Mayor Hartman Claims He's Being Left 'Out of the Loop' in Galloway

Following Deputy Mayor Don Purdy’s comments at the Galloway Township Council meeting of Sept. 27 that he was going to “take the helm,” Mayor Keith Hartman said Purdy has already taken the helm recently in the mayor’s absence, and went on to say he’s been “kept out of the loop” on township issues.

“I’ve not been available to make every meeting, and I haven’t been included in a lot of discussion,” Hartman said. “It’s a natural courtesy to be brought up to speed when you miss a meeting, but that isn’t happening. The communication I have with them is non-existent.”

On Friday, Sept. 30, Township Manager Steve Bonanni stated that Hartman never calls or asks for the information.

“I would be more than happy to fill him in or send a report if requested,” Bonanni said. “ … If you really wanted to know what is going on at meetings that you missed, you could call somebody, whether me or someone else who was there. If I was called, I would be happy to fill someone in or do a report for any councilperson. Councilpersons have called me about meetings they missed.”

Hartman also claimed he wasn’t getting emails forwarded to him, although in one instance, he said he was forwarded an email, but it didn’t register in his BlackBerry.

“It’s not unusual to go a few weeks without hearing from anyone, and then I found out they’re having meetings on issues and I’m not included,” Hartman said.

“I have notified the mayor and council of everything that is happening that I am aware of,” Bonanni said. “My correspondence is sent to all members of the governing body. As far as meetings, the mayor and council are notified of all meetings by my office that are scheduled. It is my responsibility to notify all members and I do not exclude anyone.”

He added that other members of council fill the mayor in on what happened in his absence. Purdy said he does his best to keep Hartman informed.

“I have a good relationship with Keith, and I try to fill him in,” Purdy said. “ … I speak with Keith on the phone about the meetings. He is out of the loop, but I’m not sure if it’s because he wants to be or if they’re not filling him in.”

Hartman’s issues with fellow Republican Councilman Dennis Kleiner . While he said he has no issue with Purdy or fellow Republican Councilman Tony Coppola, Hartman said he feels like his relationships with members of council are non-existent and “beyond repair.”

Hartman and Coppola are both up for re-election this year, as is Democratic Councilman Jim Gorman. Hartman was running an independent campaign before he suspended it two weeks ago. His name is still on the ballot, so he can still be re-elected on Nov. 8.

“We’re not there for personal reasons, we’re there for business,” Hartman said. “We just need to be professional and be willing not to worry about personal issues. We just need to move forward.

“There has to be an effort on everyone’s part to move forward.”

Hartman has missed the last three council meetings and he is unable to make agenda meetings for personal reasons.

“I’m still the mayor,” Hartman said. “I’ll be at the next council meeting. I have every intention of being there.”