TOMS RIVER – After years of elected officials accusing each other of doing unethical things, a volunteer Ethics Board was created.
The board’s members will be as follows: Peter Van Dyke (5 year term), former Ocean County Commissioner Virginia “Ginny” Haines (5 year term), Paul Wnek (4 year term), former Councilman Terrance Turnbach (3 year term), Jack Reuther (3 year term), and Robert Tomollen (3 year term).
They are tasked to come up with a township code of ethics applicable to all local government officers and employees, including those serving any independent authority of the town, within 90 days.
There already is a State law governing ethics, called the Local Government Ethics Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.5). A note in the resolution establishing the board states that the town’s ethics code can be identical to it or more restrictive.
If it’s not identical to the state law, they have to submit it to the State Department of Community Affairs for approval.
There are also rules about the ethics board publicizing the rules and hearing feedback.
If it’s identical, then the code goes into effect 10 days after the public hearing. If it’s not, it goes into effect 60 days after the state approves it.
The board was created by resolution at the first Township Council meeting of the year, where a new council majority took their seats. There are two groups of Republicans that have been fighting for a while now. The new majority is made up of Council President David Ciccozzi, Thomas Nivison, and new members Robert Bianchini and Clinton Bradley. They voted to create the board. The minority on the council is Craig Coleman, Lynne O’Toole, and new member Harry Aber; they are allied with Mayor Daniel Rodrick. Coleman, O’Toole, and Aber initially voted against creating the board.
When the ethics board was discussed, Coleman said “There’s never been any discussion about this before the meeting.”
Nivison asked “How could anyone be against it?”
Mayor Daniel Rodrick said “I’m not against it,” and that some of the names proposed are “very good folks.”
Then he suggested if any of the council members would like to change their vote, they should be allowed to do so. Coleman changed his vote to “yes,” but Aber and O’Toole kept their “no” votes.
