Political Appointments 11/6/03
Political appointments of township board members, commissioners and professionals are an important part of our government. They serve as a vital system of checks, balances and advisory focus within our government.
Annually, the majority party is tempted to abuse this privilege of selection. By stacking the list with political supporters and cleansing the list of political opponents, the township committee creates a path of least resistance to the advancement of their agenda, but jeopardizes the integrity of a government designed to work in the best interest of all citizens.
The displacement of valued and dedicated appointees in favor of those whose strongest qualification is their party loyalty or major campaign contribution, has become an expected tradition at the yearly reorganization meeting of the township committee.
This practice is not good for the quality of life in Hazlet. Citizens wind up at the mercy of appointees who are more concerned with maintaining their position, than with the entity they were trusted to manage.
Professional appointments are positions granted to lawyers, engineers, and other consultants that advise the various boards and committees created to oversee the administration of municipal business or services to our township. These professionals submit their resumes, in many cases, along with their campaign contributions, to the political parties of each candidate with the hope of securing employment. Those that submit the most generous campaign checks will often receive an appointment.
Appointments of citizens to the various boards and committees, which include planning, zoning, recreation, environmental, sewerage authority, and several positions within the administration, are made at the new mayor’s discretion. The mayor is supposed to choose people with knowledge or expertise in the field that the board covers, or those who exhibit a true desire to help the elected government improve our community.
Each new administration should be vigilant not to displace anyone (professional or citizen) simply because of political affiliation. The mayor should consider cost, qualifications and experience before a replacement is appointed.
Those receiving appointments have the responsibility to take their position seriously. Dedication and conviction should be the means by which appointees retain their seat, even if that was not how they acquired their position.
Disciplined consideration must be given to laws governing each board. The planning board, for example, approves or disapproves certain projects based on a developer’s compliance with zoning and planning laws. Even if citizens do not want a 12-home sub-division in town, as long as the plan conforms to land use laws and does not require variances, the planning board members still must vote to approve the application, or they expose our township to a lawsuit.
Respecting the law in the face of controversy takes courage. I applaud those who take this seriously and vote accordingly. Our elected township committeepersons, not appointees, are responsible for acknowledging and changing the laws that do not reflect the desires of the residents.
Honest and vocal input is the responsibility of each serving member. Controversial issues are less likely to endure rational debate, if the primary concern of our appointees is to protect their seat or block the opposition from earning credit for doing what is best for the community.
Pay for play has been a hot topic recently. Contributions are an important part of running a successful campaign. Some townships have enacted legislation forbidding candidates from accepting any contributions from persons or companies seeking appointment, or currently doing business with the municipality.
It is unfortunate that our society feels the need to legislate honesty and integrity in our elected officials. Honest officials seek the advice of other board members and resist the urge to extract vengeance or reward corruption through his/her office. Principled elected officials put party affiliation aside and focus on what is best for the municipality.
I may be naïve in expecting honesty and integrity from government officials, but we need to start somewhere.
It begins with politicians who dutifully appoint candidates that have demonstrated the ability to lead toward the best interests of the citizens. It continues when we vote to install those whom we feel will best carry out these duties.
Democracy is designed to keep government in check by utilizing the ideas and abilities of a cross-section of the citizens that it governs.
When the system works correctly, the electorate eventually removes those who fail to exhibit moral fiber. Politicians that serve with integrity, honesty and in the best interest of all citizens are re-elected to continue serving their community.
Rich Kohler is a long-time Hazlet resident. Rich contributes regularly to the privately owned informational website, www.hazlet.info. Send comments and question to Rich at richkohler@comcast.net.
Annually, the majority party is tempted to abuse this privilege of selection. By stacking the list with political supporters and cleansing the list of political opponents, the township committee creates a path of least resistance to the advancement of their agenda, but jeopardizes the integrity of a government designed to work in the best interest of all citizens.
The displacement of valued and dedicated appointees in favor of those whose strongest qualification is their party loyalty or major campaign contribution, has become an expected tradition at the yearly reorganization meeting of the township committee.
This practice is not good for the quality of life in Hazlet. Citizens wind up at the mercy of appointees who are more concerned with maintaining their position, than with the entity they were trusted to manage.
Professional appointments are positions granted to lawyers, engineers, and other consultants that advise the various boards and committees created to oversee the administration of municipal business or services to our township. These professionals submit their resumes, in many cases, along with their campaign contributions, to the political parties of each candidate with the hope of securing employment. Those that submit the most generous campaign checks will often receive an appointment.
Appointments of citizens to the various boards and committees, which include planning, zoning, recreation, environmental, sewerage authority, and several positions within the administration, are made at the new mayor’s discretion. The mayor is supposed to choose people with knowledge or expertise in the field that the board covers, or those who exhibit a true desire to help the elected government improve our community.
Each new administration should be vigilant not to displace anyone (professional or citizen) simply because of political affiliation. The mayor should consider cost, qualifications and experience before a replacement is appointed.
Those receiving appointments have the responsibility to take their position seriously. Dedication and conviction should be the means by which appointees retain their seat, even if that was not how they acquired their position.
Disciplined consideration must be given to laws governing each board. The planning board, for example, approves or disapproves certain projects based on a developer’s compliance with zoning and planning laws. Even if citizens do not want a 12-home sub-division in town, as long as the plan conforms to land use laws and does not require variances, the planning board members still must vote to approve the application, or they expose our township to a lawsuit.
Respecting the law in the face of controversy takes courage. I applaud those who take this seriously and vote accordingly. Our elected township committeepersons, not appointees, are responsible for acknowledging and changing the laws that do not reflect the desires of the residents.
Honest and vocal input is the responsibility of each serving member. Controversial issues are less likely to endure rational debate, if the primary concern of our appointees is to protect their seat or block the opposition from earning credit for doing what is best for the community.
Pay for play has been a hot topic recently. Contributions are an important part of running a successful campaign. Some townships have enacted legislation forbidding candidates from accepting any contributions from persons or companies seeking appointment, or currently doing business with the municipality.
It is unfortunate that our society feels the need to legislate honesty and integrity in our elected officials. Honest officials seek the advice of other board members and resist the urge to extract vengeance or reward corruption through his/her office. Principled elected officials put party affiliation aside and focus on what is best for the municipality.
I may be naïve in expecting honesty and integrity from government officials, but we need to start somewhere.
It begins with politicians who dutifully appoint candidates that have demonstrated the ability to lead toward the best interests of the citizens. It continues when we vote to install those whom we feel will best carry out these duties.
Democracy is designed to keep government in check by utilizing the ideas and abilities of a cross-section of the citizens that it governs.
When the system works correctly, the electorate eventually removes those who fail to exhibit moral fiber. Politicians that serve with integrity, honesty and in the best interest of all citizens are re-elected to continue serving their community.
Rich Kohler is a long-time Hazlet resident. Rich contributes regularly to the privately owned informational website, www.hazlet.info. Send comments and question to Rich at richkohler@comcast.net.
posted by Rich Kohler at 9:26 PM
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