MANAGER ORDERS NO RESPONSE FROM PROFESSIONAL
Brown's Promised Response Was An Admonishment Without Relevant Content
From the start of this publication, we observed that Township Manager Brown has a general practice of not responding to questions. I could give instances here, but suffice it to say if you read our first article [see link] the practice is illustrated clearly.
https://www.themounthollyreporter.org/p/township-on-traffic-safety-well-get
With regard to the 2/9/26 public discussion of a new park at Commerce Place, I wrote to the professional who obviously knows intricate detail about the project and could answer my very specific questions. But no. Mr. Brown ordered the professional to ignore my questions [see image]. Brown’s promised response to me was that I could come to the hearing say whatever I wanted. But we all know how how too often questions result in a content-free “thank you for your comments” with no follow up.
Keep in mind that all Council meetings literally start with the statement that there is no promise of a response to public comment.
To be fair, Deputy Mayor DiFolco will often respond with pertinent information, sometimes in real time with follow-ups allowed. Actual dialogue. That is how it should be, but there is no guarantee that residents will get answers, even the kind of answer that comes later after someone has had time to research.
Interestingly, the previous article on this park project brought a comment from none other than a Lumberton Council Member. She said that allowing professionals to respond can generate unwanted costs and may result in an answer that does not align with the vision of the elected officials. Fair enough, as far as that statement goes.
But what followed was misleading. The Lumberton Council member said that “a diligent Manager or Council member will refer questions they receive outside of public meetings to relevant professionals if they need subject matter expertise to respond.”
And where does this aspirational diligent follow up actually occur? The lack of such follow-up in Mount Holly is precisely why my inquiry was sent to the professional where I knew answers could be found - if only they were allowed to speak.