By Paul Goldfinger, Editor and Jack Bredin, Reporter @Blogfinger.net
Recently the Township created a furor when they dismissed Brian Batch from the position of Senior Center Director. The firing was, according to the Comedy (aka Committee,) based on an investigative report which has never been released publicly.
There was criticism of the process in which the Township brought about the firing, and many seniors are still disgruntled over this issue, considering the procedure to have been problematic. There was speculation that the Township Committee was trying to open up the job in favor of someone else.
Mr. Batch hired an attorney because he believes that he should be reappointed to the job.
At last night’s Committee meeting, a resolution was passed to offer the position to Randy Bishop who, for years, was a Neptune Committeeman and former mayor. In 2016, he left the Committee to take a job at the County level. We don’t know if he still holds that post, making the new Neptune appointment a second job.
Bishop, a Democrat, is the owner of an inn in Ocean Grove (the Melrose) which is currently for sale. The inn may be his third job. None of this was explained last night. The Coaster reported that the salary is $77,000 per year
Appointing a former colleague to a lucrative Neptune job will raise eyebrows because of many concerns in the past regarding favoritism by Neptune Township’s one party rulers. Examples of such favoritism include the recent case of the Aurora variance, approvals for developers to build condominiums without parking, and zoning favoritism as occurred with Mary’s Place.
Nevertheless, the Senior Center does currently need a Director who also has duties as Director of Senior Services. Bishop was once liaison from the Committee to the Senior Center, so he does have some experience.
At last night’s discussion of the resolution to hire Bishop, some seniors went to the mic. during the public portion to once again ask that Brian Batch be reinstated. They thought that making a new appointment now was out of order since the Batch matter is not yet resolved.
But the vote for Bishop was unanimous by all 5 Committeemen.
LITTLE RICHARD:
“Good golly Miss Molly, sure like to ball.
Good golly, Miss Molly, sure like to ball.
When you’re rockin’ and a rollin’ can’t hear your momma call.”
There were eight applicants. Probably a few were highly qualified, but Bishop was the most qualified: a Democrat who was Mayor and served many years on the Township Committee. Thus, there was no real competition for this position.
Bishop will be paid $77,000/year. Will he take this job seriously or will he “have meetings to go to” and be absent a lot?
What about previous director Butch’s lawsuit concerning his dismissal? If Butch wins, the taxpayers will get the bill.
The Coaster reported that Bishop will be leaving his job with the Monmouth County Board of Elections. He has had that position for two years.
Unbelievable
The story of this appointment reminds me that the least we should expect of our elected officials is equal justice under the law and equal fairness for all citizens. The favoritism and unanimous voting that is rampant in this local government and its township officials (eg in the Zoning Office, the Board of Adjustment, the HPC, etc.) should tell us all, regardless of party, to make sure that we do not have one party rule in our town. All current committeemen should be replaced, and the main oversight (in this case–undersight) group, the OGHOA, should be replaced.
Secession, if possible, should be the main long term objective for Ocean Grove.
Does Bishop have qualifications for this position?
MSW with specialization in gerontology?
It’s bad enough for the Committee to give this job to one of their political cronies, but to get rid of the former director to create a job for Bishop is inexcusable.
But there will be no consequences. The voters will continue to re-elect these Democrat clowns; holding all five seats, they can do whatever they want.
Blogfinger deserves the Pulitzer—if not the Nobel –for documenting and spreading critical community and cultural needs of Ocean Grove.
Current journey limited defining words about public sources (i.e., governmental) and other available media (i.e.,social, TV, newspapers,leaflets, etc.)
Will shame work, when votes do not ?
Radar. Who’s telling the truth about what is happening in our town? Really you should credit the aardvark in the room: Blogfinger has been trying to spread the word, but we agree that more help is needed from our community , especially from the comatose Home Groaners Ass.
Once again, Township Committee avoids commonly-accepted protocol in making decisions—whether personnel or community-related ones. In this case–as in recruiting historic preservationists–where are the informal interviews by impacted constituents? Where is the final selected resume indicating appropriate training and experience?
OG needs to face reality. It does not have sufficient votes to be effective.
It needs an organization that will tell its story through all available public and
media sources.
Is there another way?