Report: Bennett ousted as Woodbridge administrator

John Bennett delivers an impassioned speech at the Monmouth GOP convention on June 11, 2014 before his defeat by Shaun Golden

John O. Bennett III is out of his job as administrator of Woodbridge Township, according to a NewJerseyGlobe report.

The Globe reports that the official word is that Bennett is leaving of his own accord, but that is not entirely true.

Bennett was the last Republican President of the New Jersey Senate.  The Party has been out of power in Trenton since Bennett lost his own seat in the 12th legislative district to Marlboro Council President Ellen Karcher in 2003.

During his 3 1/2 days as Acting Governor in 2002, Bennett delivered the State of the State address, held a party at Drumthwacket for his daughters’ engagements, pardoned a friend, had stationary printed, signed bills and “toured New Jersey like a a conquering Caesar visiting the provinces.”

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Hornik and McCormac holding joint fundraiser in Marlboro tonight

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik

Marlboro Mayor Jon Hornik and Woodbridge Mayor John McCormac are having a joint high dollar fundraiser tonight at Cuzin’s Seafood Clam Bar in Marlboro. The $300 per head event is being hosted by Middlesex Democrat Chairman Kevin McCabe and Monmouth Democrat Chair David Brown.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet

Bennett: Supreme Court Decision Does Not Apply To His Oceanport Job

Ethics Expert Disagrees

John Bennett. Photo credit: Rhoda Chodosh

Monmouth County Republican Chairman John O. Bennett said that a State Supreme Court Opinion written in 2000 by Justice Daniel J. O’Hern that states that the positions of Borough Attorney and Borough Administrator may not be held by the same person does not apply to his job in Oceanport.

In re ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, DOCKET NO. 18-98, the Court ruled 5-2, to affirm an ACPE opinion that Gregory C. Hart could not serve the Bergen County Borough of Old Tappan as both attorney and administrator.

We respect the wishes of the Borough to engage for its day to day management an attorney in whom it has reposed great trust and confidence. Likewise, we respect the attorney who is certain that his integrity would assure an unfettered exercise of judgment in either capacity. Yet we must fashion a rule that will apply equally as well in more demanding circumstances, as in a fast-growing suburban community. It asks too much for an individual to be able to give objective advice to the municipality without being materially limited by the “lawyer’s own interest” as the subject of the inquiry.

For these reasons, we hold that one attorney may not hold both the position of municipal attorney and clerk-administrator for the same municipality. As modified, the advisory opinion of the ACPE is affirmed.

In a phone interview on Tuesday, Bennett said he became aware of the Opinion after his appointment as Acting Administrator in Oceanport earlier this month, but that he did not believe it would prevent him from holding both positions on a permanent basis.

Read the rest of this entry »

• Tweet