The Asbury Park Press has reported that Freeholder Director Bill Barham is neglecting the duties he campaigned so hard to keep. By state statute, the Freeholder Director is a member of the county planning board. Barham hasn't attended a planning board meeting in 16 months. Barham fought hard in January to keep the directorship, beating out Lillian Burry who was tantalized by the prospect of being the top dog.
More recently, Barham kept his grip on power by lobbying 3 of his colleagues to make sure no one seconded Freeholder Anna Little's resolution establishing term limits on Freeholders and the Directorship. Little proposed that Freeholders be limited to 3 terms and that no Freeholder hold the Directorship for more than 2 consecutive years.
Burry and Democratic Freeholder Barbara McMorrow wouldn't provide a second to Little's resolution, citing a scholarly legal opinion by Malcolm Carton which said the resolution was against state law. Carton has previously gotten Barham in hot water by advising him that it was OK for him to sit in on discussions involving his businesses partner's cost overruns on the Hall of Records project. Maybe Carton told Barham he didn't have to go to planning board meetings. Former Deputy Director Rob Clifton didn't comment, nor did he second Little's resolution.
Jeff Cantor, who is currently the Republican candidate for the seat that Little holds, came out in favor of the term limits. Cantor and Adam Puharic received a reprimand from Barham the next day.
The Democratic candidates for Freeholder were stuck in traffic and couldn't comment.
More recently, Barham kept his grip on power by lobbying 3 of his colleagues to make sure no one seconded Freeholder Anna Little's resolution establishing term limits on Freeholders and the Directorship. Little proposed that Freeholders be limited to 3 terms and that no Freeholder hold the Directorship for more than 2 consecutive years.
Burry and Democratic Freeholder Barbara McMorrow wouldn't provide a second to Little's resolution, citing a scholarly legal opinion by Malcolm Carton which said the resolution was against state law. Carton has previously gotten Barham in hot water by advising him that it was OK for him to sit in on discussions involving his businesses partner's cost overruns on the Hall of Records project. Maybe Carton told Barham he didn't have to go to planning board meetings. Former Deputy Director Rob Clifton didn't comment, nor did he second Little's resolution.
Jeff Cantor, who is currently the Republican candidate for the seat that Little holds, came out in favor of the term limits. Cantor and Adam Puharic received a reprimand from Barham the next day.
The Democratic candidates for Freeholder were stuck in traffic and couldn't comment.
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5 comments:
There is actually a law that allows the governing body to remove any person who does not show up at two consecutive months worth of meetings. Interesting...
I had similar comments about Bill et al. this morning...good post Will.
there is no republican energy and barham has a tin ear which is killing the party.
zero leadership from him - and that is so true that nobody says it anymore - simply nothing to feel that good about - as adam puharic whistles by...
"as adam puharic whistles by...
Sounds like a job for Lightshines.
Hughie Cannon has come back from the grave and seeing Bill Barham's attendance record, his work ethic, his appointments and, well, you know, suggests:
Won’t you go home, Bill Barham? You ain’t doin your job
We've moaned the whole year long
There’s applications, honey, that we’re approvin’
How would you know if they’re wrong
You know that one November
They’ll throw you out....with nothin' but a fine tooth comb
Ya, you know you’re to blame, now... you bring us shame
Bill Barham, won't you please go home
Won't you go home, Bill Barham, won't you go on home
We’ve moaned the whole year long
There ain’t no good news honey, while you’re MIA
You know, you did us, oh so, wrong
You know that one November
They’ll throw you out, a nothin but a worthless pol
You know that you’re to blame, now... you bring us shame
So baby, won't you go home
I said now, won't you please go
Bill Barham, won't you please.... go on home
The Asbury Park Press is not our friend.
Their business is to sell newspapers at all costs. They have the county in their sights. They may also have a Democratic agenda underneath it all.
Knowing all this, it makes absolutely no political sense to hand them the ammunition on a silver platter. If the Director's duties includes attending planning board meetings, then the Director should attend planning board meetings. If he can't make the meetings, other arrangements should be made.
With control up for grabs this year, Bill has handed the Democrats a potential campaign issue.
They can't blame this one on the blogs.
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