UPDATE: After Hearing, Public Works Director Calls Charges 'Baseless'

Days after an employment hearing, Manchester’s suspended Public Works director issued a statement that he will continue fighting against the insubordination charges leveled against him.

According to an Asbury Park Press report, director Stephen Stanziano’s employment status will be reviewed by the hearing officer and a recommendation will be submitted to the governing body for a vote on his future with the township.

The following statement was submitted to Patch by Stanziano:

For more than 18 years I have been a dedicated public servant to the residents of Manchester, and my loyalty to Mayor [Michael] Fressola was beyond reproach. Whatever he needed to be done, I got it done.

Even outside of work, whatever he needed, I was there for him; not because he was my boss, but because he was my friend and a father figure. I even drove him for back surgery in the middle of a blizzard once at 6 am.

Sadly, he has sided with the jealousy and lies of several inept employees, and has forgotten about loyalty and the truth. I can hold my head high through all of this—he surely cannot.  

What I find most puzzling about this very costly nine month long fishing expedition is that the mayor should know better. He should know me better. This isn't over, not even close to being over. [The hearing] last week was illegal, the charges were baseless and all of the participants in this carnival sideshow will be held accountable.  

You know the old saying, ‘people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.’ Well, I don't throw stones. I use a catapult.