Local News - Ex-Democrat only Republican left on Committee

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Kennedy said this will not put any added pressure on him.

"I'm not a devout Republican, just like I was never a devout Democrat. I just do what I think is right. If anything, it puts less pressure on me," said Kennedy of the fact he will no longer represent the tiebreaking vote when the two parties disagree. "Even if I don't agree with something, the vote will still be 4-1."

The rift between Kennedy and the Democratic Party began last year after Democratic Committeeman Michael St. Amour testified that Kennedy was the aggressor in a confrontation and brief physical encounter with a township resident at a school board meeting.

In January, St. Amour and Democratic Committeeman Bernard Graebener then voted to block the township from reimbursing Kennedy's lawyer in that case, which was later dismissed.

The local Democratic Club then called on Kennedy to resign from his position on the Atlantic County Democratic Committee, citing his "desire to not affiliate with the local Democratic Club and local Democratic elected officials."

The letter was signed by 16 people, including St. Amour and Graebener and the newly elected Susan Polk and Anthony Gabris.

St. Amour said, at that time, that Kennedy should have also resigned from the Township Committee because he felt Kennedy had "lost his moral compass" and that St. Amour had lost any confidence in Kennedy's ability to do what's right.

St. Amour said he is willing to put the past behind them.

"I want to look at this as a fresh start for everyone. I plan to be as open as I can to what Bill's ideas are and what Bill's input is," said St. Amour, adding that he felt the Republicans kept him and Graebener in the dark on issues. "I don't want Bill to have to feel the way we have been treated over the last year."

Meanwhile, outgoing Republican Mayor Janet Forman said she does not think the local Republican Club will turn to Kennedy to be its voice and that it will be up to the public to challenge the actions of the Township Committee.

"The two (Democratic) committee people up front got exactly what they wanted from this election. Two handpicked candidates getting elected who don't have opinions of their own," Forman said. "I may not be running for re-election, but I will be here and (outgoing Committeewoman) Kathy Chasey will be here to make sure they stick to their promise of transparency and don't do anything to jeopardize the people of Mullica."

Forman said she is optimistic that Township Committee's new makeup won't do anything to damage the quality of life in Mullica.

"On the important things, we always agree. It was the petty stuff that we disagreed on," she said. "I just hope they don't change Mullica. I like it the way it is. All this 'Keep Mullica Green' stuff is overhyped. Mullica is plenty green and I hope they keep it that way."

St. Amour said next year the Township Committee would take a long hard look at some of the measures passed in the past year to make sure they "made sense or were even necessary."

"I think the outcome of this election shows that the people of Mullica wanted change," he said. "I don't expect any wholesale changes. But I do anticipate for there to be some changes here and there."

Kennedy said he is optimistic that the Township Committee will work well together and even congratulated Polk for her victory prior to Tuesday night's committee meeting.

"This isn't brain surgery," Kennedy told her. "It's not a hard job. We make it hard."

Contact Robert Spahr:

609-272-7283

RSpahr@pressofac.com