No Empathy
With the Atlantic Highlands Harbor Commission apparently continuing to NOT care whether visually handicapped people can participate in their meetings like everyone else, and with the Mayor and Council continuing to decline to direct the Commission that even disabled persons have the right to know what’s going on at meetings and have a say in them, it is necessary for me to resort to recordings in order to learn what is happening, though I still cannot exercise my right to speak and participate like everyone else.
Because of the poor recording equipment and the rude interruption of persons from the public by members of the Commission, it isn’t even always possible to hear what’s going on.
Given these caveats, writing about what happens at a meeting I cannot attend but should be able to hear leaves the possibility there may be some mistakes in my writing. Any mistakes would not be a case of mea culpa, rather, they would be a case of the Harbor Commission not caring about the public’s right to participate. But here is what I culled from the other night’s harbor commission meeting, the last under this administration.
Amazing what they accomplish in a meeting less than 13 minutes long.
Lori Hohenleitner
While Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner congratulated staff not once but twice, she did it for good reason. She praised whoever on the staff is responsible for collecting all the fees the commission is owed, and then how terrific the commission is faring now, and in good shape to make its annual ‘donation’ to the borough to offset taxes.
That’s great, and I agree with the councilwoman.
Bills
But within that same 13 minutes, the five members of the Commission who attended the meeting, without a single question, approved the payment of bills for two months. Those bills totaled more than a quarter of a million dollars…$392,015.68 to be exact.
WOW.
Attorney’s Report
But the attorney’s report was brief and didn’t say much. Michael Dupont did not say what is happening, what’s been discussed, or heck, whether he has even told to the lessee what is going on concerning that $1.5 million building. That is the one built by Kappa Construction, approved and leased while not in conformance with the building code or certificate of occupancy regulations. The same building that lease Capt. Harold Smith has been complaining about for 2 years. Dupont’s report said simply “it’s proceeding.”
End of report.
Mark Fisher
Resident Mark Fisher had asked that the administrator’s report be made available at meetings to all interested residents, but that did not happen. Chairman Thomas Wall noted this is the last meeting under this administration, he thought there would be no problem with that happening next year, but suggested to Fisher that if he still doesn’t have it in two months or so, let them know.
WOW.
Captain Smith
Capt. Smith, who has been patient and calm for most meetings, sounds like he is losing his patience with the lack of information, lack of work, and “decisions made in the back room.” He pointed out, as did Fisher, that at the last meeting, the Commission set Dec. 10 for the deadline for completing all the work necessary on the building. When Wall said it was completed, Smith countered not at all. Not only was he told by the harbormaster that a plumber was hired to do the job, came and ‘repaired’ it, until it rained and leaked again, but he or no one else ever saw any approvals that the firm was even hired. That defines a lack of transparency, Smith said.
Nor were all Improvements made as reported, he continued. Wall, ever the peacemaker at his last meeting as chairman, countered that “we’re moving forward” and that should be worth something. He reminded Smith that the commission had gotten ‘screwed’ by the contractor, to which Smith responded, It was because the work was not supervised.
WOW
Camaraderie
Moving to in the hopes of ending the meeting with some camaraderie, Wall congratulated Commission employee Jessica McLane for being named by the Mayor and Council as the Employee of the Month.
He also congratulated the harbor commissioners for their volunteerism and interest in the harbor, as well as the residents who attend meetings because they are interested in knowing and promoting is good for the town. Wall said the input of residents is appreciated He also expressed the hope that in 2023 the commission can continue to more forward in a more positive manner.
