Today I learned that our Township CFO filed a complaint alleging harassment, hostile treatment and retaliation, among other things by Township CEO/Manager Tim Stafford. There is a lot that I’m learning for the first time in reading her complaint as the timeline spans two administrations. There are also some things I’ve heard anecdotally. But I’ll say this — I believe her, I’m worried for other women who work in our government and I’m angry. 

As I said in my town hall event last week at a very high level there is a problem in Montclair. I know that several of my colleagues feel this way. I know many of you do too. But unfortunately, Mayor Spiller hasn’t been willing to make a change in leadership and equally unfortunate — not enough of my colleagues have been willing to go against him. I’d ask my colleagues to remember their responsibilities to our constituents and all Township employees as well as their own power: it takes four votes to hire or remove the Township Manager, regardless if those four include the Mayor. The severe lack of leadership is both costly and harmful. And fundamentally, I just believe that good leaders create environments and foster a workplace culture where speaking up and dissent are encouraged. That is not the current Montclair government environment for employees or even on the Council. I write this with fear that I will be retaliated against for doing so. That isn’t healthy. 

A few weeks ago I learned that Ms. Rao was asked to no longer participate in Township Finance Committee meetings, which the Mayor leads. That to me felt like retaliation for some of the things she, in my mind, rightfully spoke up about, including the recent disregard for her professional analysis in the Glenridge fire contract process. On several occasions, including after the most recent Council Meeting, the Mayor approached me and my colleagues to discuss building a file of examples that could be used to pursue disciplinary action against Ms. Rao. While performance management of the CFO is certainly under the purview of the Council, the timing of this also felt retaliatory in nature.
 
I will also say that this isn’t the first time I’ve heard from a former or current female employee about the workplace culture for women. The difference here and why I can say something now, is because one of those women — Ms. Rao, was willing to put it out there. Bravo, Ms. Rao. One former female employee last year described the workplace environment at Town Hall to me as “Trumpian”. 

I want to encourage all Montclair Township employees to make sure they know their rights and to speak up. They should talk to Human Resources or the Law Department if they don’t. I also want to encourage any former employees to come forward too. You will be heard.
 
This is a democracy where the people of this town elected me and my colleagues to represent them and their values. The manager serves at the pleasure of the Council and you, the people. I’m calling on my colleagues to join me in taking the preliminary steps to remove Mr. Stafford as Township Manager by introducing a preliminary Resolution of Removal at next week’s Council Meeting.

Enough is enough.

-Peter