With the municipal election approaching in May, Haddonfield’s choice form of government has come into t
he spotlight.
The question at hand: Does a three-member Borough Commission still work for the town?
To retiring Mayor Tish Colombi, a commissioner for the last 28 years, there is no need for a change at this point.
“I think the intensity of weekly meetings with three people is hard enough,” she said, citing that several surrounding towns, including Audubon, Collingswood and Haddon Township, all operate under the same government form and that the commission cannot move to five officials due to population restrictions.
“I think we represent the people well,” she said. “How would that change if five people were here?”
Government, she said, is in its most open state at this point, and the commission is formally recognized as representing the town.
Commissioner Ed Borden also recently agreed that there would likely be no change in Haddonfield’s form of government any time in the near future.
Commissioner Jeff Kasko holds similar sentiments.
“My point of view is that the commissioner form of government works in Haddonfield,” he said. “It fits the town well.”
Plus, he said, he sees other towns that do have the mayor and council form of government and doesn’t see how residents in those towns feel more or less empowered.
“I don’t see that things are any better in those towns,” Kasko said.
According to a July 1959 amended copy of the “Final Report of the Charter Commission of the Borough of Haddonfield” provided by the township clerk’s office, the borough has been run under the Walsh Act since 1913, which allows for a three-member commission.
Departments operated through the commission, as determined by law, the document continues, are public safety, revenue and finance and public works.
The Walsh Act, said Kasko, removed political parties from government to make operations more progressive, open and representative.
“It’s not perfect,” he said, however, having fewer commissioners makes it easier to form a consensus.
According to Colombi, Borough Administrator Sharon McCullough runs the commission stringently.
“She checks every bill, develops every budget, represents us at every meeting,” said Colombi. “That’s her job.”
While each commissioner may have a different viewpoint on a situation, all three are guided very clearly by McCullough to ensure they are following the proper protocol.
It is important, said Kasko, to have three responsible people governing the town.
Resident Herb Hess suggested for election campaigns this year to be more civil than years past.
“I think we have a form of government that allows campaigns to put forth ideas…it almost becomes like a popularity contest,” said Hess.
Elections, he said, can get contentious.
“Our town protocols are to elect individuals and the election process is marked with ribbons proliferating around town, it’s marked by email campaigns and to be honest, it’s marked by smear campaigns,” he said.
Campaigns revolve around personalities, Hess said, and sometimes ideas get overlooked.
Having five officials on the commission, he said, would likely help the town in the future, while lessening the loads of the commissioners.
“I think it would allow for more cumulative time spent on moving the town forward,” Hess said.
In Haddonfield, values important to residents, he said, include stability, safety, civility and school excellence.
A change to the commission could include term limits, said Hess.
“Have a campaign that has some dignity to it and some rules and some presence,” he said.
The municipal election is set for May 16, with campaigns beginning soon. Stay with The Sun for ongoing developments.
