Mullica Court Rumors

Below is a section from the Regular Committee Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2013 approved at the April 23, 2013 meeting.

Mr Gabris expressed his disappointment with not being made aware of all the aspects regarding the possible shared services with the Municipal Court.  Mayor stated after negotiations with Hamilton Township, and a meeting with Egg Harbor City, at this time consolidation of our Municipal Court will not work and is off the table.  Mayor stated the way for this to work is to have three, four or five courts working together.  Mr. Gabris reported he reviewed the actual court revenues reported in the three towns for the last three years and noted Mullica has been increasing while Egg Harbor and Hamilton have not.
Mayor stated revenue is not the only factor, noting that he reviewed productivity and with the addition of E - ticketing our productivity will increase.  Mr. Gabris stated for demographic purposes and our sharing of a high school, Egg Harbor City should be considered first for any future consolidations.
Mayor Brown expressed his dissatisfaction with the rumors that were generated during this review process, noting he had to meet with our Police Department and reassure the Department we were not consolidating our police services.         End
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It appears that Committeeman Mr. Gabris was left out of the secret negotiations, as were our Police Department.  One would think that such an important matter as dissolving a Municipal Court would be discussed  with ALL members of the Mullica Committee.  Most importantly, would be to get input from the Chief of Police on how such a move to Hamilton Township would affect  the scheduling problem he might have rotating his officers for court appearances in another town. It is disturbing to find out that not only are the public being kept in the dark but that Mayor Brown has so little respect for his fellow, EQUAL elected officials and Township employees.  There would have been no "rumors" if shared services was openly discussed.  It is incidences like this that confirm that the idea of "secret back room deals" is not that far fetched in this administration.