Forum misrepresentations are a disservice
(Open letter to Long Branch Mayor Adam Schneider)
Just want to take a moment to express my concern about what I believe was a significant misrepresentation in regard to the recent forum presented by Mr. Brian Unger.

As you know, I sit on the board of a local nonprofit organization, the Long Branch Concordance. Our executive director, Darcy Dobens, was asked to participate in one of the panel discussions at this forum. I believe she was given the false impression that this was a city-sponsored event since it was being organized by Councilman Unger and being held in the City Hall council chambers.

Further, the forum carried a description that made it sound like a fair assessment of city issues, yet the various panels included no official city representatives such as the director of community and economic development or the director of recreation, and yet these areas were the focus of discussions.

I believe it is a disservice to both our organization and the citizens of the city if these misrepresentations are not addressed by both the city administration and City Council.

Joe Skidmore

Long Branch