STONE HARBOR – The Borough Council, on a split vote, has decided to seek bids on providing services for the administration, promotion and execution of the borough’s special events and public information needs.

That in essence is the job that Jenny Olson, the borough’s director of tourism and public information, was hired in 2019 to do, and her supporters let the council know that they were against privatization of the tasks.

Angelo Caracciolo, chair of the Zoning Board, objected to the move as an action that had never been discussed with the public at council meetings. He said staff changes and morale at Borough Hall have left the center of local government as a “cold and unfeeling place to enter.”

Marnie Lengle, coordinator of the borough’s Chamber of Commerce, listed the many contributions Olson has made, stressing her dedication, detailed knowledge of the borough and ubiquitous presence at all borough events.

Others also came forward to challenge the need for the resolution, arguing that it is highly unlikely the borough would save money in the process of privatizing the function.

Council member Victor Foschini replied that all the resolution did was give the council the opportunity to “test the waters” and see what alternative ways of providing the services would cost. “No decision to do anything differently has been made,” Foschini said.

Councilwoman Bunny Parzych said she would vote yes on the resolution because she felt the borough needed to improve in the area of publicity and in the formal duties of an information officer.

The council’s vote on the resolution at its Feb. 4 meeting was 3 to 3, leaving the decision in the hands of Mayor Tim Carney, who broke the tie with a yes vote authorizing a request for bids.

Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.