Crowd Lauds Mahon, Chides Dems For Not Doing More to Retain Her

COURT HOUSE – A larger than usual crowd attended the Sept. 7 Middle Township Committee meeting to express appreciation for the work of Township Administrator Connie Mahon who has resigned her position and will be taking the similar position in Wildwood Crest. Mahon’s last day with the township will be Nov. 29. 
According to an earlier release from Committee member Timothy Donohue last month, Mahon had made her search for other employment known to the committee, but Donohue said at this week’s meeting that no effort was made by his colleagues on committee to make accommodations to retain Mahon.
“I am perplexed by the situation,” Donohue said. “Connie did not ask for more money,” he said.
According to Donohue, Mahon wanted the security of a renewed contract for three years. Her present contract runs through April 2017.
Mayor Michael Clark indicated that he and Deputy Mayor Jeffrey DeVico felt that it was too early to begin the process of renegotiating that contract.
Donohue praised the job Mahon had done in Middle Township. That theme was picked up by many members of the public who stood to laud Mahon and thank her for her efforts.
Democrats on the committee, Clark, and DeVico, directly and indirectly, took criticism for not acting in time to dissuade Mahon from leaving.
Daniel Lockwood, a Republican running against Clark for a seat on the committee Nov. 8, called the inaction evidence of “a complete failure of this administration to hold key employees.”
His reference was to the recent departures of Chief Financial Officer John Clifford and Deputy Clerk Suzanne Stocker. “This is a trend now,” Lockwood said.
Clark was asked if the township uses exit interviews as a means to learn patterns in departures that might point to areas of concern. He responded that it does, but under further questioning said he had not received exit interviews for either Clifford or Stocker.
Stocker stood in the audience to inform the mayor that any exit interview for her would not tell him why she left because that question was never asked as part of the interview. Clark promised to follow up with human resources about the process.
The fact that Lockwood is running for election caused Sam Kelly to say that Lockwood’s remarks had turned the meeting into “a campaign headquarters.”
Kelly urged Clark and DeVico especially to make sure that the appointment of a new administrator is not someone “whose livelihood is tied to one political party.”
In turn, another member of the public accused Kelly of a purely partisan set of remarks.
Whatever position was taken, all seemed to agree that the vacancy created by Mahon’s departure is a critical one in the township and that great care needed to be taken to fill it with the most capable person available. Clark promised a search would start soon.
Cape Express
Nearing the end of a very long road, the Committee approved a resolution ratifying a 20-year lease agreement with Cape Express for land at the Okie Wisting sports complex in Rio Grande.
That was a necessary step as the long-awaited project nears the finish line and construction of what is called a “state-of-the-art facility” at the complex.
Again, Mahon’s effort to “stop the finish line from moving away from us” received praise.
Other Business
Committee finally adopted a formal resolution ratifying the agreement to participate in the county animal shelter following months of debate. This resolution, which amended one that had contained 2015 fees for the first part of 2016, made clear the township’s acceptance of the new county charges for municipal participation.
The committee passed a resolution acknowledging the 50th anniversary of Atlantic Cape Community College.
College President Dr. Peter Mora received the Mayor’s Certificate of Honor.
The resolution detailed Atlantic Cape’s history beginning as Atlantic County Community College in 1966, only the second college to be organized by the state.
From its original home in facilities rented from Atlantic City High School to its main campus in Mays Landing, the resolution recapped Atlantic Cape’s growth and service to the community, including the establishment of satellite campuses in Atlantic City and Court House. 
Mora said that 50 percent of the nation’s undergraduates are enrolled in community colleges. He said these unique two-year institutions exist to ensure that no one is denied an opportunity to pursue a higher education.
Citing the fact that he has announced his intention to retire at year-end, Mora said a search committee was working hard to select a new leader for the college. He promised a smooth transition.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.