Council President Gail Peterson's letter to all residents of Gibbsboro. |
January 22, 1999 Dear Residents: A few days ago you received a letter from Edward Campbell that has once again left out a number of important points in reference to the Police Department and the reappointment of Chief Kownacki. SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT Joe Fallon and myself were members of the police committee in 1998. During this time a number of concerns arose regarding the Police Department both through residents and our own evaluation. Unlike the Mayors administration, we felt it important to convey our concerns to the Chief directly and give him the opportunity to express his reasons for continuing in the position of Chief of Police. We did not discharge him but believed his appointment would be voted on at the January 6 Council Meeting. Joe Fallon and myself wanted to act in a dignified manner by sharing our feelings with the Chief first hand and before the reorganization meeting. It had nothing to do with politics. In the past, borough personnel and members of boards and commissions that have not been reappointed by the Mayor were never notified. They learned about their termination second hand. For example, this year Dave Evans was not reappointed by the Mayor to the Historic Preservation Commission. (and was not advised in advance of the meeting) Why? Because he was a candidate for Borough Council in 1997 with Jan Berle and set up the web site www.gibbsboro.com. That is a purely political vendetta on the Mayor's part. The Facts: Mayor Campbell, the Chairperson of the Police Committee for eight years has misled the Council. Most recently by stating that there are only three members of the police who are permanent appointments. All others are yearly appointments including the Chief of Police. Let me quote from the solicitor Carol Fabietti's opinion of January 14, 1999. "The misconception that the Police Chief and Police Officers were subject to annual appointments is manifested in the July 23, 1998 Gibbsboro minutes. In the minutes it is reflected: Mayor Campbell commented that the Borough has not appointed a permanent full time police officer since Officer Joseph Mingori. The officers have been appointed for one-year periods which was modeled after the Hi-Nella Police Department, which was approved by the Attorney General. The benefit is when a police officer knows that as of January 1st, if he is not doing his job, he may not be reappointed." The Mayor has called himself experienced and the council should rely on his expertise in NJ Police Statutes it is now quite obvious that his direction was wrong. We were led to believe that police appointments were yearly appointments. In addition, the Borough Clerk has given out the list of yearly appointments and police personnel are listed on the reorganization agendas each January. Ask Ed Campbell and the Borough Clerk Why? The Mayor has said that he did not know of our feelings regarding the Police Chief; that is correct since he never returned the phone calls that were made to him. If Councilman Fallon and I wanted to keep the appointment process "quiet" we would never have gone to see the Chief and just waited for reorganization and voted on his appointment. It now seems the Mayor intentionally misled the citizens of Gibbsboro, the Council and the police department for many years. Contrary to Campbell's claims, the Borough Solicitor did not give an opinion that the Chief of Police was a yearly appointment. Solicitor Fabietti has been our solicitor for less than a year. It may have been the previous solicitor, working with the Mayor and His police committee on several past police lawsuits. Let me again quote from the solicitor's opinion " A review of the attached documents seems to indicate the misconception that all Police Department employees are temporary employees. This misconception is highlighted by the appearance of the Police Chief and the Police Officers on the yearly reorganization agenda reflecting a one year term of appointment ending December 31st of that calendar year. The appearance of the Police Chief and the Police Officers on any Reorganization Agendas, including those individual Police Officers listed on the January 1999 Agenda was nothing more than a formality. Gibbsboro Police Officers, including the Chief of Police, are permanent employees once probation is satisfied." What is most unfortunate, is that one must wonder about the number of good officers lost over the years due to the yearly appointment process. Edward Campbell would like you to believe he had no part in the yearly appointments he perpetuated the yearly appointment process! While Edward Campbell wishes to make this political, the motivation of Joe Fallon and myself was for the citizens of Gibbsboro in expressing our concerns to the Chief. As police committee members you should expect no less of us. I would like to thank the solicitor for finally setting the record straight on the police appointment. Please feel free to call me at 435-6071 or Joe Fallon at 627-1807 should you want a copy of the legal opinion or have any other questions. We have nothing to hide! Sincerely, Gail L. Peterson Police Committee Chairperson1998
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