Pikolycky’s Pineland Appointment Criticized as Not ‘Transparent,’

CREST HAVEN – Lack of transparency in the freeholders’ selection of Woodbine Mayor William Pikolycky as the county’s appointee to the New Jersey Pinelands Commission drew ire of three women Jan. 23. 
The board unanimously passed Pikolycky’s appointment, which was introduced by Vice Director Leonard Desiderio, seconded by E. Marie Hayes. His three-year term to the Pinelands Commission will expire Jan. 23, 2021.
The first to question the move was Georgina Shanley of Ocean City. She said she didn’t recall requirements for interested applicants to apply. The seat became vacant when William Brown of Marmora resigned. The announcement was made in October. Brown had served on the commission as the county’s representative since 1981.
“We probably had seven or eight resumes that came,” said Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton.
He told Shanley that he had recommended Pikolycky’s name to the board and that no member had objected. Thornton said as a “courtesy” to freeholders, it has been permitted that they can appoint persons to their departments. He noted that the Pinelands Commission appointment came under his purview, although it is not a department of county government.
Shanley said she had never met Pikolycky, and knew nothing of his environmental background. She added that she had to seek out the Camden County freeholders’ website to get an idea what was required of a Pinelands commissioner. “There was nothing on the (Cape May County) website,” she added.
Thornton replied that the announcement of the vacancy had been made at a public meeting. He added that Pikolycky’s town is “in the middle of the pinelands, and he is very interested.”
In the future, Shanley hoped the process would be more open, and she urged Thornton to consider posting vacancies on the website as part of the routine application and interview process.
Martha Wright of Avalon, applied for the position, and had looked forward to the “opportunity to serve in the spirit of volunteerism.” She said she spoke, not as an applicant who was not chosen, but as a resident and taxpayer-citizen and registered voter of Cape May County.
“I think there is a complete and utter lack of transparency in the process,” she told the board.
“We have a right to know the selection criteria for choosing an appointee. I’m delighted you know this individual,” said Wright.
“Early on he has been a protector of the Pinelands and also his town of Woodbine,” added Thornton.
Wright then added that the board was not making it easy for people to volunteer. “It’s really opaque,” she said.
Wright said she never received a reply that her resume had been received and that she had “to chase after them” (Freeholder Will Morey and Clerk of the Board Elizabeth Bozzelli) for a response.
“I’m not throwing anyone under the bus, I had to do all the followup,” said Wright. “Unfortunately, I had to go to the Camden County website to submit to Cape May County.”
Thornton said he was certain Bozzelli had sent letters to all applicants advising them of the board’s decision.
Elaine Scattergood of Avalon said, “It would have been nice if an independent person were chosen as a member of the Pinelands Commission.”
Thornton replied that Pikolycky was a “pretty independent individual” who is “very direct and straightforward with anyone who knows him. The Governor’s Office, they know how independent he is.”
“I hope he is in favor of preserving the Pinelands,” concluded Scattergood.