Beson calls on Monmouth County Commissioner Sue Kiley to remove Joseph DiBella from the Board of Recreation for his racist views.

Kiley Votes to Appoint DiBella to Monmouth County Board of Recreation Despite Known History of Racism and Misogyny

Ocean Township, Monmouth County – As reported in The Asbury Park Press, The Monmouth County Commissioners voted unanimously to put an individual with a history of racist and misogynistic views on the county’s Board of Recreation Commissioners. Joseph M. DiBella was appointed to a five-year term that ends in 2026, despite his resignation from the Board of Trustees at Brookdale Community College in 2016 following the liking and posting of racist and sexist social media content. While DiBella claimed his account was hacked, an independent investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office refuted that.  Mike Beson, a Democratic Candidate for Monmouth County Commissioner, wants the public to have a full explanation from the County Commissioners on how the selection was made, given DiBella’s history.  Beson said, “As a longtime small business owner in Monmouth County, I know the importance of selecting the right people for critical roles. Additionally, having spent several years on the Ocean Township School Board, I know how important it is to have people with the highest integrity in volunteer board roles. How can the Commissioners justify having someone with this past being on a Board that controls an approximately $46 million annual budget? Much like his role on the Brookdale Board, his work with the Recreation Board of Commissioners will involve work with young adults. There is no place for a person with racist views to interact with young adults.   Political appointments should be held to the same standards as county employees.”

Beson added, “There is simply no room in public discourse for engaging in hateful, divisive, and racist commentary. If the Commissioners believed this in 2016, what has changed to justify giving DiBella a coveted seat on the Board of Recreation?” If I have the honor of being elected as a Monmouth County Commissioner I will make sure that all appointments are vetted thoroughly. Appointments will be qualified people, not just friends, big donors, or political allies.

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Mike Beson is a small business owner in Monmouth County. His company, Guide Publications, specializes in online recruitment tools that have matched thousands of job seekers with new careers. Mike has had a lifelong passion for public service, first serving as the Mayor of Neptune Township, and later on the Ocean Township Board of Education. Mike’s success as a business owner and former elected official gives him the vision, and experience to best serve Monmouth County residents as their County Commissioner. Mike and his wife have 4 kids, a granddaughter and 3 dogs.