Within minutes after the news of the brouhaha reached me, I sat a my computer, came to this web site, and once again again read the statement.
I read it slowly. Carefully. Then I printed it out.
About a half hour later, I picked up the print-out, and read anew, even slowly and carefully, Mr. Sheridan's statement. This time, I kept a careful lookout for modifiers that may have been missed, nuances not noticed.
There were none; The statement read now, this last time around. exactly as it had when I first read it.
So, what we have here, on the one hand, is the John Sheridan who says things like:
"I extend my hand to each of them in a cooperative and congenial manner";
"To those who may have reservations I ask for their support and best effort to serve, to work together with diplomacy and open dialog in the best interest of all the residents of Hanover Township'";
"This not a political issue, this is an inherent responsibility of all of us residents."
And so on.
Words, just word. Words carefully encased in olive branches: words literally dripping with good will and bonhomie; words redolent with the theme of "\peace on earth, good will to man."
Juxtaposed against this rather carefully crafted image of "Mr. Sheridan, the Good," unfortunately, are reports of actions that can only be described as "Mr. Sheridan, the Bad."
As most of you who will read this know, last week the OSAC met "in executive session." The well-publicized purpose of the meeting was to discuss what sort of action--if any--the members would take in response to the rather shoddy treatment meted out by the Township Committee to one of its long time members. As some may recall, there were rumors floating about here, there, and everywhere to the effect that some (if not all) of the members of this committee might offer up their resignation.
While in the midst of these serious deliberations, the door to the room in which they were holding the meeting--without any forewarning whatsoever--was flung open ("violently," I'm told), and in stormed Mr. Sheridan, accompanied by his coterie. (And I was surprised--genuinely surprised--that none other than --unannounced, as well as uninvited. (And the fact that Joseph A. Giorgio, R.M.C., was a part of this group of insolent intruders makes the tale even the more intriguing!)
Mr. Sheridan, it is reliably reported, then proceeded to tell the assembled board members:
that they have "embarrassed the town with their public politics"; that he would not accept anyone's resignation--save one--and punctuated his remark by demanding that person resign right there and then; and, that (I've saved the best for last) he was now "the Boss" of the town now, and that everyone had better shape up, or be prepared to ship out!"
Wow!
Quite a disconnect between the mild mannered Mr. Peepers-type John Sheridan, who talks about ". . extend(ing) my hand to each of them in a cooperative and congenial manner," and the Attila the Hun-type John Sheridan who near about tore down the door (if not the roof) with his performance before the members of the Open Space Advisory Committee.
My additional understanding, by the way, is that the event that was marked by an "entry" that all but guaranteed that it would get off on the wrong foot rapidly went from bad to worse, and that a shouting match ensued between Mr. Sheridan and at least one member of the committee. It's said that a considerable amount of time and energy went into the match, during which time the participants took turns denigrating the other, and responding to demands that they resign by saying that they would do so only after the other did so first. "
I kept waiting for that part where the "I extend my hand to each of them in a cooperative and congenial manner" would happen, and that everyone in the room would join hands, and sing "Kumbaya. " But I guess things never quite id get to that point.
I'm going to admit right up front here and now that I haven't spent hour upon hour poring over all of the rules and regulations that comprise the body of law upon which Hanover Township presently operates.
But it is, nonetheless, my clear understanding that we have "the traditional township form of government" here (which means, essentially, that we \'re governed--not by "a Boss"--but by a five member Township Committee. Yes, yes, I know that there is also the position of "Mayor, " and Deputy Mayor." But my further understanding is that these are more than "ceremonial" than "authoritative" in nature. In other words--when all is said and done--the Mayor (and Deputy Mayor, as well) have no additional vote, no absolute right to veto or override a decision made by the majority of the council. When all is said and done, it appears that John T. Sheridan, His Excellency, the Lord High Mayor of Hanover Township, is little more than an "an equal among equals."
It\'s also my belief that all of those who serve on the OSAC--who give so unstintingly of their time, energy, and talents (with many having done so for many years now years now)--are not employees of Hanover Township, but are volunteers.
Aside from the fact that it is extremely doubtful that Mr. Sheridan is, indeed, "the Boss" of anyone in Hanover Township, it seems completely incongruous that the Mayor of Hanover Township should believe that has, somehow or other, been granted the authority to unilaterally "hire and fire" each and every member of each and every committee in the township. These hard-working, dedicated volunteers, after all is said and done, owe their allegiance not to any elected or appointed town official--or self-styled "Boss"-- but to their conscience, their family and neighbors, the community at large and to their collective vision of what the Hanover Township of tomorrow should be.
I am, by the way, not a member of OSAC (or of any committee), but I do not believe that the best interest of the township can best be met by having this committee this committee--or any committee, for that matter--continually walking in lockstep with "the Boss"; doing only his bidding.
If Mr. Sheridan is of the belief that any of the matters written upon here are not essentially correct, then he is, most certainly, more than welcome to set me--and the record straight. I well understand that in most disputes that are always at least two sides of the story, so I more than welcome getting his viewpoint on the matters covered here.
