“You are always in a defensive posture,” East Garfield Avenue resident Chris Lucas told the Mayor and Council at last Wednesday’s council meeting in Atlantic Highlands.
The resident spoke twice during the public portion of the meeting, and while not finished saying what he had in mind, he added “I’m repeating myself” and sat down in frustration.
Lucas also expressed distress that the subject of regionalization was not only not on the agenda in order for residents to hear an update of the issue, Councilwoman Lori Hohenleitner said the subject was covered in the administrator’s report, drawing more frustration from the resident.
Lucas pointed out that not only Regionalization is an important enough matter to be included on the agenda for an update, but it was the very last item reported by the business administrator in his report. The resident proceeded to recommend how the matter could have been handled by the governing body on such an important and changing topic in order to keep the public informed.
Lucas said he was distressed by all he has heard at the meeting, citing the many questions Tracy Abby had asked concerning regionalization, many of which were his own as well, Harold Smith’s problems with his leases at the Yacht Harbor and the fact that no meeting has been set to continue the regionalization mediation five days after the meeting was held. That he said, he finds council’s manner “disconcerting.” He was disturbed to hear Smith when he said, “I do not have any confidence in the Harbor,” and other statements made during the meeting that suggest Council is behind or has not addressed in several areas, in addition to not keeping the public informed.
Mr. Lucas further warned the governing body. Apparently referring to the regionalization mediation designed to resolve cost sharing issues so the question can be put on the November ballot to let the voters decide whether they want a K-12 regional program for Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright, Lucas said “Time Kills deals,” before turning back from the microphone in frustration, concluding “I’m repeating myself.”
