From the Press of Atlantic City, Friday, 11/13/09-Rob Spahr, Staff Writer
Deputy Mayor William Kennedy changed his party affiliation in April because he could not get along with his fellow Democrats.
"They left me. I didn't leave them," he still insists.
But after a Democratic sweep of the two open Township Committee seats in the Nov. 3 election, Kennedy will be the only Republican left on the five-person committee and will have no choice but to coexist with the people who once called for his resignation.
Kennedy said this will not put any added pressure on him.
"I'm not a devout Republican, just like I was never a devout Democrat. I just do what I think is right. If anything, it puts less pressure on me," said Kennedy of the fact he will no longer represent the tiebreaking vote when the two parties disagree. "Even if I don't agree with something, the vote will still be 4-1."
The rift between Kennedy and the Democratic Party began last year after Democratic Committeeman Michael St. Amour testified that Kennedy was the aggressor in a confrontation and brief physical encounter with a township resident at a school board meeting.
In January, St. Amour and Democratic Committeeman Bernard Graebener then voted to block the township from reimbursing Kennedy's lawyer in that case, which was later dismissed.
The local Democratic Club then called on Kennedy to resign from his position on the Atlantic County Democratic Committee, citing his "desire to not affiliate with the local Democratic Club and local Democratic elected officials."
The letter was signed by 16 people, including St. Amour and Graebener and the newly elected Susan Polk and Anthony Gabris.
St. Amour said, at that time, that Kennedy should have also resigned from the Township Committee because he felt Kennedy had "lost his moral compass" and that St. Amour had lost any confidence in Kennedy's ability to do what's right.
St. Amour said he is willing to put the past behind them.
"I want to look at this as a fresh start for everyone. I plan to be as open as I can to what Bill's ideas are and what Bill's input is," said St. Amour, adding that he felt the Republicans kept him and Graebener in the dark on issues. "I don't want Bill to have to feel the way we have been treated over the last year."
Meanwhile, outgoing Republican Mayor Janet Forman said she does not think the local Republican Club will turn to Kennedy to be its voice and that it will be up to the public to challenge the actions of the Township Committee.
"The two (Democratic) committee people up front got exactly what they wanted from this election. Two handpicked candidates getting elected who don't have opinions of their own," Forman said. "I may not be running for re-election, but I will be here and (outgoing Committeewoman) Kathy Chasey will be here to make sure they stick to their promise of transparency and don't do anything to jeopardize the people of Mullica."
Forman said she is optimistic that Township Committee's new makeup won't do anything to damage the quality of life in Mullica.
"On the important things, we always agree. It was the petty stuff that we disagreed on," she said. "I just hope they don't change Mullica. I like it the way it is. All this 'Keep Mullica Green' stuff is overhyped. Mullica is plenty green and I hope they keep it that way."
St. Amour said next year the Township Committee would take a long hard look at some of the measures passed in the past year to make sure they "made sense or were even necessary."
"I think the outcome of this election shows that the people of Mullica wanted change," he said. "I don't expect any wholesale changes. But I do anticipate for there to be some changes here and there."
Kennedy said he is optimistic that the Township Committee will work well together and even congratulated Polk for her victory prior to Tuesday night's committee meeting.
"This isn't brain surgery," Kennedy told her. "It's not a hard job. We make it hard."
Friday, November 13, 2009
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13 comments:
The Republican committee members seem to want to congratulate Susan Polk but not Anthony Gabris. What's that all about? Do they think that they can manipulate her and not her running mate?
I don't expect to see Mrs. Forman at any meetings after the New Year, or Mrs. Chasey, for that matter.
Re 9:52 am
They KNOW they cannot manipulate Gabris. He knows what they are and the tactics they use. Polk tries to look for the good in everyone and is very forgiving of wrongs.
She will be the open-minded, cohesive factor for the committee.
I'm sure all of them will consider everyone's point of view and they will work for the benefit of the town.
Forman said she"does not think the Republican Club will turn to Kennedy to be their voice....".
I don't think they will tell him anything true going on but they will listen to his big mouth whenever they can and fill his empty head with with lies and false conspiracy theories.
They will use Kennedy in anyway possible but at least his vote won't harm the town.
Forman is quoted as saying that it was the "petty stuff that we disagreed on". Yeah, like the rezoning of the Elwood Village Center to 6 homes per acre, freedom of speech issues,selling off Twp. land below value and some say illegally. These are just three items of her so-called "petty stuff".
Forman has yet again made a total ass of herself with her comments.
1 1/2 months left to deal with this "person".
The only change I was looking for in this election was to remove Chasey and say goodbye to Forman forever.
Now Mullica faces a much brighter, saner future.
Janet is quoted as saying,"I just hope they don't change Mullica. I like it the way it is. All this 'Keep Mullica Green' stuff is overhyped. Mullica is plenty green and I hope they keep it that way."
Mullica maybe green but it wasn't any thanks to her or her fellow Republicans on Committee. as a Realtor she has been selling development for all it is worth. Kathy of course wanted to change zoning and in their campaign literature wanted to increase enrollment at the Mullica schools by several hundred students. That would not only have destroyed Mullica and any green but our taxes would have gone through the roof.
I don't think the Republican Club wants Forman to be their "voice". I think she constantly embarrasses them but they don't know how to stop her idiotic ramblings.
Mr. Kennedy stated, "I'm not a devout Republican, just like I was never a devout Democrat...", the only interests he cares about are his own, not what's best for Mullica.
And of course, the Republican Club will not turn to him to be their "voice", he was only useful when the ladies needed his vote and now that they'll be gone, nobody needs him. The Republican Club had already disowned Janet Forman a long time ago and they never wanted Kennedy in the first place.
Janet Forman has always shown her disrespect for St Amour and Graebener and her words about Polk and Gabris are disgraceful.
I am disturbed by the comments of Mr. Kennedy, Mrs. Chasey and most deeply by Mrs. Forman. They have ALL shown no class! Mr. Kennedy forgot to mention in his newspaper quote that what started his controversy with the Green Team was his disrespect for basic human rights. He entered a deceased friend’s home without a warrant accompanied by his police chief buddy at the behest of Mrs. Chasey. WHY for a witch hunt! He then started an argument and accosted a citizen, then denied it! He then threatened the then public defender for speaking up.
Mrs. Chasey has done nothing but lie and smirk through her teeth at everyone.
Mrs. Forman has been the biggest disgrace with her name calling, anonymous e-mail campaign, husband's recklessly hitting people with his truck, etc....etc.
Good riddens to all of them!
Kennedy has no morals or integrity. The fact that he pretends to represent the community is a disgrace to all of us.
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