for the past 4+ years. Why it says that, I don’t know. But Mar hasn’t claimed residence in the Grove for a long time.
Ken and Penn. I might not be the smartest person but I do know when I read something. I have recalled and was right that on April 29, 2012 (check archive) Marybeth wrote a letter to the editor about her dog being rescued by a gentleman after it ran away. The letter surely states under her name Ocean Grove, New Jersey. I am only quoting what I read here on Blogfinger. No apology is necessary.
I agree that Marybeth was a part of a Committee of 5 who has done all of the things you state. Let’s give credit to them all if any credit is due. It takes a village to raise a child.
She acted contrary to the Executive Committee at the urging of district leaders who are NOT part of the Manning-Mocwzan-Williams cliche and with the backing of the County party, who actually owns the line. Do not be fooled by that little dumb show with the Executive Committee.
1. Mary Beth hasn’t lived in the Grove in years. That calls into the credibility of whoever wrote that letter.
2. What has she done for the rest of town? Protected it from eminent domain. Had the bond credit rating raised six times. Sued to have the Shark River dredged. Worked with the state and federal authorities to have Rt. 66 widened. Coaxed responsible redevelopment along in Midtown. Fought to keep police staffing levels consistent when most other towns are laying off. No, she hasn’t done it alone. She’s had a great team. Why anyone would want to dismantle a team this successful, I don’t know.
Mary Beth does NOT reside in Ocean Grove. Her home is in the Bradley Park section of Neptune and she has shown throughout her time in office she cares about the whole town. Her refusal to knuckle under to dictates she back a particular person for a most important Administrative Neptune position is more likely the problem as to why she did not get to be the Neptune Democratic Party choice.
See this is one of the problems. You claim that marybeth will be good for OG. What about Mid Town, West Neptune, Shark River Hills and any other part of neptune that I forgot to mention. Yes Maryeth probably does favor Ocean Grove because she reisides there like the letter to the editor indicated recently but if you are elected shouldn’t she be caring about the whole town. This might have been the problem as to why she did not get to be a Democratic choice.
actually you used the word dictatorship first ..i just followed up
i believe she will win with room to spare and that’s a good thing for OG
No one ever said that she was not a hard worker or a non-Democrat. The fact remains that when a group of people sit down to vote on something or someone in any organization, the majority of that vote is final. Sometimes things or votes may not be the way you may have wanted it to go, but that is called “democracy.”
Marybeth finished with about 5 votes and in last place in the democratic vote that day. I don’t know the hows, whys, or becauses that were the reasons to not select her, but the point is when she was selected by the group to run, she had no problem accepting the nomination and support. She only acted contrary to the political machines so called “dictate” because she was not picked.
Again the point being if it were her and William Nicholas or her and Dr. Brantley, would we be having this conversation?
I wish her well in her bid to win, but lets be truthful about her running with the support of the ‘dictatorship’ as you have put it.
Who to vote for in the June 5th Primary? I have witnessed Mary Beth Jahn and Dr. Brantley perform on the Township Committee for several years and have a good idea what to expect from them. I do not recall Mr. Williams attending Township Agenda Meetings (I attend most of them) nor his commenting on any issues affecting Neptune. His only comment I know of was quite negative about Ocean Grove’s information filled “blogfinger”. Since he has offered no info on where he stands on issues that might affect “tax-payer” me, I cannot find any reason to support his candidacy. Whereas Ms Jahn has been outspoken when real issues come up that “politicians” usually avoid, a quality alone deserving support, I am voting for Mary Beth Jahn and urge all eligible to also vote for her.
Mary Beth got into this political confrontation because she did act contrary to the political machine’s dictate….way to go Mary Beth..
The fact that she is a Democrat does not mean that she is part of a dictatorship.
I keep trying to use “elected official” because really, down here at the bottom of the political importance triangle, there’s no Democratic, Republican, Green Party, etc. way to collect garbage and provide police services. Unfortunately, sometimes politics does enter into things, like getting the red rubber-stamp “NO” from a county, state or federal department simply because we’re not the same party. But the Independent Voter is correct, at the end of the day, elected officials are politicians. (And it’s a sacred trust between you and your constituents; being a politician shouldn’t mean you’re having one-on-one meetings in diners at 3 a.m. with developers who wink at you or at you and your “date.”) But yes, we are politicians.
you are right, deserves support, but what would you call Marybeth. She is involved in politics and have been part of the dictatorship for the past 6 years leading the charge for one year as the Mayor. Now she is not a politician because why? when she was the Democratic clubs choice all was well in Neptuneland and Ocean Grove along with Brandley. I don’t know how the Dem’s pick there people but all of a sudden she is no politician. If she was picked I guess she would still be one. I’m confused by trying to learn.
the voters will not be dictated to by the politicians….mary beth is an honest hard working person who has earned our support