Neptune Official Resigns, Cites Commitments
Fran Paladino
By ELLEN CARROLL
Fran Paladino resigned from the Neptune Township Committee last week citing personal work commitments.
Paladino, who served less than six months, was appointed to the seat in December following the resignation of Richard Iadanza.
I have a lot of commitments in the next six months, Paladino said. I do consulting work in Mexico and I have a large planned expansion there. I play a critical role there and will be going back and forth. I didnt think it was fair to the residents.
Paladino said because of work commitments he would be unable to attend several meetings in the new few months.
This planned expansion will require a lot of my attention over the next six months, he said.
Paladino does consulting work for Vidro Formas SaDe.CV., which makes glass containers.
Mayor Thomas Catley said the township should give kudos to Paladino for his service to the community.
He joined us at a very important time so we could organize our government, Catley said. He also served as one of our lead guys on the municipal budget. He has a vast amount of expertise in the private sector and he really lent a lot of credibility to the efforts we made in terms of keeping the budget low.
Catley referred to the townships organizational meeting on Jan. 1 saying without Paladino, who broke the tie, a mayor would not have been chosen until later in the month.
He also met with the school board on the budget and gave us expertise in that area, which we hadnt had before, Catley said. His service was invaluable. I really thank him for the limited amount of time he could give us.
Committeeman Randy Bishop said he enjoyed serving with Paladino.
Hes truly been an asset to the committee, he said, and to the town with his work. I am sorry to see him go after such a short time on the board.
The Neptune Republican County Committee will meet this week to submit three names for the seat to the Township Committee.
The county committee has 15 days from the resignation to submit the name to the committee.
Catley, a Republican, said his obvious choice for the seat is Janet Kortenhaus, who has the endorsement of the Neptune Republicans. She is running with Deputy Mayor Michael Golub in the November election for the two seats.
She has been nominated to run and it would make sense to put her in the seat, Catley said, noting that she was his choice for the seat in December. At that time, however, Committeeman Jim Manning, a Democrat, nominated Paladino for the post and to insure the seat would be filled for the Jan. 1 organizational meeting, Catley and Golub voted for him.
Paladino, who was surprised at being selected for the seat, always maintained he would probably not finish out the unexpired term.
Read more about your town by picking up The Coaster at your local newsstand or subscribe today.
Published every Thursday.
