Gavan should not be confirmed as judge

At Sussex Borough’s public meeting on March 3, there were lengthy discussions concerning whether or not the governing body should send a resolution to Governor Christie requesting that he not approve Mr. Gavan as judge in Wantage Township where Sussex Borough and Stillwater participate in shared court services.

Present and former Wantage officials (Bassani and DeBoar) as well as Sussex Borough’s planning board members and friends testified at length as to what a “great guy” Mr. Gavan is.

The Saiber Report dated Aug. 18, 2014, was discussed and its findings debated.

On page 24 of the Saiber report it states: "After speaking with each of the three Trustees who had relationships with CP, it became apparent that none of them recognized or appreciated what the College’s Ethics Code or New Jersey law required of them when votes relating to CP came before the College’s Board."

The following information was presented to me after the March 3 meeting:

From the Sussex County Community College’s Board of Trustees Regular Meeting minutes dated Tuesday, April 23, 2013, Page 6 of 8, item 6.5 reads: Recommendation: Approval of Board Code of Ethics Policy. Judge Parker moved to approve the Board Code of Ethics Policy. Mr. Leppert seconded the motion.

Roll call vote: Dr. Andrews, Mr.Leppert, Judge Parker, Mr. Scanlan, Mr. Senker, Mr. Vetrano, Mrs. Yaskovic and Mr. Gavan voted YES. Motion carried unanimously."

Interestingly, the Saiber report never mentioned this vote. This fact brings up a question as to the validity and thoroughness of the report. How can anyone who voted for this code of ethics claim not to know what it required of them? I wonder if Judge Gavan would accept ignorance of the law to be reason for the actions of Sussex Borough residents coming before him to be excused without consequence? I certainly see a precedent.

It is not too late in the process for the governing bodies and residents of Sussex, Stillwater or Wantage to do the right and ethical thing and request the governor not approve this appointment. This certainly would be in the best interest of the residents of Sussex Borough, Wantage and Stillwater.

There is a huge difference between someone who you would like to have a beer with and someone who has impeccable qualities which would make for a judge to admire and look up to. One whose rulings and abilities would be respected and not questioned.

I am extremely disappointed with the Advertiser-News North for not reporting on this important information which puts a new and unflattering light on the Saiber Report, the appointment of Mr. Gavan as a judge as well as the claims of two other SCCC Board members.

Linda Masson Sussex Borough