Politics & Government

Deputy Mayor Purdy: I'm Not Going to Let This Township Become a Mockery

Purdy was referencing the events involving outgoing Township Clerk Lisa Tilton over the last few months.

A night that began with Galloway Township Council members showing gratitude to Karen Bacon for stepping up in the clerk’s office over the past few months featured a councilman calling for Galloway to find a way to recover fees lost from “recent problems” and ended with the deputy mayor stating he was tired of his township becoming a “mockery.”

“I was born in this township, I have kids in the schools, I have businesses in the township. This is a good township and people don’t realize it because of what’s been going on,” Deputy Mayor Don Purdy said during the council meeting on Tuesday night, Sept. 27. “I’m tired of it. I’m not going to let this township become a mockery.

“Everywhere I go, I have to hear ‘What’s going on in Galloway?’ What do you say? I’ve had enough and I’m going to do everything I can to put an end to it, and if that means I have to take the helm, I’ll do it, and it starts now.”

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Purdy was referencing the ongoing situation involving outgoing Township Clerk Lisa Tilton, who was suspended in June and, subsequently reached an agreement with the township to resign as clerk effective Oct. 3. The agreement was reached following a special hearing July 18, and Tilton has been using the rest of her vacation and comp time since.

However, since that hearing Tilton has filed tort claim notices against the Atlantic County Board of Elections, Atlantic County, the Galloway Township Republican League, Galloway Republican League Spokesperson Terry Lucarelli and all members of Galloway Township Council with the exception of Mayor Keith Hartman, as well as Township Manager Steve Bonanni, Deputy Clerk Carol Hackney and Bacon. The total amount Tilton claims is $6 million, including $3 million against the township.

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On Tuesday night, Councilman Jim Gorman requested that Bonanni look into ways the township can recover its money following the summer’s events.

“It’s been a mess, and it’s taken away from certain offices,” Gorman said. “We need to look at ways to get that money back.”

In a statement he read at the meeting, Bonanni denied the day-to-day operations were being "bogged down" by recent events.

"It's disheartening to have anyone file a claim against Karen and Carol when they stepped in to help out," he said.

“These huge distractions have reached the point of being ridiculous,” Councilman Tony Coppola said. “It’s costing the taxpayers a lot of money and it has to end.”

Township Solicitor Michael Blee suggested that conversation be held in closed session, and Purdy responded with his comments.

“We can’t do this anymore,” Purdy said. “We have families that can’t feed their children. I’m tired of it. I've had enough of the OPRA requests, and I’m going on the record as saying it’s over.”

“I’m completely distraught over the comments made this evening (by Purdy)," Tilton said. “I will not placate to their political games or personal threats. I will have my attorney review tape of the meeting immediately.”

Hartman, who was absent from Tuesday night’s meeting, agreed with Purdy’s comments when reached for comment later Tuesday night.

“Nobody likes to hear anything negative about their township,” Hartman said. “As for taking the helm, in my absence he has had the helm. He’s been doing it for the past few months.”

He also indicated he has been "left out of the loop" on discussions concerning township issues. He isn't involved in any discussions concerning the tort claim notice because he was excluded from the claim, but he also stated there are other matters which are discussed in his absence that he is not made aware of until much later.

Hartman suspended his re-election campaign two weeks ago, on the date that served as the deadline to withdraw from the race. However, his name is still on the ballot for the November election.

He has also missed the last three council meetings.

Tilton had been serving as a member of Hartman’s campaign before it was suspended. She maintains that Hartman wasn’t named in the tort claim against the township because he recused himself from the July 18 hearing.

In August, Kimberly Hodsdon was appointed as the new township clerk, effective Oct. 4. Since June 10, Hackney has been the primary clerk, and has been receiving assistance from Bacon.

Bacon, a former Galloway Township Clerk, was retired before being asked to return part-time for the township. With Hodsdon ready to take over the position next week, Bacon can return to her retirement.

On Tuesday night, she received a gift from the township council, presented to her by Bonanni.

“Karen did a great job when she was here,” Bonanni said. “She did us a huge favor by coming back, and she helped a lot of people.”

“All it took was one phone call, and Karen said, ‘Whatever I can do to help, I’ll do,’” Purdy said.

She also received various praise from members of council

“She has been one of the great employees Galloway has,” Coppola said. “She’s always been professional and a pleasure to deal with, and I appreciate what she did for us.”

“Nine or 10 years ago, she was a mentor to me,” Councilman Tom Bassford said. “She always had an open door policy, and she didn’t hesitate to come back.”


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