The abrupt resignation of Medford Councilman David Brown has some scratching their heads.
Medford Township Manager Christopher Schultz confirmed Brown handed in his resignation letter to the township clerk on Nov. 15.
“It was a surprise as he had two more years of his term and there was no foreshadowing that he was” quitting, Schultz said.
He said the municipal vacancy law dictates the process for replacement.
The local municipal committee of the party in control (in this case, the Republican Party) will submit up to three names for the council to consider.
The committee has 15 days to do that. Council then has 15 days from that period or 30 from time of vacancy.
“If council does not act or select I believe the municipal committee selects,” Schultz said.
“Councilman Brown’s resignation is understandable,” newly elected councilman James “Randy” Pace said. “His new work schedule next year would increase his absence from council meetings.”
The discussion of absence came up at the council’s Nov. 14 meeting. Brown agreed with the other council members that showing up for meetings should be required of all members.
The issue came up because Mayor Chris Myers was not at the meeting. By all accounts the mayor, who is mired in a sex-for-money scandal, has missed many meetings.
Pace said he questions Brown’s timing.
“There are essentially two meetings left before the end of the year,” Pace said. “The statutory guidelines for filling vacancies on Medford’s governing body require that Mr. Brown’s vacancy be filled prior to the end of the year.
“Two of the newly elected council members will not be seated prior to the end of the year,” he added. “The current mayor is unreliable in his attendance and failure to fill the vacancy in the required time results in the seat being filled by the majority party chairman.”
Pace said he encourages any resident that has the desire to serve the community to submit their names to the municipal county Republican Party chairwoman for consideration.
Brown did not return multiple phone calls.
Former councilwoman Victoria Fay, who was removed from council earlier this year, had vitriol for Brown.
“He has been a horrible public official and I am glad to see him gone,” Fay said. “The mayor should take Councilman Brown’s lead and follow closely behind.”
Fay, who got the boot for apparently violating the township’s residency requirements, has maintained she was temporarily housed outside the township because of a pending divorce.
“Good riddance,” she said.
