Ladies and Gentlemen – The Real Jeanne Kingsley

Politics is ugly. 

We have endured manipulative, back-door dealings by our elected representatives over the last few years on the Board of Education (BOE) and Town Council.  Ironically, these puppeteers, if you will, are starting to spiral out-of-control and we are seeing just how ugly and cruel people can be.  For those of you who are somewhat ‘new’ to the inner workings of those who have (unfortunately) been elected to run the show, you are absolutely on point if you have come to the realization that these ‘representatives’ have been given far too much power in Town Council AND BOE affairs.  

Is it a surprise that after the former BOE President pushed forward the plan to realign and redistrict that within months (right as the election season started) Jeanne Kingsley submitted a grant for Safe Routes to School to provide sidewalks from Woodruff area to Hughes? Yes, sidewalks for our kids is all great – but, Jeanne FAILED to not only tell anyone from the district Safe Routes team (or bother to consult and discuss IF this was the priority for our children) and she then came scurrying at the last minute for information she needed for the grant that only the district representatives could provide. 

When the grant came in, she didn’t mention it to anyone involved from the district, the BHPS Safe Routes team found out by reading the local paper.  I can tell you firsthand that Jeanne plays by her own rule book and does whatever she can to preserve her name, her political party but, most importantly, her friends.  It is my opinion the vote to fire Liza was ultimately her manipulative plan, and she should step down – this position has completely gone to her head. She represents only herself and only her best interests.

We, meaning the collective whole of rational-thinking and moral beings, made progress when the former BOE President (who runs in a tight, closed-lip circle with councilwoman Kingsley) was voted out of his seat.  This was a good first step but there is still more weeding out of power-hungry representatives that needs to happen. No longer can or should the good people of Berkeley Heights have to deal with the bullshit, the lies, the conniving, the ‘smiling to your face while stabbing you in your back’ – we need to put an end to the bullying and nastiness. It’s time to stop being afraid of the bullies and to take our government bodies back – it’s time to take a stand.

I have been so proud of my neighbors and friends for emailing council members, making statements and signing the petition to reappoint Liza as Township Administrator. 

Firing Liza in public was wrong on so many levels and I am still disgusted over what transpired at the council reorg meeting (In fact, I have not come across a single person in our town who isn’t equally upset!).  I have emailed council and shared my feelings and I have asked all members who blindsided Liza with the vote against her reappointment to step down as they have made it clear they are unfit to serve and have zero regard for the people, the employees and for basic human decency. 

I urge everyone to attend the council meeting on 1/17 and show your support for Liza and, if you feel so inclined, speak up!

We should all demand better from our elected officials – it is their job to represent us.  Be it Council or BOE, demand they do better – public service is not for everyone and sometimes those running the show get drunk with power.  Every so often it’s good to remind those representatives who we are and what we want.  At the end of the day, we can not treat people the way Jeff, Jeanne, Manny and John treated Liza.  It’s unacceptable.  If you can’t attend the meeting then email them.

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