The Somerset County Park Commission Gets to Stay in Place.

At tonight’s work session of the County Freeholders, there was a spirited debate about the fate of the Park Commission. The new face of the commission showed itself in the presence of its members. Steven Fuerst, commission president, made his case for keeping the commission intact.

No vote was taken by the freeholders on whether or not to dissolve the commission. However, as the evening wore on, and as some freeholders made their opinions known, notably Jack Ciattarelli and Rick Fontana, it was clear where that body stood. Next Tuesday, seven days before the Christmas holiday, the freeholders will make the decision at their regular session.

Here is my prediction for what will happen next week, unless there is a complete sea change in sentiment by a few freeholders (there are five in total):

A motion will be re-introduced to dissolve the Somerset County Park Commission, and this is the most likely outcome:

Voting Against Dissolution will be:
Robert Zaborowski, Director
Peter S. Palmer, Freeholder
Rick Fontana, Freeholder (Swing Vote)

Voting For Dissolution will be:
Denise Coyle, Freeholder
Jack Ciattarelli, Freeholder

In a prior blog, several months ago, I had stated that Rick Fontana is the swing vote on this issue. He still is. His decision will carry the day. Denise Coyle is recently on record as having said that the Commission structure is outdated and needs to go: only political expediency will make her change her mind. Jack Ciattarelli has made a near-impregnable case for why the Commission has served its purpose. He is unlikely to move from that position. Tonight’s silence by Zaborowski and Palmer, together with their prior voting records, has cemented their stance.

Last fall, Rick Fontana had lined up with Coyle and Ciattarelli to dissolve the commission, but Fontana had a last-minute change of heart. Together with Palmer and Zaborowski, he voted instead to delay a decision until December.

Rick Fontana could make a last-minute turnaround, but that is very unlikely, especially considering his strong defense this evening in favor of maintaining a “hybrid structure” which calls for keeping the Somerset County Park Commission intact