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