The heart of the matter

The hub-bub regarding Councilwoman Jean Murphy's behavior at Vernon council meetings is not the real issue at heart. On Jan. 1, 2014, the Vernon Township Council adopted Resolution #14-02 at its annual reorganization meeting that designates Township Council meeting dates and work session dates for the calendar year. Months after its adoption, Councilwoman Murphy discovered there were two versions of the resolution, the one the council adopted on Jan. 1, decreeing action may be taken at regular council meetings, and a second amended version by former Township Clerk Susan Nelson, to add the words "and work sessions." The added words imply the Council can take action at work sessions as well as council meetings, even though Ms. Nelson never got council approval to add them. A brouhaha erupted at the Oct. 27 council meeting when Councilwoman Murphy openly commented on this issue. Councilman Rizzuto stated that maybe Town Clerk Nelson "made a mistake." Was this yet another "mistake" in the multitude of errors credited to our former clerk, or perhaps just a parting gift before her retirement on Jan. 24, 2014? In any event, the Vernon Council has subsequently taken action at work sessions, heedless of Resolution #14-02 voted on by the council on Jan. 1.

Township Attorney Kevin Kelly has confirmed there are indeed two versions of Resolution #14-02. Ms. Murphy has expressed her concern that the "Open Public Meetings Act" (OPMA) or "Sunshine Law," is being disregarded by Township officials and that information is NOT free flowing, accurate or available in Vernon. Isn't this the real heart of the matter?

Bonnie Rubin
Highland Lakes