Accusations Against Former Clerk Are Unfounded

To the Editor:

Over the past several months, many residents have been confused as to the status of Galloway Township. There have been several management changes, top official changes and the governing body is in turmoil.  

Everyone has had a voice except me, until now. I am one of many in the middle of what some have called disruption in Galloway Township.  

In my opinion, Galloway Township is a great place to live and work. I was an employee with Galloway for 10 years. I worked my way up from the bottom, to a successful position as township clerk, a job I purely loved and dedicated many hours to, above and beyond a normal work week. That was also a position I left in October 2011, and I enjoyed serving the residents of Galloway and providing the services needed and required.  

Over the past couple weeks, several individuals have made accusations and statements not only against me, but family and friends of mine. I am setting the record straight and defending myself and others against those accusations.  

An accusation made as quoted by Dennis Kleiner in The Current read, “Keith manipulated (former clerk) Lisa Tilton into making a false claim against me.” He said it was done in retribution for not supporting one of Hartman’s appointments.

This accusation is grossly inaccurate. Dennis Kleiner released to The Press of Atlantic City that he was the councilman named in a investigation from an employee complaint. I was that employee and I was never manipulated by Keith Hartman. What Dennis Kleiner fails to realize is there are documents and witnesses stating the pure facts surrounding this investigation.  

As I stated previously, I made a statement in a meeting with the township manager and township solicitor in February 2011. The statement I made concerned the solicitor, who felt it needed to be investigated further by an outside attorney. I never made a written complaint against Dennis Kleiner; in fact, I agreed to settle the complaint after I was told the investigation was "founded."

I agreed at that time not to pursue the complaint to council for a hearing on Dennis Kleiner. I was told multiple times that if I proceeded with the investigation, it could hurt my chance to be re-appointed as township clerk by the governing body in November 2011, as well as potentially cost Dennis Kleiner his Republican bid for Atlantic County Freeholder earlier this year at the Republican convention.

The other statement that continues to be said by Dennis Kleiner, as stated in The Current, “Purdy’s text messages and audio recordings show they are clearly more than friends. Neither Don or I want to release them. We’ve never said exactly what’s in them. That would be embarrassing to them and their families.”  
Dennis Kleiner again fails to realize what really is contained in all of the "text messages" and "voice recordings" that are in the possession of Don Purdy. Not just the three sentences he alleges prove his claim, which they do not.  

But first, I am deeply concerned why Don Purdy felt it necessary to save text messages that he once stated to me were intercepted by the township, and further, why he has "voice recordings" from May 12 and May 15, two 20-minute phone conversations taped from his residence, which he contacted me from.  

A voice recording he was well aware of having prior to my hearing and never revealed the recordings until now! The text messages and voice recordings will clearly refute Kleiner's claim. What it will show, amongst other things,  are the mysteries in this case cracked wide open.

Those "text messages" and "voice recordings" are part of the purged items from my agreement with the township, yet, still continue to be brought up by Dennis Kleiner.

Last accusation made was that my litigation against several public entities,  including Galloway Township, was initiated by Keith Hartman. That statement is not only false, but is further grossly inaccurate. I choose not to speak in length about the litigation, but will indicate my litigation is just that: my litigation.

Keith Hartman was not and will not be part of any litigation I have against any entities. Keith Hartman recused himself the night of my hearing from anything involving me, therefore leaving no liability against him. I requested Dennis Kleiner and Don Purdy to recuse themselves from my hearing. They both refused and chose to stay. That was their decision as evident in the  closed session minutes released by the township.

I have stated nothing other than pure facts. I will continue to remain professional but also will not allow my name and others to be defamed by public officials or individuals of the same.

Lisa Tilton
Former Township Clerk of Galloway Township