With all the votes finally counted the election for control of the Neptune City Council favors the Democrats by a very thin margin. The Republicans are calling for a recount.
The rules, policies, and procedures of good-governance have almost all been thrown to the wayside in Neptune City under the current majority. An alarming trend which started January 1st as policies have been created without cooperation, special committees formed without proper resolutions, the intentionally keeping of information from other elected officials, and threatening of borough employees.
This is just a fraction of what has been occurring these past months in Neptune City and calls to rectify the issues have fallen on deaf ears, no matter how hard I have tried. Yet, what transpired at the September 9th Workshop and Council meetings was the final straw and residents have a right to not only know, but be concerned.
Neptune City’s Democrat Council members did not show up at the Special Meeting last night which was scheduled to authorize the the payment of bills and payroll. Without a quorum, Republican Mayor Bob Brown and Councilmen Andrew Wardell and Joseph Zajack were unable to take official action.
Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling, Neptune City Council President Pamela Renee and Renne’s family celebrate the Renee’s Oath of Office before the shutdown. January 1, 2019. Photo via Neptune City Democrat’s facebook page
Neptune City Democrats got off to an inauspicious start when they took control of the borough’s governing body for the first time in four decades on New Year’s Day.
Senator Vin Gopal issued the Oath of Office to new Councilman David Calhoun and Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling witnessed Councilwoman Pamela Renee oath to perform the Office of Council President to the best of her ability. The Democrats then effectively shutdown Neptune City’s government by voting not to pay the borough’s bills, including payroll.