Mullica Township dispute tips balance of power
By ERIC SCOTT CAMPBELL Staff Writer, 609-272-7227
(Published: Wednesday, January 14, 2009)
MULLICA TOWNSHIP - A confrontation between a township official and a resident that took place eight months ago - and resulted in no convictions at trial three months ago - has tipped the balance of government power for 2009.
That's because Township Committeeman William Kennedy, the official in question, still holds a grudge against fellow Democrat Michael St. Amour, who testified that Kennedy was the aggressor against resident Louis Vitale in the confrontation.
Starting in the fall, Kennedy voted several times with his Republican colleagues - Kathy Chasey and Janet Forman - in opposition to St. Amour and Democrat Bernard Graebener. And at the Jan. 2 reorganization meeting, Kennedy voted to install Forman as mayor. The measure passed, and Kennedy was then made deputy mayor.
The post of mayor, which Kennedy held last year, does not carry veto power and is still just one vote on a five-member committee. But Kennedy's support of Forman appears to change the de facto majority. That already has manifested in the removal of township solicitor Norman Zlotnick, a move Graebener and St. Amour opposed.
St. Amour wants Kennedy to change his party affiliation to Republican: "I believe in truth in advertising." Kennedy has frequently said he places little stock in party affiliation.
"I don't think Democrat or Republican, at this level, means that much," Kennedy said Nov. 5, the day after he won re-election over Republican newcomer Joseph Maultz.
Forman was not at Tuesday night's committee meeting and could not be reached by telephone for comment.
Said Chasey, "I think it's nice, to have one party as mayor and one party as deputy mayor. ... With all of us, it's, 'Vote what we believe in.'"
Records of meetings from the township and The Press of Atlantic City in 2008 show there were 19 nonunanimous votes, not including abstentions. Ten of those votes took place in the year's first four months. Five of them split along party lines, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. Graebener was the lone dissenter three times, Chasey twice. The only members who voted together every time were Kennedy and St. Amour.
Then came the May 12 public confrontation and brief physical encounter between Kennedy and Vitale at a school board meeting. St. Amour witnessed the incident, and when called to testify, he corroborated Vitale's assertion that Kennedy was the aggressor.
Charges eventually were dropped against Kennedy and Vitale, but Kennedy did not forget St. Amour's testimony. Kennedy also felt St. Amour prodded Vitale to press charges in the first place.
"I can't support Mike because of that, and Mike knows that," Kennedy said.
St. Amour confirmed that. He said, "I think, unfortunately, you can't punish just me. It winds up the entire municipality gets punished."
In the year's nine remaining split votes, only once did Kennedy vote with his fellow Democrats - in support of soliciting qualifications from vendors, and he reversed his position at the next meeting.
On Dec. 16, Graebener voted with Chasey and Forman to have the township pay Kennedy's legal bills from the Vitale matter. St. Amour voted against, and Kennedy abstained.
Despite the fallout from the trial, Graebener and St. Amour had endorsed Kennedy for re-election.
"We ran on a ticket of keeping Mullica green, and that is our main priority," Graebener said. "We thought Bill was a safer bet, I guess."
The two Democrats, now an effective minority, fear Kennedy will enable more dense development, but Kennedy said Tuesday night those fears are unfounded.
"The only thing I would love is to develop the White Horse Pike, but not residential. I'm not for rezoning Elwood Village to put 500 houses there," Kennedy said. He envisions something like a chain hardware store on the western edge of town, where it could reach Hammonton's sewer system.
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19 comments:
Not all of Kennedy’s erstwhile supporters voted for him the second time, despite Graebener’s and St. Amour’s pragmatic endorsement. To us, it was Bill’s actions that spoke to us the loudest. There was amble evidence from his voting record and behavior in the months leading up to the November election that Bill was to be distrusted and probably would continue to forsake his stated principles if he was re-elected. Whether it was a Maultz or a Kennedy, the outcome would have been the same because the Republicans would be in power. We just couldn’t reward him with our vote having the forewarning that he would continue to double-cross us.
Bill has abused the public's trust and its a shame that he doesn't even realize it.
A very telling article about the Ex-Mayor's behavior. Kennedy and St.Amour voted together every time the first 4 months of the year.
St Amour witnessed the confrontation and Kennedy feels that St. Amour prodded the victim to press charges. For what reason??? There are no reasons.
No, Kennedy is angry at St. Amour because he would NOT lie under oath for him.
Kennedy's infantile attitude has prevented him from voting for the best interests of the town and his previous beliefs. He is a disgrace to the town and a traitor to the people who voted for him.
You are voting on issues and representing the people of Mullica, the very people who voted you in as a Democrat and basing all your Township decisions based on a grudge against Mike St. Amour? Mr. Kennedy, you are the epitome of a bad politician and using your seat on committee to get even with Mike St. Amour is lowest of all lows. The Republican are using you and doing a fine job of it too. You should resign and I don't even care if you do it gracefully. Finally, one tidbit of truth comes out of your mouth, it IS all about a grudge.
What the hell does Kennedy mean "I can't support Mike because of that and Mike knows that". This IDIOT is supposed to be representing the people of this town and not using his vote in some kind of sick revenge tactic for telling the truth. He's been around our two women way too long.
Cathy Chasey's statement is total hypocrisy and anyone that knows her will have a good laugh at that one.
What a bunch a liars!
Forman,Chasey & Kennedy all perfect lying in bed together.
Mr. Kennedy, wasn't it bad enough you basically lied to the residents of Elwood (which I will remind you, are almost all Democrats and the only ward you won)just to win a seat on committee and then you use that seat and, instead of voting for what is right for the taxpayers, use that seat as a "vendetta" against the other two democrats and vote for what your "new found friends" want. And as a reminder, they aren't your friends, they used you and will dispose of you when you are no longer useful. You apparently also owe Janet something big time. I don't remember them being very "friendly" to you prior to the other two dems being voted in.
Have you no morals or ethics? Or is it possible you lie so much, you start believing your own lies?
Are you truly that stupid? I don't even know why I am asking you that because obviously you are that stupid since you personally gave the quote to the press reporter. What's the matter, the puppet master wasn't around to shove her hand up your butt and make your mouth move as she told you what to say? Did the reporter catch you off guard and you couldn't have a discussion with the "ladies", and the term is used loosely here, prior to the interview?
Keep talking Bill, keep going-you stepped in it big this time. No amount of damage control or spin is going to get you out of this. What is the saying I recall reading here recently, "Stick a fork in you baby cause you are done"-friggin moron.
From the article:
"'The only thing I would love is to develop the White Horse Pike, but not residential. I'm not for rezoning Elwood Village to put 500 houses there,' Kennedy said."
Really Bill? Let's see what side you're standing with when the shit hits the fan. We can no longer trust you after this vote.
Like a hardware store like Lowe's or Home Depot would come here? Aren't they both closing up stores all over the country.
Bill Kennedy is a buffoon. He stuck his foot in his mouth good this time, reminiscent of Bruce "The Toe Sucker" Crowe.
If you speak with the right people about town you will learn that Kennedy had this plan for revenge laid out long before the election so what eventually happened comes as no real surprise to many now. It wasn't something that just jumped into Kennedy's mind the last few weeks. It took him months of sly planning with the other side to make it happen. He needed them as much as they needed him. Its called you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. That's why Chasey and Forman put in a halfhearted attempt at campaigning for their own candidate, Joe Maultz, who was not expected to win.
Right, right, the "Bill was set up plan". Everyone knew Larry Angel was going to die, everyone knew Bill would illegally enter Larry's home with the Chief of Police, everyone knew Bill would go to a BOE meeting the same night he illegally entered Larry's home and blab his big mouth about it and then assault someone at the meeting.
If this were a movie script, the "conspiracy theory" wouldn't be believable and yet the "conspiracy theory" was planted in Bill's little pea brain by Cathy and Janet who then fanned the flames and Bill is/was too stupid to think it all through and realize the impossibility of it all.
Bill is a vindictive asshole and a stupid one at that.
Oh and I do realize, nothing "jumps into Mr. Kennedy's mind" at all, at least not on its own.
Here you go Bill, I'll make this easy for you. Go to the below link:
http://www.aclink.org/elections/pdf/party_affiliation_form.pdf
Chose the box "Republican", it's right next to the box "Democrat" on the form. Sign it. To avoid confusion, your municipality is "Mullica Township" and the county is "Atlantic" and then make sure you sign it. You can take it in person to The old Atlantic County Courthouse on Main Street in Mays Landing or mail it to John Piatt, Atlantic County Board of Elections, 5903 Main Street
Mays Landing, NJ 08330.
As a proud Mullica Township resident I believe I speak for many good citizens that we are tired of the continual negative publicity we seem to be getting lately. Larry is gone, we must move forward as a community. There are so many real issues that require our attention, many people are suffering in these economic hard times.
Its time to let go of the animosity.
Bill grow up! You brought much shame upon yourself and our community. It is time for you to act as an adult and as a good public servant you can be. Let this issue die and move forward. You are the Deputy Mayor, you kept your position over seeing the police department, you placed your friends as solicitor. I'd say if you wanted to stick it to Mike and the Democrats you have found your pound of flesh. Now its time to cut the crap and get to the business of governing.
Best,
Ernest A. Aponte
Just to set the record straight, Michael St. Amour in NO way "prodded" me into signing a complaint against Kennedy. St. Amour didn't find out about the complaint until later that night.
Did anyone pick up that information in the last paragraph?
"I'm not for rezoning Elwood Village to put 500 houses there", Kennedy said.
The public spin from Chasey and Forman was for the rezoning so 160 houses could be built on Waszen's property.
Think about this: they are asking the pinelands to extend Elwood Village all the way up to the Devonshire Inn. At a new zoning of 6 houses per acre, both sides of the Pike could be filled with trailer sized homes.
Who would make money? Investigate who owns all that property that could be sold to developers or who could become landlords. 500 homes would carry a nice commission for the selling agent,too.
Think about the fact that each child costs the tax payers Approx. $9000. Tax on a $250,000 home would cover only the cost of one child, not counting Municipal or County taxes.
I saw in the paper the the homes in Mullica Woods sell for $40,000 -$60,000. Read the Senior Housing Laws, only 80% have to have one person 55 or older. Many age-discrimination law suits are in the courts right now.
Just keep in mind that you read it in the paper that the former Mayor and present Committee person, Bill Kennedy,knows about the plan to rezone Elwood Village for 500 homes, that's 340 more units that Chasey and Forman forgot to tell the public about.
To Mr. Aponte,
I would love to see all the animosity in this town disappear but I'm afraid it will not happen as long as our elected officials keep getting caught in lies,keep deceiving the public and their fellow committeemen in back room deals and viewing the citizens of this town as simple "Podunkians".
Now they feel free to assault the public and have their legal bills paid as a reward.
A frightening thing is that a large number of the Board of Education condone their activity.
I'm sorry but when I see a supporter of Chasey, Forman and Kennedy, I ask myself "What is wrong with him/her. Where are their ethics or principles".
This has nothing to do with political party. In fact, I left the Republican party because I saw Chasey and Forman's lies and wouldn't be a part of it.
Only when we get good, honest,open people(regardless of party), who want the best for the community, will the rightous hostility stop.
I can't argue with you, you are correct in the fact that the actions of three committee members have caused many in our community to be extremely angry. We regrettably have 11 1/2 months to endure and as such we can't do it with a knife at each other’s necks. Mike and Bernie are good men who unfortunately misplaced their trust as did I any many good residents in Mr. Kennedy. What I am asking, hard as it might be is to show we are better than them by being bigger than them in our actions and behavior. I have not always been as cool and collected, their ha been times where I wanted to rip a head or two off, but in the end I recognize that I am better than that and can accomplish so much more with a kind word or smile, despite my anger.
Best,
Ernest A. Aponte
So are you saying that we should smile and say "Thank you" as we're bending over without any vaseline?
I feel that it is going to be a rough year,and all their lies and tricks and bad behavior should be exposed.
I'm quite surprised to read that our new Mayor did not attend the 1st meeting. Maybe we'll be lucky and she'll stay home the rest of the year.
Not at all but we can show grace under fire and epose the lies and corruption without sinking to low ball name calling. That is what I am saying. We have known Chasey and Forman for years now, no surprise with them Bill, well he just showed his colors. Lets expose them but without the inbred comments and such. If they want to call nemes let them we know their character. That is what I am saying.
Best,
Ernest A. Aponte
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