Green Accuses Roth of 'Gotcha' Politics

“Conflict-of-interest” seemed to be the operative term at the Township Committee's Feb. 23 meeting, as Mayor Andrew Lucas is not the only official who forgot to abstain from a vote involving a personal matter.  

Deputy Mayor Ryan Green admitted that he mistakenly voted on a Feb. 9 resolution to approve summer recreation staff, not realizing that his sister’s position, title, and wage was included in the packet. On page four of the seven-page document, Amy Green is listed as a cluster director for the program.

Democratic Committeewoman Michelle Roth identified the issue and brought it to the public’s attention.  

“We try to keep everything above board here and at full transparency, and I think you should have recused yourself,” said Roth.

Green stated that his sister has retained the same staff position for years and well before he was voted onto the Committee.

“I’ll admit it was an inadvertent error. I suppose I’m also a victim tonight of Mrs. Roth’s ‘gotcha’ politics,” said Green.

Earlier in the meeting, Mayor Lucas admitted that he made an error in not recusing himself from a vote on Jan. 12. The resolution he helped to approve lowered his own property taxes.

Lucas and Roth then engaged in a lively debate regarding the ethical nature of his property acquisition. Following the exchange, the Committee reauthorized the resolution in a 3-1 vote, as Lucas abstained and Roth dissented.

In a similar fashion, Roth put Green in the hotseat.

“This is not gotcha’ politics. This is serious,” Roth said in rebuttal.

She reminded her colleague that it is his responsibility to be thoroughly prepared for meetings and read through each document. Roth said that for each resolution, she scans the list of names included and has recused herself from votes that involved a personal connection. 

“To call this ‘gotcha’ politics is really, so inappropriate. I’m trying to make sure we have a transparent government and that it’s not just flippant,” said Roth.

Mayor Lucas intervened and asked the township attorney, Roger McLaughlin, for advice on how to handle the issue.

“I think it’s incumbent on everyone to know what they’re voting on; however, it’s also incumbent on those of us on the staff to point things out to the governing body,” said McLaughlin.

Rather than adding a reauthorizing resolution to the next agenda, the Committee followed McLaughlin’s advice, voting on the item “non pro tunc”, a Latin legal phrase meaning “now for then”, for the Feb. 9 meeting.

The resolution was approved 4-0 with Green abstaining from the vote.

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