For those of us who had the misfortune of witnessing the sheer bedlam that took place during last Monday’s borough council meeting, it has never been more obvious that a change in the culture of Red Bank’s local governance is desperately needed if it has any chance of returning to its mandated mission of working for the people of the borough.
During the surreal fracas, which Councilman John P. Curley accurately described as a “three ring circus,” it was difficult to keep up with all that was taking place – shouting, interrupting, audience participation and even physical contact up on the dais.
Mayor Edward J. McKenna Jr. got the show underway by introducing a resolution to remove Councilman Curley as finance committee chairman. “This is not personal, this is not political – this is business,” said the mayor. Aware that his justification for holding Mr. Curley responsible for the mistakes made by the borough’s former full time salaried
chief financial officer, Terrence Whalen, was at best a political reach on its own merits, Mr. McKenna sought to bolster the tenuousness of his attempted connection by claiming Mr. Curley failed to regularly communicate to the mayor and Council the problems in the borough’s financials.
“A complete breakdown of communication,” he described.
Unfortunately the ability to put personal and political differences aside in order to effectively and objectively conduct the business of running Red Bank is a skill that apparently continues to evade the capabilities of this administration. If the mayor truly values professional communication, why did he blindside Councilman Curley at the council meeting with his resolution that set off a new low in local government? It would have been far more professional and business-appropriate, regardless of political and personal differences, for the mayor to place a call or send an e-mail to Councilman Curley informing him of his intentions to move for the councilman’s removal along with his justifications for doing so.
Instead Mr. McKenna opted for the more politically advantageous surprise approach carrying with it the increased likelihood of inciting the passions of council Republicans (Councilwoman Kaye Ernst and Mr. Curley).
However, in reality it appears this political strategy has backfired. As Councilman Curley, Council candidate Grace Cangemi and I went about our daily door to door campaigning later that week, we found residents of Red Bank concerned and troubled at the newspaper accounts of what took place at the council meeting.
The current culture within Red Bank’s governing body should not be allowed to persist under a similar administration come next January. The time has come to restore a sense of civility and professionalism in doing “business” for the people of Red Bank.
David Pallister
Red Bank Council candidate