JACKSON, NJ – A Jackson Township Councilman who also serves as a politically appointed member of the Trump administration has called it quits saying he needs to focus on his new government job and the balance between his elected position and political patronage job was becoming increasingly difficult as he also suffers from Parkinson’s disease.
“This decision was not a sudden one, I’ve been pondering after several months. I decided to focus more on my public service and health,” Calogero said. “Every decision I made, every vote I cast was based on the best interest of Jackson residents. was not elected by a judge or builder, but he received plenty of campaign funds from the engineers who fund those builders.”
Forty-nine people attended the virtual meeting, but Calogero didn’t leave the building without trading his trademark barbs against his political opponents as he has done so many times during his nearly eight-year tenure on the council.
“I have the honor to serve as the executive director of the U.S. Farms, serving the president of the united states. When I took this position in 2017, I needed to balance my role as a non-partisan federal employee. May 15, 2020,” Calogero said of his politically appointed job, brokered by former GOP Chairman and township attorney George Gilmore.
“This is an area where the selfish and misinformed few, the losers and fake media take a fundamental difference in opinion of land use and turn it into something disgusting,” Calogero said of his former running mate Ken Bressi and others who have challenged his authority over the years. “I think we know who I’m talking about. Keyboard cowards within and abroad of our boundaries. I don’t like bullies and I don’t tolerate bullies. I have always stood up to them. Push back, they run away.”
Despite sharp criticism from Calogero, Bressi wished Calogero the best in his future endeavors.
“I thought I heard this might be the conversation if I heard right, I’m glad it’s not due to health issues, I know the decision is tough to make, I wish you well in your endeavors and thank you for your service to Jackson,” Bressi said.
“Barry Calogero is an honest, honorable, and decent man and wonderful friend,” said Councilman Andy Kern.
Calogero becomes the second “never quit” councilman to abruptly resign from office in the past six months. In November, Jackson Township Councilman Robert Nixon, who works as New Jersey State PBA lobbyist abruptly resigned.
“Bravo Barry and thank you for calling out those who needed to be called out,” said Elenor Hannum, a Jackson resident and close political ally of Calogero’s.