The Courier - April 3, 2008

Grenefege: Township needs to be about teamwork, transparency

By Jim Purcell
Publisher

    Middletown resident James Grenefege has been selected by the Middletown Democratic Executive Committee to be one of the candidates fielded to run for two seats on the governing body this year during the November election.
    Grenefege, 59, resides in the Locust section of the township with his wife of 35 years, the former Cyndi Conchar of Short Hills.
    Grenafege will be sharing the Democratic ticket this year with Middletown school board member Patricia Walsh, of River Plaza.
    The Grenafeges moved to Middletown, in 1998, from Millburn.
"I am very eager to begin the campaign and do something in service to my hometown," Grenafege said.
    The new candidate is a retired career management consultant from Lee Hecht Harrison, based in New York City, and is originally from Long Island. He retired from Lee Hecht Harrison in 2004, and he said he has been looking for a new challenge to dedicate himself to, since.
    Grenefege is an alumnus of Johns Hopkins University, in Maryland, where he earned his bachelor's degree in social and behavioral sciences; and Montclair University in Montclair, where he earned his master's degree in counseling. At Montclair, Grenafege's academic concentration included work in organizational design and effectiveness.

What Grenafege wants to do in office

    According to Grenafege, he wants to promote open and transparent government in town. "The people have a right to know everything, and then some: Nothing should ever be hidden from them," Grenafege said.
    The candidate said he wants to "build confidence in the citizens in government, so they know they will be respected by those in power and will be heard when they have something to say." Grenafege said people do not always agree but everyone should be heard. He noted, "Residents need to know that someone is listening at the other end."
    Most importantly, Grenafege said he wants to "spend money wisely." He said there is no way of being sure it is right now in the township because of a lack of transparency taking place.
    Grenafege said residents do not want lawmakers with a negative attitude serving in office, especially when there are questions about how money is spent. The retired executive said that on any team, it is important to know where talent and resources are and to be focused on success.

A former lacrosse national champion

    Among Grenefege's accomplishments, he is a former member of the Johns Hopkins University lacrosse team, from 1967-71. During his time there, the Johns Hopkins team split the national championship in Division 1 competition, during 1969 and 1970.
    Grenafege said Johns Hopkins split the national title with the University of Maryland, in 1969, and then with the University of Virginia, in 1970.
    The new Democratic candidate was a freshman starter on the team, who concluded his senior year as a starting midfielder.
    According to Grenafege, there are valuable lessons for government that can be learned on the playing field. He said, "What you are going to find on any team is that you are going to get along with some people very well, some you'll get along with OK, and then some you don't get along with very well. But regardless of how well or not well you get along with anyone; when you step on the field everyone on that team should be focused on the goal of winning and so you play to one another's strengths."
    Grenafege said that, where it involves Middletown, it is much the same. Grenafege concluded that Middletown would be stronger for incorporating the input talent and strengths of many people, instead of just a handful.
    Government is stronger with citizen involvement and not weaker," he concluded. "For everyone to be interested in government in town, that means they have to be able to express themselves in a way where they are listened to by elected officials."