How disappointing for Mr. Cortes. How disappointing, too, that the New Year is about to start and already these guys are playing games. Corbally must've known that the Reorg meeting is traditionally on January 1. What was so important that he couldn't attend that meeting? And, why is Corbally's attendance so much more important than Mayer's or Cortes' ability to have his family be present? Corbally missed the last meeting, and that didn't seem to be a problem. As for 2008, Barrella was sworn in that year along with 2 other Council members, and what I remember hearing is that it was one of the new members who couldn't make it on January 1 which is why the date was changed, which made more sense to me than this year's nonsense. Stop picking on Cortes. He's a good guy and obviously the voters like him.

"And, why is Corbally's attendance so much more important than Mayer's or Cortes' ability to have his family be present?"

Corbally is a councilmember. Family is not. Pretty simple.

And even councilmembers are allowed to go on vacation at times.

Trisha, the Reorg meetingshave beentraditionally held January1 of each year for decades. The one exception(2008) was done in consideration forthe new officials being sworn in. That is something that has always been the case. Consideration for the newly elected officials and their families hasalways been a priority. Usually the ENTIRE governing body discussed the date and time in advance and ALL members work in agreement. Also, appointments were dicussed in advance by the entire governing body as well. January 1 has been an established long time tradition in Pt Pleasant Beach. Everyone on the governing body knows that and should make it their responsibity to attend. Unless they have some type of unforseen emergency that is the way it has worked and very well.
I feel very bad for Andy that his family can not all attend this very big day in his life.
I'm thinking the Mayor needs Mike C in attendance because he needs Mike's vote to insure the Mayor gets all the appointments such as boro Attorney, that he wants.
Once again, tradition has fallen victim to the political power struggle in Pt Beach.

A Resident...I don't have a problem with councilmembers taking vacation. Government is designed to go forward when all members cannot attend. That's why there's a quorum needed, not the full Governing Body. But, if this meeting is so important that everyone needs to be there, and the meeting is always held on January 1, then Corbally should've arranged his vacation plans accordingly, not the other way around. The Reorganization meeting seems to be the time for a new start, and personally, I think our Govering Body really does need to take a new approach to how they do business. The Mayor's performance at that one meeting, when he publicly called Mr. Bassinder "a little man" is repulsive. This was the chance to have a fresh start, and it looks to me as if it's going to be the same old mess. Being sworn into office is an important event, and the fact that Mr. Cortes wanted to have his family members there just shows me how much he values this event and how much he feels honored to become a member of he Council. If he feels that becoming a Council member, especially of this town, is an honor, then I think that is a feeling that should've been encouraged.

Totally agree with Dan H. on this. Just another example of the games this Mayor plays with everything he touches. Hopefully this is the last year of his perceived reign with his two minions up re election this year and council control hinging on their re election. Hopefully the town will see what an absolute incompetent fool Ms. Tooker is and will wash her away next November. As for Mr. Corbally, he will know better not to run because he is a bigger disgrace than the Mayor and the town people know it.

Happy Holidays to all.

Merry Christmas to all!!! A very Happy and Healthy 2013 to all!!!

Even to you Mr Grinch.

Who cares. The town is still a mess from hurricane Sandy and this is what they are worried about?

@ Trisha & Dan, Thank you for the comments about feeling bad that one of my daughters won't be able to be there. I didn't know the reason for the date change until it was mentioned at the meeting. I believe it is correct to have all council members present at the reorg meeting although I do feel arrangements could have been made to keep the long honored tradition of being on the 1st. But I'm good with it! I am excited to be on council and look forward to doing what's right for the town.
@ JS Grinch, You need to get to know me as you are confusing arrogance with some tongue-in-cheek humor. And what I actually said was "I will just have to make sure they (my daughters) can all be here in 3 years." I know, it's the same thing as was written in the article. All I can say is I hope I do well enough to have the opportunity in 3 years to have my entire family here.
@King Neptune, You're 100% correct! There are bigger issues to handle than my family...that's why I'm ok with it.

Mayor Barrella

Will you be attending the reorganization party up at Martells afterward. I hear the jumbo shrimp is delicious and FREE !!!!!

I realize that Mayor Hennessy has gotten into the habit of ready fairy tales and fables to his grandchildren but he needs to get out of the "Three Little Pigs" mode. He needs to put into context his whimsical recollection of backroom cooperation from former councils that he was a member of or Mayor with for over 20 years. Back then the Republicans had control of each and every vote. You really don't need much in the way of cooperation when each member marches step with the other in accordance with directions from Toms River. We all know that Barrella is a vindictive blowhard with poor people skills. But that has little to do with the fact that by law he has certain rights of appointment. They are the same ones that Major Hennessy took advantage of for so many years. I guess the Boro Attorney is an important appointment. Council members all need him and they all fight over who it is so that their own personal selection will protect their own personal interests. Somehow the interests of the community are always secondary. And that included Mayor Hennessy, when year in and year out his appointment was the designee of the Toms River political machine, the same machine that got him out of doing oil changes and into a cushy freeloader office. Time for him to finish the "Three Little Pigs" which appears to be the only reality he now knows.

Correct. It is a crying shame what has been able to go on in this town. The interest of the towns people and community children is always secondary. Why should we continue to fall victims to the unethical political choices that are being made in both the town and schools. The towns people know it. There is so much wrong going on in todays world and we still have those who questions, Why? Really?

Until the Spring Lake wannabees or "think they are" residents of The Point get their heads out of the beach sand, it will continue. All of the elected choices are poor. When it comes to the town election it's like picking execution by firing squad or hanging. You are getting a choice but you're gonna die just the same. The first step is removing the bad seeds. The sooner the Hennessy's move the better we will all be. They're like bad viruses that keep on resurfacing.