To the editor:
Why is it that after he served the city of Somers Point for 35 years and retired as chief of police, Chief Salvatore Armenia has not been formally recognized by City Council for his unselfish and dedicated work?
How can any city councilperson allow a retiring chief to leave without any public acknowledgement. This is how and why: because some council members place their own interests and agendas before their official duties as representatives of the residents of Somers Point. It is because instances of nepotism, disrespect, jealousy and their own self-serving ideals that something like this is allowed to happen.
Some of these same people were instrumental in derailing the joint venture of Northfield and Linwood police departments to join in a combined "emergency call center unit" created by Chief Armenia. Finally, an economical solution that would have saved taxpayer money – squandered. Once more the ineptitude and pettiness of these certain council members are exhibited by not negotiating with sincere effort and in good faith, thus letting the joint venture evaporate. What happened?
Burt Federman
But Federman is a retired Somers Point construction official and zoning officer.