Another redevelopment commissioner resigns

Another Redevelopment Agency commissioner resigned this month, leaving just two commissioners who have served on the seven-member board for longer than three months.

Commissioner Michael Staryak said he submitted his resignation on Nov. 7, two days after he expressed disappointment in the search process for a new executive director because it only yielded one candidate for the post. By a unanimous vote at the Nov. 5 Redevelopment Agency, commissioners – including Staryak – appointed Leonard Bier as executive director, succeeding Peter Pelissier. Bier, who also serves as director of the Parking Authority, was the lone candidate to express interest in the post.

Staryak was appointed in 2012 to a four-year term that runs through 2016. Only commissioners Tim Nash and Paul Sefranka have served on the agency since before September, when four new commissioners were appointed and Pelissier resigned in an overhaul of the body by Mayor Samson Steinman.

Staryak, who served 15 years on the Board of Education before being appointed to the agency, said he felt like he didn’t fit on the this board. “I can’t point to anything that was good or bad,” he said. “Maybe I’m not that experienced politically with how things are done,” said Staryak, reiterating that he thinks Bier is qualified but his concern was the agency didn’t look beyond him.

No word on any forthcoming appointment to the remaining two years of Staryak’s term. The mayor, who is in Atlantic City for the annual League of Municipalities conference this week along with other city officials,  didn’t return emails seeking comment by presstime. Barring a special meeting of City Council, the earliest that a new appointment for commissioner could be submitted for approval would be at the council’s Dec. 8 regular meeting.

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4 thoughts on “Another redevelopment commissioner resigns”

  1. I agree. Very concerning. Michael Staryak is endlessly professional. I saw him in action as local scribe covering the school board, and he had always put the interests of the students first. There never was an impression as a springboard for another office, which is pretty common among school board members in any municipality. If he left, you can’t help but think there’s something nefarious going on. The one question I have is where is the Hoboken-like renaissance that was promised in downtown Rahway at least 12 years ago.

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