Mayor’s Daughter’s Hiring Decried

WEST WILDWOOD – “You’re taking a diametrically different view against us,” Charles Chepak said May 1, accusing West Wildwood Mayor Christopher Fox and commissioners of conspiracy.
In a late agenda item, Nicole Fox, the mayor’s daughter, was appointed as a full-time officer on the borough police department. Audible gasps filled Borough Hall as the resolution was read. The mayor abstained from the vote while Commissioners Scott Golden and Cornelius Maxwell voted yes.
Chepak, along with Susan Czwalina, Kate Sampson, and others, challenged the commissioners’ actions. Residents criticized the administration’s lack of risk management practices.
“We’re (borough) asking for trouble here,” resident Helen Rao said. Rao claimed trouble could come as Nicole Fox would report to Chief Jacquelyn Ferentz who shares a home with the mayor.
MaryAnn Walsh asked if second appointee to the police department, Brandon Turner, is “Nicole’s boyfriend.”
“I’m very sad you would say that,” Mayor Fox replied. According to the mayor, Turner is not in a relationship with Nicole Fox. Turner was a Class II officer who was appointed to a full-time officer.
Mayor Fox said Nicole Fox is “qualified and certified.”
“She’s (Nicole) lived here all her life,” the mayor said. “You would skip over her because there might be conflict later?”
Resident Steve Klein countered, “You’re (Mayor Fox) putting her (Nicole) in a bad place.”
Members of the Concerned Taxpayers of West Wildwood also questioned Borough Solicitor William Blaney regarding Ferentz’s “pre-Brady” letter.
The letter had been discussed at the April 3 meeting and, according to Mayor Fox, he had no idea such a letter existed.
Blaney explained the purpose of a Brady letter. Such a letter is issued to officers who have either lied or misrepresented facts. The information is then given to a defense attorney representing a client charged with a crime by said officer.
According to Blaney, the Cape May County court system recognizes a “pre-Brady letter.”
Blaney contacted the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, asking if Ferentz could be removed from the list of officers issued Brady letters. According to Blaney, the prosecutor said no.
Media sources indicate that commissioners voted to appoint special counsel to look into the “appropriateness” of Ferentz being on the list. Counsel may challenge the listing.
Residents asked if the commissioners would knowingly hire (or rehire) an officer issued a Brady letter.
“I would offer everyone a fair opportunity for employment,” Golden said.
“I would go with what the solicitor says,” Maxwell answered. Maxwell would not give further explanation for a “hypothetical” situation.  
“You’d have to look at everything,” Mayor Fox said. “Most officers on the list in Cape May County have not been terminated.”
The mayor claimed he was unaware of the letter and referred to the disciplinary charges brought against her in 2010 as “a pack of lies.”
Because Ferentz was not given a RICE notice, Blaney said further discussion of her was not proper. Such a notice must be provided to an employee that personnel matters involving the individual will be discussed at a future public session.
Chepak reproached commissioners for not adopting a nepotism ordinance. In past meetings, Blaney explained such an ordinance would put the majority of Cape May County out of work.
Residents expressed concerns that Nicole Fox was destined to become police chief when Mayor Fox and Ferentz “take off” with her $1.7-million jury award.
“I’m charging you three supervisors (commissioners), your solicitor, and your administrator with conspiracy,” Chepak said.
Fox said he respects residents’ opinions but holds to his position: Ferentz was never guilty; she was mistreated and rightfully brought back in 2012.
According to Borough Administrator Christopher Ridings, the borough was appealing the Atlantic County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund’s (JIF) decision not to cover Ferentz’s jury award. Oral arguments were not scheduled as of May 2.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.