Pinelands Reappointment Challenged, Freeholders Back Long-serving Brown

CREST HAVEN – William J. Brown of Marmora was reappointed by freeholders June 13 to another three-year seat on the Pinelands Commission. This term will expire June 28, 2020. Brown has served since 1981. 
The board’s action was questioned by two Ocean City residents and one from Upper Township at the board meeting.
“My understanding is that Mr. Brown has served quite a long time and is at an elderly age, and it’s a three-year commitment. I was wondering if you could open up the process for new applicants possibly. That’s my request,” said Gayle Davidson of Ocean City.
“Yes, Mr. Brown has been there for many years,” replied Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton.
Brown was the county’s original appointee to the Pinelands Commission in 1981, he added. “He has served all those years and served very well,” said Thornton.
“It was my recommendation to the board that we appoint Mr. Brown,” Thornton continued. “I spoke to him some time ago, three or four months ago on the phone. He is still very interested in serving. He’s from Upper Township. I recommended him to the board because of his past service and how long he’s served.”
“Is it normal, or is it a possibility, that other applicants are considered?” asked Davidson, who noted this was her first freeholder meeting.
“Yes,” said Thornton, “Anybody can send their resume and be considered for any appointment we have in the county. We didn’t receive any requests for anyone to be appointed other than Mr. Brown.”
“Was there a notice put somewhere that we would have seen that there was a request for that?” Davidson asked.
“I don’t think so, to be very honest,” replied Thornton.
“OK, so that’s why I’m here,” said Davidson. “Because I thought I’m new at this. But, well, it just seems, you know, in a democracy that maybe we could open it up to other folks who have an interest in the pinelands. Also there are so many people in Cape May County that absolutely love the pinelands and would also love to be serving as a public servant…My request, make way for other people to serve. Us younger people like to serve too.”
Thornton added that Davidson should submit her resume.
“I’m not the person. I know so many people who are much more qualified than I am. I love the pinelands…I’m born and bred in New Jersey and I live here full time and I just am thinking of several people and they said, ‘Well are we able to do that?’ I said, I don’t know, I will go to the chosen freeholders’ meeting and I will ask,” said Davidson.
“Any appointments we have anybody in the county, if they want, they can ask for a list of all the appointments in the county,” said Thornton.
He referred interested persons to the Clerk of the Board Elizabeth Bozzelli for the list of appointments to boards and commissions, and when those expire.
Davidson then asked Thornton to stay Brown’s appointments so that other persons might submit resumes and be considered for the post.
“I would have difficulty recommending anyone to the freeholders other than Mr. Brown because of his service over all the years,” said Thornton. “I would have difficulty not reappointing him.”
“I don’t know how to respond to that,” said Davidson.
“I’m being very straightforward and truthful with you,” said Thornton. “I would be very hesitant to not reappoint someone who really cares about what they have been doing, and have been doing it for many, many years and have served the county well.”
Davidson then asked if there was anything she could do to seek a stay of Brown’s appointment.
“Not now,” responded Thornton. Thus, any action would not take place until 2020? Davidson asked. That was correct, said Thornton.
“Respectfully, sometimes it’s nice to have a change,” said Davidson. “Sometimes it’s nice to have new blood.” She cited advances in technology and social media. “It’s a different world,” said Davidson, acknowledging Brown’s long service.
An Upper Township resident, who also sought a postponement of the reappointment, said she had attended Pinelands Commission meetings for three years and Brown was either absent or left the meetings early.
Dr. Steven Fenichel of Ocean City opposed Brown’s reappointment. He cited Brown’s stance for the South Jersey Gas pipeline to Beesley’s Point and the B.L. England Generating Plant.
“Brown broke his oath of office by not respecting that it was to protect and enhance the pinelands and basically his responses when asked about it displayed an amazing lack of awareness of things like the climate crisis which is facing us,” said Fenichel.
“There is no reason, other than the fact that he has been there since the beginning; it’s not the beginning anymore,” continued Fenichel.
“It really would serve the interest of our state, the pinelands, and just our county to open the process. I’m not interested. I’m not self-promoting. Surely there would be people that understand what the Comprehensive Management Plan is and would be critical in listening to all that.
“Mr. Brown said ‘Never going to vote for prohibiting this (pipeline). We need this pipeline,'” said Fenichel.
“He wasn’t interested in hearing any evidence that would deter him from what he was going to do and what he did do. This is not the kind of leadership on the Pinelands Commission we need representing Cape May County,” Fenichel said.
“Many, many people agreed with the way he voted,” replied Thornton.
“Maybe you disagree with the way he voted, but I have difficulty saying that just because someone is elderly, and they served for a lot of years, that they should be removed.”
“He gave no reason for why he voted,” added Fenichel. “Other than the environmental people are nuts. I mean, if that’s what you agree with, so be it, but you had a lot of testimony before the pinelands commissioners, and you had hydrologists, you had climatologists, and he just really…”
“Doctor, not only myself but also members of this board read a lot of different…” said Thornton.
“I’m sure you did,” Fenichel interrupted.
“About the gas pipeline pro and con that went on for two or three years,” said Thornton. “It was in and out of the courts.”
“It’s still in the courts, actually” Fenichel interjected.
“Yes, it is, it’s still in the courts,” said Thornton.
“Really and truly if you can give me a good reason other than he served for 35 years, I’d really appreciate it, but I don’t think you’re able to,” said Fenichel.
“My reason is he has served this county very well for 35 years,” repeated Thornton.
“If the sea levels keep rising, I wish that we could say did he really serve?” said Fenichel.
“As you well know, doctor, there is a lot of science that’s contrary to that,” said Thornton.
“To the Trump administration. I am aware of that,” said Fenichel.
“This isn’t a political issue,” said Thornton.
“I know it’s not,” said Fenichel. “I’m saying that a person who is a commissioner needs to be well aware of what the oath of office he takes. If he betrays that oath of office, and he did, by his vote to not protect the infrastructure of the pinelands. Never before have there been pipes going through the forest area where the aquifer is threatened.”
The board cast its unanimous vote for Brown’s reappointment, along with several other undisputed resolutions.
From the Pinelands Commission Website
Brown is a licensed insurance agent, real estate broker and certified real estate appraiser. He is president of William J. Brown Agency, Inc. a real estate and insurance firm in Marmora.
He is the former mayor of Upper Township. 
Brown is past director and president of 1st National Bank of Tuckahoe, and past member and president of the Cape May County Board of Taxation.
A World War II Navy veteran, Brown is retired from 25 years’ service as an engineer at the Woodbine State School (now known as the Developmental Center). He currently serves as vice president of Jersey Cape Diagnostic Training and Opportunity Center.
The Pinelands Commission’s 15 members serve voluntarily. They are appointed by state, county and federal officials. They meet monthly.
Brown is a member of the commission’s Personnel and Budget Committee.