VILLAS — In a unanimous vote, Lower Township Council agreed Mon. March 5 to send Mayor Michael Beck and Ward One Councilman Tom Conrad to meet with county Freeholders regarding economic development at the county airport.
The decision was a reversal of a suggestion by Deputy Mayor Kevin Lare to send himself and Ward Two Councilman Walter Craig and Township Manager Michael Voll to meet with freeholders.
At council’s Feb. 22 meeting, Ward Three Councilman Glenn Douglass asked why the councilperson for Ward One, Tom Conrad, in which the airport is located, was not asked to serve on the special committee.
In addition, at that meeting, Beck asked why he was not asked to represent Lower Township since he served as mayor. He suggested Lare and himself meet with freeholders regarding economic development at the airport.
At Monday’s meeting, Lare said he had given the committee much thought.
“I think this issue is bigger than any one person on council,” he said.
Lare said he shared a great deal of optimism about the renewed interest in the airport with Freeholder Will Morey.
Lare said he thought all five members of council were “equal in their duties with no one member possessing ideas superior to another.” He removed his name for consideration as a committee member asking he be replaced by Conrad who represents the ward where the airport is located.
Lare also said Beck should serve on the committee.
Future committees may need to be established said Lare, in particular, to look at a countywide emergency dispatch center.
Conrad said council could “go back to kindergarten,” and take turns serving on committees.
“We have to make decisions for the best of this township and that’s only from knowledge and we have to share the knowledge,” he said.
Conrad asked for frequent updates from committees.
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