At least two people have stepped down from appointments on public boards in response to the borough's new regulation on how employees and volunteers can comment on an unofficial Highlands Facebook group page.
By a vote of 3-2 at Wednesday night's meeting, the borough council approved R-14-220, which requires any town official, elected or hired, 'employee, agent, representative or volunteer, including appointees to boards and commissions, committees or subcommittees' to add some sort of disclaimer to Facebook posts - and other social media - to make it clear that they are speaking for themselves, and not the town. The legislation was apparently spurred by comments and posts on the 1,868-member HIGHLANDS New Jersey Facebook group, an unofficial page run by a resident with no official role with the town.
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Barbara Iannucci, who is married to councilman Doug Card, who cast one the two votes against the resolution, voiced her displeasure with the law at the end of the meeting saying she was 'ashamed to be in a town that would even entertain any topic like this as a law.' Then Iannucci presented the mayor with her resignation, effective immediately, from her spots on the town's Environmental Commission and FEMA Long-Term Advisory Committee.
The resignation of Art Gallagher, following Highlands' borough council approving a measure on Wednesday night to regulate how town personnel and volunteers alike can post on an unofficial Facebook group page. (Photo: Document provided by Highlands borough councilman Doug Card )
She wasn't alone. Art Gallagher, who has been on the borough's Zoning Board of Adjustment for 10 years, stepped down from that position as well as his position as vice chairman of the Highlands Planning Board. As an online publisher and sometimes social-media consultant, Gallagher said he didn't think there was any way he could practically comply with the law. He doesn't agree with the spirit of it either.
'The mayor (Frank Nolan, who supported the resolution) is a friend of mine and continues to be a friend of mine and I continue to support him,' Gallagher said Thursday morning. 'We just disagree on this issue.'
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Card is the only council member who has responded to requests for comment from the Asbury Park Press. Councilwoman Tara Ryan joined Card in voting against the resolution, while council president Rebecca Kane and councilman Kevin Redmond cast votes in the affirmative along with the mayor.
At one point in an oftentimes testy meeting Wednesday night, Kane read from a prepared statement to explain that the administration was spending 'two or three hours a day' responding to calls or concerns emanating from posts and comments on the Highlands page.
The resignation of Barbara Iannucci, following Highlands' borough council approving a measure on Wednesday night to regulate how town personnel and volunteers alike can post on an unofficial Facebook group page. (Photo: Submitted by Barbara Iannucci )
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Nolan said there's more in play than just the free-speech concerns, as unfettered gossip on the group's page was having real world consequences.
'I actually find it offensive too when employees call us and say I read somewhere that you guys are firing me and it's on a website or a page that says 'Highlands' on it,' he said.
Despite the emotions the resolution has stirred up, it's unclear how, or if, the town will actually enforce the rule. Town attorney Bruce Padula said at Wednesday's meeting that the resolution contained no language describing any penalties or enforcement mechanisms.
Russ Zimmer: 732-557-5748, razimmer@app.com
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