Transition positions PBA’ s presence on Murphy’ s transition team a great sign for the union
Transition positions PBA’ s presence on Murphy’ s transition team a great sign for the union
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
They can’ t tell you much.
NJ State PBA President Pat Colligan, State Corrections Local 105 President Brian Renshaw and Monmouth County Conference Chair Mike Tardio were asked to be part of Governor-Elect Phil Murphy’ s transition team. A confidentiality agreement prohibits any members of the team from disclosing any information about the topics and processes involved in the Murphy administration prepping to take over in January.
But Colligan, Renshaw and Tardio having seats at this table reinforces the most important message that the PBA has been emphasizing in its ongoing political action effort.
“ If you’ re at the table, you’ re not on the menu,” Colligan reminds.
The PBA president, of course, is part of the transition team’ s Law and Justice Committee. This group includes all major public safety unions and other law and justice stakeholders.
Presumably, Colligan will lend his expertise to address all the common-sense issues that are facing New Jersey law enforcement officers. His objective is to present and reinforce the PBA perspective.
“ It’ s an honor to serve the governor and extend our role in labor,” he commented.“ We were spectators when the last governor was elected. We were not only in the grandstand, we were in the cheap seats. This is another good sign of what our access and opportunities are going to be with the new governor.”
Tardio’ s inclusion came at the request of newly elected State Senator Vin Gopal, whom the Monmouth County Conference and State PBA supported with so much vim and vehemence. When NJ Insider published the names of the transition team members, his phone blew up with call and text messages of congratulations.
“ This is another good sign of what our access and opportunities will be with the new governor.”
NJ State PBA President Pat Colligan
For Tardio, the Bradley Beach Local 50 State Delegate, being included is not only an opportunity to support Colligan, but to further the impact the Monmouth County Conference members have made. Nevertheless, he was understandably shocked when he heard that he made the team.
“ When I found out about it, my first call was to President Colligan to ask,‘ Do I belong on this? Is this something I can do?’” Tardio shared.“ I’ m completely honored and appreciative, and I’ m taking the position that I’ m interested to be part of it and learn.”
The PBA makes the team
Three members have been asked to join Governor-Elect Murphy’ s transition team
Pat Colligan
NJ State PBA President
Mike Tardio Monmouth County Conference Chair
Brian Renshaw State Corrections Local 105 President
Tardio being offered a place setting, however, adds an important significance to what the PBA achieved during this election season.
“ They’ re taking us seriously. They are not forgetting all the work we put in,” he adds.“ The lines of communication are open and we have the seat at the table because of the work we put in.”
Renshaw’ s infectious enthusiasm and excitement brought several thoughts to mind about being part of the team. Mindful of the confidentiality, he didn’ t want to share many of them.
He did emphasize how it’ s a morale booster for Local 105 members, a source of satisfaction for all the hours they put in getting out the vote. Nobody – especially the elected officials – should soon forget that even after 6 p. m. on Election Day, Renshaw and his executive board went out into the rain to try and scrounge up those last votes.
“ It’ s just the hard work we put in to establish the relationships we have throughout the state,” Renshaw observed as the reinforcement to Local 105 members.“ This is all for the members. It makes all those long days and nights we put in – and those ahead of us – worth it.”
As far as where this is heading, well, Renshaw has a good idea of the score.
“ It’ s a game changer,” he exclaimed.“ This shows we’ re heading in the right direction with the governor-elect, and he is holding up his promise by remembering those who supported him.”
The first meetings have already taken place. Colligan reports that a lot was covered. No need to say more. No need to hear more. The proof will be in the pudding, but it’ s loud and clear that the PBA will have a powerful voice in the pudding.
“ There are a lot of issues that really affect us, and we want to be there to present our view,” Colligan noted.“ It’ s good that we have three members with seats at the table because everybody brings their own expertise, and I think they are looking forward to our input.” d
34 NEW JERSEY COPS ■ DECEMBER 2017