=== Berkeley Heights Town Council Conflict of Interest and Ethics Controversies ===
Fear of Facts: A Response to Councilwoman Poage’s “Fake News” Claim
Date: 2025-03-20
Responds to an inflammatory accusation by Councilwoman Poage labeling public commentary and reporting as “fake news,” and calls out the broader effort to suppress scrutiny.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/03/20/fear-of-facts-a-response-to-councilwoman-poages-fake-news-claim/
Journalism in New Jersey Is Under Attack — and Berkeley Heights Just Joined the Pile-On
Date: 2025-03-23
Analyzes local and statewide efforts to intimidate journalists, including recent statements and decisions by Berkeley Heights officials targeting watchdog reporting.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/03/23/journalism-in-new-jersey-is-under-attack-and-berkeley-heights-just-joined-the-pile-on/
Instability and Controversy: The Devanney Town Council’s Police and Finance Departments
Date: 2025-02-21
Explores instability in leadership within the Berkeley Heights Police Department and Finance Office, and how the Township’s management decisions raise ethical and legal questions.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/02/21/instability-and-controversy-the-devanney-town-councils-police-and-finance-departments/
More Information on the High-Powered PR Firm Berkeley Heights Families Are Paying For
Date: 2025-02-05
Breaks down the cost and scope of work for the public relations firm retained by the Township and how this aligns (or doesn’t) with resident priorities.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/02/05/more-information-on-the-high-powered-pr-firm-berkeley-heights-families-are-paying-for/
Power, Priorities, and Paychecks: Unpacking the Devanney Council’s Latest Moves — and a Local Press That Fails to Hold Them Accountable
Date: 2025-02-02
Details spending decisions, PR outsourcing, and police department oversight, as well as the absence of hard-hitting local coverage.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/02/02/power-priorities-and-paychecks-unpacking-the-devanney-councils-latest-moves-and-a-local-press-that-fails-to-hold-them-accountable/
Packed Agendas, Glossed-Over Details: The 01/21/2025 Town Council Meeting
Date: 2025-01-23
Summarizes the January council meeting and how important financial and personnel decisions were pushed through with limited discussion.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2025/01/23/packed-agendas-glossed-over-details-the-01-21-2025-town-council-meeting/
05/07/2024 Town Council Meeting: Two Issues Come to a Head
Date: 2024-05-08
Details the confluence of public safety and financial staffing crises as debated during the May 2024 meeting.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2024/05/08/05-07-2024-town-council-meeting-two-issues-come-to-a-head/
Notes on the 03/19/2024 Town Council Meeting
Date: 2024-04-10
Covers the administrative shift that began to merge responsibilities of the CFO and Township Administrator, raising process questions.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2024/04/10/notes-on-the-03-19-2024-town-council-meeting-2/
04/16/2024 Town Council Notes: Township Administrator to Take on Role of CFO
Date: 2024-04-22
Confirms the formal decision to consolidate roles and centralize fiscal authority under the Township Administrator.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2024/04/22/04-16-2024-town-council-notes-township-administrator-to-take-on-role-of-cfo/
No, the Township Does Not Have a CFO — and the Proposed Solution Should Raise Concerns
Date: 2024-06-23
Outlines how the Township has gone without a qualified CFO, why the proposed solution lacks oversight, and the legal risks involved.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2024/06/23/no-the-township-does-not-have-a-cfo-and-the-proposed-solution-should-raise-concerns/