Elizabeth Twp. to hire manager

By ERIC SEIVERLING

eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Elizabeth Township commissioners are moving forward with the creation of the newly formed township manager position.

At their virtual meeting Monday, commissioners voted 4-3 to create the office of township manager and to have township Solicitor Matt Racunas begin the process of advertising the position.

Commissioners Andrew Kuzma and Joanne Beckowitz as well as President Kyle Walk voted against both motions.

Rich Algeri, Bart Rocco, Dan Poirer and Robert Rhoderick voted in favor of the motions.

The vote included controversy, as Kuzma, Beckowitz, Walk and several township residents felt the township’s current office manager, Joelle Whiteman, is more than qualified for the job.

Whiteman has been the township’s office manager since 2016.

“How do we know Joelle isn’t the township manager?” asked Kuzma. “And now we’re going to advertise for the position?”

“If Joelle is not going to be our manager, we owe her the courtesy of letting her know,” Beckowitz said. “I think she has proven herself. She truly loves the township.

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