Rift in U.F. government grows at reorg meeting
Many voice opposition to Fleischacker's second term as mayor
BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer

Upper Freehold Township Administrator Barbara Bascom issues the oath of office to Committeeman Stephen Alexander, who was elected to another three-year term in November, while his daughter, Analise, holds the Bible.

Former Upper Freehold mayors called for a change in the form of government that would put the power of electing a mayor into the hands of voters.

Statements about changing the way the township's mayor is selected were made at the Jan. 4 reorganization and subsequent business meetings, which were the most rancorous in recent memory.

After Stephen Alexander was sworn in for his second term of office and Robert Faber was sworn in for his first term, they took their seats on the dais. Township Committeeman William Miscoski, who served as deputy mayor last year, then nominated Stephen Fleischacker, who served as mayor last year, for the mayoral position again, and Committeeman David Reed seconded the motion. Next, Faber nominated Alexander for mayor, and Alexander seconded that motion.

The Township Committee voted and again chose Fleischacker to serve as mayor and Miscoski as deputy mayor, but the 3-2 votes on both appointments met with a great deal of criticism.

In the public portion of the meeting, former Mayor Bob Abrams called Fleischacker a "dictator."

Abrams said, "I think it is time for us to change to a form of government where we vote for mayor."

He told Fleischacker, "You've already stacked the Planning Board."

Former Mayor John Mele said that while he dreads hearing the concept of a change in government, the Township Committee's actions that night could force a change. Mele said it was obvious that the current Township Committee members would never work well together.

"It's terrible, from my perspective," he said

Another former mayor, Fred Kniesler, said the township has become very divisive and that he is very discouraged.

"Times change," Kniesler said. "An elected mayor is the first step in a new change process. You have to take a serious look at what people want."

Kniesler suggested issuing a questionnaire to residents about important township issues.

"There is a silent majority out here, the extent of which is terrifying," Kniesler said. "They will roll out someday to a not-so-silent majority, and you'll wonder what the hell happened."

Former Mayor David Horsnall said he was disappointed with how the reorganization went. He said he was unalterably opposed to the suggested master plan revisions that would create high-density housing in the town.

"You already have a problem with budget issues regarding growth," he said.

Resident Lori Mount said she was disappointed that the Township Committee did not appoint Alexander as mayor. Alexander is now serving his fourth year on the committee. Fleischacker became mayor last year in his second year of office, as did Sal Diecidue, who served as mayor in 2005.

Resident Tim Reilly agreed with Mount and with the idea that residents should choose the mayor. Reilly called Reed a "puppet" of Fleischacker and Miscoski, saying it is ridiculous that Alexander has not yet served as mayor.

Resident Sue Kozel, who said it was unforgivable that Alexander was not made mayor this year, accused Fleischacker of appointing to the Planning and Zoning boards people who would undermine the rural nature of the township and its country code.

Tom Battaglia also expressed disappointment that Alexander was not chosen as mayor, saying that the majority of the Township Committee is no longer governing with the majority of the people.

"I don't think the decision you are making is in the best interests of the town," he told the committee.

Some residents defended the committee's vote. Lenny Yanchar said that in his opinion, those opposing the vote are apparently about one issue - planning.

"My grandson will never be able to afford to live in this town," Yanchar said. "It's not about your children, it's about the next generation. Are you part of the problem?"

Allentown resident Micah Rasmussen said that Allentown and Upper Freehold "are in this together."

"There are fine people up here, fine leadership up here," Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen, who formerly worked as a spokesman for Gov. James McGreevey, said he has worked with hundreds of mayors in his career and that Fleischacker is one of the most intelligent and creative. Rasmussen said he feels Fleischacker is not in the position for selfish reasons.

Gerald Nathanson said he thinks the Planning Board is trying to come up with a master plan to balance all conflicting needs. He said that anyone who would compare the village center concept endorsed in the master plan revision to a town center like the one in Robbinsville is using a political ploy to advance his own agenda.

Marc Covitz had initially joined Rasmussen, Nathanson and two other community members in filing a petition to set aside the results of the December 2004 school referendum. However, he later decided to withdraw his name from the document. He also disagreed with them on the mayoralty issue.

"I hope Steve Alexander and Bob Faber do not get behind this mayor," he said. "I hope they stand tall and convince Dave Reed and Bill Miscoski that we are moving in the wrong direction."

Covitz said the town does not need a village center or 3,000 more houses, which are proposed revisions to the master plan. Covitz said the mayor should worry about the equity of the majority of residents in town, not the town's 10-12 large landowners.

Reed said he voted for Fleischacker as mayor because he did an excellent job last year in the position. He called Fleischacker one of the most organized persons he ever met.

"He's very smart," Reed said. "He can explain everything on the agenda and did more work than anyone on the Township Committee."

Reed said that most people in the audience did not know Fleischacker and that the mayor has the very best interests in mind for the town.

"I think it is an embarrassment the way some people acted up here," he said.

Miscoski said that being the mayor is not a popularity contest.

"Not one person who has served as mayor in this township has worked harder than Steve Fleischacker," he said, calling him the brightest, hardest-working mayor the township has ever had.

"If we had an elected mayor, I would campaign for [Fleischacker] until my eyes fell out," he said.

Miscoski also criticized residents who do not regularly attend township meetings.

"Just don't come here once a year and say how bad we are," he said.

Miscoski said all residents have the opportunity to attend meetings twice a month and to be part of the decision-making process. He said that people in the audience need to learn that just because they have an opinion doesn't mean it's the only one that exists.

Alexander said that while he disagreed with the committee's decision, he would be civil, and he asked the audience to be civil as well. He said he was nominated as mayor because he wanted the public to know he was interested in the position and did not want backdoor deals.

Although Alexander said, "I don't like the direction we are going in," he said he would work with and respect Fleischacker.

Fleischacker said one of the problems with reorganization is that "it brings out the emotions of the community."

He said that one reason he wanted to continue as mayor is that there are many differences of opinion on the key issue of land use planning.

"If we had that licked, how much difference of opinion would we have?" he asked.

Fleischacker said the issue would require compromise that would not make everybody happy.

"You can't get it all your way," he said.

Fleischacker said that Faber and Alexander advocate a certain type of zoning, while the rest of the committee is supportive of the suggested revisions for the master plan. He said that every other community in the state has gone through the same thing.

"Where have we stopped sprawl?" he asked.

Fleischacker said that communities get so tied up in politics that they don't solve the problem.