August 26, 2008
By BRUCE A. SCRUTON
STILLWATER -- Al Fuoco, a member of the Township Committee who was subject to a recall effort, has resigned from the committee, effective today.
Fuoco, who had one year left on his second term and who already said he wouldn't run for re-election next year, said, "I already had one foot out of this town," and in a discussion with his wife this past weekend, they decided "enough is enough."
The resignation letter was delivered early Tuesday morning to the Town Clerk's office. His resignation comes after a petition effort was successful in getting a recall question on this November's ballot.
That effort came after Fuoco voted against a resolution that committed the town to pay to spray for the gypsy moth caterpillar this past spring. Fuoco's stand against the spraying, however, was not the swing vote on the committee, which voted 4-1 in favor of spraying, and was the latest "no" vote in the past three years the issue has come before the committee.
Fuoco has maintained the recall effort was actually a front for those who are upset over his support for a larger police department the town has had the past few years.
Members of the recall committee have disputed his characterization.
However, on Tuesday, after learning of Fuoco's resignation, the recall committee issued a news release and refused to answer questions about the police issue.
Marion Gross, one of the committee members, read the release, which made no mention of the police issue, or any other issue.
"We are pleased he chose to resign," she read.
The statement said the success of the recall effort should be a reminder to all office holders that they "are accountable to the public."
After thanking the "855 residents who signed the petition, members of our group and carriers of our petitions," the statement then apologized to other residents who were not approached for a chance to sign.
One of those people who was not approached was fellow committee member Jay Burd.
During the committee's last meeting Aug. 19, Burd and Fuoco favored filling a vacancy in the police department that had just been created when the committee voted unanimously to allow an officer to transfer to another department.
"I respect his decision (to resign)," Burd said. "I don't necessarily agree with the recall. A disagreement with how someone votes is not what that law was meant for."
Burd said he and Fuoco often disagreed over issues, "but I have all the respect in the world for Al. He always treated me with respect."
Mayor William Morrison said, "I wish him well in his personal life," but strongly disputed Fuoco's belief that the police department issue is at the heart of the recall.
"These people (recall committee) aren't anti-police," he said. "We must look at the financial picture here."
Because of committee did not fill the vacancy, Police Chief Anthony Koslowski announced last week the department would become "part-time," with town officers working from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days and state police on call during the overnight hours.
Morrison said he was waiting for word from the town attorney on how the vacancy should be handled since it is close to election time.
Normally, the political party of the resigning member, submits the names of three possible replacements to the governing body, which selects from that list.
Given that an election is less than 90 days away, Morrison said he doesn't know if the vacancy can be filled or the committee needs to wait for the election.
"But I do know that government won't stop because we are short one committee member," he said.
