JCOW

Former commissioner says now a good time to get out
e-published 10/31/2006

WILDWOOD CREST – Before commissioners moved into a closed-door executive session on Wednesday evening last week to discuss the status of their membership in JCOW, former Commissioner Robert Young wished them luck and offered some advice.
“If you could find a qualified construction official, certainly now would be a good time to disembark (from JCOW),” Young said.

The problem has been ongoing, he reminded them. Concerns about the performance of the JCOW office – including its inspection practices and financial administration -- surfaced periodically over the past several years in Wildwood Crest. In February 2005, Mayor John Pantelone’s administration discussed their concerns with former JCOW construction official Michael Preston. Shortly after taking office, Mayor Carl Groon’s administration considered severing ties with JCOW in June 2005as the result of alleged questionable accounting practices and a buy-out package offered to Preston at his retirement.

At that time, commissioners reported discussing the possibility of hiring a code enforcement inspector through JCOW who would be solely responsible for construction in the Crest.

In an interview with The Leader last June, Commissioner Don Cabrera described withdrawal from JCOW as a “last resort option.”

“I am one for structure,” Cabrera said. “You need to know someone is going to come by and check on you. Right now the only time you get enforcement is if someone complains.”

Commissioners said with Preston retiring, they would give a new construction official a chance to address their concerns. They would use the additional year to consider their options, they said.

It was eventually uncovered by The Leader that Preston retired while under investigation by the State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and he forfeited his license at their request. In September, code violations in 79 buildings inspected under Preston’s watch were revealed.

Young said on Wednesday that he believed that all of the participating municipalities have to take some responsibility for the problems at JCOW. Young noted that Preston worked part time as the Crest’s zoning officer while also working for JCOW.

“He certainly bears a lot of the brunt (of the responsibility, but I think we bear some responsibility, too,” Young said.

-- Maureen Cawley

JCOW

Former commissioner says now a good time to get out
e-published 10/31/2006

WILDWOOD CREST – Before commissioners moved into a closed-door executive session on Wednesday evening last week to discuss the status of their membership in JCOW, former Commissioner Robert Young wished them luck and offered some advice.
“If you could find a qualified construction official, certainly now would be a good time to disembark (from JCOW),” Young said.

The problem has been ongoing, he reminded them. Concerns about the performance of the JCOW office – including its inspection practices and financial administration -- surfaced periodically over the past several years in Wildwood Crest. In February 2005, Mayor John Pantelone’s administration discussed their concerns with former JCOW construction official Michael Preston. Shortly after taking office, Mayor Carl Groon’s administration considered severing ties with JCOW in June 2005as the result of alleged questionable accounting practices and a buy-out package offered to Preston at his retirement.

At that time, commissioners reported discussing the possibility of hiring a code enforcement inspector through JCOW who would be solely responsible for construction in the Crest.

In an interview with The Leader last June, Commissioner Don Cabrera described withdrawal from JCOW as a “last resort option.”

“I am one for structure,” Cabrera said. “You need to know someone is going to come by and check on you. Right now the only time you get enforcement is if someone complains.”

Commissioners said with Preston retiring, they would give a new construction official a chance to address their concerns. They would use the additional year to consider their options, they said.

It was eventually uncovered by The Leader that Preston retired while under investigation by the State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and he forfeited his license at their request. In September, code violations in 79 buildings inspected under Preston’s watch were revealed.

Young said on Wednesday that he believed that all of the participating municipalities have to take some responsibility for the problems at JCOW. Young noted that Preston worked part time as the Crest’s zoning officer while also working for JCOW.

“He certainly bears a lot of the brunt (of the responsibility), but I think we bear some responsibility, too,” Young said.

-- Maureen Cawley

JCOW

Former commissioner says now a good time to get out
e-published 10/31/2006

WILDWOOD CREST – Before commissioners moved into a closed-door executive session on Wednesday evening last week to discuss the status of their membership in JCOW, former Commissioner Robert Young wished them luck and offered some advice.
“If you could find a qualified construction official, certainly now would be a good time to disembark (from JCOW),” Young said.

The problem has been ongoing, he reminded them. Concerns about the performance of the JCOW office – including its inspection practices and financial administration -- surfaced periodically over the past several years in Wildwood Crest. In February 2005, Mayor John Pantelone’s administration discussed their concerns with former JCOW construction official Michael Preston. Shortly after taking office, Mayor Carl Groon’s administration considered severing ties with JCOW in June 2005as the result of alleged questionable accounting practices and a buy-out package offered to Preston at his retirement.

At that time, commissioners reported discussing the possibility of hiring a code enforcement inspector through JCOW who would be solely responsible for construction in the Crest.

In an interview with The Leader last June, Commissioner Don Cabrera described withdrawal from JCOW as a “last resort option.”

“I am one for structure,” Cabrera said. “You need to know someone is going to come by and check on you. Right now the only time you get enforcement is if someone complains.”

Commissioners said with Preston retiring, they would give a new construction official a chance to address their concerns. They would use the additional year to consider their options, they said.

It was eventually uncovered by The Leader that Preston retired while under investigation by the State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and he forfeited his license at their request. In September, code violations in 79 buildings inspected under Preston’s watch were revealed.

Young said on Wednesday that he believed that all of the participating municipalities have to take some responsibility for the problems at JCOW. Young noted that Preston worked part time as the Crest’s zoning officer while also working for JCOW.

“He certainly bears a lot of the brunt (of the responsibility), but I think we bear some responsibility, too,” Young said.

-- Maureen Cawley

Membership in JCOW

Former commissioner says now a good time to get out
e-published 10/31/2006

WILDWOOD CREST – Before commissioners moved into a closed-door executive session on Wednesday evening last week to discuss the status of their membership in JCOW, former Commissioner Robert Young wished them luck and offered some advice.
“If you could find a qualified construction official, certainly now would be a good time to disembark (from JCOW),” Young said.

The problem has been ongoing, he reminded them. Concerns about the performance of the JCOW office – including its inspection practices and financial administration -- surfaced periodically over the past several years in Wildwood Crest. In February 2005, Mayor John Pantelone’s administration discussed their concerns with former JCOW construction official Michael Preston. Shortly after taking office, Mayor Carl Groon’s administration considered severing ties with JCOW in June 2005as the result of alleged questionable accounting practices and a buy-out package offered to Preston at his retirement.

At that time, commissioners reported discussing the possibility of hiring a code enforcement inspector through JCOW who would be solely responsible for construction in the Crest.

In an interview with The Leader last June, Commissioner Don Cabrera described withdrawal from JCOW as a “last resort option.”

“I am one for structure,” Cabrera said. “You need to know someone is going to come by and check on you. Right now the only time you get enforcement is if someone complains.”

Commissioners said with Preston retiring, they would give a new construction official a chance to address their concerns. They would use the additional year to consider their options, they said.

It was eventually uncovered by The Leader that Preston retired while under investigation by the State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and he forfeited his license at their request. In September, code violations in 79 buildings inspected under Preston’s watch were revealed.

Young said on Wednesday that he believed that all of the participating municipalities have to take some responsibility for the problems at JCOW. Young noted that Preston worked part time as the Crest’s zoning officer while also working for JCOW.

“He certainly bears a lot of the brunt (of the responsibility), but I think we bear some responsibility, too,” Young said.

-- Maureen Cawley

Membership in JCOW

Former commissioner says now a good time to get out
e-published 10/31/2006

WILDWOOD CREST – Before commissioners moved into a closed-door executive session on Wednesday evening last week to discuss the status of their membership in JCOW, former Commissioner Robert Young wished them luck and offered some advice.
“If you could find a qualified construction official, certainly now would be a good time to disembark (from JCOW),” Young said.

The problem has been ongoing, he reminded them. Concerns about the performance of the JCOW office – including its inspection practices and financial administration -- surfaced periodically over the past several years in Wildwood Crest. In February 2005, Mayor John Pantelone’s administration discussed their concerns with former JCOW construction official Michael Preston. Shortly after taking office, Mayor Carl Groon’s administration considered severing ties with JCOW in June 2005as the result of alleged questionable accounting practices and a buy-out package offered to Preston at his retirement.

At that time, commissioners reported discussing the possibility of hiring a code enforcement inspector through JCOW who would be solely responsible for construction in the Crest.

In an interview with The Leader last June, Commissioner Don Cabrera described withdrawal from JCOW as a “last resort option.”

“I am one for structure,” Cabrera said. “You need to know someone is going to come by and check on you. Right now the only time you get enforcement is if someone complains.”

Commissioners said with Preston retiring, they would give a new construction official a chance to address their concerns. They would use the additional year to consider their options, they said.

It was eventually uncovered by The Leader that Preston retired while under investigation by the State Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and he forfeited his license at their request. In September, code violations in 79 buildings inspected under Preston’s watch were revealed.

Young said on Wednesday that he believed that all of the participating municipalities have to take some responsibility for the problems at JCOW. Young noted that Preston worked part time as the Crest’s zoning officer while also working for JCOW.

“He certainly bears a lot of the brunt (of the responsibility), but I think we bear some responsibility, too,” Young said.

-- Maureen Cawley