Mayor Ben Romic Discusses Future of Millville Governance Amidst Broader Community Concerns

The recent Cumberland County Board of Commissioners meeting covered topics including the future of Millville’s governance structure, local sports enthusiasm, gun control debates, and community events. Mayor Ben Romic shared his views on transitioning from the commission form of government, while also touching upon various local issues affecting the community.

Mayor Ben Romic expressed his belief that Millville’s longstanding commission form of government, derived from the Walsh Act in the early 1900s, may soon be replaced. Romic highlighted the impact of vote splitting in elections, mentioning he finished “10 votes behind Lisa,” which illustrates the complex dynamics of having five open seats. He suggested that Millville’s system might have “run its course” and hinted at a possible shift to a mayor-council structure, although no specific timeline was provided. The mayor explained the differences between a strong mayor and a strong council system, noting that the mayor retains significant power regardless of the structure.

Romic reminisced about past mayors, acknowledging their contributions to the community. He mentioned Ben Corson, Rob, Jimmy Parent, and Emil Van Hook, reflecting on his own electoral history, which began in 1997. He served multiple terms and narrowly lost in 2009 amidst controversy surrounding the Motorsports Park and noise complaints. This history underscores the evolving nature of local politics and the potential for future changes in governance.

The meeting also delved into broader societal issues, including gun control. One participant shared a tragic incident from their tenure as mayor, where a young man was killed in a shooting. The former mayor attended a candlelight vigil, emphasizing the need for stricter gun control, saying, “I don’t think anyone possessing an illegal gun should do three to five years in prison. You shouldn’t have them.” This stance highlighted the ongoing debate over gun legislation and its implications for community safety.

Comparisons were made between U.S. gun laws and those in other countries like England, Ireland, France, Italy, and Spain, where mass shootings are less common. The conversation included an anecdote about a British tourist at Disney World, who expressed confusion over the availability of firearms in the U.S., contrasting it with alcohol restrictions for young people in her country. This anecdote emphasized the differing cultural attitudes towards guns and safety.

Public safety concerns were further discussed, particularly regarding the reduction of special police officers, whose numbers had dwindled from 19 to possibly as low as two. Unarmed special officers were noted for their visibility and contribution to public safety at community events. Budgetary constraints and a preference for full-time officers were speculated as reasons for this decline. The challenges faced by police officers, including legislative restrictions on police chases, were also mentioned, highlighting the complexities of law enforcement in today’s climate.

Community events and local businesses were another focal point. The Holly City Fest and the annual car show were cited as successful events that drew significant participation and revitalized the community. The appointment of Marissa Rello to the Parks and Public Property Department was noted, with optimism expressed about her performance.

Participants reminisced about attending games at Veteran’s Stadium and Citizens Bank Park, noting the differences in atmosphere and customer service. The high costs associated with tickets, particularly for season ticket holders, were highlighted. The unpredictability of the football season and the strong community support for the teams were also discussed.

Mayor Romic and others touched upon the influence of social media on public perception and political discourse. Romic expressed concern for fellow public officials who faced online criticism, mentioning the complications of anonymity on social media. He emphasized the importance of listening to constituents while recognizing the tendency for grievances to be aired without constructive follow-up. Romic highlighted the need for openness to revisiting plans and ideas based on public input.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
County Administrator:
Harold U. Johnson
County Council Officials:
Douglas A. Albrecht, Victoria Groetsch-Lods, Art Marchand, Antonio Romero, James Sauro, Joseph V. Sileo, Sandra Taylor

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