VILLAS – The final Lower Township Council meeting for 2016 was held Dec. 19.
Mayor Michael Beck and Deputy Mayor Norris Clark both gave their final good-bye messages to the people of Lower Township.
Clark spoke about his gratitude to the people of the township, but also praised Beck for recruiting him to public service. He listed several initiatives that he and Beck had worked to accomplish during the last eight years and credited Beck as being the ultimate public servant who governed based on what was best for the people, rather than politics.
He noted that even his political foes respected Beck and his dedication to the people.
For his part, Beck first thanked “the Lord” for giving him this time to serve the people of the township.
He expressed his personal philosophy that you just do your best, even when you have to “take a punch” along the way. He wished the council well and thanked Clark for his intelligence and dedication to the people of Lower Township.
He hoped that Clark would continue to serve in another capacity going forward. Beck noted that one regret he has is that over the last 10 years or so of his 16 years in public office, he has seen a noticeable decline in citizen involvement.
He recalled that 10 years ago, budget hearings would routinely draw a hundred people or more, but now, only 15 or so people bother to show up at meetings.
He also noted that only the older residents seem to stay informed and involved in the process, and this indifference among younger people is a real problem for democracy.
Both Beck and Clark received plaques from the council citing their service to the community.
Council, Mayoral Pay Hike
In other township business, an ordinance that raises the salary of the township’s elected officials was passed by a 3-2 vote, with the mayor and deputy mayor opposing this action that becomes effective in January 2017.
This was in keeping with Beck and Clark’s heated opposition to the first reading of this ordinance on Dec. 5 when both decried the idea of any public servant voting themselves a raise.
The ordinance increases the base salary by $3,000 per year; the mayoral salary range will be set at $18,000 to $18,500, and council salary range will be set at $15,000 to $15,500.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
