Purdy Calls on the Greater Egg Harbor Regional School Board to Cut Bonuses for Administrators and Hold the Line on Tax Increases

On Monday, Galloway Township Mayor and Vice-President of the Atlantic County Mayors Association, Don Purdy, attended the Greater Egg Harbor Regional School Board meeting to ask the board to reconsider nearly $35K in administrative bonuses and a proposed tax increase that would be the maximum allowed under the state-imposed 2% cap. 

Purdy’s remarks were cut short by School Board President Carol Houck citing a ridiculous 3 minute rule and he was not allowed to continue his remarks later in the meeting.

 “At a time when some many Atlantic County residents are unemployed or struggling to make ends meet, I went to the school board meeting to discuss their budget and the tax increases being proposed on our communities to pay, at least in part, for huge bonuses for administrators that are more than many of our residents and even some educators annual income,” said Purdy “Unfortunately, last night quickly became one of the most embarrassing evenings I have had as the Mayor of Galloway Township when the board interrupted my remarks and refused to even listen to our request they reconsider these lavish bonuses and eliminate the proposed tax increase. In Galloway Council meetings we ask residents to keep their comments concise, but have never told a resident that their time was up and we always listened to their comments or concerns whether we agreed with them or not.”

Greater Egg Regional School Board Shuts Down Galloway Mayor at Public Meeting

You may sit back and say I guess I heard it all; but after you finish reading this article the only thing you may wonder is, "What are they hiding"?

Galloway Township Mayor Don Purdy attended what was supposed to be a routine Regional School Board Meeting at the Cedar Creek High School on Monday, January 25, 2016 when he was shut down by the Board during public participation.

Purdy, who represents a town with a significant amount of 55 and older communities, single family homes and a high foreclosure rate due to the decline of Atlantic City, requested the Board evaluate their budget for 2016 and propose a flat budget with a zero increase. The Boards response however, was that this years budget was already slated to utilize the full 2 percent cap increase they could possibly use leaving the tax rate to increase for not only Galloway Township but also for Hamilton Township, Mullica Township, Egg Harbor City and Port Republic.

Purdy spoke at the meeting with the support of the other Greater Egg Harbor Regional Mayors excluding Egg Harbor City. Mullica Township Mayor James Brown was also in attendance at the meeting. Brown and Purdy also represent the Atlantic County Mayor's Association as President and Vice-President respectively. 

With permission Purdy spoke on behalf of Port Republic Mayor Gary Giberson and Hamilton Township Mayor Roger Silva. All according to Purdy, are requesting the Board to realize the significant impact a tax increase would have on their respective communities.

An additional topic of discussion was the merit bonuses Superintendent John Keenan has received as part of a condition in his employment contract. Bonuses that were above and beyond his entitled salary of $167,500. Purdy questioned the fiscal responsibility of the Board in awarding such merits and utilizing taxpayer money for bonuses. Keenan received a merit bonus of $24,750 in 2015. According to Keenan's contract, he will continue to receive merit bonuses at a substantial increase until the expiration of his contract in 2019. Additionally, if Keenan's contract is renewed, the merit bonuses will continue until at least 2024. 

The Board voted in the affirmative in 2015 on Keenan's merit bonuses with two abstentions. One from Garrison and the other from Sartorio with no reasoning listed in the minutes.  

At the height of the conversation Purdy was shut down by the Board and not permitted to continue his comments due to a 3-minute rule stated by the Board.  As part of the Board agenda, the Board states it welcomes public participation and values the opinions from the residents. That was not the case here. Although the agenda states "each speaker is asked to limit their comments to three minutes", there is no law that the Board can limit or prohibit the freedom of speech of those in attendance. But they did that of Galloway Township Mayor Don Purdy as well as other members of the public that spoke.

After other members of the public spoke at the meeting, the Board requested if anyone else would like to comment.  Purdy approached the Board again and requested to continue as all other public concerns were heard. At that time according to Purdy, Superintendent John Keenen stifled Purdy by waiving his hands to the Board President Carol Houck and stating Purdy's time was up. The Board President at that time did not permit Purdy to continue to speak and address the Board.

Keenan has already been placed in the middle of controversy this past year with the Teachers Union by forcing them to vote against him.


The members of the Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District are voted in by the residents of the respective sending districts which includes Galloway, Hamilton, Mullica Township, Egg Harbor City and Port Republic. Galloway Township makes up the majority of the Board Member seats. According to Purdy, he was trying to address the concerns that most affect the majority of the Board, however, the Board's answer was that Purdy should have called ahead in order for his concerns to be heard.

Each Mayor of the respective municipalities have an open unlimited forum in which they can speak to the public on these issues at their Town meetings, yet they were not permitted to speak to the Board directly without limiting their speech in public to 3-minutes.

Purdy stated he was disappointed in the conduct of the Board and although each municipality may limit their public portion, he has never stifled a member of the public that has come forward to address concerns within his town that may go over the limit. 

Why? Only the Greater Egg Harbor Regional School Board Members can answer the question of, "What are you trying to hide that Mayor's can not openly speak at your meetings"?

UPDATED: Burger King Maybe Headed to "Downtown Galloway"; Mayor Endorsed but Board Approval Yet to be Granted

Burger King proposed layout

UPDATED: Burger King has been scheduled for tonights Planning Board Meeting. The agenda, which was emailed by the Township at 1:27 a.m., the day of meeting, lists Jersey Shore  Federal Credit Union Phase II, which is the proposed site for Burger King. 

The meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers at the Municipal Complex where the public is welcomed to attend and speak at the public portion of the application. 

Original Story - July 20th
Galloway Township may soon be getting a Burger King. The project site for the proposed Burger King is scheduled to be located on Jimmie Leeds Road and Eighth Avenue, behind the Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union. 

The area known as "Downtown Galloway", has a ShopRite, CVS, WaWa and TD bank located at the same intersection as well as other named commercial developments.

The application that was submitted calls for final site plan approval for Phase II which will allow for the construction of a one-story, 2,800 square foot restaurant building called (Burger King). The plan calls for twenty-five (25) parking spaces and a drive-thru lane with an exit across from the ShopRite exit onto Eighth Avenue.

Galloway Mayor and Residents Plan to Attend Mondays School Board Meeting Over Tax Increase

After a heated discussion at Tuesday's Council Meeting, the next stop for many taxpayers will be on Monday, August 25th for the Galloway Township School Board Meeting. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at the Middle School located at 101 S. Reeds Road.

Resident's planned a protest at the August 19th Council meeting which exceeded the Township's meeting room capacity, leaving many to wait outside and not have a chance for their voice to be heard. 

Mayor Don Purdy, who received notice of the planned protest on August 1st by Galloway Township News, told residents that showed at the meeting he didn't know or plan for the crowd that showed. 

Kline Construction and Purdy Collision Center to Host Blood Drive For Third Consecutive Year

Kline Construction and Purdy Collision are set to host their 3^rd Annual Blood Drive on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Purdy Collision Center.

Aside from providing construction and traffic safety services in New Jersey, Kline Construction’s President Ed Kline enjoys serving his community and has united with the American Red Cross and Galloway’s Mayor and owner of Purdy Collision, Don Purdy, to help increase the blood bank amounts.

State Says No to Parkway Interchange on Route 30 in Galloway, Offers Alternatives; Mayor Purdy Speaks Out

Galloway Mayor Don Purdy

Have you ever heard of the expression, "if you build it, they will come?" or "what came first, the chicken or the egg?" Same could fundamentally hold true here as a result of a recent Feasibility Study conducted by the New Jersey Turnpike Authority regarding improvements to the Garden State Parkway Interchange Exit 40. 

The partial interchange is located on the White Horse Pike, approximately one-mile south of the Atlantic City Service Area in Galloway Township.

In a letter dated April 17, 2014, sent to Galloway Township Mayor Don Purdy and Members of Galloway Council from Senator Christopher Connors, the study as released states, "The New Jersey Turnpike Authority has completed a study to evaluate the need for, and feasibility of completing all missing movements at Interchange 40 on the Garden State Parkway in Galloway Township, New Jersey. Based on the results of the traffic projections and impact analysis performed for each of the alternatives studied, construction of the new ramps to the missing movements at Interchange 40 is not considered critical." 

Regulation in Galloway May Prohibit Chief of Police Patrick Moran to Serve in Dual Capacity as Township Manager

Chief Patrick Moran, Credit GTPD.org

Galloway Township will be losing another Township Manager leaving that four (4) Managers is just three (3) years that would have worked for Galloway Township. 

Township Manager Arch Liston has been nominated by Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian to serve as their City Administrator. If Liston's nomination is confirmed by Atlantic City Council, Liston will serve in that capacity and move to Atlantic City, according to the Press of Atlantic City. 

The vacancy will leave Galloway Township Officials to immediately search for a replacement. Mayor Don Purdy publicly announced to Galloway Patch that Galloway Chief of Police Patrick Moran will serve as Township Manager and Chief of Police while it transitions to a new Manager. 

Mystery Developer Sparks Republican Majority Council to Hire Redevelopment Attorney; Firm with Significant State Business

Lenox China - Tilton Road 

Once again Galloway Township Residents are left in the dark when the Republican Majority Council lead by Mayor Don Purdy, hired the Lawfirm of Capehart Scatchard based out of Trenton to be the Township's Redevelopment Counsel by a 5-2 vote in favor of the appointment.

Following a closed session discussion on September 24, 2013, council reconvened into public session in order to vote on the appointment of a Special Counsel for Redevelopment. However, controversy immediately spurred when Councilman Jim Gorman requested a discussion and vote on a proposal submitted by Maley & Associates. 

Gorman's request was denied and Deputy Mayor Tony Coppola immediately motioned for Capehart Scatchard without allowing the rest of Council to discuss the matter. Gorman and McElwee, both Democrats voted no. The vote passed with a majority of Republican votes and the contract awarded is not to exceed $10,000, according to the resolution.

One proposal was first submitted on September 20, 2013 and provided to Council in their packets the week prior to the council meeting. That proposal was submitted by Maley & Associates from Collingswood, New Jersey. 

The award of the contract to Capehart Scatchard was made without competitive bids. The Township instead requested certain law firms to submit a proposal for the required services (RFP). 

Capehart Scatchard submitted a proposal the same day of the Council meeting on the 24th. "I received my Council package on Friday Sept. 20th and did my research on Maley & Associates as they were the only Law firm that submitted. I was prepared to discuss with council Tuesday night the appointment. I was sent an e-mail at 2:47 PM with another proposal, that day of the Council Meeting which I never had a chance to open. I don't finish my job until 5 PM" Councilman Jim McElwee said. 

According to McElwee, some members of Council never received the proposal until they arrived at the Council meeting and saw the 40-page proposal from Capehart Scatchard on their desk. 


"My first thought was to move to table the vote until we had enough time to study the late arriving RFP. But since we are a 5/2 minority, I decided that would be an exercise in futility and instead voted "NO" on the appointment of Capehart Scatchard" McElwee stated.


"I have since learned that Maley & Associates representative James Maley sat down with Arch Liston and Mayor Don Purdy for an interview and was told that he would be approved, but someone on council decided to go with a firm owned by an influential Republican donor to Governor Christie's Campaign" McElwee stated.

According to the Wall Street Journal, "Capehart Scatchard, made a $25,000 donation to the Republican Governors Association in May, according to the association's tax form contributions list. As a firm with significant state business, Capehart Scatchard is prohibited from giving New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie more than $300 in campaign contributions."

Mayor Don Purdy announced at a previous Council meeting that he has been is contact with a Developer who is potentially interested in the old Lenox China Building on Tilton Road. Lenox China has remained vacant for some time now with no interest from developers. 

GallowayTwpNews.com requested documents regarding this potential developer, including emails from Mayor Don Purdy and the potential developer. Township Clerk TC Kay never responded if documents didn't exist, but what was released was even more interesting. Councilman Jim McElwee requested from Township Manager Arch Liston the name of the developer that Mayor Don Purdy has been speaking with. Liston responded to McElwee by stating, "the developer wishes that I don't disclose any information at this time."

McElwee, who is a member of the Council Economic Development committee stated, "Purdy is on the Committee but I have not been invited to any discussions with any developer concerning the Lenox property. When I asked Township Manager Arch Liston who the Developer was I was told that the developer doesn't wish to divulge any information at this time. I was also told that they reached out to Mayor Don Purdy personally. Arch would not divulge the name of the developer because it was told to him in confidence."

"When it comes to Economic Development and the statement made by Mayor Don Purdy that Tax Abatements and such will be given to potential developers, I would think all members of Council should know who these Developers are before personal promises are made that a future Council will have to fulfill", McElwee stated.  "I am for economic development, rebuilding and revitalizing Galloway with Commercial development, but lets shine the light on transparency and not keep these discussions behind closed doors."

GallowayTwpNews.com Publisher visited the Lenox China site to see if any changes or improvements have been made to the site. In the picture above, the front lawn portion appeared mowed, but the remaining portion of the site remains overgrown with weeds, boarded up and unkept. 

Another professional contract this year has been awarded without competitive bidding and without a full Council interview. The Township continues to spend money on legal fees without a full background check into each company.

GallowayTwpNews.com has obtained through an Open Public Records Request a copy of Redevelopment Proposals.

CS Appointment by GallowayTwpNews

LT RFPs Redevelopment Counsel.2 by GallowayTwpNews

LT RFPs Redevelopment Counsel.1 by GallowayTwpNews

Kline Construction and Purdy Collision Center to Host Blood Drive For Second Consecutive Year

Credit: Purdy Collision

Hundreds Expected to Turn Out in Response to South Jersey Blood Shortage

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ (August 19, 2013) –For the second straight year, Kline Construction Company, Inc. has teamed up with Purdy Collision Center to organize a blood drive scheduled for September 3 in response to the severely depleted blood supply in Southern New Jersey.  Hundreds of Kline Construction workers and business partners will be rolling up their sleeves to donate, along with hundreds more expected as the drive is also open to the public.

While providing construction and traffic safety services to improve New Jersey’s infrastructure is his business, the true passion of Kline Construction President, Ed Kline, is in serving his community.  It's that spirit to serve that has inspired his management and workers to partner with the American Red Cross to organize the blood drive.  

“Being fortunate enough to have hundreds of employees at Kline Construction, we knew by hosting a blood drive and working together we could do our part to contribute to growing the blood supply in our area,” says Ed Kline, CEO of Kline Construction.  “Only three out of every 100 people currently donate blood, so the American Red Cross strongly encourages and supports blood drives of this type.”

Kline’s facility doesn’t have the space needed for the drive so Galloway Township Mayor, Don Purdy, sprang into action and offered his showroom at Purdy Collision Center.  

“We know Ed’s team and mine will be here donating the gift of life, but I hope the public will come out and support this drive as well,” says Mayor Purdy. “It’s not only important to give for others but you never know when you or a loved one may need blood.”

The Blood Drive will take place on Tuesday, September 3 from 6:30am to 11:30am at Purdy Collision Center (805 Third Avenue, Galloway). Appointments are preferred. For an appointment or information, please contact Ron Muchnick by calling (609) 652-3000 or sign up online at redcrossblood.org (Sponsor Code: klineconstruction).

For more information on participating in blood drives call 1-800-Red Cross.

Mayor Don Purdy Tops the List of Republican Council Candidates in Receiving over $16,000 in Political Contributions

GallowayTwpNews.com previously reported the Political Contributions received by Democratic Candidates for Council on June 9, 2013. At that time the Republican Council Candidates had not submitted their reports to the NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission in order to be reported on. 

GallowayTwpNews.com has since reviewed the NJ ELEC reports online filed on June 24, 2013 by the Republican Council Candidates. Mayor Don Purdy tops the list of Republican candidates by receiving $16,749.00 in Political Contributions. 

Frank Gargione was a far second with receiving $4,099 in contributions. Timothy Meadows Sr. brought in $1,313 and Robert Maldonado garnered $1,174 in contributions.

All candidates must report the individual contributions, if the contribution exceeds $300 in aggregate. The list of Political Contributions is listed below:

Mayor Don Purdy:

According to NJ ELEC report, Purdy received seven (7) contributions in excess of $300 which totaled $13,900. Purdy also received a total of $2,849.00 in contributions that were less than $300.

May 14, 2013 - $1,000 from Nick Menas

May 14, 2013 - $2,600 from Sahara Sand of Falls

May 14, 2013 - $2,400 from Lawrence Silvi

May 14, 2013 - $1,400 from Adams, Rehmann & Heggan Assoc.

June 3, 2013 - $2,500 from Marco Gomez Diaz

June 20, 2013 - $2,500 from Allgeyer Builders

June 20, 2013 - $1,500 from Rita Purdy

According to the NJ ELEC report filed, Purdy has since removed his money from his account. The description listed on the report is "Transfer Funds to General Election."

Frank Gargione:

According to NJ ELEC report, Gargione received seven (3) contributions in excess of $300. Gargione also received a total of $849.00 in contributions that were less than $300.

May 24, 2013 - $1,000 from Kenneth Calemmo

May 24, 2013 - $1,000 from Charles Pessagno

June 7, 2013 - $1,250 from Llyod Wimberg

Timothy Meadows Sr.:

According to NJ ELEC report, Meadows did not receive any contributions in excess of $300. Meadows received a total of $1,313 in contributions that were less than $300.

Robert Maldonado Sr.:

According to NJ ELEC report, Maldonado did not receive any contributions in excess of $300. Maldonado received a total of $1,174 in contributions that were less than $300.

Galloway Township Republican Candidates are running under the OneGalloway Slogan. Click here for their Facebook Page.