Robin and Bob Madden, Bordentown City
After receiving Mike Hunninghake’s letter sharing the very disappointing news of not being reappointed to the Bordentown City Environmental Commission (BCEC), we felt that it was necessary to attend our Bordentown City’s monthly government meeting this past Monday, 5/9 to hear first hand from our mayor his reasons for not reappointing.
For those in our community who do not know Mike Hunninghake and his efforts, he is truly a leader and organizer. Mike has made very progressive steps for our community with not only our natural environment but also our cultural resources. Without a doubt Mike has been a positive influence and has devoted countless volunteer hours to make Bordentown City a destination point and better place for us and our families to live and recreate.
Please know we do wish the new appointees to the BCEC much success in their new roles and change can and usually is good. We also hope they continue the good work that was started by Mike Hunninghake and all the existing members of BCEC.
We realize our elected officials also devote countless volunteer hours to support our community. Needless to say, it was extremely disappointing not to receive a satisfactory explanation from our mayor. To give some credit, the governing body was very communicative and transparent on their actions with the pending closing of the Ocean Spray Plant and the disappointing situation with our school budget, but when members from the public openly questioned the Mayor on his decision about Mike, communication shut down.
The mayor is correct, by local ordinance the mayor does have the authority to make the BCEC appointments, but perhaps that ordinance should be amended and not just for this board but for all of them.
Wouldn’t it seem more fair and transparent if the three commissioners, as our governing body, voted on the appointments versus allowing one individual to make the decision?
Appointments would be made by the majority of the votes, which seems more democratic then how appointments are currently made.

