A Jersey Tale: The Curious Case of Nasty Letters and Political Drama
So, there’s this small town in Gloucester County called Washington Township, with a population of around 48,000. Sounds quaint, right? Well, things got a little spicy when a town councilman decided to stir the pot by sending some pretty nasty letters to two school board members. And get this – he used the return address of the president of the school board. Drama, drama, drama.
Now, school boards these days are like battlegrounds for all sorts of debates – books, curriculum, gay rights, you name it. Washington Township was no exception, with tensions running high over the superintendent’s position. Board Member Connie Baker and her colleague Patricia Blome were in for a surprise when they received letters calling them all sorts of names – “stupid,” “shameful,” “dishonest,” you get the drift. Oh, and let’s not forget the accusation of being drunk at meetings. Classy, right?
But wait, there’s more. These ladies were also accused of pushing a “Democratic agenda.” School boards are supposed to be non-partisan, but who follows the rules these days anyway? The cherry on top? The letters warned them that “God is watching.” Ominous much? To add fuel to the fire, the letters were unsigned but had the president’s address on them. Cue the detective work.
Detective Anthony Aquilino swooped in to save the day, investigating the letters’ origins. Turns out, they were mailed from Blackwood on May 12 by a guy named Richard Bennett. And guess what? He’s not just any guy – he’s a councilman and the liaison to the school board. Talk about a plot twist. The board members were quick to take action, requesting his removal as the liaison. Looks like Mr. Bennett crossed a line there.
In a statement, Board President Julie Kozempel didn’t hold back, calling out Bennett for his behavior and demanding action. She wasn’t having any of his antics and made sure to let everyone know. The detective concluded that no criminal investigation would be pursued, but the board members were ready to take matters into their own hands. Legal action was on the table, and Bennett had some explaining to do.
As for Bennett, a Republican who joined the council in 2021, he might want to rethink his tactics. His goals of creating a thriving economy and community engagement sound noble, but sending nasty letters to fellow board members? Not a good look. Maybe it’s time for a change in strategy, Mr. Bennett.
In the end, the tale of the nasty letters and political drama in Washington Township serves as a reminder that actions have consequences. Whether it’s a heated debate over school policies or personal attacks, there’s always a line that shouldn’t be crossed. Let’s hope that civility and respect prevail in the end, for the sake of the community and its residents.
