NORTHFIELD — It was back to business as usual at the Atlantic County freeholders meeting Tuesday night.
After a boisterous meeting last week, following the Jan. 21 Facebook post by Freeholder John Carman, only one person spoke up about the controversial meme about the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., the day after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Heather Gordon, 28, of Ventnor, addressed the Board of Freeholders and the crowd, giving facts and statistics about domestic violence, rape and human trafficking. She condemned Carman for using a sexist joke.
“I was at the Women’s March and I can tell you, I was not home to make dinner,” said Gordon, “‘Will she be home in time for dinner?’ becomes a little less funny when you consider 38 percent of all murdered women were killed by their partners.”
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After Gordon left the podium, four people approached for public comment, including Judy Niewender, 73, of Egg Harbor Township.
“I hope you don’t let people talk about this every meeting,” Niewender said.
Tom Flannigan, 65, of Northfield, apologized to Carman, saying he knows he is a good person and that the joke shared had many “interpretations.”
The meeting began with seven of eight newly hired officers with the Atlantic County Sherriff’s Office being sworn in. Sheriff Frank Balles said the hirings were not additions to the force or based on new bail reform. They filled positions available due to retirements and transfers.
During the meeting, the freeholders were given a presentation by Devon Perry, the executive director of the destination marketing organization Visit South Jersey.
Freeholder Ernest Coursey voiced his hesitance with funding the tourism partnership. “Atlantic County has one of the highest foreclosures rates in the country, and we have budgetary constraints,” he said.
The board agreed marketing the Atlantic County area has been insufficient in the last few years.
“A business with no sign is a sign of no business,” Freeholder Chairman Frank Formica said. “The funding is a legitimate concern, but I do believe it’s time to start investing.”
Formica asked that Perry come back with a more in-depth presentation, including information about return on investment.
