Message from the Mayor
On Tuesday, the Township Committee introduced an Ordinance to adopt an anti-nepotism policy for the Township and in the days since there has been considerable misinformation and misunderstanding about the details. The purpose of this ordinance is to assure residents that employment opportunities in Cranford are fair, equitable and based on merit; and, free from nepotism, patronage and favoritism.
In the words of the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan “You’re entitled to your own opinion, you’re not entitled to your own facts.” So here are the facts:
· In October 2020, the Commissioners were advised the Township received a positive rating by the Division of Local Government Services Best Practices Report that evaluates municipalities operations, policies, etc. The Report noted the Township did not have an anti-nepotism policy. The question: “Has your municipality established by ordinance an anti-nepotism policy that, at a minimum, prohibits hiring immediate family members of elected officials, department heads or supervisors?”
· Since November 2020, Commissioners sought input from department heads and other municipalities and continued work on a proposed ordinance that holds the Township to the highest standard and yet takes into account historical employment.
· This ordinance:
o DOES NOT target any department or group of employees.
o DOES NOT affect the status of any current employee
o DOES NOT prohibit hiring more than one individual from the same family or hiring a family member of an existing employee.
o It DOES PROHIBIT an employee from supervising a family member. (This is already policy for some public safety departments and best practice in government and private industry)
o It DOES PROHIBIT hiring family members or relatives of any elected official (while in office) or Township Administrator.
There has been lots of reference to depriving teens of lifeguard or recreation summer jobs. First, that is not accurate and disregards hiring of more significant positions in the Township. Some examples: the child of the Pool Director can be hired for a summer job in Public Works but not at the Pool. Or, the brother of an elected official cannot be hired as Director of Planning and Zoning.
Finally, this Ordinance listed first on the Agenda does not mean this is the priority item for the Township. This has been discussed since last fall and it simply landed first on the Agenda.
Whether you agree or disagree with the Ordinance, I hope these facts answered questions. As an elected official, I am serious about providing residents with facts.
Kathleen Miller Prunty
Mayor
