BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer
SPOTSWOOD — Borough Council members expressed displeasure with Councilman Curtis Stollen for making comments that they said impedes their search for a new member.
At the council’s Oct. 18 meeting, council President James Shearn argued that Stollen should not have said that Marge Drozd, who has applied to fill the seat vacated by Judith Ruffo, would be the best possible choice as a replacement. He described Stollen as the “cub reporter” for the Sentinel, which often uses Stollen as one of its sources in news stories about Spotswood.
In an Oct. 14 article, Stollen was quoted as saying Drozd was the “most logical choice” and that he did not know of anyone who could surpass her.
On a tape of the Oct. 18 meeting on record at Borough Hall, Shearn is heard stating that Stollen’s comments could dissuade others from submitting a résumé. He said Stollen was being partial, while Stollen contended he simply meant Drozd is a good candidate.
Drozd ran for a council seat last spring, losing by about 60 votes. She previously served several years on the Board of Education.
Sandra Kerwin, a Planning Board member, has also applied for the available seat. The council has until the middle of November to appoint someone to the seat vacated by Ruffo, who is moving out of Spotswood.
Stollen explained that he never said Drozd could not be surpassed, only that he did not know of anyone specifically.
He said Shearn was trying to stop him from talking to the media, noting that this was the third time other members have publicly criticized him for talking to the press, which he said he considers the same as talking to his neighbor.
“I think it’s a little bit arrogant to suppress my freedom of speech,” he said.
Shearn then said he had no problem with Stollen talking to the media if it is not presented as Stollen speaking as the voice of the council.
Stollen said he does not speak on behalf of the council, and noted that he is frequently the only dissenting vote in council matters.
Shearn said it should be clarified that he is speaking as an individual, perhaps by saying, “Me, Curt Stollen, thinks…”
Stollen responded, “Me, Curt Stollen thinks [Drozd] is the logical choice and has a strong résumé.”
Shearn contended that he has no problem with Stollen giving his opinions to the press or disseminating factual information, so long as it is accurate.
But Shearn also said it seems like Stollen was the only council member to be called for stories.
Ruffo, who recently served a term as council president, added during the meeting that the Sentinel never tried to call her because it had Stollen.
“And I left it at that,” she said.
The Sentinel has at times attempted to reach Ruffo without success, however.
Regarding the open seat, Ruffo said she feels there are people besides Drozd qualified to take it.