By Vic Monaco, Managing Editor
HIGHTSTOWN — Borough Council members this week delayed introducing an ordinance requested by Mayor Patten to expand the local Economic Development Committee to nine members. They did so after the council liaison to the EDC said he was unaware of the proposal and an EDC member said that panel would be down to four members come Jan. 1.
Borough Administrator Candace Gallagher said at Monday’s meeting that the mayor had requested the ordinance. Given his absence, she asked Councilman Ryan Rosenberg, the council liaison to the EDC, if he could explain it.
”I have no idea,” responded Councilman Rosenberg. “As liaison, I have not heard a word.”
He said he knows of no new initiatives to be undertaken by the EDC and added “It’s been pretty inactive the last two years.”
Community activist J.P. Gibbons indicated at the meeting that the situation was another example of the exclusionary tactics employed by Mayor Patten, which is one of the reasons he has cited for his petition effort to recall the mayor.
Councilman Dave Schneider suggested that action be postponed since Councilman Rosenberg didn’t know what was going on and the mayor was absent.
Councilman Jeff Bond, a former EDC chairman, told his colleagues that there had been talk of expansion in the past in an effort to get more input. He asked for immediate input on the thinking behind the proposed ordinance from Councilman-elect Mike Theokas, who sits on the EDC.
Mr. Theokas said, from his perspective, additional members could add new ideas and help get new initiative started. But he, too, seemed surprised at the proposal as he added that two members, Mile Wiley and Vince Traylor, won’t be a part of the EDC next year. Later he said Mr. Traylor resigned this fall and Mr. Wiley is doing so effective Jan. 1.
Mr. Gibbons said he was “amazed” that Councilman Rosenberg was left in the dark.
”It should be the purpose of the liaison … to be the person to bring ideas back to the council,” he said. “I applaud the council for not rubberstamping.”
He added that having five new members appointed at one time is not a good idea.
Mayor Patten said Thursday afternoon that the EDC “had agreed” to the expansion in October at a meeting he believes was missed by Councilman Rosenberg, whom he pointed out is an ex officio member of the EDC. He did not comment on the fact that the EDC would soon be down to four members.
Messrs. Gilmore, Traylor, Wiley and Rosenberg could not be reached for comment before press time.
