The Elephant In The Township Committee Meeting Room

The Sept. 25 Lacey Township Committee meeting was short and sweet.

No one mentioned the incident at Gille Park on Sept. 14. That was the day Township Committeeman Mark Dykoff apparently punched Township Committeeman David E. Most in the face, according police report.

The agenda was brief. Committee comments were also brief. Dykoff praised the Rotary Club for conducting the “Doggie Derby” last week, and other volunteer organizations.

None of the few people that went to the microphone mentioned the incident either. The meeting began promptly at 7 p.m. The caucus session last only minutes. Then Committee members adjourned for a quick closed session, then returned. The regular meeting ended at 7:50 p.m.

After it ended Dykoff walked up to a reporter and said, “By the way, it’s Deputy Mayor Dykoff, not Township Committeeman Dykoff.”

Most declined to comment on the incident after the meeting. The outcome would be decided “by the court and the will of the people,” he said.

The Sept. 14 incident happened at a Republican Club gathering near the pavilion in Gille Park. Sgt. Paul J. Sullivan and Patrolman Daniel Ricciarella responded on a report of an assault at 1:13 p.m.

“Investigation at the scene led to Mark Dykoff of Forked River being served with a Special Form of Complaint and Summons for Simple Assault for allegedly striking David Most of Forked River in the face with a closed fist,” Police Chief David A. Paprota has said.

No medical attention was requested at the scene, Paprota said.

“Mr. Dykoff was not placed under arrest,” the chief has said. “He was served the summons for the alleged violation which will later be heard in municipal court.”

The matter will not be heard in Lacey Township Municipal Court, since Judge Damian G. Murray has a conflict of interest, Court Administrator Laurie Frankopf has said.