June 2025
I sent this to the Township Committee:
Proposal to Establish a Public Advocate Position in Neptune Township, New Jersey
Introduction
In the interest of increasing government accountability, transparency, and responsiveness, this proposal recommends the creation of a Public Advocate position in Neptune Township. This independent role would serve as a bridge between residents and the local government, ensuring that community concerns are heard, addressed, and acted upon effectively.
Background
Across the country, municipalities have recognized the value of a Public Advocate—an independent, community-centered office that works to protect the rights and interests of residents. In places like New York City, this role has served as both a watchdog and a voice for underrepresented populations, helping to mediate disputes, improve public services, and push for greater government responsiveness. Neptune Township, with its diverse neighborhoods, dynamic history, and unique mix of challenges and opportunities, would benefit greatly from a similar role.
Purpose and Functions
The Neptune Township Public Advocate would:
Serve as an independent ombudsman for residents, investigating complaints or concerns related to public services, development, environmental issues, and housing.
Monitor the actions of local agencies and departments, ensuring that residents’ rights are protected and services are equitably delivered.
Facilitate communication between citizens and government bodies, especially for residents who feel marginalized or underrepresented.
Advocate for policy changes or improvements in Township operations based on citizen input and observed patterns of concern.
Issue regular reports to the Township Committee and the public on the status of key issues and recommendations for action.
Justification
Neptune residents frequently express concerns about:
A lack of communication or follow-through from various Township departments.
Uneven enforcement of zoning, code, and environmental regulations.
Disconnection between Township planning and actual community needs.
Limited accessibility or responsiveness to seniors, renters, working families, and small business owners.
A Public Advocate could help restore public trust by creating a formal mechanism for oversight and feedback—one grounded in service to the public, not political affiliation or departmental priorities.
Structure and Independence
The Public Advocate should be:
Appointed through a transparent public process, ideally with input from a citizens advisory board.
Given statutory independence from existing Township administrative departments and political bodies.
Provided with access to necessary public records and data (within the bounds of privacy laws).
Adequately funded through the municipal budget to support a small staff and operational resources.
Implementation
To move forward, the following steps are recommended:
Introduce a resolution before the Neptune Township Committee to study and design the office of the Public Advocate.
Convene a community task force—including residents, civic leaders, nonprofit representatives, and legal experts—to develop a detailed framework.
Hold public hearings to gather community input and ensure the position reflects local priorities.
Adopt an ordinance to officially create and fund the Public Advocate Office.
Conclusion
The establishment of a Public Advocate position will strengthen the relationship between Neptune’s government and its residents, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and equity. It is a forward-thinking step toward making Neptune Township a model of participatory democracy and responsive local governance.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Schlossbach
June 11, 2025
Their response wasn’t what I hoped for (excerpts from the reply I received)-
Thank you for your proposal regarding the creation of a Public Advocate position in Neptune Township.
After careful consideration, the Township Committee has decided not to pursue the establishment of a Public Advocate position at this time. While we share your commitment to open and responsive governance, we believe that the existing structures and channels for community engagement—such as public meetings, advisory boards, and communication with elected officials—are currently sufficient to address residents' concerns and promote transparency.
Here is my reply-
Thanks for your reply. I hope you realize that I disagree with your response, which states that "we believe that the existing structures and channels for community engagement—such as public meetings, advisory boards, and communication with elected officials—are currently sufficient to address residents' concerns and promote transparency."
During my journey through the township, one of the top responses from the vast majority of people I spoke with was that there was a disconnect between the committee and the community's particular needs. There was a lack of transparency and responsiveness, and the committee was perceived as "the same old" and complacent regarding the particular issues of the community.
I don't see this resolved using the current "system" and that's the reason I recommended adding an advocate.
June 2025
I also resent my proposal to create an Arts & Culture Commission and haven’t received a reply. See below:
**Proposal for the Establishment of an Arts and Culture Committee in Neptune Township**
**Submitted by: Richard Schlossbach
917-922-2462
October 27, 2024
Re submitted June 11,2025
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Purpose of the Proposal
This proposal seeks to establish an Arts and Culture Committee in Neptune Township to encourage and promote artistic and cultural activities, fostering a vibrant community that celebrates and supports diverse forms of creative expression. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for all residents and attract visitors to our town, enriching our local economy and community identity.
Background
Neptune Township is a thriving and diverse community with a rich historical and cultural landscape. However, there is currently no dedicated township entity to support and advance local arts, music, theater, dance, visual arts, and other cultural activities. An Arts and Culture Committee will address this need by providing a structured platform to support and promote arts and culture within Neptune Township.
Mission of the Arts and Culture Committee
The mission of the Neptune Township Arts and Culture Committee will be to foster a community where arts and culture are celebrated, accessible, and integral to the lives of all residents. The Committee will promote local talent, support arts education, and encourage participation in artistic endeavors.
Goals and Objectives
1. **Encourage Community Engagement**: Increase public participation in cultural activities by organizing regular events, workshops, and exhibitions accessible to all residents.
2. **Support Local Artists**: Provide resources, networking opportunities, and platforms for local artists to showcase their work. This can include visual artists, musicians, writers, actors, and other creative professionals.
3. **Promote Cultural Diversity**: Celebrate and promote the cultural diversity within Neptune by organizing events and programs representing various traditions, histories, and perspectives.
4. **Enhance Economic Development**: Utilize arts and culture as tools for economic growth by attracting visitors and supporting local businesses that benefit from increased cultural tourism.
5. **Improve Public Spaces through Art**: Encourage and facilitate public art projects that beautify the township and make art accessible to all.
6. **Collaborate with Educational Institutions**: Partner with local schools, libraries, and community organizations to foster arts education and expand learning opportunities in the arts.
Proposed Structure and Responsibilities
**Committee Composition**
The Arts and Culture Committee will consist of 7-10 members appointed by the Township Council, including:
- Local artists, musicians, and performers
- Representatives from community organizations, schools, and libraries
- Business owners and residents passionate about arts and culture
- One member of the Township Council as a liaison
**Committee Responsibilities**
1. Organize and manage annual cultural events, such as art fairs, music festivals, theater performances, and workshops.
2. Develop and oversee an annual budget for arts initiatives, funded through township allocations, grants, and community partnerships.
3. Collaborate with the Neptune Green Team and other community organizations to integrate sustainability into arts programming.
4. Seek grants and external funding to support projects.
5. Create a public art initiative to incorporate art installations in public spaces.
6. Promote the township's arts scene through social media, press releases, and partnerships with local media.
Financial Considerations
Funding for the committee can be sourced from:
- A modest annual budget allocation from the township
- State and federal grants for arts and culture initiatives
- Sponsorships from local businesses
- Fundraising activities, events, and donations from the community
An annual budget will allow the committee to organize events, support local artists, and maintain ongoing arts initiatives, with transparent financial management and reporting.
Expected Benefits
The establishment of an Arts and Culture Committee will:
- Create a cohesive identity and enhanced quality of life for Neptune Township as a culturally vibrant and attractive community.
- Foster local talent and provide residents with the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts.
- Increase economic activity by drawing visitors to Neptune for events and exhibitions.
- Encourage unity and pride among residents by celebrating cultural diversity.
Conclusion
By establishing an Arts and Culture Committee, Neptune Township can become a hub of creativity and cultural engagement, enhancing the township’s reputation as an inclusive, vibrant community. We request that the Township Council consider this proposal and the potential benefits to the community, and approve the establishment of an Arts and Culture Committee in Neptune.
**Thank you for your consideration.**
May/June 2025
I was asked recently online to provide more specific positions on certain issues. Here are the questions and my answers.
1) State budget - how will you balance the budget?
If you mean the Twp. Regarding the state and county budgets, we need to be creative and not expect instant results. As I state on my website, 1st we have to go into survival budget mode. Meaning, getting down to necessities without giving up what's important to give us the services we need. We have to be realistic in that we can't expect the cavalry to arrive. We need to work with and negotiate shared services and purchasing with the county and state. We must be proactive in planning for the near and distant future by making pragmatic and responsible decisions that will stabilize the budget. It will take small and large actions.
2) Housing affordability for the middle class and the poor.
2. Affordable housing: This is an area we need to address from multiple angles. We need to address property taxes that are increasing costs for owners and developers. We need to examine the definition of 'affordable' and explore ways to adjust the percentage required for new development.
3) Division - how do you propose to end division among parties, races, hate towards gays, immigrants, women, Jewish, etc?
3- Division- I see the problem stems from inherent bias, in that we aren't born with issues with others, but we are exposed to bias at an early age. We solve it by first accepting that it's real, though we might not be consciously aware of it. Secondly, we use education to address inclusivity vs exclusiveness in our schools, statements to call out when we see discrimination, and the stands we openly take as a community.
4) Education
4- Education- I envision our school system becoming a model of public education. This would require a strong plan with measurable results and accountability. Set higher goals that beat the accepted averages for reading and math. A holistic approach to learning in the curriculum that includes creating flexible classroom environments that allow for collaboration and individual work, integrating real-life experiences into lessons, and providing students with choices in how they demonstrate their understanding of material. This approach emphasizes the interconnectedness of academic, emotional, social, and physical development in students.
5) Healthcare costs, including prescriptions and the price of health insurance
5- Healthcare- This is tricky on the local level since many of the items mentioned are not directly handled on the local level. Yet, we, as a hopefully well-represented community, have and should use our strong voices to not only discuss our concerns but to shout them out and demand solutions from the "powers that be". We need to be the strongest public advocate for results. We also need to encourage other local governments to join us.
6) Crime
6. Crime - We must adopt a progressive approach to crime at the local level, which often emphasizes community engagement and crime prevention strategies, such as Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), involving community participation in planning to reduce crime. This method has shown promise in reducing overall crime rates by fostering collaboration between residents and law enforcement, rather than relying solely on increased policing.
7) Climate Change
7- Climate Change- To address climate change locally, especially but not exclusively near the ocean, communities can enhance resilience by restoring natural coastal habitats, building flood-proof infrastructure, and implementing smart land-use planning. Additionally, reducing greenhouse gas emissions through renewable energy and energy efficiency measures is crucial.
8) Abortion
8- Abortion- This is a personal issue between a woman, her doctor, and her family. I don't think the government has the knowledge and the right to be involved
9) Religion in Politics
9. Religion in Politics - The Constitution separates religion and the state, and I couldn't agree more. Too many wars lead to death and destruction. If one's beliefs include love and not dominance, all said, I'm all for it, but I'm not in favor of the government being involved.