Howell council may be
seeking résumés again

For several weeks we’ve been hearing rumblings out of Howell that not everyone involved in township government is enamored of Township Manager Jacqueline Ascione.

Rumors of Ascione’s alleged impending ouster quietly made the rounds during the recent primary campaign. Some predictions we heard had Ascione leaving before the June 6 primary. The fact that she still has her job tells you all you need to know about rumors.

Since the News Transcript is not in the business of reporting rumors, all the speculation and allegations we heard remained out of the pages of the newspaper.

Now, however, we must give some credence to the possibility that Ascione may not be in Howell for the long term.

When two members of the Howell Policeman’s Benevolent Association made comments about Ascione’s job status during a June 12 Township Council meeting, the issue became fodder for public discussion.

And, much to our surprise, the mayor and at least one council member acknowledged on the record that Ascione’s performance as Howell’s manager is under some level of official scrutiny.

Mayor Timothy Konopka, who will be running for a second term in November, said he and the council are in the process — in closed session — of evaluating the job Ascione is doing.

Councilman Barry Segal, a lame duck who will leave office on Dec. 31 after losing in the June primary, made it clear he would like Ascione out of Howell and noted that he cast the lone vote against hiring her a year ago.

Obviously something is going on behind the scenes at town hall relating to the township manager. The mayor states publicly that members of the governing body are considering their options, while at the same time the PBA is sticking its two cents into the mix.

When was the last time representatives of the rank and file in a Western Monmouth County police department got involved in a debate over the comings and goings of a township manager anyway? And why are the police so gung ho to support Ascione? Could it be the reworked schedule she gave them that includes paid daily workouts?

Count the rumors confirmed on this one. Something’s up — again — in Howell. Dare we say it? Maybe it’s time to get the oil out for that revolving door in the manager’s office.