JACKSON – Citing considerations of health, job and unwarranted attacks on his character, Council President Barry Calogero announced his resignation from council during a special May 5 meeting.
“The time has come to announce that I will be stepping down as a councilman effective May 13, 2020. Let me address the rumor mill clearly. This decision is not a sudden one. I have been pondering it for several months, however after much discussion with my wife and children I have decided it’s time to focus more on my personal life and health,” Calogero said.
“I know in my heart I have done what is right for Jackson. I can leave this post with my head held high and my town in a better position than I found it,” he added.
Calogero took leadership of the council late last year after Robert Nixon resigned from the council in November.
“As many of you know, I have the honor to serve as the State Executive Director for USDA Farm Service Agency in New Jersey. I have been in many executive and leadership positions in my professional life but none has left me so fulfilled as serving the President of the United States in this important capacity.”
“When I took this position in 2017, shortly after being reelected, I knew that I would need to balance the political role of an elected official with the nonpartisan role of a federal employee. I also knew then that a political future beyond this term in office would be impossible,” Calogero said.
He also noted health concerns. “Serving as a councilman has also become more and more difficult as I struggle with the effects of having Parkinson’s disease during the past several years. When I add my time as a councilman on to my seven years volunteering on the Zoning Board, I have spent nearly 15 years of public service to this great town,” he said.
“I can say with absolute honesty that every decision I have made and every vote I have cast was based on my morals and ethics for the best interest of all of the residents of Jackson,” he said. “Whether it has been carefully analyzing a piece of property asking for a zoning variance or voting on an ordinance to govern our community, I have carefully researched, consulted with experts and sought to learn the needs of our residents.
“There is not enough time to review the decisions that I am most proud of. Perhaps the ones that get the most attention deal with our decisions on development or overdevelopment,” Calogero added.
As was the case with Nixon’s resignation, Calogero brought up the issue of media attacks toward his character and that of his township colleagues that have occurred.
“This is an area where the selfish, the misinformed few, the pretend media and the losers hiding behind fake names on social media attempt to take a fundamental disagreement over our land use rules and turn them into disgusting accusations and weaponize phrases that are too disgusting to mention.
“Part of being an elected official means you have to withstand the lies, nastiness and slander that comes from the dark side of social media and keyboard cowards both from within our borders and beyond. I do not like bullies. I have always stood up to them and I am proud to have pushed back against them during my time on Council,” he said.
“Bullies only win if you let them push you. I have learned the bully is almost always more afraid of you. We must always speak truth when other people lie. Do not chase votes, do not chase headlines and do not put any decision ahead of your morals,” Calogero said in advice to future council members.
“I have strong feelings about our land use rules and who should be responsible for designing them. I believe the courts are wrong on their approach to our affordable housing mandates,” he added, saying changes in land use “sought by greedy builders should be rejected and I believe those who want to turn Jackson into an over developed, terribly planned town need to be called out.”
Calogero noted that he had been elected twice by voters, and to vote against his conscience and their best interest on development issues would have violated their trust.
Defending his record Calogero said “every decision I have made – opposing overdevelopment, pushing the Council to fight the courts and (the state’s) unrealistic COAH mandates and standing up for our taxpayers – may not have been popular but they were made to benefit each and every resident of this town.”
COAH refers to the Council On Affordable Housing, which requires towns to include affordable homes within their borders.
While Nixon’s resignation included a quote from President Richard Nixon, Calogero cited the words of President Ronald Regan in his closing. “There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.”
