Future of Fair Haven Rec Director Job

Just after Fair Haven Parks and Recreation Department Director Charlie Hoffmann's reported last event, Veterans Day, Borough Council was debating how to keep the lauded Hoffmann momentum going.

Borough Administrator Theresa Casagrande, at Tuesday night's council meeting, expressed the utmost admiration, on the governing body's behalf, for Hoffmann and the job he has done in his four years with Fair Haven.

She said his resigntation, while regretful for officials and many residents, was a positive career move in a different direction for Hoffmann. His resignation was accepted with no malice at all, but only the very best of wishes from all, she added.

Where the borough is going from here with respect to replacing Hoffmann is now up for debate.

However, before going into executive session to discuss the matter behind closed doors, officials did offer some information.

First, Mayor Ben Lucarelli said, Hoffmann may be working out a transitional hourly work situation with the borough wherein he will give as much time as he can to help out while the situation without him is reassessed.

In addition, the subject of merging Rumson and Fair Haven recreation was broached, especially considering the recent resignation of Rumson Recreation Director John Hird.

"This is something we have to discuss," Casagrande said. "There are similarities in the two programs and also (major) differences."

The Rumson rec program, Lucarelli said, is more concentrated (on athletics), while Fair Haven's is more broad in its activity spectrum. However, he said, both have been well-run; and, considering shared services, bridging both together is definitely an option.

Regardless, Hoffmann's departure was coined a tremendous loss by all officials.

Hoffmann is known for being modest and camera-shy, but Patch managed to capture a photo of him at the borough's Veterans Day ceremony on Sunday.

* Sorry, Charlie, too many wanted to have a small remembrance of you. It's only a profile shot.